[Adopted 12-11-1942]
The following words as used in these regulations shall have
the following meanings, unless a different meaning is required by
context or is specifically prescribed:
Includes the boards, department or officer having like powers
and duties in cities or towns.
A person who, without symptoms of a disease dangerous to
the public health, harbors and may disseminate the specific microorganisms
of that disease.
Any person known to have been sufficiently near an infected
person or animal to have been presumably exposed to transfer of infectious
material directly or by articles freshly soiled with such material.
An "immune" person is one who has had the disease or has
been artificially immunized against it, and is presumably protected
against another attack.
The usual period of time which elapses between the exposure
of a person to infection and the development of the symptoms of the
disease to which he may have been exposed.
The separation of persons suffering from any disease dangerous
to the public health, or carriers of the infecting microorganisms,
from other persons, in such places and under such conditions as will
prevent the direct or indirect conveyance of the infectious agent
to susceptible persons.
The date of the removal to a hospital, or the recovery or
death of the patients or the date on which the nonimmune contact leaves
and remains out of the house where the patient is isolated.
An official notice, written or printed, posted as a warning
of the presence of disease dangerous to the public health on the premises
or in the apartment or room so placarded.
The restriction to the premises, house or apartment of materials
and persons that presumably have been exposed to a disease dangerous
to the public health. [Note: In view of the various ambiguous and
inaccurate uses to which the words "isolation" and "quarantine" are
frequently put, it has seemed best to adopt arbitrarily the word "isolation"
as describing the limitation put upon the movements of an individual
(or animal) known to be sick or to be a "carrier," and the word "quarantine"
as describing the limitation put upon individuals exposed (contacts)
to disease.]
A "susceptible" or "nonimmune" person is one who is not known
to have acquired immunity to the particular communicable disease in
question.
The diseases declared by the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health to be dangerous to the public health are reportable under the
provisions of MGL c. 111, §§ 6, 7, 109, 111, and 112,
as amended, and notice of the occurrence of each case must be sent
to the Board of Health in the manner required by the statutes. (Note:
Gonorrhea and syphilis should be reported directly to the State Department
of Public Health on special forms provided and according to the rules
and regulations of the Department made under MGL c. 111, § 6,
as amended.)
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code.
Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as amended.
A.
If a physician knows or has cause to believe that a person he visits
is infected with a disease dangerous to the public health, or if either
eye of an infant whom or whose mother, a physician, or a hospital
medical officer registered under MGL c. 111, § 9, visits,
becomes inflamed, swollen and red, or shows an unnatural discharge
within two weeks after birth, he shall immediately give written notice
thereof, signed by him, to the Board of Health of the town where the
patient is being attended by him. If the Board of Health which receives
such written notice is the Board of Health of a town other than that
wherein the patient dwells, it shall, immediately upon receipt of
such notice, send a copy thereof to the Board of Health of the town
wherein the patient dwells; and, in addition thereto, the Board of
Health which receives such written notice, whether or not it is the
Board of Health of the town wherein the patient dwells, shall send
a copy to the Board of Health of the town in which the patient is
known to have contracted such disease and to the Board of Health of
each town in which he is known to have exposed any person to such
a disease. If a physician or such a hospital medical officer refuses
or neglects to give the notice required by this section, he shall
be punished by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $200.
B.
The foregoing provisions of this section and the provisions of MGL
c. 111, § 109, shall not apply to gonorrhea and syphilis,
except in the case of eye infections in infants under two weeks of
age. Any person having either of said diseases shall be reported to
local boards of health, either directly or through the department
in accordance with such special rules and regulations as the department
may make, having due regard for the best interests of the public.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code.
When a householder knows that a person within his family or
house is sick with a disease dangerous to the public health, he shall
immediately give notice thereof to the Board of Health in the manner
required by the statute (MGL c. 111, § 109, as amended);
provided, however, that in cases in which a physician has been called
in, his notification will be accepted in place of the householder.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code.
MGL c. 111, § 110, as amended.
If either eye of an infant becomes inflamed, swollen and red,
or shows an unnatural discharge within two weeks after birth, the
nurse, relative or other attendant having charge of such infant shall
report in writing, within six hours thereafter, to the Board of Health
of the town where the infant is, the fact that such inflammation,
swelling and redness of the eyes or unnatural discharge exists. On
receipt of such report, or of notice of the same symptoms given by
a physician, or a hospital medical officer registered under MGL c.
112, § 9, as provided by the following sections, the Board
of Health shall take such immediate action as it may deem necessary,
including, so far as may be possible, consultation with an oculist
and the employment of a trained nurse, in order that blindness may
be prevented.
A.
A person who is sick with any of the diseases dangerous to the public
health shall be isolated in the manner and for the periods prescribed
in the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health.
B.
In addition, the following shall apply to school children:
(1)
Impetigo. Minimum period of isolation: until crusts have disappeared
and infected area is healed. Children may attend school if small areas
are protected with ointment or infected areas easily protected with
bandage.
(2)
Ivy poisoning. Minimum period of isolation: until the active
stage has subsided. If infected area can be protected with bandages,
no restrictions.
(3)
Pediculosis. Minimum period of isolation of patient: until all
nits have been removed from the hair.
(4)
Ringworm. Minimum period of isolation of patient: when infected
areas are on the exposed surfaces of the body, the child must be excluded
from school until entirely healed.
(5)
Scabies. Minimum period of isolation of patient: until the active
stage has subsided.
Whoever is sick with anterior poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis),
diphtheria, meningococcal meningitis, scarlet fever, small pox, typhoid
fevers, or any other of the diseases declared dangerous to the public
health that the Board of Health may designate, shall be immediately
isolated in a place or room, approved by the Board of Health, or its
agents, or shall be moved to a hospital set apart for the treatment
of such diseases, and no person so isolated shall leave such room
or hospital until the period of isolation for the disease with which
he is sick shall have elapsed and until the Board of Health or its
agent shall permit him to do so.
A.
Houses or portions of houses in which there is a person sick shall
be placarded for those diseases dangerous to the public health, for
which placarding is required under the minimum isolation and quarantine
requirements of the State Department of Public Health. (Note: In the
case of tenement houses, apartment houses or like structures, as much
of the building shall be placarded as in the judgment of the Board
of Health is consistent with the best interests of the public.)
B.
The card shall not be removed except on the authority of the Board
of Health.
No person except physicians, nurses, and those whose duty it
is to minister to the patient shall be allowed to enter the place
of isolation during the continuance of the disease, unless permitted
to do so by the Board of Health or its agent.
Nurses, and others caring for a person isolated as above, shall
wash their hands thoroughly with hot water, soap and a scrubbing brush
immediately after handling the patient, his discharges or any article
soiled by his discharges, before mingling with others. They shall
change their outer clothing before going out.
All eating utensils and linen used by the patient shall be boiled
for at least 15 minutes immediately after being taken from the room.
Upon release of the patient, woolen articles shall be exposed to sunlight
and air for at least eight hours.
The discharges of a person sick with typhoid fever, paratyphoid
fever, or dysentery shall be mixed with chloride of lime or other
disinfectant approved by the Board of Health and shall be kept in
contact therewith for at least 30 minutes before being emptied into
the hopper or privy vault.
A.
Contacts shall be under the restrictions prescribed in the rules
and regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health,
except that Note 8 shall not apply in this City.
B.
In addition, children living in a family in which a case of tuberculosis
exists or has existed within two years shall be required to have an
X-ray of the chest and must follow the recommendation of their physician
or clinic as to re-examination before being allowed to attend school.
A copy of the X-ray report or statement from the private physician
should be submitted to the Board of Health.
Attendants of boardinghouses for infants shall be required hereafter
to have a physical examination, including an X-ray of the chest, every
two years. A copy of the X-ray report or statement from the private
physician should be submitted to the Board of Health.
Children who have recovered from or have been exposed to any disease declared dangerous to the public health (see § 400-1.2) may return to school only after certification by the Board of Health or after examination by the school physician as prescribed in MGL c. 71, § 55, as amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code.
