Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-11-12
QUARANTINE.
SPECIFIC MEASURES AGAINST THE IN
TRoDUcrIon OF SMALLPOX
The State Board of Health Appoints a
Quarantine oficer-copy OF lnstruc-
tions Issued for His Guidance.

A special session of the State Board of
Health was held in this city last evening, at
which DIR. Henry Gibbons, Sr.. President,
DR.. w. r. Cluness, and DR.. F. w. Hatch,
Secretary, were present. The minutes of the
special session were read and approved.
| The Secretary stated that he had requested
the call Of the present meeting to consider
matters in relation to the establishment Of a
quarantine for the railroad cars coming into
the State by the Central Pacific Railroad.
At the last meeting of the Board a moderate
quarantine system was advised near Sacra-
mento, and the suggestion was approved by
the Board. and referred to the City Board OF
Health. That body has since met, and fully
Endorsed the necessity of early precautionary
measures against the introduction OF small
pox from Eastern cities Subsequently to the
special meeting of the State Board of Health,
however, the question of quarantine has been
agitated by the press and public, and the
| suggestion made that in the absence OF any
statutory law providing for inland quaran-
tine, the Governor might well assume the ex-
traordinary power of authorizing the Board
to proceed at once to carry out such measures
as in its Judgment. might be necessary TO al
ford protection. The authority for this action
is well and forcibly stated in the communica-
ton on this subject received from the Gov
ernor. By request of the Governor the Sec
retary had had consultation with him in
relation to the present state of facts regard
ing smallpox, and the
DANGER OF ITS INTRODUCTION,
And it was agreed that communication
covering the ground should be addressed
to him in an official capacity. This
was done on Monday, the Sth instant, and
the same day reply was received directing
the State Board Of Health to proceed imme-
distely to carry out the measures suggested
In pursuance of this order he had made
arrangements, subject to the approval of the
Board, for an Inspector, had prepared draft
of specific instructions for his guidance, so
far as he felt authorized to do SO without the
assistance of the other members of the
Board, and had received the assurance from
MIR. Pratt, the gentlemanly Superintendent
OF the railroad at this place, of the co-opera-
tion of the railroad authorities to the extent
of their ability.
About some matters the Secretary was in
doubt. Should Car with all its passengers
upon which smallpox was found be detained
up to the ordinary incubation period of the
disease IF so, and this was certainly the
only proper plan, how shall the passengers
be provided for? He desired an expression
of the views of the Board upon these and
other questions In relation to the subject.
The Secretary stated that he had appointed,
subject to approval, DIR. E. q. Rhoads, of
this city, as Inspector for the Central Pacific
Railroad. He, at the same time, presented
letter from DIR. J. Manning King, applying
for the position of Inspector.
On motion, it was resolved that for the
present no urgent necessity exists for the ex
0f mr. fha Soufharp to
In this connection, the Secretary read tele-
gram from DR.. j. p. Widney, of Los An
geles, stating that an inspection of all cars
entering that city had already been institu-
ted.
INSTRUCTIONS TO QUARANTINE OFFICER.
The Secretary read a draft of letter of in
structions which had been prepared for the
Inspector. This was amended and adopted
as follows:
E. G. Rhoads, NJ. D.-Dear Sir: You are hereby
appointed Medical Inspector for the State Board Of
Health for the district between Sacramento and the
State line Boca and the following general rules
are published for your guidance:
You will take convenient position at some sta
tion near the State line and inspect the emgrant
on their arrival, at the same time making in
qures Of the passengers to the existence of any
sickness on board at the time, to there having
been any eruptive form of disease among them since
leaving Chicago In this investigation valuable in
formation may De obtained from the conductor and
other employees OF the train.
Should any case Of smallpox be discovered upon
any car you will direct SAID to be quarantined,
or side. tracked at point suited to the wellbeing
and comfort Of the sick, and at the same time
adapted to the convenience OF the railroad com.
pany. 1t is desired that the work to be done should
be so ordered and conducted as to subject the COM
paBy to the minimum of Inconvenience consistent
with its energetic and efficient discharge in the
interest of the public health.
The other passengers on infected cars should be
transferred to another car, but not mixed with
passengers on uninfected cars. You will examine
them carefully to ascertain whether there are any
unvaccinated persons among them. Ali such should
be Immediately vaccinated, making at least two
points of insertion. You will also vaccinate all
upon the infected car, and detain them for period
of twelve days from the date of their exposure to
the disease.
You will also inspect the express trains coming
West and satisfy yourself that no cases of smallpox
were on board. In this examination the conductor
and other employees of the will be of essential
service to you. Should you be satisfied of the pres
ence OF smallpox, you will adopt the means just
recommended for emigrant cars.
II, upon iLqury, you find that any passenger
upon a has been sick with SMALLPOX during the
trip from Chicago, and has died or been removed
from the car, you will consider such car to be
infected and proceed Herewith in the manner
directed for upon which small pox has actually
been discovered.
When any car containing small FOX has been quar-
antned, you will aid the railroad authorities in
ing that the passengers thereon we'll and COM
fortaby cared for and that the car after the
cry removal of the sick is thoroughly dsinfected
according to the rules laid down in the general in
structons for dsnfection issued by the State Board
of Health.
You will be expected to keep record of cars
quarantined, cases of smallpox discovered, and
vaccinations and reyaccinations performed, and Of
every other proceeding under the duties assigned
you, and TO report the in writing to the Secre
tary of the State Board of Health at least every
third day.
The duties to which you assigned are impor-
tant yet delicate. and the State Board of Health
trusts to your discretion and good judgment that
they be exercised with prudence, and with
deavor to dIsarm opposition by courteous and
dignfed appeal to reason and the demonstration of
the necessity ofithe measures adopted rather than
by the exhibition of arbitrary authority.
By order of the State Board of Health.
F. W. HATCH, NJ. D.,
Secretary State Board OF Health.
Sacramento, CAL, November II, 1881.
After general discussion of the subject,
and of the means at the disposal of the Board
for carrying ont an effective quarantine, and
certain verbal instructions fr the Inspector
agreed upon, the Board adjourned subject to
the call of the President.
SHAKY RIDGE PRoDUCTs-Another speci-