Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-21
The Legislature viii Be Asked
to Modify Law Now in Force
a R,'i. With this ObJrot tn Wow. vii,
Bo Insraaucrd By Representative
Whitehead. oil This city Wins 4.
Desired.

=
sented at the next meeting of the Leg
isiature, is one to modify the old law
governing the public health. There has
long been State Board of Health, but
one SO bereft of all power that few
people in the State know of its ex-
istence. The law as 1t first stood gave
the board power to make scientific
Investigations and to advise the Legis-
nature, but gave 1t no authority to act
IN any way and gave 1t no appropria-
ton. Later an appropriation of $4,000
was granted. but It's scope was not en-
larged
This state of affairs did not cause
much comment until threatened last
year, when various epidemics appear
ed CD within our State, and we look
ed Tor means with which to fight them.
Then 1t was found that the law did not
cover this state of affairs, and the To-
cal authorities were often compelled,
much against their will, to exceed the
Jaw. otten, too, there came conflict
OIL autnority-one local Board OF Health
wanted TO act in one way, and one In
another. and there was no authority to
appear 10 to settle the points of diff
ference.
TO prevent a recurrence of these diff
iiculties, several physicians of this city
nave, with legal advice. drawn up
Dill, passed in great part upon the laws
Oh other States, which have given more
thought than we to such matters.
rms Dill has been endorsed by the
Medical Society of Virginia, and will be
introduced into the Legislature by MIR.
whitehead, of Norfolk. As 1t is a mat
ter which affects the whole State it is
urged by the trainers of the bill that
the Legislature should at once pass
some law. through which concerted ac-
ton could be taken to prevent the
spread of diseases. And they confident
~ expect members OF the LEGISLATURE
VIII look at the matter In this light
Among other points to be provided
for i'll this new law Is one relating to
diseased meat. 1t Is stated that as the
law now stands. when diseased cattle
are ordered out of another State as un-
Mt for food, they can be easily sent to
virginia, and here slaughtered and the
meat exposed for sale. Through this
meat, disease may be carried to the
homes Of many of our people, who on
| careless inspection would not detect
! anything wrong with IL. They state
that this last is no fancied case, and
recite that quite recently q carload OF
diseased cattle was sent TO Norfolk,
threatened to destroy the cattle and
run the risk OF being prosecuted for so
doing, unless the cattle were taken
away. In this instance the threat was
| sufficient. but all the dealers know
that Virginia has no law to prevent
the importation of diseased cattle, and
we can never tell when more meat of
this sort will be sent to us. This point
alone, 1t is urged, should be enough to
bring about the passage of law. which
will protect our peoples lives from the
rapacity of unscrupulous dealers.
Most of our neighboring States have
passed laws TO protect the health and
lives of their people. and all of these
laws give great power to a State Board
of Health, so that in time of need the
authority to act may not be wanting
Under these laws. it is stated. the
health of the States has improved and
the spread of contaeion checked AS
instance, In the Southern States, atten-
tion is called TO Florida and Louisiana,
wiftct'r y,eiits Eei.-.s. sareaG' nerindi=
cally, but where the State authorities
in the last few years. have always
checked It's spread. The question they
PROFOUND Is: Should Virginia. stay be-
hind, hanging to an old form, and not
keep rank, in health matters. with the
foremost. and thus forcing It's citizens
Ito care for themselves as best they
may?