The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-07-23
SANITARY MATTERS.
Powers Of the National, State and Local
Boards of Health-The National SubOr-
dinate to the Latter, and can only In
terfere where these Neglect to do their
Duty.
LETTER FROM VICE PRESIDENT BILLINGS.

Duty.
LETTER FROM VICE PRESIDENT BIILIN Gs.
WAsHINGToN, July 13-In view OF miscon-
ceptious which seem to have prevailed in parts
OF the Southern States with regard to the
powers and duties Of the National Board of
Health Dr. Billings, Vice President OF that
organization has addressed the following let
ter to the Sanitary Council Of the Mississippi
Valley:
DEAR SIR presume the kilograms and
printed documents we have sent 10 you will
make matters plain, but there seems so much
misnconception to the powers and duties
OF the National Board Of Health, as shown by
comments in the daily press, that we should
have a clear understanding one two
other points. 1T seems to me to be very clear
that the duty Of the State and local authori-
ties is to take the initial in adopting rules and
regulations Tor preventing the spread OF con
tagious diseases. The National Board Of
Health has made certain recommendations
Tor such rules as it has printed and placed in
your hands these recommendations should
be taken as indicating the minimum amount
of precaution to be taken. State or local
authority may make more stringent rules than
these; and il they are too stringent, even to
absolute nOn-intercourse, this board has no
power to interfere. 1t is only when the State
or local authority refuses to take even the pre-
caution considered indispensable by this
board that we can take action legally in the
matter. In the next place, ! would observe
that this Board is not expected to do all the
work OF prevention, nor to pay for the doing Of
such work. The State and local boards
should first do what they can, and then we
can come in TO supplement their efforts-to
aid and cooperate. in the terms OF the law,
it Is therefore the duty OF the State and local
authorities to keep the National Board fully
informed on the following points, viz
Al Nyrb. las Yiarif
have adopted.
Second-As to how far they can carry out
the rules and regulations.
Third-As to what aid they think it nece5-
sary that the National Board shall furnish in
order that proper rules and regulations may
be enforced.
With regard to this request for aid, details
should be given. This Board cannot place
money in the hands OF n local board to be ex-
pended at the discretion of the latter. 1t
must be known what the money is to be used
for, whether for the hire of inspectors or
police, for the purchase Of disintectants, for
the erection of sheds for the purpose OF estab-
fishing quarantine, etc. Please make these
points clear to the members of the council
and let us have no unnecessary delay in ia
king action by the health authorities repre-
scented in that council. | need hardly say to
YOU that it is the desire of this Board TO do
everything in its power to prevent the spread
OF yellow lever ny aiding state ana municipal
Boards of Health in their efforts to discover
the first cases and to isolate them and thus
stamp out the disease well carry out
the usual systems OF quarantine, and | am
glad to be able to assure you that the Secreta-
rv OF the Treasury is in accord with these
views, and has promptly approved a special
estimate by this Board for funds TO help the
authorities of Memphis and Of the State OF
Tennessee to prevent the spread of the fever
to adjoining States, but the power of this
Board is small compared with that possessed
by local authorities. One more observation
and | am done. Don't let quarantine occupy
the attention of your council to the exclusion
of municipal cleanliness, which last is the
great object to be secured. Keep fully in
formed As to your operations, and be sure
your recommendations will receive prompt at
tention. Very truly yours,
JOHN s. BILLINGS,
President National Board of Health.
Sanitary Schemes-In Other States.
HENDERSON, KY, July 12-At a meeting
of the Executive Committee of the Sanitary
Council of the Valley of the Mississippi,
held this afternoon, the following resolutions
were passed
Resolred That this committee, in view of
the appearance of yellow fever at several
points, recommend the immediate adoption of
the rules and regulations of the National
Board OF Health for securing the best santa
nv condition of steamboats, and other vessels
also railroads, including stations houses,
road-beads, and ears of all descriptions, by all
the State and local Boards of Health con-
nected with this Council.
ReSolred That the Executive Committee, in
behalf of the Sanitary Council, request and
urge the National Board of Health to imme-
diately appoint Inspectors, whose duties
defined in the regulations, at New Orleans,
Vicksburg, Memphis, Cairo, Evansville,
Louisville and St. Louis also, one at each
place where yellow fever may occur and we
also recommend that these Inspectors be
clothed with full authority by the States and
municipalities to enforce these rules and reg
ulations. 1t is further recommended that all
cities and towns in the Valley of the Missis-
sippi adopt and enforce the aforesaid rules,
copies of which can be obtained by address,
ing DIR. t. J. Turner, Secretary of the Nation
al Board of Health, Washington, d. q.
(Signed) ]. D. PLUNKETT, NJ. D.,
Tennessee.
PINCKNEY THOMPSON, NJ. D.,
Kentucky.
JOHN H. RAUcH, NJ. D.,
Illinois.