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This book is almost entirely descriptive and deals mainly with two aspects of its subject (1) the protection of motherhood and infancy—legislation, research work, health propaganda and the uses of a museum in connection with this; (2) the care and education of the infant and small child in institutions. It describes these matters in detail and in their relation to the social ideals of Communism. To quote from the Russian author's preface: 'Though my principal aim is to describe the educational work, I also give considerable attention to other factors which enter into the social reconstruction following the October Revolution in Russia'.
Here are model institutions of all kinds for mother and child—consultation centres, crèches for town, for country and 'field' or travelling, nursery schools and milk kitchens which are 'an embodiment of hygienic and educational ideals and principles'. Two chapters, amply illustrated, are given to the description of nursery equipment and toys.
The original spur to the recent much increased activity in infant welfare was the prodigious rate of infant mortality which formerly prevailed. The author states that during the years of the revolution this was lowered by about 40 per cent., and that the intention of the present Government is to extend greatly the scope of its work in this direction.
The aim of the book is to enable those who do not journey to Soviet Russia to learn of the excellence and extent of the mother and infant welfare work done there. Vera Fediaevsky, carried along by the same enthusiasm which is the driving force behind the activities she both describes and shares, achieves this aim, and lightens her task by introducing delightful photographs of children in many typical situations.
Even those critics most at variance with Soviet educational methods and ideals may admire the thoroughness with which they are given practical shape, the excellence of the results obtained on the physical side and that devotion which inspi