The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-12
THE PUBLIC HEALTH BILL.
GUARDING AGAINST THE INTRODUCE
TION or PhSTILENCE.
ReportInR In Favor OF the Recommendations
OF the National Board Of Health AuthorI1~
Ing "a Quarantine In Time Of Public Perll.


OF the National Board Of uenIth-A uthori1~
Ing "a Quarantine In Time Of Public PeriI.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE select com
mittee appointed to investigate and report the |
best means OF preventing the introduction and |
spread Of epidemic diseases met to-day to con- |
slider bill which is the Joint work OF their |
Chairman Senator Harris. and the recently |
created National Board OF Health" and em-
bodies the conclusions reached by the Board at
its session in this city last week. The bill thus
prepared was adopted by the committee. and
will be recommended for enactment without
any material changes.
The first section provides that IL shall DO un-
lawful for any vessel engaged in the transpor-
tatlon Of goods or persons from any foreign
port to enter any port OF the United States ex-
cept in accordance with the provisions herein-
after recited. and all rules and regulations
made in pursuance thereof. This section IL 10
be enforced by II penalty not exceeding $4,000.
proper United States District Court.
II is next provided TINT every vessel bound
for the United States snail be REQUIRED to OBJ
port OF departure. or from the medical Oifirer
where such officer has been detailed 10y the
President for that purpose, a certificate in dup-
cate setting forth the sanitary history OF such
vessel, and that it has in all respects complied
with the rules and regulations in such cases
prescribed and herein authorized for securing
the best possi BILE sanitary condition OF the yes
Z
, consular or medical officer is to receive for his
services in this behalf such fees as shall hy
lawful regulations De allowed, me fr,sluen{
Is authorized. upon the refusal OF the National
Board of Health. TO detail medical officers. not
! exceeding six at any one time. to serve IN Tor
egn ports for the purpose OF making the In
| spectiOu and giving the certificate above mem
/ toned. and the failure Of vessel sailing from
! any such port without the certificate Of the
! medical officer therein stationed shall be pun
/ ishable upon arrival in the United States by
1 fine OF $500.
The third section Of the bill is as follows:
The National Hoard Of Health shall make nil needful
regulations authorized by TIE law Of The United
spread %i,S iRS t"ited states Of contagious or uec'
prov tbytSe Fre.dcnt aud shall be charged Win tie
Sd al oh ct S sas the az d sa for m @ rS
If the introduction and spread u cohtaeiou, OF ieguo
under Ne authority . said law. in respect 70 an vessels
ard vehicles engaged IN commerce win i9regn nations
and tue several States. whether by land or water
The fourth section requires all Consular OH
GERS OF the United states to MAKE weekly re-
| ports 20 the National Board Of Health OF the
! sanitary condition OF their RESPECTIVE posts.
/ The Board Is required 10 collect similar infor.
| nation concerning the sanitary condition OF
/ foreign ports. and also Of ports und places
within tile United States by mequs Of voluntary
| weekly reports Il om all accessible sources and
/ TO furnish weekly abstracts Ol all the intUrma-
| ton thus obtained to the medical officers OF the
| Marine Hospital Service. 10 Collectors OF Gus
[ toms md 10 State and municipal health officers
/ throughout the country. The Board Is urther-
| more charged with tue duty Of making an nm
nunl report OF it, operations to the Secretary "
| the Treasury for transmission to Congress with
such recommendations as II may deem import
ant 10 the public interests
The iith and sixth sections expressly author
izs the Board 10 prescribe. with the approval OF
| the President, such quarantine regulations in
all respects as Il may deem eNpedient or ncces-
sary TO prevent the introduction or spread VI
yellow fever. cholera. or other contagious or in
fectious diseases. This authority is TO extend
To interstate communication. the Board being
empowered in case Of need 10 select suitable
localities for the establishment OF stations on
the rivers and other lines of Interstate COM
mcrcc and travel by railroads, and 10 erect
buildings Tor the dslniection OF passengers.
! baggage clrEnes. vessels. and vehicles.
The seventh section requires the Board 50
| far as possible. TO cooperate with local sanitary
I officers acting under State laws but In case the
| local authorities neglect or refuse 10 cooperate
the regulations prescribed 10y the Board. II shall
/ be the duty OF the President upon the applca-
ton ol the Board. 10 detail from the medical
stan OF the army Or Lavy or the Marine Hosp ital
and regulations. or to appoint other suitable
persons for that purpose And II shall be the
duty OF the Board 10 report the facts to the Gov
ernCr OF such State. with such sanitary advice
as il may think proper ia the premises.
The ninth and tenth sections embodv the pro
! visions Ot the hill recently introduced by Sena
tor Johnston Of Virginia. authorizing the Ma
! t.onal Board OF Health 10 investigate and re
port TO Congress upon contagious or Infection.
diseases Of domestic animals. The Board i,
directed TO cause thorough inspection to b,
made OF all animals arriving nj or exported
, from the different shipping ports Of the United
( States and 10 cnuse tho owners or shippers L
. be- promptly notified 81 the results Of such in.
.. spectlon, with such recommendations IA may
he proper In each case Similar notifications
are TO be made to the State and local authorities
The bill finally proposes TO appropriate
carrying out It's provisions. The money Is 10 b,
discussed under the direction OF the NatiOna
Board OF Health. and full report made 20 III,
Secretary Of the Treasury. 10 be transmitted bl