Chapter 165. To provide for registration of all cases of tuberculosis in the District of Columbia, for free examination of sputum in suspected cases, and for preventing the spread of tuberculosis in said District
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CHAP. 165.— An Act To provide for registration of all cases of tuberculosis in the District of Columbia, for free examination of sputum in suspected cases, and for preventing the spread of tuberculosis in said District. May 13, 1908.[[S. 29.]](/us/bill/70/s/29)[[Public, No. 114](/us/pl/70/114).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That it shall be the duty ofDistrict of Columbia.Tuberculosis.Physicians to report cases to health officer. every physician in the District of Columbia to report in writing to the health officer of said District, within one week after the disease is recognized, on forms to be provided by said health officer, the name, age, sex, color, occupation, and address of every person under his care in said District who, in his opinion, is afflicted with pulmonary or other communicable form of tuberculosis.
It shall also be theHospital, dispensary, etc., cases. duty of the officer having charge for the time being of each and every hospital, dispensary, asylum, or other similar public or private institution in said District to report in like manner the name, age, sex, color, occupation, and last address of every person who is in his care or who has come under his observation within one week of such time who, in his opinion, is afflicted with pulmonary or other communicable form of tuberculosis.
Sec. 2. That the health officer of said District shall promptly make,Examination of sputum. or cause to be made by a competent microscopist, a microscopical examination of the sputum of persons thus reported, and shall make a report thereof, free of charge, to the physician or officer upon whose application the examination was made. If the examination fails to show the existence of the disease that fact shall be recorded. Sec. 3. That the health officer of said District shall cause all casesRegister of cases. showing the presence of tubercle bacilli to be recorded in a register of which he shall be the custodian, which register shall not be open to inspection by anyone except the health officer and the deputy health officer of said District, and neither said health officer nor said deputy health officer shall permit any such record to be divulged in such manner as to disclose the identity of the person to whom it relates except as it may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 4. That it shall be the duty of the health department, in everyInstructions topatients. case where a microscopical examination reveals the existence of tuberculosis, to supply to such person, or those in charge of such person, unless otherwise requested by the attending physician, printed instructions as to the methods to be employed to prevent the spread of the disease. Sec. 5. That in case of death from pulmonary or other communicableDisinfection of premises, on death, etc., of patient. form of tuberculosis, or the removal from any apartment or premises of a person or persons so afflicted, it shall be the duty of the attending physician, if he has such knowledge, or, if there be no such physician or if such physician be absent, of the occupant or other person in charge of said apartment or premises to notify the health officer, in writing, of such death or removal, within twenty-four hours thereafter, and such apartment or premises shall then be disinfected by the health department at public expense or, if the owner prefers, by the owner to the satisfaction of the health department, and shall not again be occupied until so disinfected.
Sec. 6. That it shall be the duty of every person afflicted withRules, etc., to be observed. tuberculosis, and of every person in attendance upon anyone afflicted therewith, and of the authorities of public and private institutions or dispensaries in said District to observe and enforce all sanitary rules and regulations of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia for preventing the spread of the disease. Sec. 7. That upon the recovery of any person who has been foundRegistry of recoveries. to be suffering from tuberculosis a report to that effect to the health department, made by the attending physician, shall be recorded in the register aforesaid, and shall relieve said person from further liability to any requirements imposed 127 by this Act.
Sec. 8. That any person violating any of the provisions of this ActPenalty for violations. shall, upon conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars. Sec. 9. That all prosecutions under this Act shall be in the policeProsecutions. court of said District upon information brought in the name of the District of Columbia and on its behalf. Sec. 10. That all Acts and parts of Acts contrary to or inconsistentRepeal. with the provisions of this Act be, and they are hereby, repealed.
Approved, May 13, 1908.