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10
is the steady decrease, not a violent oscillation of figures for
better or for worse. It is to be noted that during 1908 and
the half of 1907, the district has had the advantage of a
Lady Health Visitor's (Miss Moir's) services.
Before the Notification of Births Act was adopted by
the Council (April 1st, 1908), Miss Moir visited houses of all
poor people who had recently been confined, delivered printed
instructions to them, and assisted them in very many ways in
the care of their newly born babies.
Since the adoption of the Act the Health Visitor
visits cases or not entirely at the discretion of the Medical
man in attendance.
In compliance with the Act stamped post-cards containing
the form of notice have been supplied to all practitioners
or midwives residing or practising in the district.
Appended is a copy of the post-card which has been
adopted together with the subsequent addition at the left-
hand corner " The Health Visitor is requested to
attend," and which is not required by the Act.
The Health Visitor is requested to attend.
THE NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS ACT, 1907.
CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH
Urban District Council of Beckenham.
To the Medical Officer of Health.
In accordance with the provisions of the above Act I hereby notify
you that a* child was born to
† wife of ‡ residing
at || on the
day of 190 ...
Dated the day of 190....
(Signed) .
N.B.—(*) Insert" Male or Female." (+) Christian Name of Mother.
(‡) Christian Name and Surname of Father. (||) Situation of premises where
birth took place.
But the system which has been adopted of leaving to the
family practitioner the decision whether the Health Visitor
shall or shall not visit recently confined poor mothers will