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26
Infantile Mortality, 1908
(INCLUDING INFANTILE DIARRHŒA).
This period is interesting as being the first complete year of
working of the Notification of Births Act, 1907.
The Notification began on January 1st, and up to December
31st 757 births were notified out of 924 registrations.
The Notification Act was exceptionally well received by the
general public. As far as I know, no objections have been raised
to the notification of the births, and no one has refused admission
to the Lady Inspector though, in several instances, as there
appeared to be some hesitation, it was not pressed.
With regard to the Midwives and Nurses in the district I
have received the heartiest co-operation, and only one or two of the
Medical profession have omitted to notify cases occurring in their
practice. I feel sure, however, that when they see that in practice
the objections that have been raised vanish into nothing they
will also assist the Public Health Authority by notifying.
The number of illegitimate births registered during the year
was 21, and out of their number 16 were notified.
I think the first visit after notification might be usually preliminary.
It is not always wise or necessary to see either the
mother or the child, unless there is some special reason for doing
so, such as neglect, starvation or filthy surroundings. Later on,
after the doctor in attendance and the monthly nurse have finished,
a visit is most useful, and, in many instances, essential, as it is
then that the breast milk may fail and the mother is looking
about for some suitable substitute. Revisiting is often required so