The morning times., 1897-01-17
Government Departments and Su-
preme Court May Vacate the Cap
ital In Time of Epidemic, But the
ssOunce of Prevention" Is Lack
ing-Bnl Prescribing Remedy.

train and mingle with the people OF both
cities indiscriIlinately without the OBJ
servance of any precaution against the
eonta gion and again TO the case cited in
a late issue of Tie Times, where members
OF a family living beyond the District line
came TO Washington by the street cars
straight from possible contact with diph-
thereto conta gion, which had unfortunately
proved fatal to three children of the house
hold.
Investigation shows that there is in
Reality no means of preventing such an
occurrence as that last mentioned, and IL
is the purpose of the health officer to
present soon for the consideration OF the
Commissioners and for transmission To
Congress, bill, now being prepared, which
will be so drawn as TO provide an eff
ectual remedy against d repetition of the
offense.
Bill Failed 10 Pass.
A hin was introduced in the Fifty-thrl
Congress, under date of January 20, 1898,
which il was believed would prove TO be
an effective remedy for the defects in
Ile present law upon the subject. 1t was
ln a fair way to receive favorable con
alteration. and but for tie fact that it
GNEAa2ltu bI2NlI
winch some members interpreted as an
Official recognition Of the remedy, the
measure would doubtless have passed.
Tie bin provided that the health officer
Of the District. and the employees Of the
health department. who may be duly ap
pointed and assigned to the duty, should
have authority to enter and inspect during
all reasonable hours any lot, building,
.a.s,.
District; and, for the prevention of the
introduction and spread Of contagious
diseases, might quarantine and cause to
he disinfected any boat, car or public
conveyance whatever.
Authority was also given the health Of
fIcer to exclude from tile District any
person. animal or thing Infected by con-
tagi0n, or which was reasonably believed
TO be so infected, and to compel the isola-
lion Of such individual or animal for such
length Of time as might be necessary.
The penalty prescribed for resisting
the authority Of the health officials in
Iny case where it might be deemed neces-
sary to make such inspection OF isolation,
was a fine OF not to exceed $500. or i'm
prisOnmeDt not to exceed one year, OF
both
IL IL uNNCFShOgu ltldl Lnt lAitdsuTt IU~
being drafted. or which may be already
completed, by DR.. Woodward, is similar
in it, provisions. and that itsimportance viii
be urged upon Congress in special commu-
nication, which will insist upon its adop-
ton. The fact that WashiDgton's domain
Is solely under the control of the United
States has suggested the idea that q
special law may be enacted for the pro
which VIII not interfere with the inter
state law and custom, but as yet no one
has succeeded in framing the measure TO
the satisfaction OF ma jority of Congress
In his last annual report Health Officer
Woodward, touching the general subject
says it is necessary for each Vessel coming
direct to this city from foreign parts to
be inspected and passed by the health de-
paTtment prior 20 entry at the custom house.
TIE number of such vessels is hot large, but
tie danger OF possible contagion is not
necessarily proportionate.
owing To the small amount of such
foreign trade,'' Dr. W oodward says, land
the absence of any serious results there
from heretofore. the necessity for a law
regulating the inspection and entry of
such vessels has apparently been over
looked; and the captains, upon reaching
TINS port. have allowed sailors TO go at
large throughout the city prior to in
spection, nor is there any law to prevent
such a practice
1t is declared to be fact that no such
state Of affairs exists at any other Ma
tional Capital, or other important or un-
important port, in the W JTld.
In like degree is the city without pro-
lection. il is said, against the spread of
local infections This defect in the law is
also touched upon by Dr. W oodward, who
thus discusses II:
~ bile it is pleasing to note the de-
crease iG the prevalence OF scarlet fever
and dipbtheria during the year past, twelve
months is too brief a time for the deter
mination Of the causes / would gladly
attribute it TO the more rigid enforcement
pf the law for the restrict ion of these
diseases, and possibly il may be to some
exten: due To I his cause.
BUt recent L. gal interpret tions OF this
law make it evident that If such is the
case, ii is because OF the willingness Of
citizens TO comply herewith, or because
of the force Of public opinion compelling
them To do So, rather thin the exercise of
any authority vested in tns health depart
nent.
The defects in the law will, it is be-
lieNed, be corrected, if the bill to pre-
vent the spread Of contagious diseases now
pending before Congress is passed without
enascalation.''
Views II With Regret.
TIE health officer views with regret the
absence Of anF aDDr0priation for The es