The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-08-28
OKLAHOMA 5 NEW
HEALTH LAWS Of
BIC IMPORTANCE
Sanitary Legislation Far
Reaching In Its
Effect
VITAL REGISTRATION
PART OF THE SYSTEM
Health Board Controls Sew
age And Manufacture Of
Soft Drinks

Three important laws for the conser.
walton of public health were enacted
by the Oklahoma legislature at its 1917
session. writes DR.. John w Duke.
oklahoma commissioner of health, In
the American City. These laws were
passed with the Endorsement of the
state board Of health and will un.
doubtedly be fnrreaching I'm their effect.
Probably no state has enacted more
important health legislation this year
than has Oklahoma. The three laws
referred to are one giving the state
board of health control of the public
water supplies and sewage systems OF
the state. IL vital registration law IN nc.
cord with the model registration law
indorsed by the federal government
and law giving the board of health
full control over the manufacture OF all
soft drinks.
The water and sewage law is drastic
In Its provisions. Under the terms OF
this law the state board Of health will
have full control over ull new systems
which may be built in the state or I'D
ditions to present systems. No con.
tract can be let until the plans have
been approved by the board. In addl.
ton, the board will have full author
ity to order any changes In existing
systems when required for the prcser.
vation of public health. A penalty OF
fine or Imprisonment, or both, IS pro-
vided for failure to comply with the
provisions Of the law or disobedience
to the orders Of the state board Of
health. AS each day I'm which such
failure Is continued constitutes new
otfense, 1t may be seen that ample au-
thority for the enforcement Of the law
Is provided. All plans for water sup
ply and sewage systems will be In
spected by competent sanitary engi-
neer working under the direction of
the state bonrd Of health. In order to
be fair to communities which already
have constructed water and sewage
plants the provisions of the law will
not go into effect until eighteen months
after the passing Of the law, thus af.
fording time to comply with any
changes or improvements which may
be necessary for public health.
The necessity of pure water and prop
er sewage systems for the conserva.
tion of public health cannot be over
estimated Probably no other single
factor is so important. Aside from the
direct benefits of state wide control by
competent sanitary and hygienic an.
thorlty, this measure will provide for
fair and impartial decisions in disputes
arising between various communities
over sewage disposal and similar prob
lens.
The Importance of the vita statistics
law Is self evident. Full and accurate
vital statistics must be the basic factor
for all enduring health work. With
out such statistics the health authori-
ties are working In the dark. The
model vital registration law has been
given full trial In many states and has
been found to bring good results. 1t
provides means for forcing careless or
ignorant physicians or undcrtakers to
furnish reports OF births and deaths
Oklahoma Is comparatively Young
ana rhst growing state, and the collec-
lion or run vital statistics has been n
problem with number of difficult rnc-
tors. 1t is expected that with the mod.
cl law this problem will soon be solved
and Oklahoma will be eligible for nd
mission to the federal registration area.
The use by the American public OF
what Is popularity termed soft drinks"
has Increased TO tremendous extent
In recent years. This is especially true
or the states which have prohibition.
by the law recently passed the stnte
board Of health is given fun authority.
from the sanitary ana hygienic view.
/ point. over every phase of the manu-
facture of soft drinks. II can and will
insist on absolute cleanliness In plant
and machinery and that every process
shall be conducted in such Il manner
that II shall not endangcr public health.
Ample penalties are provided for vio-
mtion of the law. Through Its inspec.
tors the bonrd of health already has
the necessary machinery for the en-.
forcement of this law. Its importance
10 public health Is Dlnin