[cover]

Treasury Department.

Interstate Quarantine Regulations

of the

United States.

September 27, 1894.

Washington:
Government Printing Office.
1894

[page 1]

Treasury Department.

Interstate Quarantine Regulations

of the

United States.

September 27, 1894.

Washington:
Government Printing Office
1894.

[page 2]

Treasury Department,
Document No. 1706.
Office of Marine-Hospital Service.

[page 3]

Interstate Quarantine Regulations.

Treasury Department,
Office of the Secretary,
Washington, D.C., September 27, 1894.
To medical officers of the Marine-Hospital Service,
State and local health authorities, and others concerned:
In accordance with section 3 of the act of February 15, 1893, the
following regulations are herby promulgated to prevent the introduc-
tion of contagious diseases into one State or Territory or the District
of Columbia, from another State or Territory or the District of Colum-
bia. Additional regulations will be promulgated from time to time, as
circumstances demand.
The regulations of the Department issued August 12, 1893, to pre-
vent the spread of yellow fever are herby rescinded.
J.G. Carlisle,
Secretary.
3

[page 4]

[page 5]
[header]
Interstate Quarantine Regulations.
[body]

Article I.
Quarantinable Diseases.

(1) For the purposes of these regulations the quarantinable diseases
are cholera (cholerine), yellow fever, smallpox, typhus fever, leprosy,
and plague.
Article II.
Notification.
(1) State and municipal health officers should immediately notify
the Supervising Surgeon-General of the U.S. Marine-Hospital Service
by telegraph or by letter of the existence of any of the above-men-
tioned quarantinable diseases in their respective States or localities.
Article III.
General Regulations.
(1) Persons suffering from a quarantinable disease shall be isolated
until no longer capable of transmitting the disease to others. Persons
exposed to the infection of a quarantinable disease shall be isolated,
under observation, for such a period of time as may be necessary to
demonstrate their freedom from the disease.
All articles pertaining to such persons, liable to convey infection,
shall be disinfected as hereinafter provided.
(2) The apartments occupied by persons suffering from quarantinable
disease, and adjoining apartments when deemed infected, together with
articles therein, shall be disinfected upon the termination of the dis-
ease.
(3) Communication shall not be held with the above-named persons
and apartments, except under the directions of a duly qualified officer.
(4) All cases of quarantinable disease, and all cases suspected of
belonging to this class, shall be at once reported by the physician in
attendance to the proper authorities.
(5) No common carrier shall accept for transportation any person
suffering with a quarantinable disease, nor any infected article of cloth-
ing, bedding, or personal property.
The body of any person who has died of a quarantinable disease shall
not be transported save in hermetically sealed coffins, and by the order
of the State or local health officer.
(6) In the event of the prevalence of smallpox, all persons exposed
to the infection, who are not protected by vaccination or a previous
5

[page 6]
[header]
Interstate Quarantine Regulations.
[body]
attack of the disease, shall be at once vaccinated or isolated for a
period of fourteen day.
(7) During the prevalence of cholera all the dejecta of cholera
patients shall be at once disinfected as hereinafter provided, to prevent
possible contamination of the food and water supply.
Article IV.
Yellow Fever.
In addition to the foregoing regulations contained in Article III the
following special provisions are made with regard to the prevention of
the introduction and spread of yellow fever:
(1) Localities infected with yellow fever, and localities contiguous
thereto, should be depopulated as rapidly and as completely as possible,
so far as the same can be safely done; persons from noninfected locali-
ties and who have not been exposed to infection being allowed to
leave without detention. Those who have been exposed, or who come
from infected localities, shall be required to undergo a period of deten-
tion and observation of ten days from the date of last exposure in a
camp of probation or other designated place.
(2) Persons who have been exposed may be permitted to proceed
without detention to localities incapable of becoming infected and
whose authorities are willing to receive them and after arrangements
have been perfected, to the satisfaction of the proper health officer, for
their detention in said localities for a period of ten days.
(3) The suspects who are isolated under the provisions of paragraph
1, Article III, shall be kept free from all possibility of infection.
(4) So far as possible, the sick should be removed to a central loca-
tion for treatment.
(5) Buildings in which yellow fever has occurred, and localities
believed to be infected with said disease, must be disinfected as
thoroughly as possible.
(6) As soon as the disease becomes epidemic the railroad trains
carrying persons allowed to depart from a city or place infected with
yellow fever shall be under medical supervision.
(7) Common carriers from the infected districts, or believed to be
carrying persons and effects capable of conveying infection, shall not
be allowed to proceed, except as provided for by paragraph 2.
(8) At the close of an epidemic the houses where sickness has occurred,
and the contents of the same, and houses and contents that are pre-
sumably infected, shall be disinfected as hereinafter prescribed.
Article V.
Disinfection.
For Cholera.
(1) The dejecta and vomited matters of cholera patients shall be
received into vessels containing an acid solution of bichloride of mer-
cury (bichloride of mercury 1 part, hydrochloric acid 2 parts, water
1,000 parts) or other efficient germicidal agent.

[page 7]
[header]
Interstate Quarantine Regulations.
[body]
(2) All bedding, clothing, and wearing apparel soiled by the dis-
charges of cholera patients shall be disinfected by one or more of the
following methods:
(a) By complete immersion for thirty minutes in one of the above-
named disinfecting solutions.
(b) By boiling for fifteen minutes, all articles to be completely sub-
merged.
(c) By exposure to steam at a temperature of 100o to 102o C. for
thirty minutes after such temperature is reached.
(3) Any woodwork or furniture contaminated by cholera discharges
shall be disinfected by thorough washing with a germicidal solution as
provided in paragraph 1, Article III.
For Yellow Fever.
(4) Apartments infected by occupancy of patients sick with yellow
fever shall be disinfected by one or more of the following methods:
(a) By thorough washing with one of the above-named germicidal
solutions. If apprehension is felt as to the poisonous effects of the
mercury the surfaces may, after two hours, be washed with clear water.
(b) Thorough washing with 5 per cent solution of pure carbolic
acid.
(c) By sulphur dioxide, twenty-four to forty-eight hours' exposure,
the apartments to be rendered as air-tight as possible.
(5) Bedding, wearing apparel, carpets, hangings, and draperies
infected by yellow fever shall be disinfected by one of the following
methods:
(a) By exposure to steam at a temperature of 100o to 102o C. for thirty
minutes after such temperature is reached.
(b) By boiling for fifteen minutes, all the articles to be completely sub-
merged.
(c) By thorough saturation in a solution of bichloride of mercury
1-1000, the articles being allowed to dry before washing.
Articles injured by steam (rubber, leather, containers, etc.), to the
disinfection of which steam is inapplicable, shall be disinfected by thor-
oughly wetting all surfaces with (a) a solution of bichloride of mercury
1-800, or (b) a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid, the articles being
allowed to dry in the open air prior to being washed with water, or (c)
by exposure to sulphur fumigation in an apartment air-tight, or as nearly
so as possible.
For Smallpox.
(6) Apartments infected by smallpox shall be disinfected by one or
both of the following methods:
(a) Exposure to sulphur dioxide for twenty-four to forty eight hours.
(b) Washing with a solution of bichloride of mercury 1-1000, or a
5 per cent solution of pure carbolic acid.
(7) Clothing, bedding, and articles of furniture exposed to the
infection of smallpox shall be disinfected by one or more of the
following methods:
(a) Exposure to sulphur dioxide for twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
(b) Immersion in a solution of bichloride of mercury 1-1000, or 5 per
cent solution of pure carbolic acid.
(c) Exposure to steam at a temperature of 100o to 102o C. for thirty
minutes after such temperature is reached.
(d) Boiling for fifteen minutes, the articles to the completely sub-
merged.

[page 8]
[header]
Interstate Quarantine Regulations.
[body]
For Typhus Fever.
(8) Apartments infected by typhus fever shall be disinfected by one
or both of the following methods:
(a) Exposure to sulphure dioxide for twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
(b) Washing with a solution of bichloride of mercury 1-1000, or a 5
per cent solution of pure carbolic acid.
(9) Clothing, bedding and articles of furniture exposed to the infec-
tion of typhus fever shall be disinfected by one or more of the follow-
ing methods:
(a) Exposure to sulphur dioxide for twenty-four to forthy-eight hours.
(b) Immersion in a solution of bichloride of mercury 1-1000, or a 5
per cent solution of pure carbolic acid.
(c) Exposure to steam at a temperature of 100o to 102o C. for thirty
minutes after such temperature is reached.
(d) Boiling for fifteen minutes, the articles to be completely sub-
merged.

[page 9]
Quarantine Laws of the United States

An ACT granting additional quarantine powers and imposing additional duties upon the Marine-Hospital Service.
(Approved February 15, 1893)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be unlawful for
any merchant ship or other vessel from any foreign port or place of (to)
enter any port of the United States except in accordance with the pro-
visions of this act and with such rules and regulations of State and
municipal health authorities as may be made in pursuance of, or con-
sistent with, this act; and any such vessel which shall enter, or attempt
to enter a port of the United States in violation thereof shall forfeit
to the United States a sum, to be awarded in the discretion of the court,
not exceeding five thousand dollars, which shall be a lien upon said
vessel, to be recovered by proceedings in the proper district court of
the United States. In all such proceedings the United States district
attorney for such district shall be conducted in accordance with the
rules and laws governing cases of seizure of vessels for violations of the
revenue laws of the United States.
SEC. 2. That any vessel at any foreign port clearing for nay port or
place in the United States shall be required to obtain from the consul,
vice-consul, or other consular officer of the United States at the port of
departure, or from the medical officer where such officer has been de-
tailed by the President for that purpose, a bill of health, in duplicate,
in the form prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, setting forth
the sanitary history and condition of said vessel, and that it has in all
respects complied with the rules and regulations in such cases pre-
scribed for securing the best sanitary condition of the said vessel, its
cargo, passengers, and crew; and said consular or medical officer is re-
quired, before granting such duplicate bill of health, to be satisfied that
the matter and things therein stated are true; and for his services in
that behalf he shall be entitled to demand and receive such fees as shall
by lawful regulation be allowed, to be accounted for as is required in
other cases.
The President, in his discretion, is authorized to detail any medical
officer of the Government to serve in the office of the consul at any
foreign port for the purpose of furnishing information and making the
inspection and giving the bills of health hereinbefore mentioned. Any
vessel clearing and sailing from any such port without such bill of
health, and entering any port of the United States, shall forfeit to the
United States not more than five thousand dollars, the amount to be
determined by the court, which shall be a lien on the same, to be re-
covered by proceedings in the proper district court of the United States.
In all such proceedings the United States attorney for such

[page 10]
[header]
Interstate Quarantine Regulations.
[body]
district shall appear on behalf of the United States; and all such pro-
ceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and laws gov-
erning cases of seizure of vessels for violation of the revenue laws of the
United States.
SEC. 3 That the Supervising Surgeon-General of the Marine-Hospital
Service shall, immediately after this act takes effect, examine the quar-
antine regulations of all State and municipal boards of health, and
shall, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, cooperate
with and aid State and municipal boards of health in the execution and
enforcement of the rules and regulations of such boards and in the
execution and enforcement of the rules and regulations made by the Sec-
retary of the Treasury to prevent the introduction of contagious or
infectious diseases into the United States from foreign countries, and
into one State or Territory or the District of Columbia; and all rules and reg-
ulations made by the Secretary of the Treasury shall operate uniformly
and in no manner discriminate against any port or place; and at such
ports and places within the United States as have no quarantine reg-
ulations under State or municipal authority, where such regulations
are, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Treasury, necessary to pre-
vent the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases into the
United States from foreign countries, or into one State or Territory or
the District of Columbia from another State or Territory or the District
of Columbia, and at such ports and places within the United States
where quarantine regulations exist under the authority of the State
or municipality which, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Treasury,
are not sufficient to prevent the introduction of such diseases into the
United States, or into one State or Territory or the District of Colum-
bia from another State or Territory or the District of Columbia, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall, if in his judgment it is necessary and
proper, make such additional rules and regulations as are necessary to
prevent the introduction of such diseases into the United States from
foreign countries, or into one State or Territory or the District of
Columbia from another State or Territory or the District of Columbia,
and when said rules and regulations have been made they shall be pro-
mulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury and enforced by the sanitary
authorities of the States and municipalities, where the State or munic-
ipal health authorities will undertake to execute and enforce them;
but if the State or municipal authorities shall fail or refuse to enforce
said rules and regulations the President shall execute and enforce the
same and adopt such measures as in his judgment shall be necessary
to prevent the introduction or spread of such diseases, and may detail
or appoint officers for that purpose. The Secretary of the Treasury
shall make such rules and regulations as are necessary to be observed
by vessels at the port of departure and on the voyage, where such ves-
sels sail from any foreign port or place to any port or place in the
United States, to secure the best sanitary condition of such vessel, her
cargo, passengers, and crew; which shall be published and communi-
cated to and enforced by the consular officers of the United States.
None of the penalties herein imposed shall attach to any vessel or
owner or officer thereof until a copy of this act, with the rules and reg-
ulations made in pursuance thereof, has been posted up in the office of
the consul or other consular officer of the United States for ten days,
in the port from which said vessel sailed; and the certificate of such
consul or consular officer over his official signature shall be competent
evidence of such posting in any court of the United States.

[page 11]
[header]
Interstate Quarantine Regulations.
[body]
SEC. 4. That it shall be the duty of the Supervising Surgeon-General
of the Marine Hospital Service, under the direction of the Secretary
of the Treasury, to perform all the duties in respect to quarantine and
quarantine regulations which are provided for by this act, and to
obtain information of the sanitary condition of foreign ports and places
from which contagious and infectious diseases are or may be important
into the United States, and to this end the consular officer of the United
States at such ports and places as shall be designated by the Secretary
of the Treasury shall make to the Secretary of the Treasury weekly
reports of the sanitary condition of the ports and places at which they
are respectively stationed, according to such forms as the Secretary of
the Treasury shall prescribe; and the Secretary of the Treasury shall
also obtain, through all sources accessible, including State and munici-
pal sanitary authorities throughout the United States, weekly reports
of the sanitary condition of ports and places within the United States,
and shall prepare, publish and transmit to collectors of customs and
to State and municipal health officers and other sanitarians weekly
abstracts of the consular sanitary reports and other pertinent informa-
tion received by him, and shall also, as far as he may be able, by
means of the voluntary cooperation of State and municipal authorities,
of public associations, and private persons, procure information relating
to the climatic and other conditions affecting the public health, and
shall make an annual report of his operations to Congress, with such
recommendations as he may deem important to the public interest.
SEC. 5. That the Secretary of the Treasury shall from time to time
issue to the consular officers of the United States and to the medical
officers serving at any foreign port, and otherwise make publicly
known, the rules and regulations made by him, to be used and com-
plied with by vessels, in foreign ports, for securing the best sanitary
condition of such vessels, their cargoes, passengers, and crew, before
their departure for any port in the United States, and in the course
of the voyage; and all such other rules and regulations as shall be
observed in the inspection of the same on the arrival thereof at any
quarantine station at the port of destination, and for the disinfection
and isolation of the same, and the treatment of cargo and persons on
board, so as to prevent the introduction of cholera, yellow fever, or
other contagious or infectious diseases; and it shall not be lawful for
any vessel to enter said port to discharge its cargo, or land its passen-
gers, except upon a certificate of the health officer at such quarantine
station certifying that said rules and regulations have in all respects
been observed and complied with, as well on his part as on the part of
the said vessel and its master, in respect to the same and to its cargo,
passengers , and crew; and the master of every such vessel shall produce
and deliver to the collector of customs at said port of entry, together
with the other papers of the vessel, the said bills of health required to
be obtained at the port of departure and the certificate herein required
to be obtained from the health officer at the port of entry; and that the
bills of health herein prescribed shall be considered as part of the ship's
papers, and when duly certified to by the proper consular officer or
other officer of the United States, over his official signature and seal,
shall be accepted as evidence of the statements therein contained in any
court of the United States.
SEC. 6. That on the arrival of an infected vessel at any port not pro-
vided with proper facilities for treatment of the same, the Secretary
of the Treasury may remand said vessel, at its own expense, to the
nearest national or other quarantine station, where accommodations and

[page 12]
[header]
Interstate Quarantine Regulations.
[body]
appliances are provided for the necessary disinfection and treatment
of the vessel, passengers, and cargo; and after treatment of any infected
vessel at a national quarantine station, and after certificate shall have
been given by the United States quarantine officer at said station that
the vessel, cargo and passengers are each and all free from infectious
disease, or danger of conveying the same, said vessel shall be admitted
to entry to any port of the United States named within the certificate.
But at any ports where sufficient quarantine provision has been made
by State or local authorities the Secretary of the Treasury may direct
vessels bound for said ports to undergo quarantine at said State or
local Station.
SECT. 7. That whenever it shall be shown to the satisfaction of the
President that by reason of the existence of cholera or other infectious
or contagious diseases in a foreign country there is a serious danger of
the introduction of the same into the United States, and that notwith-
standing the quarantine defense this danger is so increased by the intro-
duction of persons or property from such country that a suspension of the
right to introduce the same is demanded in the interest of the public
health, the President shall have power to prohibit, in whole or in part,
the introduction of persons and property from such countries or places as
he shall designate and for such period of time a she may deem necessary.
SEC. 8. That whenever the proper authorities of a State shall sur-
render to the United States the use of the buildings and disinfecting
apparatus at a State quarantine station, the Secretary of the Treasury
shall be authorized to receive them and to pay a reasonable compensa-
tion to the State for their use, if in his opinion they are necessary to the
United States.
SECT. 9. That the act entitled "An act to prevent the introduction
of infectious or contagious diseases into the United States, and to
establish a national board of health," approved March 3, 1879, be, and
the same is hereby, repealed. And the Secretary of the Treasury is
directed to obtain possession of any property, furniture, books, paper,
or records belonging to the United States which are not n the posses-
sion of an officer of the United States under the Treasury Department
which were formely in the use of the National Board of Health or any
officer or employé thereof.

(Extract from act August 1, 1888.)
Whenever any person shall trespass upon the grounds belonging tp
any quarantine reservation, * * * such person, trespassing, * * *
shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine of not more than three hun-
dred dollars, or be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not more
than thirty days, or shall be punished by both fine and imprisonment,
at the discretion of the court. And it shall be the duty of the United
States attorney in the district where the misdemeanor shall have been
committed to take immediate cognizance of the offense, upon report
made to him by any medical officer of the Marine-Hospital Service, or
by any officer of the customs service, or by any State officer acting
under the authority of section five of said act.

(Extract from Act March 27, 1890)
SEC.2. That any officer, or person acting as an officer, or agent of
the United States at any quarantine station, or other person employed
to aid in preventing the spread of such disease, who shall willfully

[page 13]
[header]
Interstate Quarantine Regulations.
[body]
violate any of the quarantine laws of the United States, * * *
or any lawful order of his superior officer or officers, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a
fine of not more than three hundred dollars or imprisonment for not
more than one year, or both, in the discretion of the court.
SEC. 3. That when any common carrier or officer, agent, or employé
of any common carrier shall willfully violate any of the quarantine
laws of the United States, * * * such common carrier, officer, agent,
or employé shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, on con-
viction, be punished by a fine of not more than give hundred dollars, or
imprisonment for not more than two years or both, in the discretion of
the court.