The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-11
The Regf,trt or Births,


have received copy Of the act respecting births,
n4ssEcs and deaths in the city of New York aud, by
G3courtcsy Of the City Inspector, notice pointing out
Ne objects Of the enactment the importance OF reliable
public records in cases Of disputed Legitimacy, &C. &c
the act physicians are enjoincd TO make correct
o0thy return OF all births professionally attended by
b. them; and the seventh section prsscribes as the
penahy for compliance with violation OF its pro
VISIONS the forfeiture OF fifty dollars in every instance
This has been in operation three years; but
how have secured full and accurate reports am
u loss to understand for beyond doubt many births
attended by mdwves and nurses have never been re-
gstered, and physician having superabundance OF
Business should he as be might forget 10 make me.
norandum Of birth in tme might fail TO appear in bis
uonthly return.
The inspectors notice very philanthropically observes
though IL may cause some little personal trouble,
% make and regular report In order that the
registry Of the City Inspector may be rendered as perfect
- n Is possible 10 make it.
Now, would ask is not this putting the the
wrong shoulders Why should the physician be expected
70 be such ultra phaDthropsi to take gratuitoas
interest In the destiny Of other peoples children beyond
Nh professional servicesS Very frequently he has 10 give
what hard that he shall be compelled further
himself much about the children OF those who have
pad with ineratitude.
have always complied cheerfuly with the acquisitions
n the act but has every oneS The Inspector Wiz pos
siby answer ycs'-that the penalty y not thing 70
npA out where unregistered birth has taken place and
The parents as s often the case, care not whether be
registered or noty Who Is TO give the Information
According 10 the act clergyman or magistrate Is
utled 10 demand and receive a foe for soemnizng
magistrate Is not obliged TO perform the
mony, and very serious consequences ensue 10
body. Not 80 with the physician, called upon NJ mid.
night 10 attend In where life IL nj stake, and with
D. hs health and repatatioi--ifh he demand hts fee
Beforehand, often, necessary precauaon, he pro-
nouDced unfeeng and everything that IS bad while the
Clergyman and magistrate getting their fees In advance,
only looked upon being wide awake all persons
susht 10 be whose business does not trench upon their
siumbers. The legislators have shown pous care In
considering what they entitled but TO the value OF
the medical services in contributing 70 statistical
hCe they seem 10 be rather dim sighted for by the
act medical for hts certificate Of births fact ar
difficult TO certify than that Of marriages. emit
ted 70 demand nothing but falling 70 certify, fcrcts hy
dolas.i
No doubt this has its origin the high esteem in which
the medical profession are held In New York. mcci-
Is believed 10 be too good citizen 90 look after
emolumen for services the very consciousness Of
having rendered which y deemed on the principle OF vir
toe Us reward, q sufficient compensation.
Now T. for one canddly confess that my philanthropy
eoes far. believe that every IS entitled 10 be
paid Tor his services
would II not be much better that the obligation 10
Ger births should the parents being the per-
sons nearly concerned and that II be made obiga
tory them 20 obtain In every instance certificate
nom the physician who attended at the birth, and FOR
such certificate LET hi be entitled TO demand and
nominal tee together with his fee for aitendanceS In
NO would this be refused, pl sCiau liking
his complaint Of 10 the CITY Inspector, the
aaer could nnct the penalty in the right quarter on
The party most offending. Only by this similar
np~de viii the City Inspector be enabled 10 get
correct returns Of the births In this city. RA.