LAWS.

In addition to the full text of some of the more important laws, as given in Circulars LX., LXVI., LXII., LIX., LXV., at the close of Circular LX. is a list of the principal laws bearing on public health as passed from year to year. While it is not possible to give each general law, or clause thereof bearing on health, these are the chief, and are valuable for reference. We call especial attention to the fact that by the act, Chapter CCLVI., Laws of 1887, the right to regulate the cleansing of cesspools, out-houses, &c., was made to include all Local Boards of Health. The chief health laws of the Legislature of 1890 were as follows:

LAWS OF 1890.

Chapter XXXVI.-A supplement to an act entitled "An act to prevent the adulteration of food or drugs," approved March 25th, 1881, and the several supplements thereto.

Chapter XLIX.-An act relative to the cleaning of streets and the removal of ashes and garbage in cities of this State.

Chapter LXII.—A supplement to an act entitled "An act to authorize the incorporation of rural cemetery associations and regulate cemeteries." Approved April 9th, 1875.

Chapter LXV.-A supplement to an act entitled "An act to authorize the construction of drains and sewers upon and across private property, upon suitable compensation to the owner or owners thereof, in incorporated towns in this State." Approved March 6th, 1886.

Chapter LXXVII.-An act to provide for drainage and sewerage in townships.

Chapter CXXXI.-An act to provide for drainage and sewerage in cities of this State.

Chapter CXXXVI.—A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to authorize cities to construct sewers and drains, and to provide for the payment of the cost thereof." Approved March 8th, 1882.

Chapter CLII.-An act in relation to the power and authority of aqueduct boards or other water boards, having the control of the water-supply in the cities of this State, giving such boards power to contract for and construct works, to purchase or condemn lands, waters and rights, and to use for such purposes certain funds in their possession.

Chapter CLX.-An act to provide for sewerage and drainage in incorporated townships in which there is a public water-supply.

Chapter CXC.-An act to regulate the practice of medicine and surgery, to license physicians and surgeons, and to punish persons violating the provisions thereof.

Chapter CCLV.-A supplement to an act entitled "An act to establish in this State Boards of Health and a Bureau of Vital Statistics, and to define their respective powers and duties." Approved March 31st, 1887.

Chapter CCLIX.-A supplement to the act entitled "An act concerning marriages, births and death" (Revision). Approved March 27th, 1874.

Chapter CCLXXXIII.-A further supplement to an act entitled "An act relating to the improvement of streets and the construction of sewers in the cities of this State." Passed March 27th, 1882.

Chapter CCXC.—An act to provide for the drainage of lands.

MEDICAL REGISTRY.

Several years since a law was passed which required any physician settling in this State for medical practice to file a copy of his diploma in the office of the County Clerk of the county in which he settled. In addition to this, in case of twenty years' practice in any one locality, a certificate setting forth the fact could be filed, and this would have the same recognition as a diploma from a chartered medical college. From time to time this Board has urged the inadequacy of this provision. Year after year the publication of these entries in the offices of the County Clerks showed the great increase of those who filed diplomas from colleges of doubtful standing. So, in our last report, we repeated what had often before been said in substance, that "the State really owes it to itself somehow to protect its citizens more fully from the imperfect knowledge and lack of skill of many who, although graduated from inferior institutions, are not fitted for their work."

The last Legislature enacted a Medical Practice act, which it is hoped may prove of service in the interests of public health, and help to protect the people from those dangers to health which always come from medical and surgical incompetency.

The effect of the law is to repeal former laws as to medical registry, and to substitute in its place a record of the licenses given by the Board of Medical Examiners, in the office of each County Clerk in each county in the State.

The following is the list of Medical Examiners as appointed June, 1890:

H. C. Hendry, M.D., Newark; Henry G. Wagoner, M.D., Somerville; A. H. Worthington, M.D., Trenton; Wm. L. Newell, M.D., Millville; Eugene Tiesler, M.D., Orange; Wm. Perry Watson, M.D., Jersey City; D. R. Atwell, M.D., Hoboken; Geo. W. Brown, M.D., Long Branch; Armin Eubelacker, M.D., Morristown.

As the law took effect July 1st, 1890, and as examination showed

that its passage had led to many county entries on the part of nonresidents, it was not thought necessary to print this year the record for the few months since our last report. We have, however, procured instead, through city and township authorities, as complete a list as possible of the practicing physicians of the State, with postoffice address, which is on file at the office of the Board of Health.