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The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1879.

A statement made to us the other day by a party who should know that some ten or twelve still-born children had been disposed of by the caretaker of the Temuka cemetery during the last six months drew our attention again to the subject of the death-rate of this comparatively thinly-populated district. In looking over the register of deaths for the last eighteen months vve find a startling contrast |in the last 4 or 5 months when compared with the previous twelve months. Daring the year 1878 there is registered for this district 21 deaths, as follows : 11 under 1 year, 4 over 1 year and under 12 years, 2 over 15 and under 20, 3 over 40 and under 50, and one 78. From Ist January, 1879, to 20th May there have been registered 27 deaths—B under 1 year. 10 under 3 years 5 over 15 and finder 30, 2 40 and under 50, 2 GO and under 70. When it is observed that only about four months and a half have

yet passed away and the number of deaths registered is 27, as against 21 for the whole year of 1878, we cannot but be startled at the rapid increase of deaths for the portion of the present year. At the rate recorded, 72 would be the number for the year ending 31 u December, ‘1873, ns against 21 for 1878 and 25 for 1877. Now it cannot for a moment be believed that the increase in population in this district for the 1 or 5 months of tin's year is anything like in proportion to the number of deaths that are talcing place amongst us. There is also a startling disclosure made as to the number of deaths under one year and under three years. We are going on at the rate of 21 for the year of the former ; from 3 to 12 years at about 26 for the year out of the total of 72. The proportion of old and middle-aged is very small. Surely, then, there is a call for enquiry as to the cause of this heavy mortality amongst our children and youth. If we add say six as still-born to the list of infants, it would at the same rats give at the end of the year over forty who have died under one year, f Well might these little ones exclaim, if they could speak, “What was I begun for that I was so soon done for 1” As they cannot themselves answer the question, it is for us to try aud answer it if we can. In a previous article we remarked upon the large proportion of little mounds in our cemetery. Anyone looking over that small allotment for the dead cannot but be struck with the great slaughter of the innocents. True, there is no denying that it is by some inscrutable law of Providence that this is permitted ; yet in this, as in all other things, there is a second cause, and it is for us to try and remove this second cause. It is quite out of proportion with the rules of the natural world to have over the half of young life sacrificed before they have scarcely felt the sun shining upon them. We stated in the article referred to that various causes might be pointed out. It is easier said than done. It is rather a question for our medical men to answer than for ns. The natural causes, as they are termed in the certificates, are so varied and so surrounded with technicalities that we cannot grasp them. One thing seems certain, exterior influences must he at work or this large proportion of infanta, who have come to full maturity, and inheriting in general sound constitutions, should not so soon have their eyes closed in death. Our sympathy with infant suffering has always been great, because they themselves cannot describe their troubles. It is therefore the greater duty devolving upon ns to mitigate their suffering as far as it lies in our power. One cause, we are sure, is the carelessness in nursing these dear little helpless innocents. In America mothers feel almost ashamed to nurse their own children. Instead they either farm them out or nurse them by the bottle as it is called ; with the chemical properties of the food used they do not care to trouble themselves. It is to be hoped, however, this system is not taking root in New Zealand, least of all in this district. In our early days, along with other boys, we were cruel enough to sometimes rob the little bird of its healthy chirping young ones, thinking we could nurse them as well as their mothers, and regardless of the sorrow and wailing of the poor mother (with regret we say it) we tried it. Our success did not amount to one in ten of survivors, and why 1 Simply because we deprived them of what nature provided for them ; so in the case of a great mortality amongst infants. The mothers deprive them of what nature provided for them, and thus destroy if not their life at least their constitution. If mothers thus proceed with their offspring which they are in duty bound to protect and nurse, it is but a just retribution that they should be relieved of their charge. Of children of a few years a worse practice prevails, that of often feeding them with animal food out of all proportion to the requirements of their tender years. In the countries of Europe animal flesh is but sparingly used, even to adults, while in tropical or warm climates it is scarcely used at all. In our colony, which may be said to be midway between the two, animal food should be used sparingly, yet it is no uncommon occurrence to see children of tender years literally stuffed with animal food two or three times a day. Is it then unreasonable to expect that they will become ready victims to fever or other malignant diseases, which so rapidly sweep them off the face of the earth 1 A still further evil is that iniquitous habit of allowing children to sip at almost every meal intoxicating drinks. What? are not our temptations to this debasing vice sufficient without artificial’}” forming an appetite for these abominable adulterations. The great carelessness of mothers in one or other instance is too common, and cannot be too strongly condemned. Strong drink to those who are ready to perish is the only warrant for its use, even to adults. There is no appearance of plump, rosy, healthy children being ready to perish, why then use stimulating drinks. The simplest foods and the simplest drinks are what nature provides, pure and wholesome ; with these let our children be nourished and fed, and certain it is fewer deaths would take place amongst the promising little ones. Cleanliness is also of vital importance, as also pure air. Too;” often are children ruined by being peiji, up in a nursery without regard to ventilation, the blood by this means becomes poisoned, disease lays hold of the child which may baffle the skill of the ablest medical practitioner, and death ensues, when there is weeping and wailing instead of washing and scrubbing, and opening the windows to let in the pure winds of heaven Other causes innumerable could be pointed out, such as the accumulations of filth, decaying rubbish, stagnant water, petrified meat or vegetables, or unripe fruit, unneedful wrapping up, or the contra, unnecessary exposure to cold ; this and other causes all tend to the destruction of the helpless. The number of still-born cases we may be surprised at, but cannot give an opinion upon, yet there is a cause and that that cause may be a violation of the laws of nature there can be no question. It may possible be criminality of a sort that ia .difficult to prove. In the hope that these remarks will stir up enquiry is the leading. Wish of the writer. That such a highly-favoured (by nature) district as ours should be a field of death is incomprehensible and needs looking into. Except diphtheria, which doubtless arises from well-known causes, we are not aware of any malignant disease lodging amongst ms, yet death marks its virtues day after day, and month after

month, at a rapidly increasing rate and" fc'.v seem to trouble themselves by asking why. Our sanitary laws are . loose and neglected, our food regulations are nil, our population has not increased ten per cent, during the period referred to, while our death rate has increased a hundred and fifty per cent, or more. Shall we allow it to go ou or shall we bestir ourselves and stop its ravages.

Holiday.— The various business places in Temuka will be closed on Saturday next (Queen’s Birthday). Vehy Complimentary.— -The Wellington ‘ Chronicle’ is responsible for the following : The walls of the House of Representatives arc now graced with excellent photographs (by Messrs Clarke and Hamilton, of Lambton Quay), of all the members except the representative for Timarn. Mr Turnbull’s excessive modesty would not permit him to have his picture exhibited, and he obstinately refused to be taken. Mr Turnbull is not “ a bad looking fellow,” and he need not to bo ashamed to exhibit in company with that prince of snobs, Edward Wakefield, of Geraldine, his nearest neighbor. English Mail. —The next English mail, via San Francisco, will close at the Temuka Post-office on Friday, 23rd instant, at 2.30 p.m.. Money orders and registered letters on Thursday, 22nd, at 5 p.m. Local Song. —A correspondent sends us a song, which appears in another column, and informs us that it will he sung by the Volunteers marching through the town, when the sham-fight is concluded on the Queen’s Birthday. Australian Mutual Provident Society. —We have much pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to Mr M. A. Black’s brochure on the “ Progressive Policy of the Australian Mutual Provident Society.” Members seem to have become alarmed in consequence of the total annual expenses of the Society being higher than in former years, and the treatise contains an interesting review of the various opinions held by actuaries on the question of expenses of manage, ment, The| writer shows very clearly that no comparison ought to bo innstituted between two life offices unless these companies arc similarly situated with regard to age and the amount of business transacted. An office may be unique with regard to expenditure, and yet, so far from retrogading or standing still, may be securing for itself a permanent vitality and a lasting popularity. True economy does not consist in conducting an office at a minimum rate of expenditure, for we learn that those companies alone whose premium revenue has been decreasing are conducted at an expense of less than 10 per cent, of the premiums. The Australian Mutual Provident Society affords its members many practical advantages which increase somewhat the cost of management. Thus, amongst other forms of benefit for which policy-holders may exchange their bonus additions, they may commute them into the form of an annuity or surrender them for cash. In short, the Australian Mutual Provident Society claims to be a representative or selectic society, embracing the systems peculiar to various office.s, and profiting by the improvements which have from time to time been introduced in perfecting the business of life insurance. The gratifying progress that this society has made is apparent ■when we learn that, though established only 29 lyears, yet it has an amount assured exceeding the average business of 73 English offices, established for 39 years, by 232 per cent., and a premium income exceeding theirs by 2GB per cent., and that its rate of expenses is under that of the average English offices. Wc cordially recommend this little treatise to all who wish to study the question of life insurance. As will be seen from our advertising columns, this review of the Mutual Provident Society can be had by applying to Mr 0. J. Rayucr, the local agent. Attempted Suicide. —Mr J, J. Loc, of Leeston, runholder and merchant, attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself with a breech-loading gun in his private office about noon on Saturday last. The charge glanced off his cheek hone, and hopes are entertained of his recovery. The reason of this rash act is stated to be temporary monetary embarrassment. Supreme Court. —The next sitting of the Supreme Court will be held on the 10th June, at Timaru, and the calendar promises to bo a heavy one. In addition to the criminal cases, there are sixteen special jury cases set down for heaving, all of which are against Mr Studholme, and have arisen out of the Waimate bush fire.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TEML18790521.2.7

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 147, 21 May 1879, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,144

The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1879. Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 147, 21 May 1879, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1879. Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 147, 21 May 1879, Page 2

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