The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1908-07-23
New tuberculosis Law.

One of the most important and far
reaching legislative measures deal
ing with tuberculosis ever enacted
has become law in the state of New
York. This measure, prepared by
the State Charities Aid association,
contains provisions culled from the
codes of the most progressive States,
and has wrought them into a system
which, from several points of veiw,
seems the best one yet devised in
this country. The main features of
the new law are thus summarized:
Tuberculosis is declared to be an
infectious and communicable disease,
dangerous to the public health. lIt is
made the duty of every physician to
report to the local health authorities
all persons known by him to have
tuberculosis. A similar duty is i'm
possible upon the chief officers of
hospitals, dispensaries and other sim
liar institutions. Local health au-
thorities are required to provide for
the free examination of sputum upon
the request of any physician. The
register of persons having tLbercul-
osis is protected from publicity. Prem
ises vacated by the death or remov.
al therefrom of a person having
tuberculosis must be reported to the
local health authorities and must not
be occupied until properly disinfect-
ed. Health officers must visit such
apartments or premises and deter
mine the manner in which they shall
be disinfected, cleansed or renovated.
Distinction must be done by the
health authorities at public expense.
Cleansing and renovation shall be
done by the owner, at his expense, in
accordance with the instructions of
the health authorities. In case such
orders are not complied with the
health officer may post suitable pla-
card preventing the re-occupation of
the premises. The health authori-
ties may, upon the complaint of any
person, after an investigation there
of, serve notice upon any person Law
ing tuberculosis who disposes of his
sputum in such a manner as to cause
offence or danger to others requiring
him to dispose of his sputum in such
a manner as to remove all reasonable
cause of offence or danger. The VIC
latiou of such an order is a INSIDE
meanor. Health officers must send
to physicians reporting cases of tn
berculosis a printed statement and
report, approved by the State Com
missioner of Health, enumerating
such procedures and precautions as
are necessary to be tiken on the pre-
misses of a tuberculosis patient for
the protection of other persons occa
plying the same premises. Physi-
clans may either carry into effect
such procedures and precautions, for
which they shall receive the fee of
81, or if unwilling or unable to take
such steps shall so certify to the
health authorities, and the duty shall
thereupon devolve upon the health
authorities, who for the performance
thereof shall receive a similar sum-
Health authorities shall also send TO
physicians a printed requisition enum
Grating the supplies and materials
kept on hand dy them for the pre-
yention of the spread of tuberculosis,
and shall so far as possible ill the re-
QUESTIONS of physicians for such ma
terials, including circulars of infor-
nation concerning the treatment of
the disease and the precautions to
be taken"
1t would be difficult to draft law
against tuberculosis which could be
more effective without becoming in
equitably drastic. If its provisions
are enforced New York state may
hope to be freed from mankind's Sc
verest affection.