River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1919-04-10
LEGISLATURE To
ALTER HEALTH LAW
Bill Requires Counties to Employ
Nurses or Inspectors.
PLAN NEW WATER SYSTEMS
Bownan's Measure Would Repeal
Five-Day Clause in Marriage Law
Bill to Exempt Health Off
GERS From Liability.

Madison.-The Wisconsin legislature
thus far in it's deliberations has shown
q friendly attitude toward most of the
proposals for the advancement of pub
lie health and for the amendment Of
existing statutes under which state
and local health bodies administer
health measures. Many conditions
brought to public light by the war
have been followed by suggested legis-
Iation.
A bill requiring all counties to en-
ploy public health nurses, or health in
structors, making mandatory the pres
ent option law, precipitated an ami
mated discussion at q joint committee
session last week. Registered nurses
| insisted that the bill be limited to
| graduate nurses with qualifications
| based upon their three years training.
Representatives Of the state board OF
health, Anti-TuberculOsis association,
| state conference on social work and
! state council of defense claimed
| broad distinction exists between bed
side nursing, for which trained nurses
are peculiarly qualified, and public
health work of the rural type, which
the bill aims especially to furnish.
They asked that the field be left open
| to both classes of health workers, in
| order to meet the needs of the rural
districts, which were declared to be
| Of urgent Importance.
This bill was amended by the COM
mittee to characterize such nurses as
public health graduate nurses" but
retained authority to appoint health
instructors, meaning young women
with special training in public health
work. Both classes are appOintive on
equal terms. Another amendment
gives the registered nurses representa-
ton on the committee of examiners
for these appOintees, in place of the
industrial commission. Other mem
bers are to be named by the state
board Of health and the state depart
ment of public instruction. This sub
stitute amendment was reported
unanimously for passage.
The assembly has passed the Carter
bill empowering the state board OF
health to formulate rules and regula-
lions governing the construction and
equipment of public comfort stations
in every city and village. An amend
ment striking out the mandatory pro
vision was voted down. This is a
health measure which was strongly
backed by the wOmen's committee Of
the state council of defense, the fed
Grated wOmens clubs, state highway
department, travelling mems organiZa-
lions and the state board of health.
It will have a hearing on the senate
side soon.
Publication of public water supplies
and proper disposal of municipal sew
age in the future are requirements
contained in the Czerwinsld bill vest
ing in the state board Of health con-
troll of all waters in and bordering on
the state as to their safety for public
consumption. The bin has been or
dered engrossed in the assembly and
will come on for passage soon. Plans
for new water and sewerage systems
under this bill will have to be submit
ted to the state board Of health for APP
prOval before construction may begin.
Hearing on this measure was held be-
fore a joint session Of assembly and
senate committees.
A proposed change in the marriage
laws, having bearing on the public
health and welfare, is involved in AS
sembiyman Bowman's bill repeating
the fveday clause, applying the eu-
genics requirement to women as well
as men and recommending other
changes.
The house bill making influenza a
reportable disease Ceases as well as
deaths) is we'll on toward enactment.
So also is the bill vesting in local
closed schools, churches, amusements
and public gatherings as a measure
for prevention of epidemics.
The Pullen bill exempting local
health officers from liability in the
performance of their official duty re-
ceived a report from the senate COM
mittee for indefinite postponement, but
was later re-referred to the judiciary
committee, where it now ponds. The
bill making chancroid a reportable dis
ease, declaring it a menace to public
health, prohibiting druggists from sell
Ing or prescribing alleged cures for
venereal diseases, and forbidding adj
vertisements of such nostrums, passed
the senate and is now before the as
sembly committee on public welfare.
Rail Company to Appeal Case.
The Wisconsin Railway, Light and
Power company will appeal to the SUI
preme court from the decision of Cir
cult Judge E. Ray Stevens, vacating
the order of the railroad commission
granting 6-cent street car fares in La
Crosse. Meanwhile La Crosse citizens
will continue to pay 6 cents. An order
to stay proceedings pending the appeal
&roc e,;rno6 hv TudOn Gtavopc Dro1,;