The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-02

II did rot take the doctors Of Florida
very long to agree upon a state board of
health bill that oul1 10 satisfactory TO
them. The iii that tie State Medical
{ Association adopted at St. Augustine this
/ week has some good features. 1t bears
marks Of basty work, but the association
had not time 10 discuss it to any great ex-
tent. and be ides its purpose was to do
nothing more than TO outline Z measure
for the guidance OF the legislature.
The legislature, dJubtless, viii give the
bill very careful consideration. and may
accept h. greater part Of It. It is the
work Of some Of the hes sanitariAns and
physiciaus Of tie state and contains
their conclusions, drawn from their
observations and experiences. relative 70 The
legislation that is needed 70 protect the
states heath.
The bill provides for state health board
Of I've members, three of whom SHALL be
members of the medical profess. on. The
board is 70 meet twice a year, but may be
called together as often rs necessary. The
beard is TO chose is own president. who is,
Of course, 10 be one II the five members,
and who also is 10 act as secretary The
compensation Of the members is fixed at 81
per day when engaged 10 the service of the
state, and mileage at the same rate that is
allowed to members Of the legislature.
A health officer IS to be- chosen by the
board, who is to have 81. 900 per year and
necessary expenses. He is TO be the execu-
tive officer Of the board and to he wholly
| L. - j., s, IoFI -
for four years, unless removed for cause.
The terms of the members Of the board are
also for four years, unless removed sooner
by the governor, who appoints them, for
ca Sc. 1t is provided, however, tat the
terms Of two of the members first appointed
shall expire in two years. in order that
there may be continuous board.
About the most important feature of the
bill is that which provides that all count y
boards Of health shall be subordinate to the
state board. The purpose Of this provision
is, doubtless, to secure harmonious action
a very necessary thing in cases Of emer-
gency. Unless the state board of health has
| control of the county boards, the enforce
ment of uniform quarantine regulations
will be impossible. 1t ought TO le in the
power Of the state board TO say when
quarantine shall be established, and when
removed. The state board ought Ia
be in a position to know what
is the best thing to Re done in all nars of
the state, and to occupy such a position it
will have TO be in constant communicat, on
with all the county health boards. The
Importance, therefore, of the county
boards being subordinate to it can be
readily seen. Nothing is more to be
dreaded in emergencies than health boardi
in different parts Of the state acting upon
their own responsibilityand without conce t.
When fear rather than cool judgment die
tates u course of action confusion results
and confusion means disaster to many in
terests without providing protection against
the danger that is apprehended
| The legislature will give the health board
question much more extended consideration
than the State Medical Association did, but
| doubtless, it will find much that is meri
| torious in the associations bill