The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-07-18
POWERS and Battles oF the Ma
vs0rai Board os Health

In view OF the miseonception which
seems to prevail in many parts Of the
Southern States with regard to the
mowers and duties Of the National
Board of Health, DR.. Billings, Vice.
President of that organization, has ad-
dressed the following letter to the Sani
tary Council of the Mississippi Valley:
"DrAR SiR-I presume the kilograms
and printed documents we have sent to
Won will make matters plain TO you, but
there seems so much misconception as TO
tho powers and duty Of the National
Board of Health, as shown by comments
IN the daily press, that we should have q
clear understanding on one or two points.
IL seems 60 me to be very clear that IT IS
the duty of the State and local authorities
20 take The initiative in adopting rules
and regulations for preventing the spread
of contagious diseases. The National
Board of Health has made certain recon-
nendators for such rules rs II has print
ed and placed in your hands. These re-
/ Communications should be taken as indi-
| eating the minimum amount Of precaution
/ to be taken. State OF local authority
may nuke more stringent rules than
these, and if they are too stringent, even
4 t1 absolute intercourse, this board
I has no power to interfere. Il Is only
I when State or local authority refuses 10
take every precautions considered indis-
I pensable bY this board that we can take
action legally in the matter.
I In the next place would observe: This
/ Beard is not expected to do all the work
I of prevention, nor to pay for the doing OF
such work. The State and local boards
/ should first do what they can, aud then
we can come in TO supplement their efforts
! to aid and cooperate. In the term of tbs
law, il is, therefore. the duty Of the State
aud local authorities - keep the Nationa
Board fully informed on the following
poiGts, viz
l. As to what rules apd regulations
-: a - p 1orssIu sciISoI,sw -
3. As to VIA aid they ' Siiiaa it neoes
sary that the National Board shall fur
nish, in order that proper rules and reg
ulations may be enforced.
With regard 70 this request for aid dc
lis should be given. This Board canno
place money in the hands of local boar.
to be expended at the discretion Of tn,
latter. 1t must be known what the money
is to be used for, whether for the hire o
/ inspectors, or ponce Tor the purchase o
disinfectants, or for the erection of shed
for the purpose Of establishing local quar-
antine, etc. Please make these point
clear to the members Of the Council anl
let us have no unnecessary delay IN tht
taking of action by the health authorize
represented in that council. Ineed hard
ly say TO you that it is the desire of thi
Board 10 do everything in its power 1
prevent the spread OF yellow fever b.
aiding State and municipal Boards 0
, Health in efforts TO discover first cases. t
locate them and thus stamp out the dis
ease, as well as carry out the usual sys
TENS of quarantine, and l an glad to
able to assure you thai the Secretary O
the Treasury is IN accord with thes
views, and has promptly approved
special estimate made by this Board 70
funds 10 help the health authorities q
Memphis and of the State of Tennessee
TO prevent the spread of the fever to ad
Joining States, but the power Of this Boar
is very small as compared with that pos
sessed by the local authorities. One NOR
T observation and l am done. Don't Il
quarantine occupy the attention of you
Council to the exclusion of municips
cleanliness. which last is the greatest OF
t ieet to be secured. Keep US fully inform
ed as to your operations, and be sure you
; recommendations Will receive prompt q
7 tention. Very truly yours,
JOHN s. BILLINGS,
Vice President National Board Of Healtl