The Chitina leader., 1913-07-15
ALASKA HEALTH LEGISLATION

Health conditions among Alaskan natives and residents have been the subject consideration of late The Jounel has noted from time to time results of special of the prevalence of disease in Alaska and has urged that effective be adopted to combat preventabe disease in this territory Such should embrace provisions for sanitary oversight of all communities for pusoy sequestraon of contagious diseases for quarantine system against the introduction of epidemic diseases from without for hospital of selected especially of tuberculosis and trachoma for opular education and public hygiene and for the collection of vital statistics An Alaskan board commissioner of health needed with su clent assistants and ample appropriations.
 Realizing the need of such action the of Alaska took the question of federal supervision of public health with the federal authorities at Washington It suggested by the secretary of the treasury April 9 that the Alaska territorial legislature should enact proper health code and make appropriation for its enforcement The secretary of federal maintenance of maritime and border quarantine and for federal provision for such might be to prevent the spread of cholera ypu yellow fever smallpox and bubonic plague in the interior of Alaska The national would also cooperate with the government in the control Of other contagious and infectious diseases.
 In accordance with these suggestions there has passed by the Alaskan territorial legislature bill to provide for the registration and restriction of diseases in Alaska This law constitutes the governor exoco commissioner of health and him to designate licensed physician in each Judicial district assistant commissioner of health The conmssoner IS to have general supervision the interests o health and life the territory He is authorized make all necessary regulations provide for the dsnecon or infected premises and the removal of dead bodes rubbish garbage and other things nmica to health When necessary he is to consult with federal officers pertaining to sanitition and hygiene
 The act will make each school district health district with its board of hea to be composed of the president of the school board and two citizens chosen board of whom whenever practicable shall be licensed physician In native villages representative of the United States bureau of education shall have authority and powers granted to local boards of health An important section relates the definition of communicable diseases Exposure infection person articles with the following diseases renders them subject to the provisions of the ac plague cholera smallpox yellow fever typhu typhoid, leprosy, scarane, measles dptheria nfantie paralysis meningitis erysp eas whoopngcough glanders and humps. In addition all of pulmonary tubecuoss and rachoma the usual precautions against spreading the disease others w neglected and when other liable become infected because of this negligence to be considered capable of conveying contagious infectious disease The diseases enumerated made subject to notification within twenty four hours of their discovery.
 This law marks long step of progress in the sanitary hygenic history of Alaska The territory of Alaska entering of substantial development which requires fundamentally adequate provision for the contro and maintenance of the public healh-Journa of American Medical Association.