The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-07
Used to regulate and control interstate

cised to regulate and control interstate
as well forcing quarantine, and to
prevent the introduction and extension
OF contagious and infectious diseases in the
United States, and to this end there should
be passed by the Federal Congress an act
for the appointment OF a Chief Commits
sioner Of Health OF the United States who
should be charged with the collection and
distribution OF information relative TO con-
tagious and infectious diseases, and have
the direction OF the sections of the health
commission when on active duty. There
should also be health commission to be
divided into six sections, each section to
be especially devoted to directing the in
vestigation of the disease with which
il is charged, including cause, origin,
mode OF extension and measures OF pre-
vention, one section each for yellow fever,
cholera, typhoid fever, scarlet fever, small
pox, diphtheria. This health commission
should adopt rules and plans for the pre-
vention OF the introduction into the United
States OF contagious and infectious dis
eases, and the prevention OF their spread
from one State into another, and the regu-
lation OF interstate communication during
threatened epidemic. Whenever an
epidemic of the diseases named is threat
ened, the Governor OF any State threat
ened may call upon the Chief Com
missioner OF Health, who shall then,
with the aid Of the section
Of the Health Commission devoted TO that
particular disease, enforce and carry out
the methods and regulations adopted by
the Health Commission for that disease,
and thus concentrate the power and re-
sources OF the Federal Government in aid
Of State and local authority on the pre-
vention OF the spread OF contagious and
infectious diseases in peaceable, orderly
and effective manner.
Almost instantly there was storm of
motions TO lay II on the table, but Mr..
Forman followed ii up with a speech that
brought on discussion OF a lively char
acter.
DR.. Hyer, Of Mississippi, criticised the
Government very severely for its infect
ual methods in the past. the contrasts
with State Boards Of Health being pain
fully in favor OF the latter. The substi-
tute was defeated.
The only really interesting tilt OF the
sessions came up during the afternoon SEES
sion. Somewhere In the midst OF the noon
recess seven States held meeting OF the
Sanitary Council OF the Mississippi Valley,
and adopted the following resolution,
which was intrusted to Mr.. Hadden TO
bring before the conference for its concur
rent Endorsement
Resolved, That Decatur, Ala, be thor.
oughly disinfected at once, and that the
proper authorities are requested to do so
Immediately.
DIR. Cochrane bounced up and said there
was no use adopting the resolution for no
woul1 assure the conference that no such
thing would be done.
DIR. Hyer, OF Mississippi, then thought
the prayer OF Decatur ought 10 DO an
swered.
Doctors who regard the code Of medical
ethics rs more vital than the Bible,
or any other written or unwritten law,
then rushed in TO talk Of courtesy to a
State health officer" whipped the tender
footed NJ. d. into line and the resolution
was defeated, Notwithstanding seven out
Of eleven States comprising the confer
ence had adoptedit in the Sanitary Council
meeting. The "discourteous" dodge
worked beautifully.
The conference also adopted resolution
by DIR. Simmons recommending that all
approved methods Of disinfecliOn rs set
forth by the American Public Health AS
sociation be used during an epidemic, and
until the danger Of n spread shall have
passed, AMI that all places should be thor
oughly disinicctcd alter the disease had
released its hold.
Tho resolution also urged the necessity
Of cleanliness, although DIR. Cochrane ia.
/ icrp,scd objections aud endcavored TO in
weigh the conference into his way Of think
ing.
The prediction wired you last night was
fulfilled TO the letter. So much So in fact,
that even he (Dr., Cochmne) did not
vouchsale an opposing vote.
DR.. Thornton aud President Haddcn
made several effective speeches during the
sessions, but Il Is doubtful whether they
are satisfied with all the doings Of the
body. II is hard 10 discern what real good
has been accomplished II II Is to be consid.
cred all along the line.
The conference will probably adjourn
tomorrow after resolving 10 hold annual
sessions rs the Sanitary Council Of the
Mississippi Valley.