Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-04-26
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

SIaIS oOAho CE aGSdId.
We publish the following which
win explain itself and we hope will
have the desired effect and that our
local authorities will take this matter
in hand The health of our people
should be the first thing protected
from harm Read the following
carefully
Appleton, Wis, April 9th. 1888.
To oil I'o,on Boards. Village Boards.
Dnd Common Councils Of Cities in
tie State of H,sconsin
Gentlemen The State Board of
Fl ealth desires especially to call your
attention to the provisions of Chap
ter 167, of the laws of 1888, a
copy of which is annexed
hereto, for your convenience.
This law. as you will perceive
makes obligatory
1st The organization of a board
Of Health in every Te,on, TjU-
age and City IN the State ,rithm
80 days after each annual election.
2nd. The appointment of health
officer by every Board Of Health.
,0iihiu 10 days after each organiza-
ton.
9rd. The report of contagious
diseases By all Physicians.
This Board regards the above law
as one of great Importance. and as
capable of being made of very great
benefit to the people of Wisconsin.
1t is obvious however, that such law
will neither execute itself or prove of
any great value unless it be faithfully
and intelligently observed. In the
desire to cooperate with Local Boards
in making it as beneficial and useful
as possible, the State Board urges
very strongly upon them the impor-
lance of making careful selection Of
their Health Officers, upon whom of
necessity much of the responsibility
of the observance Of the law will rest
and upon whose efficiency. consequent
ly, much of the benefit to be derived
from it will depend.
The law provides that whenever
practicable the Health Officer shall be
a reputable physician. Some Of the
duties of this Office can be most wisely
performed only by physician and our
leading sanitarians are physicians as a
general rule. 1t may, in some ex-
ceptional cases, however, as in new
and sparcely settled localities. be nee
essary to appoint health officer rom
among non-protessional citizens A
Board 50 situated is advised invariably
to appoint person who is known to
be largely and intelligently interested
in sanitary matters. 1t will always
be found, in the judgment of this
Board, both wise and economical to
secure as Health Officer the best
physician and sanitarian to be found
in any given locality.
The law further provides that you
shall Immediately after the appoint
ment of your Health Officer transmit
his name and Post Office address to
this Board. 1t will be a favor if at
the same time you will transmit the
nam es Of the Chairman and Clerk of
your Board, for which purpose the
Postal Card is enclosed.
Upon the organization of your
Board, and on receipt of the name
and address Of your Health Officer as
ABOVE provided, this Board Will send
to You another circular relative to the
powers and duties of Boards Of Health
which it is hoped may be helpful to
you in the important charge commit
ted to your trust. This circular will
also contain suggestions making most
practically useful the provision of the
law in question, which ma es it the
duty of Physicians to report all con-
tagious diseases which come under
their care.
By direction of the State Board
Of Health.
Very Respectfully,
j. I. REEVE, NJ d.