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Of the 242 births, 41 only were registered within four weeks, 140 within six weeks, and 100
between the sixth and thirteenth weeks.
In connection with this subject, I pointed out in the eleventh monthly report, that
in the interests of public health the law (Births and Deaths Registration Act) should, if practicable,
be amended, so as to ensure registration of births within a much shorter period than six
weeks; and I recommended that the Local Government Board be approached on the subject.
The report was referred to the Public Health Committee who expressed the view "that the
law relating to the registration of births might, with advantage, be amended, and that the time
limit for such registration should be reduced to 21 days as in Scotland"; and they accordingly
recommended: "(a) That representations be addressed to the Local Government Board urging
that Board to promote legislation in the direction indicated; and (b) That a circular communication
be addressed to the Metropolitan Borough Councils inviting their co-operation in the
matter." The report was adopted by the Council, and as the result a large proportion of the
Public Health and Poor Law Authorities addressed communications to the Local Government
Board in support of the Council's request for an amendment of the Registration Act.
CRECHES - DAY NURSERIES (OR NURSERY SCHOOLS).
In the tenth monthly report, 1902, when dealing with the subject of infantile mortality,
I expressed the hope that, "by a combined effort on the part of the Sanitary Authority and philanthropic
agencies, means might be adopted" for providing creches" for the care, during work
hours, of the infants of poor women compelled to earn their living by labour away from home."
In July, 1904, I brought the subject to the notice of the conference of delegates of the Metropolitan
Borough Councils, convened by the County Council, and held at the County Hall. The
resolution adopted by the conference was: —
"That, having regard to the decli ning birth-rate and the large infantile mortality-rate
of the Metropolis, it is desirable that the Metropolitan Borough Councils should be empowered,
at their discretion, to establish creches for the reception of young children during
the hours their mothers are employed in work away from home, and to make reasonable
charges for the accommodation so provided, and for the food of the children; and that
the London County Council be requested to insert in their General Powers Bill for the Session
of 1905, a clause to confer such power upon the said Borough Councils."
There would now appear to be a probability of action being taken, ere long, in the desired
direction, the Public Control Committee of the County Council, after much consideration of the
subject, having, in July, submitted to the Council a report "as to Creches or Day Nurseries," based
upon an enquiry made by the Chief Officer of the Department by the instruction of the Committee.
The report furnishes particulars of the present crlche accommodation in the County of
London, and in the United Kingdom, together with information obtained, by desire of the Committee,
by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, relative to the organisation and working
of similar institutions in many large towns on the Continent.
The Committee stated that there were, irregularly distributed throughout London, about 55
creches, managed by private bodies or individ uals, receiving, daily, an average of 1,183 infants.
But the selection of the districts in which these institutions have been established, has depended,
not so much on local needs, as upon the existence of philanthropic organisations therein;
some of the largest, poorest, and most densely populated districts being either totally unprovided
for, or having inadequate provision. It would be difficult, the Committee observe, to estimate the
benefit that would be afforded to the infant life of such districts by a properly organised system
of creche accommodation, or the extent to which such a system would affect the rate of infant
mortality. The general conditions of life amongst the poor compel the mother to work for her
living, and infants are often left where they cannot be properly cared for, or are frequently placed
out to nurse under unsatisfactory conditions, and without due provision being made for their
nourishment. The advantages claimed for the proposed system are summarised by the Committee
as follows: (i.) The crbche is usually healthier and cleaner than the child's home; the treatment
is more enlightened, and the method of feeding better adapted to the child's tender age. (ii.)
At the creche the child is taught cleanliness and good habits, becomes stronger and healthier, and
is given a better chance in life, (iii.) Crfohes are under medical supervision, and the promptitude
with which a case of sickness is treated, often prevents more serious consequences, (iv.) The mother
is required to bring the child clean; better methods of feeding are learned; and the cleanliness
and discipline of the creche insensibly react to the advantage of the home.