Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-23
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INV AND IMPORTANT REGULATIONS OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH.


rRw AND INPOETANT REGULATIONS OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The important subject OF vital statistics has
AZ last been entered upon in earnest by our
Board of Health. 1t has occupied the attention
OF members Of that body for some time past, but
other matters took precedence, and besides the
want Of means tended to delay definite action.
Several attempts were made from time to time
10 obtain from our late lamented District Legis-
lature the enlargement OF powers and means By
which the initial steps could be taken in this
direction, but in every instance they failed
it viii be remembered that during the first
session OF the Legislature, Dr. Verdi and other
members or the board pressed upon that body
the necessity OF passing bill for the registra-
ton of deaths in the District of Columbia, and
for other purposes" which, however, fell
tnrOugb, with hardly an advocate in either
branch in its favor. During the second session
carefully prepared bill WAS drawn up by the
board for the registration Of deaths and inter-
ments- This was presented and its passage
urged, but also failed. The board then went
before Congress at the recent session, and the
result was that bill was passed " TO further
de1ne and enlarge the powers and duties of the
Board OF Health of the District OF Columbia"
This was approved June sd, and provides that
3. 1t shall be the duty of the Board of Health of
the District OF Columbia to make and enforce
regulations TO secure a fall and correct record
of vital statistics, including the Registration of
deaths and the interment OF the dead in said
District"
In accordance with the foregoing act and in
pursuance OF the authority thereby conferred,
The board at its meeting on the 10th of July
made and promulgated regulations to secure
full and correct record of vital statistics incud
ing all the information usually embraced in the
records OF similar boards, and gave notice that
all the blank forms necessary for rendering
returns required by the regulations would be
furnished upon application TO the officer of the
Board of Health. These regulations require
the secretary TO keep a full record issue per
mits. make weekly report of vital statistics of
the District; requires every clergyman, magis-
trate, or other person who performs marriag q
ceremonies to make prompt reports to the sec
rotary within forty eight hours thereafter Civ
ing the full name, age, color, occupation, birth
place Estate or country and legal residence of
each person married; requiring physiclans'
accoucheuTs and mdwiyes who advise
or assist at the birth of any child
TO report the same within six days thereafter,
stating date of BIRTH sex, color, physical condi-
ton, name, nativity, and residence of the pa
rents, and the maiden name of the mother,
makes IL the duty Of physicians whenever any
person shall die under their official notice, to
furnish the undertaken experimenting the
funeral a certificate setting forth the name,
age, color, sex, nativity, and Occupation OF the
deceased, stating whether married OF single
duration OF residence in the District of Column
bia, the cause, date, and place of death, giving
street ard number,) and duration of the last
sickness Of such deceased person; requires the
undertaken TO state in said certifcate the a l.e
and place of burial, and forward 1t to the sec
Rotary Of the board within tWenty-four hOurs
after such death, except in case of death being
caused by infectious or contagious disease,
when returns must be made within eight hours
hereafter; prohibits inteTmentS or disinter-
naents of any dead body without a permit
granted by the board; requires sections or other
peTSOns who assist in such interments to pre-
vent the same until such permit be produced:
provides that 10 dead body or part OF
the dead body Of any human being shah
be IN any manner carried or convened
from, into OF through the District of Columbia
by any person, by boat, vessel, car, stage or
other vehicle, or by public or private convey
arce, without permit from the board; makes
II the duty Of physicians TO the poor TO investis
gate the cause and circumstances of death,
where no physician has been in attendance and
report the same, and II not satisfied as TO the
cause, &c, 10 report the same to the coroner
FOR his stgatiOn; requires all physicians
aeeoueheuTs, midwIves, undertakes, sections,
and suPerintendents OF cemeteries to register
his or her name in a book provided for sucb
purpose at the Office of the board giving fuII
name, residence and place OF business, and in
case or removal 10 make change OF same in said
register. The ninth section provides that sany
person who shall violate, nj 1 and abet in yi0-
latiDg, any OF the provisions OF the foregoing
regulations shall, upon conviction thereof by
competent judicial authority. be punished by q
hne Of not less than twenty-five Dor more than
two hundred dollars for each and every such
Some fifteen blank forms have been prepared
covering All the requirements of the regulations
ana VIII be distributed 10 the proper persons
before the 1st day OF August, at which time the
law goes into effect. full set of books have
also been prepared. in which to record births
marriages, and deaths, with all the details AZ
stated above. book for consolidated records
OF deaths in the principal cities IN the United
states and In Europe has been prepared; also a
AeSOiu VI SlarSinCAtIOn OF diseases. Zach book
has its appropriate index, and the system Is so
perfect that any information desired can be Oh
tanned IN flew moments. Some OF these record
books are % by 80 inches in size, of the heaviest
imperial paper, full bound, with Russia leather
ends and bands, with black and side titles 10
each ard canvass covers.
Heretofore nothing but an imperfect registry
OF deaths has been kept, and this at irregular
times No complete record OF births de sths
OF marriages has ever been attempted by either
of the old corporations Of the District excent
tie imperfect one by the corporation OF Wash
ingtOn.
The secretary OF the board Is ex-officio regis
rar and only one additional clerk will be re-
CURED 70 keep the records perfect, and in order
% facilitate the duties of all the Office will be
Kept open from O'Clock q. N. to c D. m. for is
suing OF permits, sc. The entire expense for
books, blanks, ard stationery sufficient for ten
years will not exceed 81 900.
ROrGH ON THE CONTRACTORS Messrs