The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-19


nnries, the County Commissioners
and Grand Jurics of the State OF
Georgia.
At the last meeting Of the state Medical
Association held in Macon last April the
following resolution was offered by DR..
X. p. Moore of Macon: Resolved, That
this association recommends the adoption
by the legislature of AN act to create
a commissioner of health and drainage
for the state of Georgia" DIR. j. b. Nor
gan OF Augusta: Il wish TO offer as a
substitute that this association appoint as
a committee of one DR.. LelIardy, who Is
conversant with the question, has given 1t
a great deal of attention. and is one OF
the best authorities in the south, to prop
erly bring it to the attention of the pub
lie, and of the legislature at its next ses-
sion. The substitute, being seconded
was carried.
In accordance with the instructions out
lined by the above resolution. l bring the
matter to your attention, and I request
you to take it in earnest consideration,
as it evidently is one of the most impor-
tant measures ever brought before the
legislature and the people of our state.
THE ACT.
An act to create a commissioner of
health and drainage for the protection OF
life. the preservation Of health and the
prevention of disease, in the state of
Georgia.
Gaatfnp N Cf a
people of this commonwealth require the
enactment of some law for the preserva-
ton of the public health and the thorough
drainage of malaria-laden lands and
swamps, therefore be it resolved by the
general assembly of the state of Georgia,
that within thirty days after the passage
of this act the governor shall appoint a
commissioner of health and drainage for
term of four years, who shall be a ply
stefan of skill and experience, the graduate
of a chartered school of medicine in good
repute, who shall have control of
all matters pertaining to public
health in the state, and, who shall super
wise the drainage of lands and of swamps,
whenever called upon by the authorities
of any county in the state provided the
use of state convict labor Is granted by
the governor thereof.
Sec. 2. There shall be provided in the
capitol of the state an office to be known
as Department of Health and Drainage,
which shall be supplied with such furni-
ture, books and stationery as may be need
ed TO carry out the provisions of this act.
Sec 3. The commissioner of health and
drainage shall be provided with a secre-
tary, Of his own selection, who must be q
physician of good repute and well versed
in state medicine. He shall perform all
the duties pertaining to his office and as
sist the commissioner whenever called up
on to do so. Both the commissioner and
his secretary shall devote themselves &c
the performance of The duties set forth In
this act.
Sec. 4. The pay of the health and drain
age commissioner shall be thirty-five hun.
bred dollars C$9,500) per annum, and his
secretary shall receive fifteen hundred dol
lars ($l,50O), together with their necessary
travelling expenses to be paid out of the
state treasury.
Sec. S. 1t shall be the duty of the com
missioner of health and drainage to i'm
form the authorities of every city an(
town, and the ordinaries and commission
ers of every county in the state, of th'
provisions Of this act, and TO request thei
cooperation in the work of removing loca
causes of disease, in preventing thu
spread of epidemcs among men or ami
HdlSs III dEteFldltllHE tut BItNdltu6 uio
eases and the causes of mortality, in OBJ
tanning reliable records of births, mar
riages and deaths in every city. town anC
county, and in getting accurate informa
ton relative to the area of undrainec
lands and swamps, their condition and ef
feet upon the health of the inhabitants
He shall when called upon 10 do so by the
authorities of any county, city or town
repair to any point in the state, as soor
HE and TaOnaT gIICh assist.
ance as may be in his power to do In car
rying out the provisions of this act.
Sec. 6. 1t shall be the duty of the mum
icipal authorities in every city or town IL
the state, of the ordinarles and commits
sioners Of counties, and of the grand ju
ries, to advise the health and drainage
commissioner, upon all matters relating
to the promotion of health, the safety o.
life, to the prevailing diseases and thu
causes thereof; to apprise him of the ex
istence of nuisances capable of affecting
public health; to report, as far as prac
ticable the births. marriages and deaths
and to give the area of undrained lands
and swamps in their respective counties
1t shall be their imperative duty to appris'
him of the nature and extent of any cpl
demic disease that may occur, whether
among the people or domestic animals, ant
TO call upon him for help, to prevent thu
spread of epidemcs and to rid them of ma
larial diseases by the drainage OF marshl
lands and swamps.
Sec. z. 1t shall be In the power of thu
commissioner Of health and drainage
when called upon by the municipal author
tiles of cities or towns, by the ordluaries
the commissioners, or the grand juries o
any county, also in cases Of great emer
gency, TO drain malaria-laden lands o
swamps, and TO remove nuisances capa
BILE of affecting the public health; to us
the state convict labor for tn
purpose, and get Transportation
for said lobar. 1t shall be hi
duty to supervise such works. In cas-
of the occurrence of an epidemic diseas
breaking out among men or animals, II
any county of the state it will also be hi
duty to repair to the spot and do all h.
can to prevent the spread of the diseas
and to assist the stricken community il
any manner consistent with the provision
of this act, or with funds provided by thu
legislature for epidemic purposes.
Sec g. Repeats all nfilcting laws.
Every intelligent person In Georgia feel
that the sanitary interests Of the stat
should be looked after and carefully ad
ministered by competent and trust
worthy person, always in readiness t
give his help or counsel whenever o.
wherever needed, and the commissions
of health and drainage can with cooper