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92
Of the 175 City births,
138 were notified by Medical Men.
8 „ „ „ Parents.
23 „ „ „ Midwives.
6 ,, „ from Hospitals, Institutions, &c.
In 50.9 per cent. of these, the notification was received within the Statutory
limit of thirty-six hours, and the remaining 49.1 per cent. being sent at later
periods.
At the request of the Registrars of the two sub-districts in the City, a list
of all notifications has been forwarded to them monthly.
The routine visiting of infants has been conducted on the same lines as
hitherto, except that in the case of those born since January, 1908, the three
visits per case extending over the first 12 months of life have been, when
necessary, increased to five during the first six months.
The Woman Inspector engaged in making these visits has, almost without
exception, been well received, and the mothers have expressed their willingness
to supply any information dealing with the care of their children.
Some cases have, unhappily, arisen when poverty has been the cause of the
mother being physically incapable of nourishing her infant. In such circumstances,
the attention of the Relieving Officer has been directed to the case,
and, if necessary, letters of admission to Hospital obtained from the Justices
sitting in the City, to whom I take this opportunity of conveying my
thanks for their kindly offices in this respect.
It should be mentioned that a considerable number of families have left the
City during the year, and in cases where there was a child under one year of
age, where possible, the Medical Officer of Health of the district into which
the family removed has been notified.
The same course has been adopted when infants born in the City have been
put to nurse elsewhere.
The mothers are, wherever possible, induced to suckle their children.
The proportion of infants who have been breast fed for the first six months
of life was 51 per cent.
The first 10 months' working of the Act confirms what has long been more
than suspected, viz., that there is a lack of accuracy in the registration of births,
both as regards date and place, and it will be therefore a valuable check upon
registration in those places where it has been adopted.