MEMBERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. J. W. DeWITT, M. D., President, St. Georges, Delaware. J. W. CLIFTON, M. D., W. F. HAINES, M. D., W. P. ORR, M. D., J. A. DRAPER, M. D., W. F. DAVIS, M. D., Dover, Delaware. A. E. FRANTZ., M. D., Secretary and Executive Officer, Wilmington, Delaware. PREFACE. The State Board of Health, in issuing this digest of the health laws of the State, earnestly request, at least by all local boards of health and city and town authorities, its thoughtful and careful reading and its preservation by them for future reference. Sanitary science in state government has so indisputably proven its value to communities, in the prevention of the spread of disease, as to make it almost criminal to ignore it. We strongly recommend and urge the observance of the law commanding the appointment and organization of local boards of Health "by the common council of every city and the commissioners of every incorporated town in this State once in each year." The State Board of Health can only act in the removal of nuisances "in localities where there are no local board of health, or where the same shall refuse or neglect to act" and then only on "complaint made in writing," it is very desirable and necessary, in order to sustain each other, that the State and local boards shall act in complete harmony. The executive officer of the State Board of Health makes semiannual (Spring and Fall) trips through the State, inspecting the jails, almshouses, school houses and other public buildings. Many of our school houses and outbuildings need attention and the Board will require prompt relief for the children whenever and wherever demanded. The authority and power conferred upon these boards, both State and Local, are sufficient and ample to give relief to any neighborhood, or even citizen, who may be suffering under any unhealthful nuisance, and who will make his complaint in accordance with the law herein contained. The State Board will act promptly; they ask only the kindly and cordial co-operation of the good citizens of the State to keep our commonwealth free from the terrors of infectious epidemics. To the State Board of Health is given "the general supervision of the State system of registration of marriages, births and deaths," and they will expect all persons required to make returns of the same, promptly and fully to comply with the law. To make this registration of any value it must be fairly and fully carried out. The work of a health officer or board, properly and faithfully performed, is oftimes a very unpleasant task, sometimes even preventing the service of the most efficient citizens in this very necessary and responsible position. If our citizens will demand the appointment of local boards of health and will sustain them in the performance of their duties the dread of infection will be banished and the death rate will be appreciably diminshed. LAWS OF DELAWARE FOR THE Preservation of the Public Registration of Vital Statistics HEALTH. Article XII, Constitution of Delaware. The General Assembly shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a State Board of Health, which shall have supervision of all matters relating to public health, with such powers and duties as may be prescribed by law; and also for the establishment and maintenance of such local boards of health as may be necessary, to be under the supervision of the State Board, to such extent and with such powers as may be prescribed by law. Chapter 642, Vol. 19, Laws of Delaware. An act to establish a State Board of Health for the State of Delaware, Chapter 21, Volume 16-as amended, and as further amended March 19, 1903. Section 1. That within thirty days after the passage of this act the Governor shall appoint (7) physicians of skill and experience, duly qualified to practice medicine or surgery under the provisions of Chapter 69 of the seventeenth volume of the Laws of the State of Delaware, Chapter 35 of Volume eighteen of the Laws of the State of Delaware, and Chapter 47 of the Revised Code of the State of Delaware, as amended in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-four, three of whom shall be residents of New Castle County and two each of Kent and Sussex Counties, who shall constitute a board of health to be called The Board of Health of the State of Delaware. The physicians thus appointed shall be so designated by the Governor that the term of office of one from each county shall expire every two years. Provided, however, any delay in the appointment of a successor to any member whose term shall have expired shall not create a vacancy, but such member shall continue to serve as a member of said Board of Health until his successor is duly appointed and qualified. Vacancies, however caused, shall be filled by appointment by the Governor. Section 2. That within thirty days after their appointment the members of the Board of Health shall meet in Dover, Wilmington, or Georgetown for organization, and shall elect a president who must, and a secretary who may be one of said board, and the successive presidents of the board shall be annually elected by said board from the members thereof. The secretary shall continue in office as such until removed by the election of a successor or by a vote of a majority of the board. He shall be executive officer of said board, and shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the board. The members of the Board of Health shall not receive a salary, but the actual expenses of any member when engaged in the duties of the board shall be allowed and paid. Provided, however, nothing contained in this Section shall be so construed as to prevent the said Board of Health from employing any of its members or any other person or persons for sepcial service at a reasonable compensation. The Board of Health shall meet at least once in every six months, and oftener if necessary, and four members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Board shall have power to adopt rules and by-laws for their government, subject to the provisiions of this act. Section 3. That said Board of Health of the State of Delaware shall have supervision of all matters relating to the preservation of the life and health of the people of the State. The said Board of Health shall have supreme authority in matters of quarantine, and may declare and enforce such quarantine, when necessary, and where no quarantine exists; may modify, relax or abolish it, where it has been established. The said Board of Health of the State of Delaware may make special or standing orders or regulations for the prevention of the spread of contagious or infectious diseases, and for governing the receipt and conveyance of the remains of deceased persons and such other sanitary matters as admit of and may best be controlled by a universal rule. The said Board of Health may also make and enforce orders in local sanitary matters, when in the judgment of the said State Board of Health, or its Executive Officer, an emergency concerning the public health exists, and the local Board of Health have neglected or refused to act with sufficient promptness or efficiency, or when or where such local board has not been established, and all such expenses so incurred shall be paid by the city, town or county for which services are rendered upon bill presented to the treasurer of such city, county or town by the Secretary of the said Board of Health of the State of Delaware, and approved by the President thereof. It shall be the duty of all local Boards of Health, health authorlties and officials, officers of State and county institutions, police of |