special office was set up and from this office we telephoned to all charitable
institutions in Rome, warning them that a distribution was going to take place
and asking them to preppare lists of all their children under ten years of age.
A notice was published in Italian papers twice, telling the institutions they
would have to come to this office between certain dates, the 15th and 20th of
January. When the time came they swarmed down on us with enthusiasm to get
something, at least for the children. They filled in, under the direction of
Prof. Canaperia a question sheet which dealt with the whole situation of the
orphanages or institution. the condition in which it was at present moment
with regard to supplies, number of beds available, number of children actually
present, the situation with regard to beds, sheets, clothing and food; the
milk ration,etc. We obtained the names of the Doctors and medical assistants,
information as to whether they were short of medicines to get a full idea of
the situation. This was not done with a view to the actual distribution of
milk but to help in the future distribution of clothing, medicines, or
anything else we might have to distribute; to do the work just once, at the
same time deciding as soon as this distribution was completed our Doctors
would pay a personal visit to all institutions and get a first-hand idea of
what the situation was like and in an effort also to control the figures and
facts given by the people in charge of the institutions; further, to give them
instructions with regard to the preparation of the powdered milk,and also
control the children actually getting milk. The institutions are divided into
two groups: orphanages and simiiiar institutions, and hospitals. To the
institutions we gave the powdered milk and the vitamins which can be given to
any person, not a Doctor and not under medical control. To the hospitals we
gave specialized items: protein milk, dextromaltose, the vitamins C,A, D and
B, and the other elements we had to distribute. We calculated a ration of 40
grams of powdered milk a day, corresponding to 25 cubic centimeters, one-
quarter liter, adding 200 calories to the child's calorie ration, worked a
good supplement to the actual rations they were getting. We worked out a table -
giving the number of units of vitamins necessary to get a stabilized diet in
order to allot the right number of vitamin tablets to each institutions. That
plan was carried out by our Doctors. We still have institutions from the
outskirts coming in. So far we have given rations to 5924 children in 109
orphanages, also to 15 children's hospitals and maternity homes and to two
milk dispensaries --Santa Marta and the Red Cross. Altogether, up to the
present 8447 children have received milk and vitamins for a period varying
between 50 and 60 days. We had in some cases a small number of children we
couldn't give 60 days, we would have to split the cases. The amount varies
slightly. If more is needed and if one has its statement showing what has
been received and for what period, we have further milk to distribute, and
they may receive further ration from the expired date of their ticket.
Mr. Barr: I would like to say here that in the control of milk
distribution in the past the American Red Cross has found that in issuing a
future amount to them if you would have them return the empty containers from
the previous distribution you find it helps control wholesale loss in any of
the institutions. In other words, if one of the five lb. tins is not returned
you won't replace it. If they understand that at the beginning it helps.
Mr.Carroll-Abbing: We have already had that idea.
Mr.Taylor: You are also making a similiar survey in Naples? Is that
distribution about to begin?
Mr.Carroll-Abbing: Yes on Friday of this week, at 9:00 a.m.