The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-05
STATE B0ARDOF HEALTH.
THELAW RECENTLY ENACTEDPko-
TIDIyG FOR IT'S MAINTENANCE.
The Powers of the Body Heretofore En-
tireiy Inadequate to Cope with hP'"e
mics OF Disease-The Provisions.

When tho smallpox epidemic Drohe o''
among the Indians OF the Pamunkey
tribe. near White House, King "illiaI'
county during the winter OF 1871 % II
became soon apparent that the powers
OF the State Board Of Health were en-
tirely inadequate to cope with the DIS
ease, the greatest drawback being tho
fact that no money for any purpose was
under the statute, at the disposal OF 'he
board Thanks 10 the energetic measures
taken by Governor OFerrall, however,
the epidemic was extirpated within
reasonable time, and without causing any
great loss Of life. go,
AS a sequel to this experience, Dhi
was introduced during the recent session
OF the Legislature, which called LOT the
payment Of several thousand dollars lot
services rendered I'm connection with the
suppression Of the disease at that tnie-
The bin was carefully considered by the
two houses OF the General Assembly, afu
finally passed. after some or the amounts
asked for had been largely cut Gown
frbo law as il now stands on the statute
book. with the approval Of the Governor
made the following allowances: DR.. j. X
Lewis. $500 for professional services rem
sional services: G. s. Bradley, s. for Du'
rial OF dead. and $50 for services render
iai ~ dead. and $50 for services FENDER
ed as guard; ID. Il. COOr. - for services
rendered az Guard: West Point Telephone
line. SfJ Ifor telephone messages; Clemeh-
tine IaSgston, So for services rendered
as nurse. L. X. Allinon, $40 for services
rendered as nurse; Jennei'e Collins
$40 30 for services rendered as cook; W. ~
Langston. S2O25 FOR services rendered as
guard. John T. Collins. 5000 for services
rendered as guard; ". L. Neale, $lll."f
for supplies furnished 10 patients Nor
rity & Cabo, $3.50 for ciothing' hhley
Bradley. SQ75 for services as guard !;
Herbert /. Lewis, $2'VjS Tor money au-
vanced 10 guards.
4 nm was also introduced ny Senator
Tredway, OF Pittsylvania. for tho pur-
nose of amending and re-enacting sec
tions 1714, 17l5. III, 1924. and li2S OF the
Code. in relation TO the powers duties.
and compensation Of the state Board OF
Health. and Of making an appropriation
for its maintenance. The amount TO be
appropriated was fixed at 5000. but that
amount was cut down 10 5000 before the
bill passed both houses and was ap-
proved by the Governor This law as IL
now stands on the statute-book' contains
the following provisions:
I BE il enacted by the General Assem-
bly, Of Virginia, That sections one thou-
sand seven hundred and fourteen. one
thousand seven hYnored and fifteen. one
thousand seven hundred and seventeen.
one thousand seven hundred and twenty
four. and one thousand seven hundred
and twenty-five OF the Code OF Virginia
be amended and re.enacted, so as 10 read
as follows:
Sec. f7f4. State Board OF Health; hos
constituted and appointed: term Of Once
The Governor shall appoint seven physi-
clans. three frow the city OF Richmond,
and the other four from different sec
tons of the State. who shall constitute
| the state Board Of Health and vital
| Statistics. The physicians so appointed
shall hold their office four years. and un
III their successors are appointed. AMI
| all the vacancies in the board shah %
filed by the Governor.
| Sec. 1Tl5 Their duties. powers, and
annual reports. The State Board Of
| Health shall place themselves In commu
| nication with the local boards OF heaith
| the hospitals, asylums. and public insu
| tutions throughout the State, and shal
| take cocnizance Of tho interests OF health
| and life among the citizens generally
| They shall make sanitary Investigations
| and inquire respecting the causes or dis
| ease. especially OF epidemic and endemics
| the sources OF mortality among the WING
| persons and the colored persons, and th'
| effects OF localities. employmenis, condl
| tions. and circumstances on the pubh
| health: and they shall gather such III
| formation i'm respect 10 these matters a
| they may deem proper for diffusion
| among the people They shall deVls'
some scheme whereby medical and vita
statistics of sanitary value may be oh
| tanned. and act as an advisory board 4
| the state I'm all hyglenic and medical mat
| ters. especially such as relate TO the 10
| cation. construction, sewerage ana az
| ministration Of prisons, hospitals asy
! luus. and other public institutions. The
| shall have power and authority, as here
| after directed, to adopt such rules an
! regulations, and issue such orders a
| may be necessary 20 prevent the sprea
| OF contagious or Infectious diseases. an
! 10 connne persons Infected herewith, @
who may have recently been exposed L
the same, within prescribed limits. ihe
| shall. at each regular session OF IN
| General Assembly make report OF thei
doines. investigations. and discoveries
with such suggestions. as 10 the leglsla
| tive action required, as they may deer
proper.
see III Meetings Of board; presiden
| and secretary; quorum; their compehsa
ton. The board shall meet AZ the cap
tai Of the state al least once IN ever
| three months. and oitener n they deei
| necessary. Three members shall consutui
| a quorum. They shall elect from thel
own number a president and permanen
| secretary The latter shall reside al %
| capital. anc shall be their executive Oh
Ger. The salary OF the secretary snail b
nxed bv the board The other member
| Of the beard shall receive no salary, bu
shall be paid the sum OF four dollars pc
day while engaged in the discharge U
| their duties and tieir travelling expense
incurred while so employed. The ex
penses OF the State Board of Health
which shall not in any ono year excee
The sum Of two thousand dollars, shaI
be paid by warrants drawn on tho Aud
tor or Public Accounts, signed oy IN
president OF said board. and countersisn
ed BY the secretary. ont OF any money j
the treasury not otherwise appropriated
Sec. l72f Duties or the State Board o
Health. and Of justices. when smallpox
and SO forth. is suspected. II any mem
Der OF the state Board OF Health or
Justice Of any county shall have com
plaint. on oath, made 20 him, or n n