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39
be regarded as essential, but that it was certainly desirable to
ascertain the age of the mother, and even more desirable to obtain
particulars as to her previous history.
(2). Illegitimates.—It was agreed that notwithstanding certain
difficulties in the way, the distinction between cases of legitimacy
and illegitimacy should if possible, be made.
(3). Miscarriages.—Information on this point would be desirable
if practicable, but it must be left to the Medical Officer of
Health to decide what information (if any) should be collected in
cases in his district.
(4). Feeding of child.—There was a general consensus that
information should be obtained as to the feeding of the child during
the first six months of life, and that a clear distinction should be
drawn between entire and partial breast-feeding.
(5). Age of infant at death.—It was agreed that in each case
the exact age should be ascertained, with a view to tabulation in
age-groups.
(6). Cause of death of infant.—The inclusion of this information
in the returns should be optional.
(7). Nationality and race of mother.—The inclusion of this
information, though no doubt of importance, might also be left to
the discretion of the Medical Officer of Health.
II.—AREA OF THE INQUIRY.
The Conference fully concurred in the view expressed in the
Home Office letter of the 7th October that it was essential that the
inquiry in each case should be limited to homogeneous districts,
and should not be extended so as to embrace areas which include
appreciable variations in the social character of the population.
The statistics collected by the Medical Officer of Health must relate
to women of the same class and circumstances. This was a point
of the greatest importance, as, in the event of this condition being
overlooked, the statistics would be vitiated and lose almost all their
value. Several suggestions were made as to the manner in which
suitable areas might be selected, as e.g.. that streets might be taken
as the unit (on the ground that a given street in an industrial
district usually contains houses of a uniform character, occupied by
workers of the same class), or that only houses up to a certain
rental should be included ; but it was understood that in this matter
every Medical Officer of Health taking part in the inquiry would
require to exercise his discretion.