The 1878 National Quarantine Act was drafted as six sections establishing regulations for contagious or infections diseases,
transmissible maritime vessels, transitioning quarantine authority from the
States to the federal government, and the development of a national quarantine system. •
Contagious or infections diseases -
20 Stat. 37 § I • Vessels from infected ports entering the United States •
Reports of Consular Officers -
20 Stat. 38 § II •
Consulate to report vessels departing endangered ports •
Public Health Reports by the consulate • Marine Hospital Service
Surgeon General to fulfill provisions of the Act •
Enforcement of Quarantine Laws -
20 Stat. 38 § III • Marine Hospital Service and customs officers provide enforcement of quarantine laws •
Destination Notification of Maritime Port -
20 Stat. 38 § IV •
Notifiable disease notification to be provided to threatened port of destination for a transmissible vessel • Port of destination to prepare and transmit to the medical officers of the Marine Hospital Service •
State Quarantine System and National Quarantine System -
20 Stat. 38 § V • When officers of State quarantine system may act as officers of national quarantine system • When officers of Marine Hospital Service to act •
Repeal of Inconsistent Acts -
20 Stat. 38 § VI • All Acts or parts of Acts inconsistent with National Quarantine Act are repealed. ==See also==