LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 32, 2 November 1920, Page 10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

HEALTH PEOPLE

Sir,—Your correspondent, "Colonist," lias lieen good enough to draw attention \o 6onio ot' the proven LiMc causes of the prevailing sickness and large percentage of infant mortality. What he guys is no dottbt true in many respects, liut I think there is another aspect of the question that requires touching upon. I may say that far as my wife and I are concerned we have always followed hygienic methods of living, nnd that tho'windows of our bedrooms are always open. This, however, did not prevent our children catching the prevailing whooping cough and our eventually losing a line little baby boy just ono year old. What might have prevented it was <i little outside help when it was hadly needed in the home, but which was not forthcoming. I refer to assistance in the matter of nursing, etc. 1 believe there are many cases similar to ours where the mother, none too well herself, lias had to nurse her ohildrcn through siekmws unaided, while at the same-time attending tu her household duties. In our ease an endeavour was made to get domestic help over and over again, but without success. The conscquenco was the mother was unable to give her baby tho attention it would otherwise have received, and pneumonia set in. Although every attention was then given the little sufferer (a trained nurse being called in), it was too late to save his life. If the tiovermnent is concerned with tho saving of the ba"bies. let it appoint somo trained nurses whoso services would be available in eases where the mother is unable properly to nurse her -children. Tho Uovermiient could pay porhaps half the feo of the mums, so that the ordinary wage-earner would not 1)0 debarred t/-om availing himself of their services. At present I helieve there is no hospital tfliere children suffering from any infectious disease can bo taken. Surely it is time such a state of affairs ceased to exist ill a city like Wellington. When something practical is done in tho direction indicated, cither by the Government, Hod Cross Society, or l'lunket .Society, thero may be fewer parents mourning the premature deaths of their little ones.—l am, etc.. IMBBNT..