A few years ago Dr.Samson Moore, the medical officer of health for Huddersfield, heard of this village, and Mr.Benjamin Broadbent, the Mayor of Huddersfield, visited Villiers-le-Duc.

It was resolved to initiate in Huddersfield a movement for combating infant mortality.
Henceforth arose what is known as the Huddersfield scheme, a scheme which has been fruitful in splendid results.

The points of the Huddersfield scheme are: (1) compulsory notification of births within forty-eight hours; (2) the appointment of lady assistant medical officers of help to visit the home, inquire, advise, and assist; (3) the organized aid of voluntary lady workers in subordination to the municipal part of the scheme; (4) appeal to the medical officer of help when the baby, not being under medical care, fails to thrive.

The infantile mortality of Huddersfield has been very greatly reduced by this scheme.[16] The Huddersfield scheme may be said to be the origin of the English Notification of Births Act, which came into operation in 1908.

This Act represents, in England, the national inauguration of a scheme for the betterment of the race, the ultimate results of which it is impossible to foresee.