The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-08-05
Abstract of the Health Laws.
From Maine Health Laws of Chapter 1923, Laws
or 1872, as Amended by Chapter 1879, LAWS
0f tsgh -

from MhlHe Health Laws of chapter 1923, Laws
of 1887, as Amended BY Chapter 1879, Laws
Of 1895.
Inc following brief compilation from
the health laws of Maine enacted in 1895
and previously, may be read with interest
and profit by some of our good citizens:
Sect. l. There shall be a local board
of health in each city and town in this
State to be composed of three members,
ANYTHING in the charter of such city to the
contrary Notwithstanding.
Sect. !. Each local board of health con-
stituted under this act shall have power
and it shall be its duty:
III. To guard against the introduction
of contagious and infectious diseases, by
the exercise of proper and vigilant medi-
cal inspection and control of all persons
and things coming within the limits of its
jurisdiction from infected places, or which
for any cause are liable to communicate
contagion.
". To receive and examine into the
nature of complaints made by any of the
inhabitants, concerning nuisances or con-
ditions dangerous to life and health are
known or believed to exist, and personal
ly, or by appointed agents, to inspect and
examine the same; and all owners, agents
and occupants shall permit such sanitary
examinations; and every such board of
health shall have power, and it shall be
it's duty to order the suppression and re-
moval of nuisances and conditions detri-
mental to life and health found to exist
within the limits of it's Jurisdiction.
Sect. s. Where any local board of health
is Of opinion that the cleansing and disin-
fecting of any house, building, car, vessel
or vehicle, or any part thereof, and OF any
article therein likely to contain infection,
would tend to prevent or check infectious
disease, it shall be the duty of such local
agent or board of health to give notice in
writing to the owner, agent or occupier of
such house, building, car, vessel or vehi-
Gle, or part thereof, requiring him to
cleanse and disinIect to the satisfaction of
the health officer, or board of health, such
house, building, car, vessel or vehicle,
and said articles within a time specified
in such notice.
Sect. 8. If the person to whom notice
is given fails to comply Herewith, he
than five dollars and not exceeding ten
dollars for every day during which he
continues to make default; and the local
board Of health shall cause such house,
building, car, vessel or vehicle, or any
part thereof, and articles to be cleansed
and disinfected at the expense of the
town, and the town may recover the ex-
pense so incurred from the owner, or
agent, OF occupier in default, by an action
of special assumpsit.
Sect II. The board, when satisfied
upon due examination, that cellar,
room, tenement or building in its town,
occupied as dwelling place, has become,
by reason or want of cleanliness, or other
cause, unfit for such purpose, and a
cause of sickness to the occupants or the
public, may issue notice in writing to
such occupants, or the owner OF his agent,
of any of them, requiring the premises to
be put into proper condition as to clean
illness, or, if they see fit, requiring the
occupants to quit the premises within
such time as the board may deem reason
able. If the person SO notified, or any of
them, neglect or refuse to comply with
the terms of the notice, the board may
cause the premises to be properly cleansed
at the expense of the owner, or may close
up the premises, and the same shall not
be again occupied as dwelling place,
until put in proper sanitary condition
If the owner thereafter occupies or know
ingly permits the same to be occupied,
without putting the same in a proper san
itary condition, he shall forfeit not less
than ten nor more than fifty dollars.