It shall be lawful for the board of health of any locality to license any person or persons, other than an institution duly incorporated for such purpose, to establish and keep a lying-in hospital, ward or other private place for the reception, care and treatment of women in labor, upon written application filed with the said board, accompanied by the indorsement of six or more reputable persons, citizens of the county where such hospital may be situated, who shall certify to the respectability of the applicant, and that the hospital, hospital ward or other private place shall only be used for legitimate, moral and charitable purposes; and if, after due inquiry of such board of health, it is believed that the applicant is a proper person, and the premises are suitable and properly arranged for such purpose, the said board of health shall grant a license for the purpose above mentioned, upon the payment of a fee of five dollars. Such license shall continue in force for a period of two years, subject, however, to be revoked by the board of health granting the same, upon the violation of the rules and regulations enacted by the said board of health for the government of said hospitals, hospital wards or other private places. The proprietor of every such hospital, hospital ward or other private place kept for lying-in purposes, shall keep a record in a book for that purpose containing the full name and address of each person admitted, the date of admission, the date of birth of every child, the date of its removal, and the place to which such child shall be removed. Such hospital, hospital ward or other private place, shall be subject to the visitation or inspection at any time by the board of health granting the said license, or any special officer that may be appointed for that purpose by the court of common pleas, upon the petition of any society for the prevention of cruelty to children of the proper county.