The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-31
SEVERAL RADICAL
. CHANGES PROPOSED
State Board of Health Has
Prepared Health Bill For
the Legislature.
A HEALTH COMMISSIONER
PROPOSED THAT SUCH AN OFF.
GER BE APPOINTED TO DRAW
TWO CENT PER ANNUM PER
HEAD OF CITIZENS

Richmond people in general, and
physicians in particular. will be in
board regulations, which have been
framed by the State Health Board for
presentation to the coming session of
the General Assembly
The bill, which is said to have the
endorsement of many physicians. pro-
poses radical changes, and the health
department Of Wayne county and
Richmond would hardly be recogniza-
bic in their new garb as compared
with the present arrangements
Probably the greatest change comes
in the enforcement of the health laws
and rules of the State Board in the
counties. At present the County Com
missioners are the members of the
County Health Board ex officio. Tn
der the proposed bill, each county will
have public health commissioner, ap-
pointed by the Circuit Judge, and paid
at the rate of 2 cents per annum per
capita for each citizen in the county.
Provision is made also for a depart
ment of public health and charities,
bipartisan, the three members to be
appointed by the Mayor and known
as the City Board of Health Commits
sioners The pay of these members
differs in cities of different classes.
Powers and Duties Of Board.
The powers and duties of the State
Board Of Health are made more speci-
fic under the new law. Other than the
collection of these statistical data. 1T
is the duty of the board under this
bill ito make sanitary investigation
and inquiry regarding the causes of
diseases, especially epidemics, causes
of mortality and effect of localities,
conditions, ingesta, employments. hab-
its and circumstances on the health
of the people
Under the law the State Board also
has the power to discharge health Off
cials who. have not performed their
work; such officer not to be eligible
for another term for two years. 1t
has power, also, to bring action in the
court to enforce the health laws and
rules; to make sanitary inspection and
survey of all public buildings and in
to establish quarantine and
Ito execute what is reasonable for the
and suppression of dis
eases; and to pass police rules" for
the enforcement of the act.
Relative to the Health Commission
ers, the bill reads as follows:
In every county there shall be a
County Health Commissioner, who
shall be appointed by the Circuit judge, |
and he shall keep his office at the coun-
ty seat and shall be the superior health |
officer of the county.
Must Give Bond.
County Health Commissioners shall
give bond for the faithful performance
Of their duties in such sum as the Cir
cult judge may order, and it shall be
heir duty to obey and enforce the
health laws and the health rules of
he State Board of Health, to collect
vital statistics, keep records of the
same, and of all official acts and to
make monthly and special reports as
by the State Board.
County Health Commissioners may
appoint deputies at any time when
hey serve without pay, but the ap-
,ointme mt of said deputies shall be APP
proved by the Circuit Judge.
The salaries of County Health Com
nissioners shall be paid each month
" the county treasurer out of the
treasury upon a warrant issued
" the county auditor.
City Board of Health.
In every city of this State there
hall be a department OF health and
harities, composed of board of three
not more than two or
7hom shall be of the same political
arty, and at least who shall be
hysicians, and said board shall be
nown as the City Board OF Health
The said commission.
rs shall be appointed by the Mayor,
ne first-named appointee to serve two
ears, the second three, and the third
vo years, all three first terms to be-
in on the first Monday OF January,
DOT, and hereafter all said commits
oners shall serve four years. but any
ne may be removed by the Mayor up
4 written cause being given.
Within five days after appointment,
ty boards of health shall organize by
electing one of their number chair
an, who shall serve two years, and
Y selecting a secretary. who shall be
ty health officer. and who shall serve
ur years. the first term to begin the
rst Monday in January, 1907. City !
,ards of health may remove their sec /
,taries upon written cause begin
ven.
Members of city boards of health
TALL each receive a salary, to be fixed
: ordinance. of not more than $500
n annum. Each board shall have ,
,wer to purchase all Necessary sup
les and apparatus, and make all nee
sary repairs in the department sub :
CT to the same provisions as control
e exercise of similsfr powers by the
,partment of PUBLIC works of cities.
set forth in the ads OF 1906
&xEn. I