Chapter 25.
896 words·~4 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-26/chapter-25-2882901·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 25.— An act to prevent the spread of scarlet fever and diphtheria in the District of Columbia.December 20, 1890 *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,District of Columbia. That from and after the passage of this Prevention of spread of scarlet fever and diphtheria in. Physician, etc., to report to health officer.act it shall be the duty of every registered practicing physician or other person prescribing for the sick in the District of Columbia to make report to the health officer, on forms to be furnished by that officer, immediately after such practitioner becomes aware of the existence of any case of scarlet fever or diphtheria in his charge; and in case such person shall fail to so reportPenalties. within twenty-four hours he shall be subject to a penalty of not less than five nor more than fifty dollars, and in case of a second offense the penalty shall be not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars.
In case no physician shall be in charge of such patient the householder where such case occurred, or person in charge thereof,Householder, etc., to make report. the parent, guardian, nurse, or other person in attendance upon the sick person knowing the character of the disease shall make the report above mentioned, and in case, of failure to report shall sufferPenalties. the same penalties as provided for physicians in this act. Sec.2. That it shall be the duty of the health officer cooperating Duty of health officer.
Warning flag, etc.with the attending physician to cause a suitable placard, flag, or warning sign to be displayed from the front of the premises or apartment where any one case of scarlet fever or diphtheria is present. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove such placard,Unlawful removal. sign, or warning flag, when so placed, without permission of the health officer, and it shall be the duty of the said health officer, in conjunction with the attending physician, to cause the premises to beDisinfection and isolation. properly disinfected, and to issue the necessary instructions for the isolation of the patient. 692FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
Sess. II. Chs. 25, 26. 1891. Sec.3. That no person shall visit or attend any public or privatePublic exposure, etc., prohibited. school, or place of public assemblage, or appear on the public streets or in the parks while affected with scarlet fever or diphtheria, and Penalty.any adult person, parent, or guardian of a minor convicted of having knowingly violated the provisions of this act shall, upon conviction, forfeit and pay a sum not less than five nor more than fifty Duty of physicians.dollars; and it shall be the duty of physicians while in attendance upon cases of scarlet fever or diphtheria to exercise such reasonable Regulations by health officer.precautions to prevent the spread of the said diseases as may be prescribed by the health officer of the District of Columbia in regulations.
Sec.4. That no person who has convalesced from diphtheria orConvalescents scarlet fever shall be allowed to attend any public or private school, seminary, or college until the attending physician shall have Physician's certificate of recovery, etc.furnished a certificate that said patient has completely recovered, and that there is no danger of infection to other persons. All persons Penalties for violation.who shall, after convalescing from diphtheria or scarlet fever, visit schools, seminaries, or colleges, without providing themselves with such certificates, shall suffer the penalties provided for in section one of this act.
Sec.5. That the provisions of this act shall apply to every ship,Vessels, tents, etc., included. vessel, steamer, boat, or craft lying or being in the rivers, harbors, or other waters within the jurisdiction of said District, and to every tent, van, shed, hovel, barn, outhouse, cabin, or other like place, as if the same were an ordinary dwelling. Sec.6. That the word “regulations.” as herein used, shall be heldMeaning of “regulations,” “person in charge thereof,” “practitioner of medicine,” etc. to mean also rules, orders, and amendments.
The words “person in charge thereof” shall be held to mean the owner, his agent or factor; the tenant, his clerk or representative: the nurse, or any one or more persons who by reason of their position are charged with the management or care of the premises, or interested in the person afflicted. The words “practitioner of medicine,” or “practitioner,” shall be held to include all persons who undertake to treat persons afflicted, either gratuitously or for pay. Sec.7. That any person who shall knowingly make, sign, orFalse reports or certificates. deliver any false report or certificate herein provided for, upon Penalty.conviction thereof in the police court of said District, shall be fined not less than five nor more than fifty dollars, and, in default of payment thereof, be committed to jail for not less than one nor more than twenty days.
Sec.8. That the expenses necessarily incurred in the execution ofNecessary expenses. the provisions of this act shall be borne from the general *Post*, pp. 868, 1074.appropriation for the maintenance of the health department of the District Jurisdiction.of Columbia, and the jurisdiction of civil and criminal procedure in the enforcement of this act is hereby vested in the police court of Appeal.the said District, with the same right of appeal as in other civil and criminal trials in said District.
Approved, December 20, 1890.