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101
It is obvious from these facts that the early weeks of infant
life are the most dangerous, therefore the earlier preventive
measures are taken in the interest of the infant the more likely
they are to be successful, and the greater the results to be
anticipated.
The further question to be considered is the use to which such
information as the notification of births may be applied. This can
most briefly be explained by the following quotation from a circular
letter of the Local Government Board on the subject of the
Notification of Births Act, 1907:—
" The object of this Act, which will only be in operation
where it has been adopted by the Local Authority with the
consent of the Board, is to provide a speedy means whereby
the information of the birth of a child may be given to the
Medical Officer of Health of the Local Authority so that, if
necessary, advice may be given to the mother in regard to the
rearing and nurture of the child."
The Act provides that notice shall be given to the Medical
Officer of Health within 36 hours of birth.
The Board further state that "in their opinion there is no
occasion for imposing upon parents and others the obligation
of notifying births unless steps are taken to carry
out the ultimate object of the measure, viz., the giving of
advice and instruction to those who have charge of the
infants, and in ordinary circumstances they would not be
prepared to consent to the adoption of the Act, unless it
appeared that arrangements had been made for this
purpose. These arrangements would usually be best
carried out by local agencies under the Medical Officer o
Health. The Board trust that the Council will consider
the question of adopting the Act, and of co-operating with
any agency that may exist, so as to secure its successful
operation."
It may be seen from the above quotation that the Local
Government Board is not only anxious that the local authority
should adopt the Act, but that co-operation with local agencies