280 ILLINOIS STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



were running down communicable diseases, placing tempo- 

 rary quarantine on contacts, detecting chronic carriers, 

 making tests to ascertain who were immune and those who 

 were not, and a multitude of things which can only be done 

 by one especially trained. 



4 — The branch of the health department in my opinion 

 having most to do directly with lowering infant mortality 

 in Decatur, was the Child's Welfare Department. The 

 Slogan of this department has been "Keep the Well Baby 

 Well." Under this department were maintained infant wel- 

 fare stations, where 329 babies were registered and more 

 than 800 examinations were made, the mother given advice 

 as to the care of the baby, the food best for it, and other 

 educational work. A remarkable feature of the work was 

 the fact that not a single child attending the clinics died 

 during the year. Number of nursing and instruction visits 

 in homes 1097. Number of advisory calls 420. 



This organization has for its head the Medical director, 

 and is directly under the supervision of the Child's Wel- 

 fare Nurse. The Federation of Mothers' Clubs co-operates, 

 thus making it widely educational. "Educate, educate, 

 educate," should be the slogan. 



The Day Nursery has cared daily for an average of 30 

 children whose mothers were working, and has provided 

 for others who came in after school hours. It also main- 

 tained a free kindergarten for these children. The matron 

 visits all homes in sickness or trouble. 



5 — Scarcely second to the Child's Welfare Department is 

 the Dairy Inspector, for pure milk is essential to healthy 

 bottle fed babies. Our dairy inspector is especially adapted 

 to his work, being a practical dairyman himself and per- 

 sonally acquainted with every dairy in the community, and 

 he takes pride in being able to direct physicians or others 

 just where to obtain the desired milk supply. He has really 

 induced a sort of competitive rivalry among the dairymen 

 to produce the best baby milk possible. 



6 — The Venereal Clinic has undoubtedly contributed its 

 share in lowering infant mortality. During the year four 



