during their first five years, many of the health problems of later life may be averted. Consequently, major emphasis in public health is placed on child care programs. In rural areas these programs concentrate on trying to lead parents (1) to protect children from communicable disease by isolation and immunization, (2) to select foods wisely,' (3) to choose successful methods of child guidance, and (4) to seek correction of slight defects early, before irreparable damage is done. Protection of the child begins in the mother's antepartum period with education and preventive service in the home and in mothers' classes. It con-