Proceedings of the quarter-centennial celebration of the establishment of the Michigan State Board of Health : held at Detroit, Michigan, August 9, 1898.

Michigan. State Board of Health

Date:: 1898

Credit: Proceedings of the quarter-centennial celebration of the establishment of the Michigan State Board of Health : held at Detroit, Michigan, August 9, 1898. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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$it would be iiicoiiijdete without the co-operalioii of iiiotliers in carrying out in the lioine lifii the juanciples of infant hygieia*. To secure 'tliis to (he househol<l ccmlainiug a new horn child, the Rullalo Department of Health furnishes a circular of information, cover- ing (he essential j)oints which mothers should ol)serve in the care and management of the infant. That this may reach and have its inlluence upon all classes, the matter is printed in several languages, is couched in simple words and the directions given i)lainly and ])ractical. Such circulars of instruction should, and, in IhilTalo, include the fol- lowing: 1, Directions for bathing and cleanliness, for ])roj)crly dressing and changing (In? infant. 2. Diivctions for sleej), i-egulating the hours and urgently warning against the use of sle<*ping dro]»s, cordials and the like. Directions for securing ahundama* of fi’esh air, suitable hours for airing the child and the im|)oi'tance of avoiding the devitalizing elVects of the heat within doors and without. 4. Directions for simj»le household hygi(*ne, as regards ventilation, dampness, odors, etc. o. Dir(*ctions, in detail, foi- feeding, weaning, various artiticial foods. The ])r(*servation and st(“rilization of milk, methods of cleansing and k(‘eping clean feeding bottles, utensils and the like. The sel(*ction of proj)er fe(*ding bottles and condemnation of the long tube design. 0. The symptoms laaidily recognized by motlu'rs necessitating medical att(Midanc(\ and the evichmce of normal dig(*stion. It is gratifying to know that these cii'culars ar(‘ ai)pi‘eciat(*d among the ])oorer classics, ai-e lived uj) to as much as pf)ssibl(> and have a salutory influence in the ])r(Muises. The i>rincii)les involved in the subj(*ct under consideration have of ne- cessity be('n but referred to and are intended as 'suggestive and to bring out the views and (“xperiences of tliose among you who have given these matters much thought. The field is a most inviting one and it is through such exchange of views as is ])ossible here that present action and pro- cedures can be fortified, new ones made opcu'ative. Sanatory science has been and is so i»rogressive that any action that Avill proportionat(*ly annihilat(' tlu‘ various contagions will redound to> th(' happiness and welfare of the community and tin* honor of our art. Chnlrman The last topic upon the profjrnin for this aftoriioon, “Sanitation of the Knturc,” by Prof. Vausrhan. will necessarily have to be omitted, owinc to the ,‘ibsence of Prof. Vau>rban. This distinsruished f'cntleman is not only a bacteriologist and sanitarian, he is in addition to these a patriot. Early in the Avar he offered his services to his country. These Avere promptly accei)ted by the government, and Dr. Vanpthan Avas des))atched at once to the front. In the field and in the hospitals at Santiapo he labored da.v and lupht to relh've the sick and the Avonnded until him- self stricken Avith yellow fever. I am most happy to announce his recovery from this disease and that today he starts for his home to repain his strenpth and to continue his career of usefulness. This concludes onr afternoon in-opram and I now declare this s(>ssion closc(i.$