THE WASTE OF LIFE 191 



merit of specially qualified nurses to visit and instruct mothers before 

 and after the birth of their children, and the promotion of needed legis- 

 lative reforms. It announces itself as 



less concerned with reducing the death rate than with improving the health of 

 the people. However, the problems are practically identical. 



Work at Home 



These and similar methods have been followed to some extent in a 

 few American cities, in part by boards of health, and in part by various 

 private agencies. Already the increase in scientific knowledge, and the 

 new social consciousness, have resulted in a marked reduction in our 

 infant death rate within the last few years. It is estimated that during 

 the decade 1900-1910 the decrease was 19 per cent., or nearly one fifth, 

 which of course satisfactorily offsets, in a measure, the reduction in 

 number of births. The mother's contribution to the world is not to be 

 measured by the number of children she has borne, but by the number 

 brought to a vigorous and useful maturity. 



In order to make all the knowledge collected on this subject gen- 

 erally available, to induce comparisons, and to enable one community 

 to profit by another's experience, the Children's Bureau has issued the 

 first of a projected series of annual bulletins on "Baby-Saving Cam- 

 paigns in American Cities." The lack of financial support is the great- 

 est obstacle to efficient work. The motto of the health department of 

 New York City is worthy of note. 



Public health is purchasable; within natural limitations a community can 

 determine its own death rate. 



These significant words should hang upon the walls of every city hall 

 in the land. 



Surely nature's first law should be man's first concern, not only for 

 himself, but for the community; not for his own children alone, but 

 for all children, since none can be safe where all are not safe. Legis- 

 lator, tax-payer, what would you take in exchange for the life of your 

 child? How much are you willing to give in order adequately to safe- 

 guard its precious life and all the other precious lives in your com- 

 munity ? A certain city of more than a half million inhabitants wrote 

 to the Children's Bureau through its board of health as follows : 



We have no funds available to organize a division for the care of infants. 



Another large city, on being asked its plans for a summer campaign 

 against children's digestive diseases, replied : 



We have been unable to get an appropriation for a campaign of this kind. 



Wherever this state of affairs exists — and may it not be in our own 

 community? — it is incumbent upon individual women to organize, or 



