The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-01-12

CAL BOARDS OF HEALTH.
Local Boards of Health have long
had a legal existence In the State of
Wisconsin, certain officials elected for
other purposes having, by the statutes,
been declared to be- also a Board of
Health As matter of fact, however,
these Boards though invested with am
pie powers, haye, except in very few
of the larger cities, seldom had more
than nominal existence, have rarely
ever met as Health Boards, have more
rarely appointed Health officers and
have practically almost wholly ignored
their duties as guardians of the public
health. Thus, when some contagious
disease has been brought to commu-
nifty, it has found no organization to
oppose its progress and before the
scattered members Of the legal Health
Board could organize and acquaint
themselves with the nature Of duties
to which they had given no previous
thought, the most precious time for
the control of the disease had already
passed, and that which by prompt ac-
ton could easily have been controlled
at its first appearance, has by neglect,
spread into costly and fatal epidemic.
/, That great good has resulted even
from tardy action, is not questioned,
indeed has been often fully demonst-
rated, but in view of the facts above
stated, it has long been felt that there
was need Of constantly organized
Health Boards and efficient health Of
ficers in every community, composed
of men who should be fitted by prior
knowledge Of their powers and duties
to meet any emergencies, and who by
timely and vigilant sanitary precau-
tons, might prevent disease when pre-
vention is possible, or restrict It within
the narrowest limits when prevention
lis impossible.
By chapter 161 of the laws of 1888,
such Boards are now required to be
organized in every town, village and
city in the State. As this law is one
of very great Importance, the full ex-
tent aud spirit Of which should be
clearly understood, we here copy its
most important sections:
LAWS OF 1SS3-cHAP. 167.
AN ACT for the Better Protection of
the Public Health.
The people Of the State of Wisconsin,
represented in Senate and Assembly
do enact as follows:
Section 2 1t shall be the duty of
every health officer appointed under
the provisions of this act or by the
provisions of special charters, upon the
appearance OF any small pox, diphthe-
ria, scarlet fever, Asiatic cholera, or
other dangerous contagious disease in
the town or village or city under his
supervision. Immediately to investigate
all the circumstances attendant upon
the appearance OF such disease, and to
make full report thereof To the board
Of which he is the executive officer,
and also to the State Board OF Health,
and it shall be the duty of such health
officer ut all times promptly to take
such measures for the prevention, sup
preston, and control of the diseases
herein NAMED as may in his judgment
be NEEDFUL AND PEPPER, subject to
the approval of the board of which he
Is member.
Sec. 8. Whenever any physician
residing and practising in this state
shall know any person whom he shall
be called upon to visit is sick with
small pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria,
Asiatic cholera, or other dangerous
contagious disease, he shall immedi-
atelv give notice thereof to the Board
of Health Of the town, village or city
in which such person shall be at the
time, and any such physician who shall
refuse or neglect TO give such notice
for a period of forty-eight hours, shall
on conviction thereof, be Ii able to u
fine of not less than five nor more
than twenty-five dollars for each day
Of such refusal or neglect, after the
expiration of said forty-eight hours,
provided that the notices herein re-
quired may be sent by mail, or except
in the case of cities, may be given to
or left at the residence Of anv member
of the board Of health; and notices so
mailed or given within the time speci-
fed, shall be deemed a compliance
with the provisions of this section.
Sec. 4. All expenses incurred in
carrying out the provisions of this act
or any of them, shall be paid by the
town, village or city by which or on
behalf of which, such expenses shall
be incurred
Approved March 9th, 1888. Pub
llshed March 3lst, 1888.
Sec. 1416. Where any person COM
ing from abroad or residing in any
town shall be infected or shall lately
have been infected with small pox or
other contagious disease dangerous to
the public health the proper Board of
Health may Immediately cause him
to be removed to seperate house if it
can be done without danger to his
health, and if such person cannot be
removed without danger to his health
such Board shall make provision for
him in the house where he NAV be and
in such case they may cause the per-
sons in the neighborhood to be remov-
ed and may take such other measures
as they may deem necessary for the
safety of the inhabitants, and in either
case they shall provide for him nurses