New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-01
THE LAW AS TO BILLS OF HEALTH.
MASTERS OF VESSELS TO OBTAIN THEM AT THE
PORT OF DEPARTURE AND FORBIDDEN
TO ENTER WITHOUT THEM.

| PORT OF DEPARTURE AND FORBIDDEN
TO ENTER WITHOUT THEM.
| Washington Aug. 81 (spetla).-The authority OF
| the Government and the obligation Of masters OF
vessels arriving In the ports Of this country TO pro-
duce bills Of health furnished by consular officers III
| the United States are subject OF some importance
at the present time A brief review. therefore, OF
the laws and consular regulations governing the sub
| jet may not be without Interest.
The act OF March 3, 1870. established the National
Board Of Health aud prescribed plan for National
public health organization. with special attention to
quarantine. both maritime and inland. The act Ut
June = 1879 for the prevention Of the Introduction
conta gous diseases into the United states. enlarged
the powers Of the board and imposed various duties
upon consular officers towards accomplishing the OBJ
jeots OF tho first named act. By the provisions OF the
act Of June 1879. II declared TO be unlawful,
under penalty. for any merchant vessel from any
foreign port where contagious diseases existed 10
enter any port OF the United States except In accor
dance with the provisions Of law or the rules and
regulations OF the National Board oil Health ana
those OF the several states.
Under further requirements OF these acts relating
10 the organization and powers OF the National Board
Of Health II * made obligatory upon merchant vessels
without regard nationality TO obtain from the con
suar officers at the port Of departure, or from the
sanitary officer stationed there. under the PROVISIONS
Of the act; referred TO- certificate In duplicate which
shah forth the sanitary history OF the V'>sei as
well rs the sanitary condition OF the cargo passengers
and crew The law also requires that before granting
thi, certificate the consular sanitary officer shau
be satisfied OF the truth OF the statements contained
I'm the certificate and under Its provisions vessei
sailing from Il foreign port and entering the ports
Of the United States without such certificate, is
llnbc to fine OF $500. without this certificate the
master OF vessel arriving from foreign port Is
prohibited by law from landing cargo or passengers
without first presenting such certificate OF health TO
tie collector OF customs we'll as the health oWcer
OF the port OF entry.
Department impress. upon them the Importance OF
and dwell at some length upon the value OF prompt
and careful compliance with the statute, i1ilcs ana
~ sulatlOns relating 10 tie duties.
Foreign ports at which the services OF cohsulhr
officers are required designated by IN" National Boar
Of Health. and wechiy reports upon prescribed fOrms
by cable messages sent directly 10 tie once OF M
Board in this city. Consular officers at ports not
designated by the IOnM are not relieved rom the
duty OF communicating t. the Board whatever lnforma
ton they may require which would DC valuable Vr
the sanitary protection Of the people OF TINS country
There f. no law regulation which requires masters
Of vessels 10 accept bills Of health furnished them Ds
con ,,ar officers which authorizes consular officers
dctain vessels their papers IN case Their masters
refuse ~ take the bills OF hcalth made ont for them
by consular officers. Thu regulations governing con
.ular officers direct them u report all cases or refusal
by ma stcrs Of vessel, 10 accept the bills Of health
a Health and the Health officer at the port OF entry
In the United states. and upon the arrival OF that
vessel IN n United states port n would be able 10 tile
fine 81 $500 previously referred TO-