I received a letter the other day.

.. "You who are interested in childhood, you must go see the Nativity of Chelles,"
And my unknown correspondent expressed all her gratitude for the work she pointed out and which had rendered her the greatest service.

Chelles is a small town of some eight thousand souls, twenty kilometers from Paris, on the Château-Thierry line.

Rarely, closer to the capital, do we see a village, so provincial in appearance with egg-bottom cobblestones, soapy median stream, bulky poultry, all nestled in the sunniest hollow of a hill stretching over the foothills of the Marne valley.

It is in this friendly little town that Dr. Albert Nast practices.

Dr. Albert Nast is a tall, ascetically thin 40-year-old man. His hairless face, with prominent cheekbones, is animated by two blue eyes whose intense gaze is unforgettable.

He came to Chelles because he owned a family property, a farm adjoining a hunting rendezvous.

One evening, he was called to see a poor workman's wife, mother of three children, whom several doctors declared lost. He should have been able to operate. However, in our countryside, if the municipalities subsidize orpheons, they do not yet think of fitting out a room for emergency surgery.

Dr. Nast accomplishes the impossible. He heals the unfortunate. Shortly after, came to
him an American, Mr. Carl Janssen, vacationing in Chelles, who said to him:

"Doctor, I heard what you did, here's ten thousand francs. Use them as you please."

Dr. Albert Nast did not hesitate. With this sum, he felt capable of carrying out the work he dreamed of and whose necessity seemed obvious to him. He summons contractors, explains his goal to them and the good people, enthusiastic, undertake to work at cost price, granting all payment facilities.

Now the sheepfold is being knocked down to make a sunny terrace opening onto the countryside. Instead of an aviary, where pheasants were raised, we built
pavilions, the courtyard is transformed into a garden. From the outside, the "Nativity" is a cleaner construction, but similar to the majority of farms in Brie. A large carriage door offers its vault in the middle of the large whitewashed walls where the very small, single window of the guard's house opens.

The pavilions are simply furnished. No luxury, but rigorous cleanliness. A cement floor, washable, whitewashed walls, windows that invite the sun to enter. Judiciously applied paint details brighten up this rustic high motherhood temple. Here the bathroom, there an isolation room; this other room can be used for surgical operations.

How this man did it: Dr. Nast got more jeers than compliments at first. He had assumed sole responsibility for this work. He was not rich. But without being discouraged, he followed his idea.

One day, the workmen of Chelles, the poor people who, for lack of housing, live in cellars and attics, the women of the laundrette, the tradesmen, understood that the doctor worked for them.

And so, M. Grosse, printer, bookseller, and depositary of the Matin, who sells more five-penny volumes than expensive novels, assembles a committee. Very different, this committee, from those we are accustomed to seeing at the head of the Children's Works, not members of the Institute or associate professors, but a plasterer, a cultivator, a printer, an entrepreneur.

Mr. Grosse, with his committee, offered himself to Dr. Nast to get him the money necessary for the viability of the new work, by means of parties, concerts, and all the small purses of Chelles insisted on participating in the 'artwork.

The Nativity is planned to receive sixty women a year. However, it takes 33 francs a day, all costs included, to properly care for a mother who wants to have a child.

We spent 25,000 francs on construction; about 5,000 francs for electricity, plumbing, as much for painting; 6,000 francs for heating by radiators.

Bedding had to be purchased. A few people donated sheets, a timber merchant, Mr. Boutelot, lent 5,000 francs without interest or repayment period. Obviously, the Nativity is still in debt, but she receives: so many encouragements that she will get away with it. The mayor, Mr. Caillou, various benefactors, Mr. Senator Menier are now interested in the work.

Why this work?

Dr. Nast came late to medicine. He was first a doctor of law when,
following a cruel mourning, he swore to devote himself to the sick and began his studies.

The declining birth rate in France was a problem that worried him. He understood that, among the remedies to be applied, the first duty was to surround with affectionate care all the women ready to accomplish the most sacred mission.

This mystery, which should give joy since it creates life, is too often a cause of despair for the woman who undergoes it and soon fears it.

Dr. Nast wanted the birth of a child to be able to take place with all the dignity that it entails and all the medico-surgical guarantees of modern science.

Connected by telephone directly with Paris, he ensured the faithful and disinterested assistance of masters and doctor friends from the hospitals of Paris. In case of emergency, he has planned the masterly help that will save the life of an unfortunate woman in danger.

The Nativity is complemented by a whole service of consultations by specialists.

Here is the cordial asylum where women can become mothers in the best conditions. We receive them without formalities. Pay those who can.

The nursing staff consists of Dr. Albert Nast who lives next to his patients. He is assisted by Ms. Nast, whose dedication is tireless. A talented musician and author, Ms. Nast is always ready to watch over the sick and encourage them. The young wife of a policeman, sorry not to have children, offers her time and her work for the success of the Nativity. There is no better volunteer nurse. The doctor's old nanny also helps, with all her heart.

Isn't it admirable this cooperation of all towards the most beautiful of duties, the most useful work: the birth of children?

We must make the Nativity known, because what Chelles has achieved, without asking anyone, other municipalities in France must succeed. No need for official competitions or large capital, it only takes heart and intelligence.

France is not rich, and for good reason, but brave hearts are not lacking. In a few years from now, I'm sure, we'll see a lot of "Nativity" all over our territory. And on that day, a big step will be taken towards a better and better populated France.

Doctor Pierre-Louis Rehm