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21
NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS ACT.
The Notification of Births Act, 1907, was in force during
the year. Up to the 31st of August the Act was of an adoptive
character, but was made a compulsory measure on the 1st
September by the Notification of Births (Extension) Act, 1915.
Miss E. Brice was appointed Health Visitor and School
Nurse, and commenced her duties on the 1st February, 1915.
The School work occupied a good deal of her time, so that
the desired amount of health visiting and work under the
Births Act could not be done.
The number of births registered during the year was
1041. The number of notifications received by me under the
Act, from medical practitioners, midwives and parents, was
806.
With few exceptions the visits of the Health Visitor
were well received, and endeavours in many cases were made
to carry out the instructions given. Many of the mothers
were induced to attend Maternity Centres.
Generally ''boat-shaped" or medicine bottles were used,
but it is satisfactory to know that the "long tube," except in
two cases, was conspicuous by its absence. In all oases in
which a separate cot for sleeping was not used, the parents'
attention was specially called to the matter, and many of
them improvised a separate cot.
With regard to cleanliness there is still much to be
desired, but generally speaking the condition in most eases
was satisfactory.
The babies generally appeared healthy at birth, and
many were fed on condensed milk, the parent stating that
cow's milk was too expensive to procure.
The majority of the babies were fed naturally, and patent
foods were very infrequently used. All cases of Ophthalmia,
Rickets and other cases required many subsequent visits being
paid until the children were well or on the way to recovery.
The parents generally appeared to appreciate the advice
which was given.