PLUNKET SYSTEM

Shannon News, 29 March 1923, Page 3

PLUNKET SYSTEM

WHERE NEW ZEALAND LEADS

A comprehensive report on infant mortality has been published by the C.liil d ren ’ s B ureau oi Washington. i lie highest- death-rate is in Chile, whore 306 oi every thousand babies die in their first year—or nearly one (Hit of every three. That was me figure in 1019; next came Hungary, Mi per 1000, Japan 184, Spain 'lB3, and then, in spite of her boasted fficicucy and social measures, Germany, with a death-rate of 140 per PTO. The mortality rates in other countries me: France 119, Scotland 102, pen-/ mark. 92, England and Wales.B9, ireland 88, the United Stales 87, Switzerland 82, the Netherlands 80, -a nil Norway 64. “But when Americans cast their eyes in the direction ol the Antipodes their complacency suffers' a rer( f ,iii shock,” says the WorU’s, Work. “Australia loses only 69 out of every thousand babies born,’ wmle New Zealand loses only 45. This last, record is the marvel of the whole investigation. That natural conditions, e pecially the climate, are favourable, is probably* true; but these do not explain, the record, or explain it only in part. . . . The present favourable exhibit is the result of a conscientious effort of New Zealand to protect the young. And in this ciiN cumstance lies the value of their experience to the United States. ’ Ihe writer proceeds to describe the work of the Plunket Society during ffie 'e-t 16 years—in which period xhe mortality lias been reduced i'rom 69 to 45—and says “it has unquestionably been the greatest single factor in this diminution.” He also refers to the various Government measures 'for ihe protection and assistance of nriiernilv, and concludes: “In a word New Zealand and its Government are engaging in a warfare somewhat more enlightened tl/an that which has recently engaged the energies oi mankind. It is determined to stamp out the causes that bring about the death of babies, so far as human ingenuity can do -so. The success with which it is meeting is perhaps the greatest ’ lesson that .this little Dominion can icacli the world 1 at the present lime, 'flic United States—although it must be remembered that our record is not as bad as that of most countries—should only too gladly sit at New Zealand’s feet.”