Semi-Centennial Volume. 209 



way is in almost perfect condition to Indiana, but from there on west it is 

 mainly a dirt road, although much better kept than the neighboring 

 roads. Last summer it is estimated that 5,000 men were busy at one 

 time improving this highway, and when we remember that the concept 

 of a transcontinental highway is less than three years old, we may be 

 well pleased at the results already accomplished. 



These extended highways will do more to thoroughly knit our citizens 

 together in the firm bonds of a mutual understanding of each other's 

 problems than any influence now discernible. 



But, as stated before, such great enterprises cannot be successfully 

 completed without Federal aid, and it appears now probable that the 

 national government will in the near future reembark on the great prob- 

 lem of road building with which it has done almost nothing for over half 

 a century. Then, when nation, states, counties, and local communities 

 work together, we may construct such a network of roads as will make 

 them the pride and boast of every American citizen. 



A Study of Foods for Infants. 



Leon A. Congdox, B. S. 



When we come to consider the great number of proprietary foods for 

 infants which are rapidly flooding the markets, we cannot help but pause 

 and study the value of these proprietary products. The reason for such a 

 flooding of the market with these proprietary foods is evident because, 

 first, a great many mothers are unable to nurse their children, and, 

 second, a great many will not nurse them because of a so-styled reason 

 of their duty to society. The first reason should have the sympathy of 

 everyone, but the second is no reason at all and should be discouraged. 



This article will not deal especially on the infant-feeding question, 

 but will be confined to a study of foods for infants, giving such facts as 

 will tend to discourage the use of proprietary foods. When we stop to 

 study the composition of the largest sellers among the proprietary foods 

 for infants we are impressed with the fact that they are comparatively 

 useless, and in some cases harmful to children under one year of age. 

 In fact, a study of the available statistics in this country and abroad 

 goes to show that high infant mortality is due either to the improper 

 feeding of cow's milk to infants up to six or nine months of age, or, in 

 all probability, is due to the feeding of artificially prepared patent baby 

 foods which set up a disturbance of the child's delicate digestive organs. 

 The late Walter Wyman, of the United States Public Health Service, 

 said that it is recognized that gastro-intestinal disease is the largest 

 factor determining infant mortality, a condition in great measure due 

 to improper methods of feeding, and that this enormous loss of potential 

 wealth is of grave concern to the state and worthy of most careful con- 

 sideration. 



Chart I shows the relation of the nutritive ratio to the physiological 

 fuel value of the most common proprietary foods for infants found in 

 this country. This chart also shows this relation in comparison with 



14 — .Vcad. Sci.— 2199 



