S A FIRST STEP in the

drive in Ohio to reach the quota of 4,510 lives under five years of age apportioned to the state to be saved during the current year, an estimated saving by counties and cities has been figured. The apportionment for Ohio was made by the Children's Bureau on the basis of the 1910 census. It represents a thirty per cent reduction in the loss of life under five years of age in 1916.

Census figures showing age distribution for all sections of the state not being available, the apportionment for counties and cities was made on mortality figures for 1916. Mortality figures for 1917 are not yet ready for publication. The cities in the state are responsible for over two-thirds of the deaths of children over five in 1916 and a total saving of 3.022 represents a fair quota for cities, leaving 1.488 for counties outside of cities. If the census method of apportionment had been used for certain parts of the state, some of the counties would have a quota to save exceeding the actual loss of life under five years of age in 1916 within the county. On the other hand, the cities like Cleveland and

Cincinnati, with census figures of respectively 62,512 and 29,172 children under five years of age in 1910, would have their quotas reduced to 588 and 135 children to save this year. On the basis of mortality in these two cities in 19161 they should save 827 and 310 babies respectively.

This conservation, made on the basis that we accept 4,510 babies as a possible reduction to be brought about in the state during 1918, is a big task and could only be actually accomplished by the united effort of men and women in every part of the state. Because of the very much more highly organized machinery for the reduction of infant mortality which exists at the present time in our large cities, it is only fair that they should make the largest contribution to this campaign for reduction. Because of these facts it is hoped that the large cities will accept the great responsibility which this plan imposes upon them and do all in their power to reduce their loss of life.

The following table presents the apportionment of the 4,510 children to be saved by the eightyeight counties and eighty cities:

15,349

10,072

5,277

state a large percentage of the human resources now needlessly sacrificed. The visit of Dr. King should prove of great assistance in giving the local welfare workers new encouragement and in awakening the consciousness of the community to the magnitude of the task in hand.

By painstaking organization, by insisting upon the importance of prenatal care and of birth registration, by making every mother of the land virtually an active partner in the work of saving New Zealand's babies, Dr. King reduced infant mortality to an astonishingly low figure. The encouraging fact about it is that much the same accomplishment is possible for the United States and for any other country willing to buckle to the task as New Zealand did.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.

PIGS IS PIGS

Much has been said of late regarding the re-establishing of pigs within the limits of some of our cities. To any thinking person, a proposition of this kind should certainly be turned down by those who have the power to keep intact the present regulations.

Many arguments have been advanced favoring the return of the pig. Without being in the least unpatriotic, we wish to state that the argument of cleanliness, which can not be maintained with pigs, in connection with good health overshadows all points in favor of the pig return.

While dirty pigpens are not directly the cause of any disease affecting mankind, nevertheless as a breeder of flies and as an incentive for the pig owner to disregard all other rules of cleanliness, it cer

tainly is a splendid opportunity for conditions such as existed twenty or more years ago to return and bring with them the high death rates that have but recently been lowered.

As for ourselves, if pigs should ever be allowed to return to the. city limits, we are going to buy a five-acre tract of land on the highest surrounding mountain and reside there. Aside from that, we would request and make every effort to obtain sufficient funds to employ enough inspectors (one for each block) to supervise the dirtiness of the pigpens.

A pigless community has been the aim for a long time. They should not be allowed to return with a mere stroke of the pen.Cumberland (Md.) Health Bulle

tin.

PUBLIC HEALTH

SERVICE CONSIDERS

MALNUTRITION Following studies of the causes of draft rejections, which are interpreted to mean that malnutrition in childhood was an important underlying cause, the United States Public Health Service, it is officially announced, is considering a national program of co-operation with state, county and municipal health authorities for the purpose of safeguarding the health of school children.

Steps to see that every school child is provided with a warm, properly balanced meal at noon are advocated. The rising cost of living and the lack of general knowledge of healthful substitutes for valuable articles of food, it is declared, make attention to this factor especially important at the present time.