Medical literature contains very little of value or interest con­cerning the care of the premature infant. It has been just the last few years that interest has been aroused. The former philosophy of the survival of the fittest seems to have prevailed in this particular field. This paper will attempt to deal briefly with the comparisons of the older methods of care with the new, but emphasis will be placed upon causes of prematurity end their prevention, causes of premature mortality end their pre­vention, end causes of premature morbidity and their prevention.