The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-02-02
BOARDS OF HEALTH.
A ELL Now Before the Legislature.

The Legislature has now Before II bill to
establish Boards Of Health, many Of the
provisions Of which arc excellent. SOM
such measure is essential to the public vel
fare. The following 10 . synopsis:
SECTION /. The Governor and Council
are to appoint three physicians, to hold two
years, who shall constitute the Territorial
Board Of Health.
SEC. 8. The Board shall meet in four
weeks aitsr cssstituted and organize, snd
At least annually thereafter.
SEC. 4. Provides for organization and
records.
SEC. 5. Said Board shall take cognizsnce
Of the interests OF the life aud health Of the
Inhabitants Of the Territory; shall make In
quiry In respect to the causes Of disease, and
especially OF epidemics, and shall collect
and preserve such information relating to
deaths, diseases and health, - may be use-
ful in the discharge Of its duties, and con-
tribute to the production Of health or Sc
euri,y OF life In the Territory Of Montana.
When they may believe there 10 . proba-
bilhy that any infectious or contagious dis
ease may invade tho Territory, Il shall be
their duty 70 take snch action, and adopt
and enforce such rules as they may, In the
exercise Of their discretion, deem efncient
In preventing the introduction and spread Of
such disease or diseases.
SEQ. .. Provides for County Boards Of
three resident persons; one at least, 10 be .
physician, 70 be appointed by the County
Commissioners for two years.
Said county Board Of Health SHAH make
and establish for their county, or any dis
trict or place therein, such sanitary rules and
regulations IS they may deem necessary and
proper to prevent the outbreak and spread Of
smallpox. scarlet fever, diphtheria, and
other infectious and contagious diseases, and
any person failing or refusing to comply
with or obey such rules and regulations
shall be deemed guilty Of . misdeneaner
with fine Of from $40 to 500. The rules Of
the Territorial Borsd may also be enforced.
All physicians are required to promptly re
port all the above-named diseases under
treatment by them. The County Board must
report to the Territorial Board every three
months.
SEC. Z. The County Board may declare
quarantine Of the county or any particular
place OF district against any contagious or
Infectious disease prevailing elsewhere.
This must be reported to the Territorial
Board who may raise the quarantine. Any
person liable to spread such disc ases may be
Guaranteed In their own premises, or IL they
have no residence, in soms place provided.
To refuse or fail TO comply Is made misds'
meanor with ane Of SIS to 500. City or
Town Boards are invested with same powers.
The balance Of the bill requires physicians
designing 70 practice, 10 have psacticed IN
the Territory ten years previous, or to pre-
sent 70 the Board Of Health diploma from
. reputable medical college, whereupon the
| board shall give him certificate which he
must present to the County Treasurer "a
ob,sin license to practice. A violation Of
this requirement or fraudulent represents
lions Is punishable with imprisonment and {
fine OF $50 to $500 for every onense.. lin
Grant physicians and surgeons are TO pay .
license Of $50 per month In each county
where they practice. Tbs Territorial Beard
10 to have not exceeding $500 per annum fol
travelling and other expenses. No provision
10 made for expenses Of County Boards.
Since writing the foregoing We have re-
ceived . letter from an eminent resident
physician Of Helena, referring TO the sbov.
DILL. He says the bill ismade up from simi
Jar. legislation in Illinois, New York and
West virgiuia, where II has proved success
fFuI, and he thinks IL will prove 20 bore. Il
has met the approval Of number Of physi
Clans 70 whom 1t was submitted prior 70 ~
ing offered In the Legislature. It will prob
ably be amended somewhat, but We .trus
the Legislature will not impair its elective
mesa or fall TO pass some measure Of lik'