Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-07
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1900, Mr.. s. N. D. North, the director. and
Mr.. w. A. King, chief Of the bureau OF
vital statistics, set at work to stir up the
medical societies, boards of health and
other organic atoms to interest themselves
In securing the passage of laws In the diff
ferent states requiring all births and
deaths to be registered. They prepared a
plan for uniform methods and cooperation,
so as to make the edlfication of physicians,
health officers, medical colleges. local au-
thorities, students of sanitary science and
others who are interested in knowing the
mortality of the United States and its
causes. The American Public Health Asso-
citation, the American Medical Association
and various other organizations adopted
resolutions which In due time were sub
mitted to Congress, asking the adoption of
suitable registration laws and the proper
compilation and presentation of vital sta
tistics by states, counties and cities, in
weekly or monthlS bulletins, for the prac-
teal use Of the international classification
of causes of death.
In 1903 Congress passed resolution with
a number of preambles, setting forth that.
whereas all the principal civil ized countries
of-the world recognized the necessity for
such registration, and enforced the same by
general laws and whereas registration in
the United States is now confined to few
states as whole and the larger cities I'M
der local laws and ordinances, which fer
widely in their requirements; therefore, re-
solved that Congress request the favorable
action of state legislation to the end that
the United States may obtain complete
and uniform system of registration OF
births and deaths.
Ignored by the States.
Upon the strength of this declaration by
Congress, Mr.. King of the census Office pre-
pared the text of law and standard reg
istration blanks, which were sent to all
health associations. sanitary officials. COM
jnfa tod
methods for registration, fixing responsible
burial or removal of dead bodies without
permits showing the cause of death, and re-
qufring all physicians and midwives to re-
port all births promptly with thesnames OF
the parents and child If possible. In order
to stimulate the local officials in the per-
formance of their duties it was recommend
ed that a fee of % cents be paid from the
public treasury for every birth registered,
and a heavy penalty was placed upon physl-
clans, midwives and parents who neglected
to obey the law.
Although two years have passed since
this action was taken, not one state in the
Union, SO far as known, has passed such a
law as was recommended, although In sew
eral cities the boards of health and other
municipal officials have voluntarily under
taken to collect the vital statistics and are
doing very good work. They are hampered,
however, by the fact that they are power
less to impose penalties upon physicians
and others who neglect to report births and
deaths. In the country at large, outside or
the large cities, no records whatever are
kept and thus two-thirds of the population
of the country is not represented In the re-
turns and will not be included In the calcu-
lations for the next census unless some re-
form is promptly made. The only thing to
be done is for the legislature of each state
to pass a law making 1t compulsory under
penalty to report all births and deaths.
The township, village or county clerk, or
the coroner, can be appointed registrar and
can be paid fee to compensate him for the
labor and trouble.
Importance of the Matter
It Is not necessary to explain the value or
vital statistics. The registration of deaths
is OF public. interest. and is essential to the
advancement of medical and sanitary sci
ence and public hygiene. The registry or
births is of individual Importance, ana some
idea of the frequency with which questions
arise is Indicated BY the fact that more
than 5000 inquiries are made every year az
the officials IN New York for information