8 A HISTORY OF NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS ASSOCIATION 



6. Do not fail to consult the family physician regarding the social relations 

 of persons suffering from suspected consumption. 



7. Do not permit mothers suspected of having consumption to nurse their 

 offspring. 



8. Household pets (animals or birds) are quite susceptible to tuberculosis; 

 therefore do not expose them to persons afflicted with consumption; also do 

 not keep, but destroy at once, all household pets suspected of having con- 

 sumption, otherwise they may give it to human beings. 



9. Do not fail to thoroughly cleanse the floors, walls, and ceilings of the living 

 and sleeping rooms of persons suffering from consumption at least once in two 

 weeks. 



By order of the Board, 



(Signed) EMMONS CLARK, Secretary. 



No further action was taken by the Department of Health of 

 New York city with reference to pulmonary tuberculosis until 

 1893, after Dr. Biggs became pathologist and director of the 

 laboratories of the Department. He then, with Dr. Prudden, 

 submitted another communication urging that action be taken 

 with reference to the reporting of pulmonary tuberculosis as a 

 communicable disease. This letter was followed by a resolution 

 of the Health Department requiring notification of pulmonary 

 tuberculosis from all public institutions and establishing volun- 

 tary notification for private cases. It also provided for the 

 free examination of sputum for diagnostic purposes, for the 

 visitation of cases in the homes by Health Department inspectors, 

 and for the renovation of premises vacated. This resolution went 

 into effect in 1894. In 1897 compulsory notification of cases of 

 pulmonary tuberculosis for physicians in private practice as well 

 as for public institutions was established by resolution of the 

 Board of Health, largely at the instigation of Dr. Biggs. 



The opposition to the action of the Department of Health in 

 establishing compulsory notification of pulmonary tuberculosis 

 in 1897 presents an interesting chapter in medical history and in 

 tuberculosis control, especially by way of contrast with present- 

 day conditions. In 1897 the New York County Medical Society 

 and the Kings County Medical Society were so bitterly opposed 

 to the action of the Health Department that they secured the 

 introduction of bills in the State Legislature at Albany rescinding 

 the provision of the charter of New York city which gave author- 



