The Saving of Infant Life

It is remarkable to see the great interest roused in England on the high rate of infant mortality and the necessity of effective measures to prevent it has led to some activity in India. The other day we pointed out that it was proposed to adopt an experimental scheme in Calcutta to save infant life by supplying good milk free of cost and examining the health of babies at least once a week. The municipality proposes an increase in the number of dais and lady health visitors to advise women about the proper rearing of babies. Want of nourishment accounts for the large number of deaths and the majority of poor women require some sort of assistance. In Madras, it is pointed out, the scheme of supplying good milk was tried once but failed on account of mismanagement. Probably a private scheme will have better chance of success.