Evening star., 1940-05-23
Health Code
Revised by
Dr.. Rutland
disqualification
Could Be Compelled
For Nine Diseases

Persons suffering from any one Of
nine communicable diseases, includ-
ing tuberculosis, who are found not
to be receiving proper care at their
homes, could be compelled to sub
nit to disqualification under regu-
lations proposed today to the Com
missioners by Health Omcer George
c. Rutland.
The lengthy draft of the proposed
new code was said to have been in
dorsed by the District Medical So
ciety in adopting a report by its
Public Health Committee.
In proposed section dealing with
requirements for isolation or quar-
antine of persons affected with cer-
tain communicable diseases, the fol-
lowing diseases are listed:
Ophthalmia neonatorum, diph-
liberia, gonococcal infections, menin-
gococcus meningitis, poliomyelitis,
scarlet fever, syphilis (early), tuber-
culosis or typhoid fever.
More Diseases on List.
The section provides that persons
having any OF these diseases shall
be provided care in their home, un-
der certain conditions. The section
adds that If, in the opinion of the
health ofacer, any person who Is
affected by any of these diseases Is
not properly isolated or quarantined
in the home. or facilities are lacking
for proper isolation or quarantine
therein, or who by reason of his or
her non-co-operation or careless
ness, in the opinion of the health
officer, endangers the public health" +"
such person shall be removed to a
hospital or other place designated
by the health officer."
One official of the Health Depart
ment said smallpox was the only
disease for which such compulsory
hospital care was possible under
present regulations.
The proposed new code adds %
diseases to the list on which reports
of their discovery must be made to
the Health Department. Included
in the list are:
HookWorm diseases, botulism,
chicken pox, conjunctivitis, diarrhea
in infants under three weeks, en-
cephalitis, food infection outbreak,
German measles, parrot fever, rabies
(human, acute rheumatism, Rocky
Mountain spotted fever, septicemia,
peurperal, stretococcus sore throat,
tularemia and undulant fever.
Must Report Cases.
Another section Of the proposed
code would require persons in
charge OF hospitals and Of pubic
and private hacteriorogical, patho-
logical and x-ray laboratories to
report to the health officer within
"a hours after discovery all evi-
dences of communicable diseases of
any person under their care or for
whom they provide diagnostic ex-
animation.
Another section would require any
person having, or suspected OF hav-
ing, a communicable disease, or any
person who is a communicable dis
ease carrier or who contacts such
persons, to submit to an examina-
ton by the health officer for the
purpose of determining the existence
of communicable disease or a car
rier."
The proposed code contains an
other section which is a rewording
of the present rule as to confidential
records, which, according to DR..
James G. Cumming, head of the
Communicable Disease Bureau of
the Health Department, emphasizes
that reports of persons suffering
from tuberculosis or the venereal dis
eases shall be used only for statistical
and public health purposes and shall
in no event be disclosed to any one
but the health officer or his duly au-
thorized agents.