IDENTIFYING BABIES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11767, 14 October 1932, Page 3

IDENTIFYING BABIES

PREVENTION OF CONFUSION

METHODS 1X A UST’R AL I A

“Elaborate precautions have been taken in Australia to prevent the mixing of babies in public hospitals”, •gaid Mr. George Fitzpatrick, the superintendent of the New South Wales Gomrnunity Hospital, who is now in Wellington, commenting on the report that two German babies hud been separated from their true parents for 12 years. In his hospital, footprints of the baby and the thumb print of the mother wore taken and placed on the parchment scroll which was tho certificate of birth, Mr. Fitzgerald said. Footprints, like thuqibpi’ihts... did nut alter with ago, and : the record of tlm IhumbprinLs of the toother,' with tlie child’s footprints, was regarded as .definite. Another method adopted in. «omo hospitals,, Mr. Fitzpatrick continued, was • Lq. place arquud the. leg or arm of the • baby a • snfifll head bracelet, tlje, heads spelling out file name of' the cjiihl. "Still . another method wajs. the application of a .physical brand on the'back of. tlie,baby. Rays of light . were applied .to . back through a- nia'sk.- In a few- hours UlO initials', qf the brand werq observable ail'd ■'.remained on tile baby’s back Tor (30i)ie weeks. . 'This method .was pain-. lqss ; and-•• bur} tho. effect, of artificial sunlight., .•• : ■ •• - • ; ..