Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Hospitals, Human Development, Nutrition, Health, Patronage

    Begins by praising the Hospital for Sick Children as an 'excellent institution', but explains that, owing to lack of funds, it cannot expand and treat the 'Scores of little ones' who require medical treatment. Believes that until the hospital is enlarged, the diseases of 'poor children' will have to be prevented instead of cured, not least by a 'more substantial diet'. Accordingly suggests that 'most of us' can support a scheme announced in the Spectator and organized by the philanthropist G M Hicks and his wife, who have provided 'daily dinner for sick children', which has had an 'extraordinary' effect. Praises Hicks's achievement and suggests that his 'good example' be followed wherever possible. Thinks that children's dinner parties could be 'given in all poor neighbourhoods' and that the rich and greedy might have a better idea of this need were they to be less gluttonous.