The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-11-20
Legislation TO Protect the Public
Health

| EDITORS CLARION: | am glad to see q
suggestion in your last issue that some ac-
/ ton should be taken by the State to provide
against the recurrence Of the fearful cpl
demic which has so sorely afflicted OUT
! people this year. If anything has been sat
| lsfactorily demonstrated by the history Of
tits epidemic, it is that judicious quaran-
| tine regulations, rigidly enforced, provide
the only safeguard against the introduc-
ton OF yellow fever into any town, or
| community in this latitude. The ALMOST
miraculous escape of Jackson, for so long a
| time, hedged in as you were by constantly
| con raeting Gordon of pestilence, presents
a strong an argument as need to be adj
duce in favor of the effectiveness of quar-
an5ines- We need not refer to the terrible
contrast OF other cities and towns whose
unwIse policy invited disease. If we profit
by the lessons we have learned from sad ex
perience we may save our people from sim
liar visitations hereafter.
Tie Legislature at its last session had no
adequate conception OF the Importance OF
an organized, systematic effort for the pro-
lection Of health, which is evidenced by the
limited powers conferred and the insufficient
appropriation granted to enable them to
Fffectuate the objects for which Boards of
Health are, or ought to be, created. Medical
men may disagree as to the proper treatment
of yellow fever, but think that no inteiI-
gent man, either professional or non-pro-
tessonal will, in the light of this years ex-
p4rience, nave the hardihood to deny that
there is. at least, comparative safety in
strict quarantine. Then, if we can protect
a town, or a community by quarantine, why
may we not as well protect a State? Would
it not BE- wise for the Legislature to revise
the Act of 1878 providing for State Board
of Health, and confer upon them addi-
tional powers, with authority, not
only to quarantine a town or city.
but county, a district, or the whole State
if necessary, and vote a sufficient appropri-
AEON 10 enable them to act promptly and
efiectually in the premises?
l. may be said that this would impose re-
strictioas on trade and commerce. Let it |
be granted as true. What is this when com
pared wi h the fearful loss of life which has |
characterized the epidemic from which we |
are just emerging? Besides, who can esti- |
mate the loss to material interests to cities |
towns and communities affected as some /
When will Holly Springs and Grenada re-
cover from the financial embarrassments.
the imm ediate result of the epidemic?
Judging from the experience Of other
years we have good cause to fear another
visitation OF the epidemic next year. While
the truce lasts let US prepare TO meet the in
sidious foe
Let the Governor convene the Legislature
Ia extraordinary session sometime during
the wnter after thu germ of the disease has
been surely destroyed by cold weather, say
January or February, to enact such lcglsla
ton a may be necessary for protecting Us
from another epidemic. The cost would be
onT tritling when compared with the great
good that might reasonably be accom-
Di-hed.
hope that you will continue to urge the
Importance of this subject until something
,hail be doue.
Truly. etc. CITIZEN.