Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-10
OFFICIAL.
OR DIN A N G e .
HEALTH ORDINANCE.


Upon the annexed ordinance your special
Council committee report that they have care
fully examined the ordinance presented for
their consideration:
Be it Ordained by the General Council Of the
city of Memphis:
SECTION /. There shall be established o
Board of Health in and for the city of Memphis,
TO be composed of ten citizens Zone for and
from each ward), Of which whole number one
bers of said Board shall be appointed by the
Mayor. with the consent of the General Coun-
Gil; shall hold Office for two years, unless
sooner removed, and until their successors are
qualified and shall serve without pay.
SEC. 2. The Board Of Health shall Of its
own membership elect President. and shall
make. all rules necessary, for its government in
carrying out the duties devOlyed upon il.
SIC. 8. The Board shall keep a record fits
proceedings, and such other books as may be
required for sanitary statistics herein contem-
plated, all of which shall be accessible for the
inspection of any citizen; and shall in all
cases be delivered. with such other documents
as may pertain to the Board, by outgoing
members TO- their successors in Office. The
Board shall have general care and supervision
make monthly statements thereof and of the
action Of the Board with respect thereto. to
the General Council. to which it shall report
annually, and oftener If required, the full
mortuary statistics of the city, az a full &C
count ofits operations in the promises.
SEC. 4. The Board shall, in its discretion.
make suggestions to the General Council as to
measures it considers advisable to be adopted
for the improvement of the public health.
SEC. s.. The Board shall select (of its own
membership, or other competent practicing
physician in the city,, and nominate TO the
General Council person for Secretary. who.
being confirmed as such by the General Coun-
Gil. shall enter upon the discharge of the du-
ties of the office, subject to removal therefrom
in the discretion of the Board of Health.
SEC. q. The said secretary is hereby cOnsti-
tuted, while holding the office. Health Officer
of the city. on whom is deyolved the duties Of
investigating all suspected causes of disease
within the corporate limits. and of giving no
tice thereof US soon as may be to the Board Of
Health, which latter shall report the same to
the authorities having control in the matter
(city or county as the case may be) with such
suggestions as, to the Board, may seem best
calculated to promote the health and welfare
of the city.
And it is hereby made the duty of every
physician to sign certificate presented to him
by the undertakerl, stating the cause Of death
of all persons who may be in their charge
when dying.
and each undertaken, and Of all persons who
bury the dead, to make weekly reports TO the
Health Officer, at his office, on the day of the
week he may designate. of all interments by
one for himselfor herself respectively, specify
ing name. age. color, sex and disease of each
one so inferred, and of such other matter as
may. by forms of certificates furnished by the
SEC. s. The said Secretary shall keep in
books, official and to be preserved full records
of all matter reported to him by sections. I'M
dertakers and other persons regarding mortu-
airy statistics and relative thereto. 1t shall be
the duty Of the Secretary to attend in person
and prescribe for the patients who may apply
at the Dispensary for relief.
SEC. 9. The Board of Health shall have
power in the exercise of a general supervision
over the health of the city, and to promote the
cleanliness and salubrity thereof. to direct
stems and measures by il deemed necessary to
prevent the Introduction and spread of malig
nant, contagious or infectious disease; and
with reference TO persons attacked with such
diseases to enforce or have enforced such regu-
lations, restrictions and measures as may be
SIC. 10, The Health Officer shall see that
the directions of the Board of Health, in rela-
ton to sanitary matters. are promptly com
municated to the officers whose duty it will be
to execute the same; and shall receive in full
compensation for all services devOlved ON him
as Secretary and Health Officer monthly sal
airy of 500.
SEC. II. Any violation, or failure, or refu
sal to comply with any Of the provisions OF
this ordinance, or Of the regu atoms in con-
formity Herewith which may be established
by the Board of Health and approved by the
General Council, shall be deemed ,misde-
meanor, and any person, upon arrest therefor
and conviction thereof before the City Re
eorder shall &c tnsd for ss sSoh ohence' not
SEC. II. All propositions OF the Board OF
Health to spend money shall first be submitted I
to the Mayor and General Council for their
SEC. Is. That all previous ordinances in ref
erence to the Board of Health in conflict with
any portion of this is hereby repealed, and
that this ordinance take effect from and after
its passage.
Passed first reading; rules suspended for
charter requirements and ordinance passed
second and final reading by Board of Alder
men, June 4, but referred 10 special commit
tee by Council, June 4. 1873. Committee
Hewitt, DrOesher and Toof.
Passed first reading, rules suspended and
passed second and final reading by Council,
and concurred in By board of Aldermen June
l6, 1873.
Approved June IS, 1873.
JOHN JOHNSON, Mayor.
Attest L. r. RICHARDS, City Register.