# Executive Order 1761

more info.
See the Notes section for a list of Executive Orders affected by or related to the issuance of this Executive Order.
Signed by President Woodrow Wilson Tuesday, April 15, 1913
To provide maritime quarantine regulations for the Canal Zone and the harbors of the cities of Panama and Colon, Republic of Panama.
Whereas the official opening of the Panama Canal will require a revision of the maritime quarantine regulations for the Canal Zone and the harbors of the cities of Panama and Colon, Republic of Panama, and
Whereas the Government of the United States and the authorities of the Canal Zone are authorized to establish such rules and regulations for the ports and harbors of said cities, by virtue of the second paragraph of Article VII of the treaty between the United States and the Republic of Panama for the construction of the Isthmian Canal, signed November 18, 1903, which paragraph reads as follows:
    "The Republic of Panama agrees that the cities of Panama and Colon shall comply in perpetuity with the sanitary ordinances whether of a preventive or curative character, prescribed by the United States and in case the Government of Panama is unable or fails in its duty to enforce this compliance by the cities of Panama and Colon with the sanitary ordinances of the United States the Republic of Panama grants to the United States the right and authority to enforce the same."
and section 6 of the Executive Order of December 3, 1904, known as the Taft Agreement made between the Secretary of War of the United States and the Chief Executive of the Republic of Panama, which section reads as follows:
    "Section 6. This order shall also be inoperative unless the proper Governmental authorities of the Republic of Panama shall grant power to the authorities of the Canal Zone to exercise immediate and complete jurisdiction in matters of sanitation and quarantine in the maritime waters of the ports of Panama and Colon."
and Article I of Decree No. 66 of December 6, 1904, issued by the President of Panama, agreeably to said Executive Order, and published in the Official Gazette No. 70, of 1904, which article reads as follows:
    "Article I. The authorities of the Canal Zone are empowered to exercise freely, immediate and complete jurisdiction in all matters of sanitation and quarantine in the waters of the ports of Panama and Colon. In consequence, the authorities of the Republic shall proceed in conformity with the provisions of this decree to the end that these may be strictly complied with."
By virtue of the authority vested in me and in conformity with the foregoing treaty provision and the Executive Order and Presidential Decree above mentioned, I hereby establish the following maritime quarantine regulations for the Canal Zone and for the harbors of the cities of Panama and Colon, Republic of Panama:

## Bills of Health

Section 1.—Masters of vessels clearing from any foreign port or from any port in the possessions or other dependencies of the United States for a port in the Canal Zone or for the ports of Panama or Colon, Republic of Panama, must obtain an original bill of health in duplicate from the officer or officers authorized by the quarantine laws and regulations of the United States to sign such certificates for vessels entering the ports of the United States.
The following form is prescribed for such bills of health:
   Form No. _____
   CANAL ZONE.
   I, _____ (the person authorized to issue the bill, at the port of _____), do hereby state that the vessel hereinafter named clears from the port of _____ under the following circumstances:
       Name of vessel, _____. Nationality, _____. Rig, _____. Master, _____. Tonnage, gross, _____; net, _____. Iron or wood, _____. Number of compartments for cargo, _____; For steerage passengers, _____. For crew, _____.
       Name of medical officer, _____.
       Number of officers, _____; of crew, including petty officers, _____; of passengers, first cabin, _____; second cabin, _____; steerage, _____. Officers' families, _____. Total number of persons on board, _____.
       Passengers destined for the Canal Zone or the city of Panama or Colon, _____ first cabin, _____ second cabin, _____ steerage.
       Previous port, _____.
       Number of cases of sickness, and character of same, during last voyage, _____.
       Number of cases of sickness, and character of same, while vessel was in this port, _____.
       Vessel engaged in _____ trade, and plies between _____ and _____.
       Nature, sanitary history, and condition of cargo, _____.
       Source and wholesomeness of water supply, _____.
       Source and wholesomeness of food supply, _____.
       Sanitary history and health of officers and crew, _____.
       Sanitary history and health of passengers, cabin, _____.
       Sanitary history and health of passengers, steerage, _____.
       Sanitary history and condition of their effects, _____.
       Location of vessel while in port—wharf, _____; open bay, _____; distance from shore, _____.
       Time vessel was in port, _____.
       Character of communication with shore, _____.
       Sanitary condition of vessel, _____.
       Sanitary measures, if any, adopted while in port, _____.
       Sanitary condition of port and vicinity, _____.
       Prevailing diseases at port and vicinity, _____.
       Malaria, _____deaths during month of _____.
       Number of cases and deaths from the following-named diseases during the past two weeks, ending, _____.
   | Diseases | No. of cases | No. of deaths |
   | Yellow fever Asiatic cholera Cholera nostras or cholerine Smallpox Typhus fever Plague Leprosy | | |
   Remarks.
   Any condition affecting the public health existing in the port of departure or vicinity to be here stated.
   When there are no cases or deaths, entry to that effect must be made.
   I certify that the vessel has complied with the Quarantine Rules and Regulations made under the act of February 15, 1893, and that the vessel leaves this port bound for _____, Canal Zone, or _____, Republic of Panama, via _____.
   Given under my hand and seal this _____ day of _____, 191_.
   (SEAL)
Section 2.—Vessels clearing from any foreign port or from any port in the possessions or other dependencies of the United States for a port in the Canal Zone or for the port of Panama or Colon, Republic of Panama, and entering or calling at intermediate ports, must procure at all said ports a supplemental bill of health in duplicate, from the officer or officers authorized by the quarantine laws and regulations of the United States to sign such certificates for vessels entering the ports of the United States. If a quarantinable disease has appeared on board the vessel after leaving the original port of departure, or other circumstances presumably render the vessel infected, the supplemental bill of health should be withheld until such sanitary measures have been taken as are necessary.
The following form is prescribed for supplemental bills of health:
   CANAL ZONE
   Supplemental bill of health
       Vessel _____, bound from _____ to _____, Canal Zone, or _____, Republic of Panama.
       Sanitary condition of port and vicinity _____.
       Prevailing diseases at port and vicinity _____.
       Malaria deaths during month of _____.
       Number of cases and deaths from the following-named diseases during the past two weeks, ending _____.
   | Diseases | No. of cases | No. of deaths | Remarks. (Any condition affecting the public health existing in the port to be stated here. When there are no cases, or deaths, entry to that effect must be made.) |
   | Yellow fever Asiatic cholera Cholera nostras or cholerine Smallpox Typhus fever Plague Leprosy | | | |
       Number and sanitary condition of passengers and crew landed at this port:
       First cabin, No. _____; sanitary history and condition, _____.
       Second cabin, No. _____; sanitary history and condition, _____.
       Steerage, No. _____; sanitary history and condition, _____.
       Crew, No. _____; sanitary condition and history, _____.
       Note.—If any passenger or member of crew disembarked on account of sickness, state disease.
       Number and sanitary condition of passengers and crew taken on at this port, and sanitary condition of effects:
       First cabin, No. _____; sanitary condition and history, _____.
       Second cabin, No. _____; sanitary condition and history, _____.
       Steerage, No. _____; sanitary condition and history, _____.
       Number of passengers for Canal Zone: _____ first cabin, _____ second cabin, _____ steerage.
       Number of passengers for Republic of Panama: _____ first cabin, _____ second cabin, _____ steerage.
       Crew, No. _____; sanitary condition and history, _____.
       Sanitary condition of effects, _____.
       Total passengers on board, _____; total crew on board, _____.
       Sanitary measures, if any, adopted while in port, _____.
       Location of vessel while in port—wharf, _____; open bay, _____; distance from shore, _____.
       Time vessel was in port, _____.
       Character of communication with shore, _____.
       Nature, sanitary history, and condition of cargo taken on at this port, _____.
   (Cancel Form A, B, or C, as the case requires.)
   Form.
   | (Form A will be used at intermediate ports where the vessel does not enter.) | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | no quarantinable disease has appeared aboard since leaving _____. |
   | A—To the best of my knowledge and belief— | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | no quarantinable disease has appeared aboard since leaving _____. |
   | B—I have satisfied myself that— | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | no quarantinable disease has appeared aboard since leaving _____. |
   I certify also that with reference to the passengers, effects, and cargo taken on at this port, the vessel has complied with the rules and regulations made under the act of February 15, 1893.
   Given under my hand and seal this day of 191_. (Signature of consular officer:)
       (SEAL)
Section 3.—The master of a vessel entering the porte of the Canal Zone or the porte of Panama and Colon, Republic of Panama, from any port of the United States, must present to the Quarantine Officer and to the Custom Officer of the Canal Zone, or his authorized agent, each a bill of health signed by the customs officer of the port of the United States from which said vessel sails.

## Foreign Regulations

Inspection of vessels from foreign ports and ports in the dependencies of the United States.
Section 4.—The officer issuing the bill of health shall satisfy himself, by inspection if necessary, that the conditions certified to therein are true, and is authorized to withhold the bill of health or the supplemental bill of health until he is satisfied that the vessel, the passengers, the crew, and the cargo have complied with these regulations.
Section 5.—Inspection is required of—
    (a) All vessels from ports in which cholera, yellow fever, or plague in men or rodents prevails, or at which smallpox or typhus fever prevails in epidemic form, and at which a medical officer is detailed.
    (b) All vessels carrying steerage passengers; but need only include the inspection of such passengers and their living apartments, if sailing from a healthful port.
    (c) Inspection of the vessel is such an examination of the vessel, cargo, passengers, crew, personal effects of same, including examination of manifests and other papers, food and water supply, the ascertainment of its relations with the shore, the manner of loading and possibilities of invasion by rats and insects as will enable the inspecting officer to determine if these regulations have been complied with.
    (d) When an inspection is required, it should be made by daylight, as late as practicable before sailing. The vessel should be inspected before the passengers go aboard, the passengers just before embarkation, and the crew on deck, and no communication should be had with the vessel after such inspection except by permission of the officer issuing the bill of health.

## General Requirements

Section 6.—Vessels, prior to stowing cargo or receiving passengers, should be mechanically clean in all parts, especially the hold, forecastle and steerage.
Section 7.—Any portions of the vessel liable to have been infected by any communicable disease should be disinfected before the issuance of the bill of health.
Section 8.—Street sweepings, city cleanings, or anything containing organic refuse should not be taken as ballast from any port.
Section 9.—Bedding, upholstered furniture, soiled wearing apparel, personal effects, and secondhand articles of a similar nature, coming from a district known to be infected with cholera, smallpox, typhus fever, or as to the origin of which no positive evidence can be obtained, and which the consular or medical officer has reason to believe are infected, should be disinfected prior to shipment. In the case of typhus fever, the destruction of vermin should be assured. Articles similar to the abovementioned, if from a district infected by plague, should be inspected, and, if necessary, disinfected and treated to destroy vermin.
Section 10.—Articles from an uninfected district shipped through an infected port may be accepted without restriction if not exposed to infection in transit.
Section 11.—Any article shipped from or through an infected port or place, and which the consul or medical officer has reason to believe infected, should be disinfected.
Section 12.—Any article presumably infected, which can not be disinfected, should not be shipped.
Section 13.—Passengers, for the purpose of these regulations, are divided into two classes, cabin and steerage.
Section 14.—So far as possible passengers should avoid embarking at a port where quarantinable disease prevails, and communication between the vessel and the shore should be reduced to a minimum. In such a port the personnel of the vessel should remain on board during their stay.
Vessels carrying passengers from any port where quarantinable disease prevails in epidemic form should have a medical officer.
Section 15.—No person suffering from a quarantinable disease, or scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, or other communicable disease, should be allowed to ship.
Section 16.—All baggage of steerage passengers destined for the Canal Zone, or the ports of Panama or Colon, Republic of Panama, should be labeled. If the baggage is in good sanitary condition, the label shall be a red label bearing the name of the port, the vessel on which the baggage is to be carried, the word "passed" in large type, the date of inspection, and the seal or stamp of the consular or medical officer of the United States. All baggage that has been disinfected shall bear a yellow label, upon which shall be printed the name of the port, the vessel upon which the baggage is to be carried, the word "disinfected" in large type, the date of disinfection, and the seal or stamp of the consular or medical officer of the United States. It is understood, and it will be so printed on the blank, that the label is not valid unless bearing the consular or medical officer's stamp or seal.
Section 17.—Each steerage passenger shall be furnished with an inspection card as follows. This card, stamped by the consular or medical officer, is to be issued to every member of a family as well as to the head thereof, and shall be in the following form:
   Inspection Card
   (Immigrants and steerage passengers)
       Port of departure _____. Date of departure _____.
       Name of ship _____. Last permanent residence _____.
       Name of immigrant _____.
   | Inspected and passed at _______________________ (Seal or stamp of consular or medical officer) | Passed at quarantine, port of _______________________ Canal Zone (or) _______________________ Republic of Panama _______________________ (Date) | Vaccinated (Signature or stamp) |
       (The following to be filled in by ship's surgeon or agent prior to or after embarkation.)
       Ship's list or manifest _____. No. on ship's list or manifest _____.
   | Berth No. ___________ | Steamship inspection. Days | To be punched by ship's surgeon at daily inspection. |
   | Berth No. ___________ | 1st, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 | To be punched by ship's surgeon at daily inspection. |
Section 18.—Passengers and crews, merchandise and baggage, prior to shipment at a noninfected port, but coming from an infected locality, should be subject to the same restrictions as are imposed at an infected port.

## Local inspection of vessels

Section 19.—Vessels arriving at any of the ports of the Canal Zone or the cities of Panama and Colon, Republic of Panama, under the following conditions, shall be inspected by the quarantine officer of the port prior to entry:
    (a) Vessels from the United States; (b) Vessels from foreign ports; (c) Vessels with sickness aboard; (d) Vessels from Panamanian ports where any quarantinable disease prevails; (e) Vessels from Panamanian ports carrying passengers or articles suspected by the quarantine officer as being capable of conveying the infection of a transmissible disease.
Section 20.—The limits of anchorage of vessels awaiting inspection and of vessels undergoing quarantine, shall be fixed from time to time by the Chief Sanitary Officer of the Canal Zone.
Section 21.—Every vessel subject to quarantine inspection shall be considered in quarantine until granted free pratique, and such vessels shall fly a yellow flag from the foremost head from sunrise to sunset and shall observe all the other requirements of vessels actually quarantined.
Section 22.—The captain or master of a vessel in quarantine shall allow no communication with his vessel except as provided for in these regulations, nor shall any water craft approach within 200 meters of any such vessel.
Section 23.—No person or article shall be allowed to leave a vessel in quarantine without written authority from the quarantine officer.
Section 24.—Towboats, or any vessel or boat having had communication with a vessel in quarantine shall be submitted, with their personnel, to such measures of sanitation as the quarantine officer may judge to be necessary.
Section 25.—No person, except such officers of the port as are required to do so by the nature of their duties, and the agent of the vessel, if such agent has the consent of the quarantine officer, shall go aboard any vessel subject to quarantine until such vessel has been granted free pratique. Any person going aboard prior to the issuance of free pratique shall be subject to the same restrictions as the personnel of the vessel if, in the opinion of the quarantine officer, this is necessary for the protection of the public health.
Section 26.—The quarantine officer, after his inspection of the vessel and its documents, shall decide whether said vessel, or its personnel, or passengers, or any article aboard said vessel is liable to convey any of the following diseases: plague, yellow fever, cholera, small-pox, typhus fever or leprosy; and, if so, such vessel shall be placed in quarantine and forbidden entry until the period of incubation of such diseases is past, and he shall take such measures in respect to the vessel, its passengers or personnel or cargo as, in his judgment, may be required to prevent the entry of such diseases into the Canal Zone or the cities of Panama or Colon, Republic of Panama.
Section 27.—Passengers boarding vessels from ports subject to quarantine will be required, in the discretion of the Chief Sanitary Officer of the Canal Zone, to present personal certificates from the officer authorized by these regulations to sign bills of health, certifying to their sanitary history and condition, provided due notice has been issued to the agents of the steamship companies on the Isthmus of Panama.
Section 28.—Every case of sickness aboard any vessel in the harbor shall be immediately reported by the master of the vessel to the quarantine officer, who shall see the case and take such sanitary measures as may be necessary.
Section 29.—The Chief Quarantine Officer shall have charge of the sanitation of the harbors and vessels lying therein and shall see that such measures are enforced as are necessary for the proper hygiene of vessels, their cargoes, and their personnel, whether in port or en route, and to prevent the vessels from being a source of danger to other vessels or to the port, and he is authorized to certify bills of health to vessels clearing from ports under his jurisdiction, setting forth in such bill of health the conditions of the port, vessel, cargo, passengers, and crew; and is authorized at the request of the master of any vessel to disinfect and otherwise place such vessel in a sanitary condition so that it may leave the port in free pratique and be able to make entry at the port of destination without further disinfection or detention in quarantine.
Section 30.—The quarantine officer shall make such charges for the disinfection of vessels and their cargoes, and for the transportation and subsistence of passengers while in quarantine as may be fixed from time to time by the Governor of the Canal Zone.
Section 31.—A certificate from the quarantine officer that a vessel has complied with all the quarantine regulations shall be required of every vessel subject to inspection, as a pre-requisite for customs entry or passage through the Canal.
Section 32.—Quarantine stations shall be established and maintained at such places as may be decided upon by the Chief Sanitary Officer of the Canal Zone, with the approval of the Governor.
Persons detained in quarantine under these regulations shall not be permitted to go outside the limits of the quarantine station until discharged therefrom by the quarantine officer and if any such person shall leave the quarantine station without being duly discharged therefrom he may be taken into custody by the quarantine officers wherever found and returned to the quarantine station and, in addition, he may be punished as hereinafter described.
No person except the Chief Sanitary Officer of the Panama Canal or his representative, the quarantine officers and employees and personnel of the station shall be permitted to enter in or upon a quarantine station without permission from the Chief Sanitary Officer or the Chief Quarantine Officer of the Panama Canal.
Section 33.—The Governor of the Panama Canal may establish from time to time such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary to execute this order.
Section 34.—Any person violating any of the provisions of these regulations shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00, or by imprisonment in jail not exceeding 90 days, or both, at the discretion of the Court.
Section 35.—The medical officers of the Canal Zone, duly clothed with authority to act as quarantine officers at any port or place within the Canal Zone and the ports of the cities of Panama and Colon, Republic of Panama, and when performing the said duties, are hereby authorized to administer oaths and take declarations thereunder in matters relating to the administration of the quarantine laws and regulations of the Canal Zone Government.
Section 36.—These regulations shall take effect from and after the date upon which the Panama Canal is officially and formally opened for use and operation, by proclamation of the President of the United States.
The White House
       15 April, 1913.

## Notes
### Amended by

* Executive Order 2118, January 11, 1915
* Executive Order 3255, March 31, 1920
* ↑ The sanitary measures applicable to second-cabin passengers will be those designated for first cabin passengers or for steerage passengers, according as the arrangements of their quarters and accommodations aboard, both sanitary and for association, class them in the opinion of the inspecting officer with the first cabin or steerage.
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse