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THE EPIDEMIC DISEASES ACT (III OF 1897).

An Act to provide for the better prevention of the spread of

Dangerous Epidemic Disease.

WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the better prevention

of the spread of dangerous epidemic disease; It is hereby

enacted as follows;-

Short title, extent and 1. (1) This Act may be called the

commencement. Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897;

(2) It extends to the whole of British India (inclusive

of British Baluchistan, the Santhal Parganas and the Pargana

of Spiti); and

(3) It shall come into force at once.

Power to take special
measures and prescribe
regulations as to dangerous
epidemic disease.
2. (1) When at any time the Governor-General in Council is

satisfied that India or any part thereof is

visited by, or threatened with, an out-

break of any dangerous epidemic disease,

the Governor-General in Council, if

he thinks that the ordinary provisions of the law for the

time being in force are insufficient for the purpose, may take

or require or empower any person to take such measures,

and, by public notice, prescribe such temporary Regulations

to be observed by the public or by any person or class of per-

sons as he shall deem necessary to prevent the outbreak of

such disease or the spread thereof, and may determine in what

manner and by whom any expenses incurred (including

compensation if any) shall be defrayed.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the gene-

rality of the foregoing provisions, the Governor-General in

Council may take measures and prescribe Regulations for-

(a) the inspection of any ship or vessel leaving, or

arriving at, any port in British India and such detention there-

of, or of any person intending to sail therein, or arriving

thereby, as may be necessary; and

(b) the inspection of persons travelling by railway or

otherwise and the segregation, in hospital, temporary accommo-

dation or otherwise, of persons suspected by the inspecting

officer of being infected with any such disease.

(3) The Governor-General in Council may, by general

or special order, direct that all or any of the powers conferred