_Certain Civil Laws which are of Importance in Relation to Child-Protection._--(_a_) Legitimisation has been considered above. (_b_) Adoption would be a very important and valuable institution from the point of view of child-protection, if adopted children were more numerous. The fact that this institution exists is often disadvantageous from the point of view of child-protection. In many cases it operates as an obstacle to the legitimisation of the child by the father, although legitimisation would be more advantageous to the child than adoption. For in many cases the father, if he could not adopt the child, would legitimise it. A certain though small proportion of foster-parents adopt their foster children. This tendency is certainly one worthy of encouragement. (_c_) We have also to refer to the legal relationships which arise when a contract has been made for the temporary or permanent, partial or complete, upbringing of a child. As an example of permanent and complete upbringing, may be adduced the upbringing of a child by foster-parents. In this case, the duties of the foster-parent are controlled by special legal stipulations. As an example of temporary or partial upbringing, may be mentioned the case of a child sent to a boarding school at a distance from its home, a child boarding with a family, and various similar arrangements. All these legal relationships are covered by the laws relating to contract, and by the laws relating to family life. This is a matter of considerable importance, because, in a legal relationship taking the forms of family life, the presumption is that a child’s upbringing is effected without any expectation of a return, _i.e._ gratuitously. _B._--DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY CHAPTER I CHILD-PROTECTION BEFORE, DURING, AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH _Introductory._--The physical, mental, and moral health of human beings depends very largely upon the conditions in which they are brought up, upon the conditions which operate upon them while still within the mother’s womb, and upon the circumstances in which they were born. Was the child the offspring of a legitimate or of an illegitimate sexual relationship? At the time of procreation, were its parents mentally and physically healthy, or were they diseased? During pregnancy, was the mother obliged to work for her living, or could she take proper care of herself; did she or did she not deliberately attempt to injure or destroy the fruit of her womb? During parturition, did she or did she not receive proper medical aid? These are the stars with a knowledge of which we can accurately forecast the individual human horoscope.