Infant feeding and its influence on life, or, The causes and prevention of infant mortality [Elektronisk resurs] / by C.H.F. Routh.

• "In putting forth a third edition of this work, I feel I have much for which to be thankful. It is not only that the public and the profession have regarded my special views in many instances with kindness and partiality, but that the ruling powers have been made to act by the voice of public opinion. Without presuming to take credit for a course of action which may only have been synchronous with the enunciation of my opinions, and yet possibly in no way influenced thereby; still it is gratifying to find that measures have been taken by Government itself in the very directions I ventured to recommend. The whole official and sanitary powers have been invoked in favor of little children. Their food may no longer be adulterated, even with water, and their lives are more effectually protected in many ways. Much, however, remains yet to be done. In England alone, since the year 1847, over 341,000 babies have died from developmental diseases of children, and nearly 2,500 from want of breast-milk. Even since my last edition in 1863 nearly 146,000 children have died from the former diseases and 12,000 from the latter cause, and unfortunately these numbers are on the increase. Compared to a million of persons living, the numbers which for these two classes were, in 1847, respectively, in the proportion of 653 and 46, are now in that of 695 and 53. France, from similar causes, is actually diminishing in population. There is still, therefore, ample room for improvement. The minimum of good done should urge us to more active measures still. The first step towards reform is to be fully cognizant of the evils which exist; the second is to trace the causes that favor their development. Then only may reform be safely urged and begun. Our Registrar-General, of whom England may well be proud, has by his unparalleled reports done much to clear the mists in the vista before us. Hundreds of men of science in every land, actuated by the noblest and most generous impulses, have spoken with decision and judgment. It is for us to enter the promised land and take possession. I hope, therefore, for better things yet. I look forward to a day when the full benevolent intentions of the originators of Foundling Hospitals will be carried out, because better understood. When woman, instead of being outraged in the day of her distress, will be effectually helped, and infanticide will cease to be the plague-spot of this land. "When true and unprejudiced religion, walking hand in hand with a morality-not merely sensational, but real-will be based upon the precepts laid down by our Great Exemplar, and arranged on the side of our helpless babes; then, like Him, "we shall be working while it is to-day;" like Him, "be ever going about and doing good:" and then of us it may be justly said, "Mercy and truth have met together," and "glory may dwell in our land"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved). 

Ämnesord

Infants  -- Nutrition. (LCSH)

Malnutrition in children.  (LCSH)

Infants  -- Mortality. (LCSH)

Infant Nutrition Disorders  (MeSH)

Infant Mortality  (MeSH)

Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena  (MeSH)

Klassifikation

RJ216 (LCC)