Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-30
SPREAD OF CONTRACTION.
Opinion Submitted to Commissioners
by E. n. Thomas.

Acting Corporation Counsel E. Fl. Thomas
today submitted to the Commissioners an
opinion relative to a number of questions
propounded by Health Officer Woodward
which have arisen in connection with the
enforcement of the act of December 90
1880, to prevent the spread of scarlet fever
and diphtheria in the District. This opin-
ion is considered as of interest to all prac-
ticing physicians in the District since the
matters reported upon concern their duties
in cases of diphtheria.
The health officer referred five questions
to the corporation counsel for opinion.
These questions and answers are as fol-
lows:
"Is a physician presumed to become aware
of the existence of case of diphtheria in
his charge, and are any of the persons des-
ignated to know that a sick person under
his care is suffering from diphtheria i'm
mediately upon the receipt of a report from
the health office showing that culture
which has been submitted from such case
contains diphtheria bacilH?'
AnSwer-"A physician or other person in
charge is presumed to have knowledge of
the presence of diphtheria when he obtains
from any reliable source, whether the health
Office or otherwise, that a person under
his care has diphtheria bacilli and is capa-
BILE of communicating the disease to others"
Must the report be on file in the health
office within twenty-four hours after per-
son becomes aware of the nature of the
case, or must it be mailed within twenty
four hours?"
Answer report is made If it be
mailed properly stamped and addressed,
within the time named.
What is meant by the phrase, coop
Grating with the attending physician? is
1t the duty of the health officer to placard
a house before he had received report
from the attending physician or from the
person required to make the report?'
Answer-'1 see no reason why the word
cooperating should not be given its usual
and ordinary meaning The meaning OF
the phrase, however, could be determined
more accurately when specific case
arises for its application. 1t is the duty
of the health officer to placard house
when he had knowledge of case OF dph-
iberia located there"
How is the health officer to determine
when such placard, flag or warning sign
can be removed? Is the certificate of the
attending physician as TO the recovery OF
the patient conclusive, or Is the health Of
fioer bound to go behind the physicians
return and officially investigate the case?
In case of diphtheria must the health
officer be furnished with evidence that the
bacilli have disappeared from the throat
Of thu patient before the placard, flag or
sign can be removed?"
Answer-"The placard, etc.. should be
removed when the danger of contagion is
al an end The law makes no provision
as to the duty of the health officer in as
certaining this condition, but apparently
leaves the matter to his discretion
rs the certificate issued by the attend
ing physician conclusive as to the right of
the patient to return to school?''
Answer-"Tae law makes the certificate
requisite. but says nothing as to Its con-
elusive character. 1t would be plainly inn
proper and dangerous to permit a person
not completely recovered to attend school,
Notwithstanding he might have a certifi-
cate from his attending physician, issued
through Ignorance. careleSSneSS or MIS-
take, that he was completely recovered. ;.