Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-29

This act was prepared last fall by the
health officer upon the recommendation of
visions are of such a complete and thor
ough nature as to be looked upon by the
officials as nearly perfect for the pur-
pose which the law was asked. The
present laws relating to the prevention of
these so-called minor contagious diseases
have for several years been considered as
lacking in many things. without which the
health officer was unable to take the de-
sired steps to prevent the spread of the
disease This new law is not only thorough
in its details, but provides for a penalty
of $50 for the first violation of any of the
regulations and $1OO-for the second viola
ton.
Isolation of Patients.
According to the regulations submitted to
Commissioner mcfarland this morning it is
necessary to isolate each patient suffering
from any of these diseases from all persons
who not suffering from the same disease
and who are not necessarily in attendance
upon the patient and to maintain this iso-
lation until the recovery or death of the
patient, except in cases of patients suffer-
ing from typhoid fever.
The room or apartments occupied by the
patients and every article used by the lat
ter must be properly disinfected within
three days after the removal. recovery or
death of the patient, except in cases of
typhoid fever in which case disinfecton
ordered by the health officer.
The section of the new regulations relat-
ing to quarantine makes 1t unlawful for a
person suffering from any of these diseases
to appear upon the public street. or to ap
pear in a school, church. store or place of
amusement, or in any other place of public
assemblage; to enter any conveyance, ex-
cept designated by the health officer, or to
knowingly or negligently do any act that is
reasonably likely to cause the spread of the
disease, unless such act is necessary for the
recovery of the patient.
Provision is made. however, for whooping
cough patients appearing in the public
streets without special authorization from
the health officer at such times and in
such manner as not to expose other per-
sons to infection.
Section 3 of the regulations prohibits
persons from knowingly or negligently ex-
posing themselves to infection unless such
exposure is necessary for the proper care
and treatment of the patient.
Regarding the precautions to be taken
by nurses, the regulations provide that any
person nursing patient suffering from
any of these diseases shall change his or her
outer clothing and then properly disinfect
the face. hands and hair before minglng
with persons who have not come in contact
with the disease.
Stringent Regulation.
Section 5. which relates to the actions
and duties Of persons on infected premises,
is possibly the most stringent section of the
regulations in that 1t places a large num-
Der of restrictions upon these persons. This
section reads
mo person residing in any dwelling house
or In any apartments where there Is in
said dwelling house or apartments a patient
suffering from diphtheria, scarlet fever,
measles or epidemic cerebro-spinal menin-
gifts SHALL while residing and during the
continuance of such case, attend public or
private school or Sunday school. or. if the
patient be suffering from diphtheria or
scarlet fever. engage In the manufacture,
preparation, storage or sale of food.
Section 8. No person who has resided in
any dwelling house or in any apartments
while there was in such dwelling house or
apartments a patient suffering from scarlet
! fever. diphtheria, measles or epidemic
cerebro- spinal meningitis shall after the
removal. death or recovery of the patient,
or after the removal of such person from
, /, such dwelling house or apartments, attend
public or private school, or If the patient
was suffering from scarlet fever or diph-
iberia engage in the manufacture, prepara-
ton storage of food for sale, or in the
sale of food, without the written permission
of the health officer for period following
the first proper isolation of the patient, and
Immediately following the completion of
such disinfection, If any, as may be direct
ed by the health officer and continuing II
the patient was suffering from scarlet fever,
diphtheria or epidemic cerebro-spinal men
nights for seven days IL the patient was
suffering from measles for fourteen days.
Funeral Services.
Provision is made for funerals of persons
whose death has been due to these diseases.
No person other than the adult members
of the immediate family of the deceased,
and two adult outsiders, and other persons
whose attendance is necessary. shall at
tend funerals. Such funerals shall not be
al- ~ liz
assembly.
Regarding the care and disposal of bodies
for funerals the regulations provide that
every person having power and authority
SO to do shall cause the dead body OF any
person who has died from diphtheria, scar
let fever measles, or epidemic cerebro-
spinal meningitis, as soon after death as
practicable. to be placed In proper casket
and shall cause such casket to be closed
and to be kept closed thereafter; and every
person aforesaid shall cause any such dead
body to be disposed Of by burial or crema-
ton within the District of Columbia, or by
transportation beyond the limits of the Dis
trict of Columbia, for burial or cremation
not later than the second day following the
In section 10 provision is made for the
transportation Of bodies for funerals, and
reads: No person shall convey q body
dead from diphtheria. scarlet fever, measles.
epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis or ty-
phoid fever beyond the limits of the Dis
trict of Columbia by means Of any boat
car or other public conveyance unless said
body has been embalmed arterially and by
cavities, and is wrapped in sheet sat
urated with a proper solution.
Carriages and other conveyances which
have been used for carrying persons suf-
fering from these diseases must be pro-
perly disinfected before being used again.
Signs of Warning.
Regarding the placing Of warning signs
on places where any of these diseases exist
the regulations provide:
Whenever it comes to the knowledge of
the health officer of the District of Column
bia. either by certificate sent to him In
accordance with the provisions of an act
for the prevention of scarlet fever. diph-
iberia. measles, whooping cough, chicken
pox, epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis and
typhoid fever in the District of Columbia.
approved February 0. 1907. or In any other
manner, that any person in said District Is