Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-07
Health LeIiSlatiOn

General misrepresentation seems to prevail in
regard to the provisions Of the public health
bill passed by Congress on the last day of the
session. 1t does not In any way provide means
for preventing the Introduction Of epidemic dis.
ease into the country further than by estab.
sdiag cenSrai board OF health, who are to
% auVlse" with local sanitary authorities, but
Mno nave no executive or directing powers
WnateVer tnat may be exercised for the exclu
slom s or limitation UNI M OF epidemic disease. In thi,
VINO nad hoped that the general government
Mould De empowered to employ measures TO
anls END as the events Of the past year plainlv
Efforts OF local authorities were Intellectual 70
that purpose. II the yellow fever SHOULD gain
ravage the southern states during the comm :.
with the reflection that their representatives in
Congress denied the right OF the general gov
ernment TO institute measures for their pro-
rather than 1nterfered with existing regula
tlons: The bill provides for board OF
health OF eleven members, three of whom
Amy, Navy and Marine Hospital services;
one officer from the Department OF Justice and
seven members to be appointed by the Presi-
dent, VINO are to receive per diem compensa-
meet in Washington within thirty days after
the passage Of this act, and are to elect their
president; The duties OF the board, as defined
,S Dy the ne olli, are to obtain information ON all
I'LL.
10 aavise with the general government and
WIN the executives OF the several states on ali
matters that may be submitted to them, .'or
10 tne preservation Of the public health" The
d1s also to prepare, after conference with
Inc ,ae academy OF Sciences and with the princ-
pai SANITARY organizations OF the country, a plan
l Ior national health organization, with Special
leielence 10 the question of quarantine, to be
reported to the next Congress. This much
veSed ,e; question will thus for the first time In
l11ya.f 4 faa fNk ~
OF body capable Of judging dispasslonately
and 1ntelligently, provided the constitution OF
,in me DoaId Is such as the gravity of the ques-
pee ana here fes es tbs Ss prnga fgat S9oss to ss
Of the whole work of the board ending
uselessly or being diverted into mischiev
GUS: Gus channels. aa Although geographical and
to some extent in the selection of the members.
their fitness for the special duties that viii be
required OF them should be the determining in
frainip aSnfe ana N OILY those who have had special
sanitary science should be selected. II would
not De wei that the board should be Composed
WoSG he 81 ampd: pnysacans sanitary engineer
the Department OF Justice Of lawyer with a
SOUND and unprejudiced knowledge OF constitu-
~ uonai law, VIII essentially aid the board In ar
health legislation. Had Congress supplied the
proper means the present law would be erect.
I've as 1ar as 1t goes; but Surgeon General Wood.
nhn. %oi.n OF tne marine hospital service, who IS
charged With Its execution urged upon the
members OF the select committees on epidemic
diseases, appointed by the Forty fifth Congress.
the great importance OF supDlementing that
law by creating national board of health.
which shall frame all rules and regulations ne.
cessary 10 carry out its objects. Dr. WOOdWorth
Is OF the opinion that while there should be but
one executive officer to carry out these rules
ana regulations, it is equally necessary that the
latter should be prepared by board Composed
OF suflcient number OF the most eminent san
itar1ans OF the country.