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11
In 1914 the number of notices of omission sent to parents was
156.
The commonest explanation of the omission is the confusion
with the registration which has to be effected with the local
Registrar within 6 weeks of the birth of the child.
Other explanations which are tendered are the inability to call
at the public health office "owing to working early and late," or
they " thought the doctor was going to do it."
On the whole, there has been an improvement in recent years
in the notifications received from parents, though, even now, their
letters show occasionally a hazy knowledge of the provisions of
the Act, coupled with a serious attempt and an earnest desire to
master its simplicity and to observe its conditions. Apparently,
many of the letters are dictated by the mother, who is still
confined to her bed, and afford evidence of having been drafted by
neighbours called together in consultation. Some of the lettersbear
no address. Some are in the handwriting of a school child,
who has become muddled by the different opinions expressed by
the persons present, and hopelessly confounded by the intricacies
of converting oratio obliqua into oratio recta. Here is an
example:—
" Time.
" Sex—none. " 19 November.
" Premiture child dead who certifys is date Br. Night Date 19th
Noverbem female child. Presant at birth mother and the lady
what made the tea we dont known her addres. Say father wasnt
presant so he dont knows about it so please excuse him but mother
knows. It was a stile born and not in the accordnig to the
regilatons please to say if it is not I dont think.
"Nellie Burton.
" Age 10."
In administering the Act, the following details are used—
1. A leaflet of instruction giving its chief provisions.
2. A stamped addressed certificate, distributed for use by
doctors and midwives.
8. Postcards and sheets for notifications received from
hospitals and poor law institutions.