During the existence of the regulation in question, I am advised by the Third Assistant Postmaster-General, the revenues of the Department were very largely decreased as a direct consequence of reduced rate. The argument in favor of the rate was that such matter passed under the terms of the "Universal Postal Union," and therefore a merchant in San Francisco could send his business correspondence on proper blanks to his correspondent in London or Berlin at third-class rates, whereas, the same matter sent to a neighboring city must pay first-class rates. The question of policy is one so peculiarly belonging to Congress, that beyond its effect upon the postal revenue, which will be undoubtedly to reduce it, whether extended to all matter of the class mentioned or limited to matter of public business of the State authorizing it, I do not feel it proper to discuss. Very respectfully, FRANK HATTON, First Assistant Postmaster-General. LE MARS, May 30, 1882. HON. W. V. LUCAS, State Auditor, Des Moines, Iowa: Dear Sir-During the winter of 1881 and 1882 we had a small-pox scare. It came upon us without warning, and our city council were obliged to take active measures to prevent the spread of the disease. They could not find a desirable house to condemn for that purpose, so they built a "pest house" to which patients were taken, and provided with physicians, nurses, attendants, and supplies. Nearly all of those persons so cared for were unable to pay the proportionate share of the expense. What I desire is this, that you place this letter in the hands of the proper person connected with the State Board of Health requesting him to answer the following questions: First. Is not the county in duty bound to pay the necessary bills thus incurred, including the expense of the pest house. All things were done in this connection under the direction of the mayor and city council by proper committees. แ Second. Should it appear that the city council, acting in the capacity of a board of health without organizing as such board, make any difference with the liability of the county when it is made to appear that they made " effectual provisions in the manner in which they shall judge best, for the safety of the inhabitants." This is the language of section 21, chapter 152, Laws Eighteenth General Assembly. The county objects to paying the bills and expenses incurred, though they are forced to acknowledge that the prompt action of the city council confined the disease to a part of town, and had it not been done it would have been general throughout the county. I would like as early an answer to this letter as possible, as our board of supervisors meet in June, and we want to force the question home to them at that time. Thanking you in advance for your trouble and kindness, I am, Very truly yours, A. H. LAWRENCE. Respectfully referred to the Board of Health for answer and instructions. W. V. LUCAS. IOWA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, A. H. LAWRENCE, Le Mars. lowa: DES MOINES, IOWA, June 1, 1882. Dear Sir-Your communication of the 30th ult., to the State Auditor, has been referred to this office for consideration. Neither the State Board of Health nor this office has power to construe statutes. Their opinions and decisions would have no binding force on any body. Upon the question of the expenses incurred by local boards of health, under chapter 151, Laws of 1880, in a precisely analagous case which arose in Bellevue, Jackson county, Attorney-General McPherson filed in this office the following decision: "For expenses incurred in nursing, attendance, guarding, medical attendance, medicines, etc., in cases of small-pox, the person himself, parent, etc., are primarily liable. Next in order, the town must pay such expenses, if not made from the person, parent, etc. Or, if the town pays it, it should be collected from such person, parent, etc., if it can be done. But if it cannot be so collected, then the county, as it seems to me, is liable." "These views are only intended to apply to towns and cities, and not townships. As to the latter, it is time enough to answer when the question arises." Yours truly, R. J. FARQUHARSON, M. D., OFFICE OF CLERK OF THE COURTS, TAMA COUNTY, TOLEDO, IOWA, June 7, 1882. TO THE SECRETARY STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, Des Moines, Iowa: Dear Sir-I am fully satisfied that some of the physicians of this county are not paying any attention to the law in regard to reporting deaths, births, etc. Now, cannot the State Board issue a circular or send me something which I can have published in the papers to stir them up a little. Of course, I have no evidence as yet that they attend any one who dies or gives birth to a child, but think perhaps I could find some one if necessary. Very respectfully, S. C. LELAND, IOWA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, S. C. LELAND, Clerk District Court, Tama county: Dear Sir-It is quite apparent from returns made to this office from your county, that physicians neglect to comply with the statute in regard to making return of births and deaths. It is important, in compiling the vital statistics of the State, that the returns from each county should be complete. Unless this be so, they are practically worthless. Your attention is called to section 5, chapter 151, Laws of 1880. This section is mandatory, and, as the Attorney-General says, "was enacted to be enforced. There can be no evasion of it without incurring the liability of the penalty. It is made the duty of the Clerk of the Courts to see that the law is obeyed." Yours truly, R. J. FARQUHARSON, M. D., Secretary. OFFICE OF CLERK OF DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT COURTS SIOUX CITY, IOWA, June 10, 1882. SECRETARY STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, Des Moines, Iowa: * * * Dear Sir-Upon the receipt of the two blank books, physicians' certificates of deaths and return of births and still-births, and your instructions to furnish like copies to physicians in future, I had printed copies of each by the and they presented their bill to our board of supervisors, for payment at their last session. The board have refused to pay the bill, and have referred the same to me for attention. They claim that under section 4, of the act relating to the State Board of Health, it is the duty of the Secretary of the State Board of Health to furnish these blanks or forms. I would respectfully ask your attention and assistance. Very respectfully, J. H. BOLTON, Clerk. IOWA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, J. I. BOLTON, Clerk of the District Court, Woodbury county: Dear Sir-Replying to yours of the 10th, I would say that section 4, chapter 151, Laws of 1880, is construed by the State Board of Health, and by the Attorney-General, to mean that the State Board is required to furnish the forms or samples of all records and blanks contemplated by said chapter, and that the clerks of the court must furnish all persons who are required to make returns to him, with the necessary blanks, and that the county must pay for the same, as in the case of all other records and blanks necessary for his office. The Attorney-General, in an opinion filed in this office May 10, 1880, says: "In my opinion, it is the forms of the blanks, and not the blanks, that the State Board is required to furnish. The statutes of this State provide forms for what will be a sufficient warranty deed. From this form blanks are prepared." Yours truly, R. J. FARQUHARSON, M. D., ILLUMINATING OIL. Repeated admonitions, given by accidents from the use of unsafe oil the product of petroleum, renders it pertinent to repeat the suggestions made in the First Biennial Report of the State Board regarding the sale of illuminating oil. During the year 1881, the high price of kerosene, and the frequency of accidents, indicated most conclusively that low grades of oil were being sold in this State. The inevitable tendency is, when prices are high to purchase that which is cheapest. Under the name of "safety oil" and various other titles, a cheap oil is put in market, the principal part of which is gasoline. Few people know anything of its nature, but buy it because it is cheap. It is placed in common lamps and the result is as might be expected. A case of this kind occurred in Des Moines, where a man named Parker purchased a gallon of "safety oil" at a city drug store and filled an ordinary lamp with it. It was standing on a table, around which were sitting three children who were reading. The lamp exploded, and two of the children were burned so as to cause death in a few hours. The parents were badly burned in their efforts to extinguish the flames and save their children. The can containing the oil from which the lamp was filled was sent to Prof. J. K. Macomber for analysis. The following is his report thereon: PHYSICIAL LABORATORY, DR. R. J. FARQUHARSON, Secretary Iowa State Board of Health: Dear Sir-Inclosed please find a brief account of the "safety fluid." It is a dangerous compound, and unless dealers are prosecuted to the extent of the law for selling it, many families will suffer as did Mr. Parker's. These napthas are cheap and can be sold for half the price of good kerosene, hence the temptation to sell them is great. |