INFANT WELFARE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 3, 28 September 1921, Page 7

INFANT WELFARE

$ ' ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY ’’•v LECTURE BY DR. TRUBY KING Dr. Truby King delivered a lecture last evening in the room of the Red Cross Society, his subject being “Infant Caro and Welfare," Mr. Justice Hosking presided, and in introducing the lecturer said that ho was glad to preside because Dr. Truby King was an old friend of his, and ho had been more or less, associated with Dr. King in his earlier efforts in infants' welfare. Ho reforted to the conference held in Europe, at which all tho principal nations were represented, and ho quoted the opinion of a medical expert from tho U'nited States, who was chairman of one of the committees, who said that the question of the infante’ welfare and upbringing was of paramount importance te tho World. •

Dr. Truby King, on rising, was received with applause. He said that tho main method of combating Hhe falling birth-rate, and of stopping tho decline of civilisation was to protect tho mother prior to tho birth of tlie child, or during the pre-natal period. This was first attempted in Boston, where it was proved that where the mother was cared for during the nine months prior to the birth of the child, tho death-rate among infants was cut down by half. In this matter they 1 could not the mother from tho child or ffhe child from the mother. The welfare of the one was the welfare of, the q,ther. The welfare of tho mother and the* welfare of the child wero indissolubly bound together. It was thought that sanitation would tell in favour of the child. Such, for instance, as improved drainage, the sup. ply of pure Water, and regulation of houses. But this was note the cas& The environment of "the child was not the surroundings as wo know it. The environment of the child was' its own mother. The lecturer then referred to tho fact that in tho East Encl in London ■ where' there was squalor, tho children had better teeth than children in tlie West End. In'the East End the mothers suckledi their children, and , when weaned the children were ready for bard food, and so obtained the necesary exercise for their jaws. In the West End thA children were coddled and pap fid, and it was not an uncommon sight io seo children of three years of age wheeled about in perambulators in, parks. *Jt should be part of the physical education of, children, declared) Dr. Truby lung, that they should have a full,measure of sunshine. Tho Italians -had a jfroverb, which said that where the sun did not penetrate tho doctor must. Tho Nivation of Wellington was its currents of iTinds; wero it otherwise, it would not be quite so healthy a place a 4 it was. Ho referred to the need for exercise, to keep tho muscles in tone, to keep them active. Then came the train-/ ing of tho -intellect, which, under our civilisation, was tho duty of tho Government. Will power, or the, power of tonirol, was a matter in which the child should bo trained in its own interests, and in tho.interests of those around it. All the activities were rhythmic, oven the beating of tho heart, and the periods of work, sleep, and rest should be as definite as possible each ‘day. "All work?and no play made Jack a dull boy.” Work while you work, and play while you play was a very good rule for children. The first protection; cf a child was to train it carefully to cbe.y. and te train it to regular and normal habits. A child so trained could amuse itself, while a child riot so trained vas not able to amuse itself. How often had they seen in a railway carriage one child unable to amuse itself, and so a nuisance to tho passengers, While andthet” child properly trained played by itself, and was quite contented and happy. T'ho highest duty east upon us was to see that th® next generation had a better chance than we have had ourselves, whatever that chance may he, ‘and we could only do that by attending to the welfare of the mother and child. At the conclusion of the lecture a nuiiiber of slides were screened, which added greatly to/tho interest of the leefure. Dr. Trilby Kin" received a heartyvote of thanks from the meeting, which consisted mainl.y of women. LECTURE AT MELROSE. On Monday evening, under the auspices of the Melroso Electors’ Association, Dr. Truby King delivered, a lecture, illustrated with lantern slides, at the residence of Mr. L. G. Chisholm. Mr. F. Tonks presided, and the lecture was followed jvith keen interest by a large number of Melrose residents. Dr. King, who spoke on ''Child Welfare," was accorded a hearty vote of thanks', and the mooting unanimously decided to assist in the appeal. Ort Sunday afternoon, at the Oriental Bay band rotunda,, selections wero rendered by the Waterside Workers’ Band. The Roseneath and Oriental Bay branch of the Civic League made a collection in aid of the Plunket 'Home Fund, end th sum of £ll 3s. Bd.' was raised. Under the auspices of the Wellington Rotary Club, tho staff of Messrs.. Kirk-1 caldie and Stains, Ltd., have arranged for a dance and bridge parly,, to bo held in tho firm’s tea room on Friday, even-

ing. Supper will bo contributed by Messrs.’ Kirkcalclio and Stains, and it is expected that a good sum of money will be handed over to the Karitano Home.