The record-union., 1892-06-16
GUARDING AGAINST INFECTION.
Dangers Constantly Arising From
Public Funerals.
The State Board of Health Offers Some
Important Suggestions on
the Subject.

general interest:
"The State Board of Health of Califor-
MIA, realizing fully the benign influence
of the reverend clergy OF the State,
and having a high appreciation OF
their functions as leaders and teachers OF
the people, would especially invoke their
influence and cooperation in the instruc-
ton of the public in the principles of
health and its preservation. Because OF
their general intelligence and widespread
professional influence, they can exert
greater personal influence than any other
class or profession. Their visits are al
ways nlissions,of consolation and mercy.
Unlike other professions, these duties are
performed without fee or reward. There
Is thus engendered a confidential rever-
ence for those so forgetful of self as 10 be
ready at any and all times to speak words
OF hope, courage and trust, when light
has departed from the household and de-
spair sits perched upon the family altar.
1T may be superfiuous TO call the at
tention of so intelligent class of men TO
a subject on which nearly all may have
formed well-defined opinions, but hav
ing in mind the closeness of the pastoral
relation to human life, the social standing
of families, and the reciprocal feeling
among friends and neighbors, it is
deemed necessary to reinforce their con-
yictions of what it is proper 20 do by the
conversion of such convictions into Gus
tom and law.
1.-The board, therefore, asks the atten-
ton of ministers of all denominations
and of every order to the practice of hold
ing public funerals of persons who have
died of contagious or infectious diseases.
In many cities and towns there exists a
municipal regulation or ordinance pro-
hibiting public or church funeral of any
person who has died of Asiatic cholera,
smallpox, typhus fever, diphtheria, yell
low fever, scarlet fever, or measles, and
directing the family of deceased to limit
the attendance to as few as possible, and
TO take all precautions to prevent the ex-
poSure of other persons to contagion or
infection. The person authorizing the
public notice of death is also required to
publish the name Of the disease which
caused the death of the person whose
funeral is to be held. Where such local
regulations are in force the clergy are re-
ueYed from the painful duty of refusal TO
perform such services.
MANY amlable and otherwise we'll
informed people will importune the min
lister to oifciate at a public funeral of d
precious child that has died Of diphtheria
or scarlet fever. They cannot or viii not
understand that a compliance with the
request endangerS not only the lives OF
those present, but the lives also Of the
children of the kind pastor, who would
not lnfiict pain by refusing. and Of the
children of sorrowing friends who in
spect the remains III the casket, and fol-
low them TO the grave. 1t is to prevent
such consequences that the suggestion
is made that those Of the clergy who live
in cities and towns should so use their in
nuence with the municipal authorities
as to induce them TO adopt an ordinance
restraining any one from officiating at
public funeral in cases of death from
contagious diseases.
1T is believed that considerations of
nnTGOnai sol a. ha
urged IN support Of the vital necessity of
such action when addressing the clerical
profession. If it were necessary TO cite
authorities to convince them that con-
tagious diseases may be communicated
by eXhalationS from the bodies of the
dead, as well as by contact with living
persons afflicted with the disease, they
could be furnished without number
This would be the universal testimony of
medical men. But it is considered un-
necessary to furnish and multiply
instances of infection and fatal results
arising from public funerals in the case
of contagious diseases. The principal
thing is TO refuse to hold such public
services, no matter what the social stand
ing of the family of deceased NAV be.
Objections may arise to what at first may
appear to be an extreme course. There
is planted deep in the human heart de-
sire to honor the dead, and there are, un-
fortunately, many who think this can
best be shown by a public funeral. They
believe that to neglect public funeral
rites is to manifest lack of proper re-
gard for the memory OF the dead.
AT this moment, when an atmosphere
of sorrow and gloom pervades at home.
considerations of safety for the living are
apt to be received with indifference and
contempt. Whatever is said to the be-
reaved relatives at such a time, must be
spoken with the utmost gentleness. But
they must be instructed as to the duty of
subordinating their wish to honor the
dead to the duty of preserving the health
and lives of the living. 1t is believed that
most persons will yield in this matter if
properly advised. But if any are unrea-
sonable, and insist upon public funeral
rites with an apparent disregard for the
safety of others, the police power of the
municipality or the State should be in
voked to teach such persons that it is a
high moral duty to forego their prefer
ence, and to subordinate their Individual
desires that the welfare of the community
may be conserved. Fortunately, in Cali
fornia, sanitary legislation has been such
rs TO invest cities, towns and sanitary dis
trIctS with all the powers needed for the
protection of their respective localities.
But as all know, such laws depend in a
great measure upon public opinion for
their enforcement.
1.-THE sentiment of the community must
p6 laken IlllO account, ana as the affairs
of funerals have been almost entirely
delegated to the church, ministers of the
gospel stand in a position to explain TO
the people how it is possible to manifest
proper and hitting respect for the dead
Without disregard for and danger to the
living. Not only should it be explained
that 1t may be contrary TO law, but that
1T is also thoughtleSs and selfish for the
members of one family to insist that per-
sons from many other homes shall be
subjected to the danger of infection, in
order that public funeral service may
be held over the unconscious remains of
one who can neither be benefited by it
nor injured by its omission. The cleri-
cal and medical profession agree on all
important questions relating to the pres
ervatlon of human life and the better
ment OF humanity. 1t is certainly desir-
able that the two professions that have to
deal with the hopes and fears, the lows
and sorrows, the life and death of man
kind, as an inseparable function of their
office, should enjoy each others conf
dence and earnest cooperation in any
measure calculated to ameliorate the
condition of the human race
1T is sincerely hoped that the senti-
ments herein contained will meet the ar-
proYal OF those to whom this is ad-
dressed. Very respectfully,
Nv. u. COCHRAN, NJ. D., President
u. X. LAME, Nj. D., Secretary
Articles of Incorporation.
The following articles of incorporation
Ill -, 81,