1 Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 4, Pa.
The recently restated recommendations of the Committee on Fetus and Newborn for design of newborn nurseries (Pediatrics, 25:1083, 1960) are necessarily brief and direct. This leaves an impression of finality which is not entirely suited to our present meager understanding of the ways in which infections spread in nurseries. The spread of staphylococci is especially in need of study. Unfortunately the Committee's recommendations are apt to be incorporated into laws and regulations. Circumstances differ from one hospital to another, and perhaps a less rigid view would be preferable until the important factors are better understood. A few opinions are offered which differ in some respects from those of the Committee.
1. Personnel: In the conduct of nurseries, no one can take the place of an experienced and reliable nurse.