No. 2.
To the consular officers of the United
States.
Washington, June 19, 1880.
Gentlemen: Information has been received from the president of the National Board of Health that the fees authorized by section 6 of the [Page 3] act of Congress “to prevent the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases into the United States,” approved June 2, 1870, to be fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury, have been fixed at the rate of 25 cents for every person examined by the medical officer or physician, and $2.50 for each bill of health. The latter is the fee already prescribed by the Consular Regulations for the bill of health.
When it shall be necessary for you to make inspections of ships under previous instructions issued in accordance with the rules and regulations of the National Board of Health, approved by the President, you are authorized and instructed to pay all expenses thereof, including expenses of boat hire and medical examinations of passengers, officers, and crew, when necessary, out of the fund created by the charge of 25 cents for the examination of each person on the ship inspected. You are further authorized and instructed to collect from the masters of the vessels and to disburse the actual cost of cleansing and disinfecting ships when this becomes necessary, as provided for by the statute.
A separate account should be kept of all the fees received for the examinations and inspections herein referred to, and should be transmitted quarterly to the office of the National Board of Health in this city.
I am, &c.,
Acting Secretary.