Contagious Diseases

Diseases which are capable of being transmitted by mediate or immediate contact. Persons sick of such disorders may remain in their own houses; Boom v. City of Utica, 2 Barb. (N. Y.) 104; but are indictable for exposing themselves in a public place endangering the public. See 4 M. & S. 73, 272. Nuisances which produce such diseases may be abated; Meeker v. Van Rensselaer, 15 Wend. (N. Y.) 397. See People v. Townsend, 3 Hill (N. Y.) 479; Barclay v. Com., 25 Pa. 503, 64 Am. Dec. 715; Caldwell v. Bridal, 48 la. 15; and a right of action may also be had for injury done to health; Jarvis v. Ry. Co., 26 Mo. App. 253; Fow v. Roberts, 108 Pa. 489. A landlord is liable in damages for renting a property knowing it to be contaminated with an infectious disease; Snyder v. Gorden, 12 N. Y. St. Rep. 556; under the police power, cities and towns may adopt ordinances for the preservation and promotion of the health of the inhabitants; Com. v. Cutter, 156 Mass. 52, 29 N. E. 1146; Com. v. Hubley, 172 Mass. 58, 51 N. E. 448, 42 L. R. A. 403, 70 Am. St. Rep. 242; Borden's Condensed Milk Co. v. Board of Health, 81