The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-03-14
TN NEED or A Law.

An effort was made by the county
health officer of Muitnomah county to
quarantine certain districts In that
county outside Of the city corporate
limits In case Of smallpox q few
days ago, and upon investigation
found that there is no law In this
state for such action Speaking OF the
matter yesterday afternoon, Judge
Gray, Of Astoria, said that this fact
had long been known in ciatsop coun-
a. by some negligence on the part Of
the legislatures VI this state In the
past, probably growing out Of The fact
that this state has been generally free
from epidemics Of all kinds, laws hava
not been passed providing for such
emergencies. The health officer OF
Mnltnomah county claims that The leg
islature failed 10 provide such law on
The grounds that the members thought
II might be favoring the "doctors'
too much.
However this may be- the law IL
badly needed al this time IN recent
case reported In this county II IL
claimed that citlzen4 who had been
exposed 10 contagious disease were
requested by the health officer cf the
county TO remain isolated until danger
and passed, but that the request was
ignored and the persons went and
came M they pleased. In most states
the health laws provide that health
officer or other authority may order
quarantine and that where such or
ders are violated the persons violating
the orders may be arrested and prose-
cuted under the criminal statutes. BY
this means the board Of health is able
10 enforce quarantine and stop the
spread Of contagious diseases.
Without suitable laws for the pro-
lection OF the public health the COM
munity Is In dangerous condition
There are always some citizens who
do not consider the matter sufficiently
serious TO isolate themselves from the
public when they have been exposed.
while there are some who are no lost
10 the welfare Of the public that they
would wantonly strew the disease
broadcast In community. The alb
sence OF laws for the public health
has In isolated cases caused persons
to resort 10 the shotgun code 10 pro-
tect themselves and families from per-
sons infected with contagious diseases.
There have been cases in which per-
sons 80 infected have been shot down
upon approaching the homes OF neigh
bors. and the courts have held 1t to be
justifiable homicide, ON the grounds OF
but these are cited to show how nec-
essary II In TO have laws passed for
the protection OF the public so that
the people will not feel compelled TO
protect themselves. With the small
pox raging all around us 1t is regard
ed as a critical time In the country,
and while thedisease Is not proving ia
tai In many cases. yet II Is trouble
some ana no one wishes to have It,
Our people, as usual thing, work
together In such cases for the public
good, and II is hoped that they will do
so at this time throughout the county.
Every citizen should render such as
sIstanec as is in his power 10 prevent
IL from spreading should 1t appear. 1t
is every ones duty to report cases,
and In case one is exposed 10 isolate
himself at once. BY q united effort we
may prevent the disease from getting
a start here, or should 1t ger start
we may prevent it from spreading, In
the absence OF a law let our citizens
in the country act together for the
best. and when the next legislature
meets let us make 1t point to urge
the passage OF suitable laws for the
protection OF the public health