The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-08-22
With Reference TO Paralysis.


The State Board of Health has take
up the subject OF charging for issuin
certificates granting children the priv
legs of travelling. Under the code il
sued by the State Board child may nc
go from one town to another without
certificate and this paper is good for 2
hours only. Some of the townships ar
strictly enforcing this provision, Will
others do not seem to care. One gentle
man, armed with a certificate, took
girl under Is years of age, from Jobs
town to Philadelphia by automobile
When he reached the Pemberton town
ship limits he was held up and compel
ed to show the paper. When he reache'
Camden the officer on duty paid littl
attention to the man, and in Philadel
phia the officer simply waved to g
ahead. Under the rules if child wants
to 60 from Mount Holly to any plac'
over the township line he must have 1
certificate
Such expressions as "I'll bet coulC
get through the line if wanted to-" anC
IF wanted to get into town I'd give
them run for their money to keep me
out, voice an entirely wrong attitude
and reflect little credit on those who use
them. 1t is the intention of the State
Board to protect the public health. In
the absence Of definite knowledge as to
how the infantile paralysis is carried
they are using the best means they know
OF, and it behooves every good citizen
to second their effort by both precept
and example.
For issuing these papers health officers
have been making charges varying from
so cents to 81. One officer said it was
not SO much the money that was needed
but the desire to have children kept at
home and not allow them to go to or
from infected districts. The State Board
of Health has taken up this subject of
charging for certificates and has issued
the following statement:
"Rumors have reached the State De-
partment of Health that in many local
tiles fees are being charged for issuing
certificates required by children in travel
ing. In the enactment of the regulations
of the State Sanitary Code requiring Ger
tificates for children that enter the state,
or travel from one municipality to an
other within the state. the State Depart
ment Of Health did not contemplate
that fees would be charged for issuing
such certificates.
THE certificates provided for in the
State Code do not require a medical ex-
and may be issued by any
health authority. 1t is not
necessary to secure a physicians certifi-
cate of health before applying to the
health officer for the kind of certificates
required by the state Sanitary Code.
1.-THE State Departmental Health does
not expect local health officials to charge
fees for making certificates or to refer
people to physicians who will require
fees for certificates. AS a medical exam
nation is not necessary, the health Off
Ger is expected to issue certificates with
put requiring the assistance of physi-
eian.
I'm fact the State Department of
Health regards the charging OF fees by
local health officials who issue certifi-
Gates as wholly unjustifiable, and as I'M
by any considerations except
those OF mercsnary character. Blanks
used for certificates are furnished free OF
,harge to local boards of health by the
State Department of Health, so that no
for printing is required of
local boards. This is time when local
boards of health should appreciate the
to serve the public without
setting money value on their service
The subject of keeping schools closed
mas also been discussed. Under section
l47 Of the school law, the matter of keep
ng schools closed during an epidemic
tests entirely with the local boards of
health SO far as recommendation goes.
The law provides that whenever an cpl
iemic or similar necessity warrants the
closing of the schools, the local health
board shall notify the local school board.
This is where the word "shall'' ceases,
and the further provision is that the
school board may close the schools.
State Commissioner Kendall advises
to the fullest extent with
the local boards of health, and if it is
declared advisable to close the schools
hat course should be pursued.
DR.. Kendall sets at rest any fears as to
oss of school moneys on account of
closed schools by quoting the law which
provides that in such situations as the
present one the schools are to be regard
ID as in session. Money will be appor-
TONED to the districts in such cases as
follows: 1.-THE total days attendance
upon such school for the time it shall
have been closed as aforesaid shall be de-
5ermined by dividing the actual total
lays attendance Of the pupils enrolled
N such school by the number of days
such school shall have been closed"
The State Commissioner also gives it
As his opinion that teachers and school
anitors' salaries should be paid during
the time work may be suspended on ac-
count of the epidemic.