DR. L. E. LA FETRA'S PAPER 241 



for children's diseases been published for several 

 decades, but the medical faculties have had special 

 departments with full professors of paediatrics and 

 special hospitals for teaching and research. Among 

 the new University Hospital buildings in Vienna, the 

 children's clinic occupies as prominent a position, 

 and, with its contagious pavilions, covers more ground 

 than the new medical clinic. 



In considering the subject of infant hygiene, just 

 as in dealing with the baby, we cannot separate the 

 baby from the mother without doing harm, so there 

 should be the closest co-operation between the depart- 

 ments of obstetrics and paediatrics. That part of 

 the course dealing with pre-natal care and the pre- 

 vention of mortality during childbirth might well 

 be given by the department of obstetrics. In 

 addition to lectures, the instruction should include 

 visits to properly conducted maternity services, in- 

 fants' consultations or milk stations, dairies and milk 

 laboratories as well as infants' hospitals. There 

 should also be installed a small model or miniature 

 exhibit, showing what is bad as well as what is good 

 for the mother and the baby, with especial reference 

 to the living-room or nursery, and its ventilation, the 

 baby's crib, clothing, care of the milk and bottles, 

 table for food preparation, arrangements for bathing, 

 for fresh air, &c. The greatest amount of time and 

 effort should be devoted to the subject of infant 

 feeding, with emphasis on maternal nursing. 



The chief consideration is that every student 

 should have indelibly impressed upon his mind the 

 influence upon infant life and infant health of the 

 following : 



(i) Heredity. The teachings of eugenics as re- 

 gards parenthood, with special reference to insanity, 

 alcoholism, tuberculosis, syphilis and gonococcus in- 

 fection ; discussion of measures advisable. Fitness 

 for marriage ; school instruction in sex hygiene ; 



