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43
These particulars were exceedingly difficult to obtain, but
in districts where the Notification of Births Act has been
adopted the chief difficulties have been removed.
Many suggestions were made to the Home Office and as
a result the medical officers were invited to attend a conference
held on November (5th at the Home Office. The conference was
largely attended and it was generally agreed that the proposed
inquiry should be made on the following lines:—
(1) Information should be obtained by medical officers
in relation to the industrial employment of women (and
childbirth) employed in factories and workshops; those
employed in industrial work at home; other workers, e.g.,
charwomen and hawkers; and those employed in domestic
duties only.
(2) Illegitimate births.—Notwithstanding certain difficulties
in the way, the distinction between cases of legitimacy
and illegitimacy should, if possible, be made.
(8) Miscarriages.—Each medical officer to decide what
information (if any) to be collected in his district.
(4) Feeding of the child.—Information should be obtained
as to the method of feeding during the first six months of
life, distinction being drawn between entire and partial
breast feeding.
(5) Age of infant at death.—The exact age at death to be
obtained.
(6) Cause of death.—The inclusion of this information
to be optional.
(7) Nationality and race of mother to be left to the
discretion of the Medical Officer of Health.
(8) Method of collecting information.—It was agreed that
the employment of trained women visitors would be
necessary.