Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-12
FEVER INVESTIGATION
LEGISLATION FOR CoMPENsA-
TON OF INSPECTOR.
Origin Of Typhoid-Explanatory State
ment From the Acting Health
Officer.

The District Commissioners have decided
to ask Congress for special legislation for
the payment Of the sanitary inspector ap-
pointed during the summer to investigate
the origin of the typhoid fever cases then
prevalent. To this end they have addressed
letters to the chairmen of the Senate and
House committees requesting that a con-
current resolution be passed authorizing the
payment, at the rate of SIS per day, out OF
the fund 'for the enforcement of the pro-
visions of the act to prevent the spread OF
scarlet fever and diphtheria in the District
of Columbia" until June 80, 1903 of a med
ical sanitary Inspector for the purpose OF
assisting in Investigations necessary to de-
termine, as far as practicable the origin
Of typhoid fever in individual cases. They
inclose a draft of a concurrent resolution
designed to effect that object and earnestly
recommend it's early adoption.
Health Office Explains.
The Commissioners have also forwarded
with the above recommendation a letter
from the acting health officer explaining
the situation as to the present inability OF
the health department to pay the inspector
saying:
II have the honor to invite your attention
to the fact that the health officer recon-
mended on August 10, 1902, in consequence
Of the prevalence of typhoid fever in the
District Of Columbia at that time, the ap-
pointment of a medical sanitary inspector
for the purpose Of assisting in investiga-
tions necessary to determine, If possible
the origin of that disease in individual
cases, and that said inspector be compen-
stated for his services at the rate Of So pei
diem, payable from the emergency fund
whereupon the appointment Of that officer
was duly authorized.
Typhoid fever not being one Of the dis
eases specified in the act approved March
diseases in the District Of Columbia, the
services in question could not properly be
paid for from the scarlet fever and diph-
iberia or the contagious diseases appropria-
lions, thus making the emergency fund the
only available appropriation from which
the expenses could legally be betrayed.
The auditor for the District has called at
tenton to the fact that as this inspector
has been continuously employed since the
date of his appointment, and his services
will be required for much longer period,
the expense incident to such employment Is
not such as can legally be classed as an
emergency case for which the emergency
fund is applicable.
Means of Prevention.
1.-THE health officer, in his annual report
has, as you are aware, already recommend
ed that provision be made for the investiga-
ton of reported cases Of typhoid fever In
connection with the enforcement of the act
for the prevention Of scarlet fever and
diphtheria, thus securing to the public the
greatest benefit from this law. In the event
of Congress acting favorably upon said rec
ommendation it would not become opera
tive until July 1. 1908. The large number
Of cases investigated by this inspector since
the date of his appointment has enabled the
deDartmeDt
which to take suitable action looking to-
ward the protection of the health of the
community. The uninterrupted continuance
of this valuable and all-important service is
of vital Importance, and I therefore have
the honor to recommend that Congress be
asked to authorize, by the immediate pas
sage Of a concurrent resolution, payment
for the services of the said inspector 10 be
made-until June 3d. 1903-from the scarlet
fever and diphtheria appropriation for the
current fiscal year.