Year: 1879

The National BOARD Of Health Act.


AS there appears to be some misunderstand-
ing as to the terms OF the bill passed at the last
session Of Congress, " to prevent the introduc-
tion Of infectious or contagious diseases into
the United States, and to establish a national
board Of health, - we print the full text below
with the omitted clauses in italic:


Be it enacted, DC, That there shall be- estab.
lished q National Board OF Health, to consist
seven members, to be appointed by the Presi
Senate, not more than one OF whom shall be ap
pointed from any one state, whose c0mpensa-
ton, during the time when actually engaged In
the performance OF their duties under This act
shall be so per diem each and reasonable ex-
penses, and OF one medical officer OF the army
one medical officer of the navy, one medica
ofIicer OF the Marine Hospital service, and on
ofllcer from the Department OF Justice. to b.
detailed by the Secretaries OF the several de
partmentS and the Attorney General, respec
lively, and the off1ces SO detailed shall receive
no compensation. Said board shall meet In
Washington within thirty days after the passage
OF this act, and In Washington or elsewhere
from time to time upon notice from the presf-
Gent OF the board, who Is to be chosen by the
ments, and shall frame ali rules and regulations
authorized or required by this act, and shall
make or cause to be made such special eXami-
nations and investigations at any place or
ports, as they may deem best, to aid In the exc
cution OF this act and the promotion OF its OBJ
Jects.


Sec. 2. The duties of the National Board of
Health shallb be to obtain Information upon all
matters affecting the public health, to advise
the several departments Of the government,
the executives OF the several states, and the
Commissioners OF the District OF Columbia, on
all questions submitted by them, or whenever
in the opinion Of the board such advice may
tend to the preservation and improvement OF
the public health. fI shall also aid in the ,cork


Of state boards Of health and Of state municipal
quarantine authorities, by such and to such
extent as may seem TO it necessary and desirable.
and for this purpose it Is authorized to pan cef-
tain portion f the expenses Of such state boards of
health quarantine authorities at its discretion
PyOrided, That the amount so paid shall case
e1ceed one half the total expenses far any such
board or authority: And prOuided further, That
such reports and information as may be required
By the National Board Of Health shall be furnished
by the state boards and quarantine authorities thus
dided.]


Sec. 8. That the Board OF Health. with the
assistance OF the Academy OF Science, which is
hereby requested and directed to cooperate
with them for that purpose, shall report to Con-
gresS at It's next session full statement OF its
transactions together with plan for a national
public health organization, which plan shall be
prepared after consultation with the principal
sanitary organizations and the sanitarians OF
the several states OF the United States, special
attention being given to the subject OF quaran-
Tine, both maritime and inland, and especially
as to regulations which should be established
between state or local systems OF quarantine
ana national quarantine system.


sec q. Ihe sum OF [thirtyJ fifty thousand dol
iaIs, ia or SO much thereof as may be necessary,
aDy Is neIeDy appropriated to pay the salaries and
expenses OF said board, land the further sum OF
hre hundred thousand dollars or so much Mesecf
as mag be found necessary to carry out the pur-
poses OF this act.