L. 



New York, May 1st, 1848, 



To the United States National Medical Association. 



The undersigned, on behalf of the /Standing Committee on Registra- 

 tion of Births, Marriages and Deaths, respectfully 



REPORTS 



That in accordance with the instructions of the Association last 

 year, the address which was then adopted has been transmitted to 

 the authorities of all the United States. 



Although no definite action has as yet followed this proceeding, 

 in either of the States, as far as your committee have been informed, 

 yet the agitation of the subject by the Association has undoubtedly 

 been the means of awakening attention to the value of a general 

 registration in many places; and we have strong reason to believe 

 that the time is not far distant, when a majority of the States will 

 perceive how great an interest attaches to it. 



In the States of Massachusetts and New York, registration laws 

 are now in full force, and the interest in their proper execution is 

 decidedly on the increase. On the first introduction of the law, the 

 friends of the measure in both those States felt much anxiety lest a too 

 great stringency of obligation upon the officers appointed to execute 

 it might jeopard its passage, or precipitate its repeal; — but experi- 

 ence has demonstrated that the benefits of the measure are sufficiently 

 understood and appreciated, and no difficulty has been found in so 

 amending the law as to make the returns, to a greater or less extent, 

 compulsory. 



Upon the medical profession of the United States, and especially 

 those who are members of the Association, must devolve the duty, 

 chiefly, of arousing the attention of the State Governments to the 

 value and necessity of a general adoption of this measure, 



