otherwise dispensed by him, which shall contain the date when, the name and address of each person to whom, and the name and amount of each such drug so dispensed. He shall, as required by the State board of health, make and mail to the said board a report setting forth such of the informtaion contained in such records as the commissioner may require, together with the amount of each such drug on hand upon the date of such report.

(e) Each hospital, sanatorium, or other institution authorized by the provisions of this bill to administer cocaine or opium or its derivatives shall keep a record which shall contain the date of each purchase or receipt, the name and address of each person from whom and the name and quantity of each such drug purchased or received. It shall also keep a record of the gross amount of each drug administered. It shall, as required by the State board of health, make and mail to the said board a report setting forth the information contained in such records, together with the amount of each such drugs on hand upon the date of such report.

(f) Each dentist and veterinarian shall keep a record which shall contain the date of each purchase or receipt by him of cocaine or opium or its derivatives, the name of each person from whom and the name and amount of each drug purchased or received. Each dentist shall also keep a record of the gross amount of each such drug administered. Each veterinarian shall also keep a record of the gross amount of each drug administered or dispensed. He shall as required by the State board of health, make and mail to the said board a report setting forth the information contained in such records, together with the amount of each drug on hand upon the date of such report.

The State board of health may require each person authorized to manufac ture, distribute, dispense, sell, prescribe, or administer any of such drugs, to keep such additional records, and make such other further or different reports as it may determine. Each prescription written upon an official blank and each other record, except prescriptions required to be kept by an apothecary, shall be contained in books the leaves of which shall be permanently bound together. Each record required by the provisions of the bill to be kept shall be kept in a place easily accessible, and shall be accessible to the State board of health for a period of at least two years.

SEC. 15. Drugs delivered to State board of health.-That all drugs which have been seized and judicially determined to have been unlawfully possessed or the title to which shall have ceased, and the same shall have come into the hands of a peace officer shall, upon the direction of a court or magistrate, be delivered to the State board of health. Drugs may be surrendered to the State board of health. All drugs in the final possession of the State board of health may be disposed of by the said board.

SEC. 16. Exemptions from restrictions.-That the provisions of this article restricting the possession of cocaine, opium, or its derivatives shall not apply to common carriers or warehousemen, or their employees engaged in lawful transportation or storage of such drugs, nor to public officers or employees while engaged in the performance of their official duties, nor to temporary incidental possession on the part of employees or agents of persons lawfully entitled to possession.

SEC. 17. Records confidential.-That all papers, records, information, statements and data filed with the State board of health or kept by any person pursuant to the provisions of this bill, and all records of proceedings or actions taken by the said board pursuant to the provisions of this bill, shall be regarded as confidential, and shall not be open to inspection by the public or any person other than the official custodian of such records, such persons as may be authorized by

law or the State board of health to inspect such records, and the persons du'y authorized to prosecute or enforce the Federal statutes or the laws of the State of Louisiana, but then only for the purpose of such prosecution or enforcement. No employee or other person shall disclose or aid in the disclosure of such, or any part of such, papers, records, information, statements, or data to any person not authorized by law or the State board of health to inspect the same.

SEC. 18. That the habitual use of cocaine, opium, or its derivatives, except as administered, prescribed or dispensed by a physician, is hereby declared to be dangerous to the public health and safety. Whenever a complaint is made to any district judge that any person is addicted, or upon the voluntary application to him of an addict, he may, if satisfied of the truth thereof and that the person is suffering from such drug addiction, commit such person to a State, parish or city hospital, or institution, or any correctional or charitable institution maintained by the State or any political subdivision thereof, having facilities for treat ment: or private hospital, sanatorium or institution having a license from the State board of health, for the treatment of disease, or inebriety; which said certificate the board is hereby authorized to grant. Any court having jurisdiction of a defendant who is a prisoner in a criminal action or proceeding, if it appears that such defendant is an habitual user of any of such drugs and is suffering as a result of such addiction, may likewise commit such defendant, at any stage of such action or proceeding and may direct a stay of proceedings, or suspend sentence or withhold conviction pending the period of such commitment. Whenever the chief medical officer of such an institution shall certify to the committing magistrate or court that any person so committed has been sufficiently treated, or give any other reason which is deemed by the magistrate or court to be adequate and sufficient, he may in accordance with the terms of commitment discharge the person so committed or return such person to await the further action of the court: Provided, however, That when such a commitment is to an institution under the jurisdiction of a department of correction, or other similar department in a city of the first class, where there is a parole commission established pursuant to law, such commission shall act in the place and stead of a chief medical officer for the purpose of making such a certificate.

SEC. 19. Voluntary hospital commitment.-That any public hospital, saratorium, or institution may accept as a charity patient any person voluntariov applying for treatment for drug addiction, and any such institution may, if a voluntary applicant signs a statement that he is suffering from drug addiction and desires treatment, in the same manner and subject to the same rules and restrictions as if committed by a magistrate, receive such person without formal commitment, with like effect as if formally committed, subject to discharge when sufficiently treated, or for any other reason deemed adequate. The State board of health or any local health board or officer may likewise, on such appicstion and signed statement, place the applicant in any hospital receiving sch patients at public expense. The said board shall adopt blank forms of applications and orders for such treatment, and on request shall furnish copies thereof to any such institution or officer. The provisions of this section shall not restrict the right of any hospital, sanatorium, or institution to accept and treat patients for drug addiction at other than public expense.

SEC. 20. Fraud, deceit, etc.—That any fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, subterfuge, concealment of a material fact, or the use of a false name or the giving of a false address in obtaining treatment in the course of which cocaine or opium or its derivatives in execss of lawful quantity shall be prescribed or dispensed or in obtaining any supply of such drugs shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this bill. For the enforcement of the provisions of this bill

statements, representations, or acts herein referred to shall not be privileged as confidential communications.

SEC. 21. False representation, etc.—That no official blanks shall be issued to any person who shall have been convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this bill unless the State board of health be satisfied, from proof presented to it, that such violation was not willful. No person shall for the purpose of obtaining any quantity of cocaine or opium or its derivatives falsely assume the title of or represent himself to be a wholesaler, pharmacist, druggist, physician, dentist, or veterinarian or to be engaged in the conduct of lawful business in or use or distribution of any such drug, nor utter any false or forged order or prescription for or label affixed to the container of any of such drugs or alter, deface, or remove any such label or keep any false record or make any false report under the provisions of this bill.

SEC. 22. Revocation of licenses.--That any license heretofore issued to any physician, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist, druggist, or registered nurse may be revoked or suspended by the proper officers or boards having power to issue licenses to any of the foregoing upon proof that the licensee is addicted to the use of any habit-forming drug or drugs after giving such licensee reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard. Whenever it shall appear that such licensee has fully recovered and is no longer an addict to any of such drugs, such board may grant a rehearing and in its discretion reissue or reinstate the license of such licensee. Whenever any pharmacist, druggist, physician, dentist, veterinarian, or registered nurse shall have been convicted of the violation of any of the provisions of this article, any officer or board having power to issue licenses to any such physician, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist, druggist, or registered nurse, may, after giving such licensee reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard, suspend or revoke the same.

SEC. 23. Penalties.-That a violation of any of the provisions of this bill shall constitute a misdemeanor.

SEC. 24. Exceptions and exemptions not required to be negatived.-That in any complaint, information, indictment, or other writ or in any action or proceeding laid or brought under or for the enforcement of any of the provisions of this bill, it shall not be necessary to negative an exception or exemption and the burden of proof shall be upon the defendant or person proceeded against to establish affirmatively any exception or exemption claimed.

SFC. 25. Construction of bill.-That the provisions of this article shall be construed not as an act in derogation of the powers of the State, but as one intended to aid the State in the execution of its duties, and shall be liberally construed so as to carry into effect the objects and purposes hereof. The provisions of this bill, so far as they are substantially the same, or cover the same subject matter, as those of any law repealed by this act, shall be construed as a continuance of such repealed law, modified or amended, according to the language employed herein and not as new enactments. References in a law not repealed to the provisions of any law incorporated into this bill or repealed by it shall be construed as applying to the provisions so incorporated. The meaning and effect of the terms and language used herein shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of the statutory construction law.

The repeal of a law, or any part of it, by the provisions of this act, shall not affect or impair any act done or right accruing, accrued, or acquired, or penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred prior to the time when this act takes effect under or by virtue of the law so repealed, but the same may be asserted, enforced, prosecuted, or inflicted as fully and to the same extent as if such law had not been repealed; and all actions or proceedings, civil or criminal, com

menced under or by virtue of any law so repealed and pending when this act takes effect. may be prosecuted and defended to final effect in the same manner as they might under any such law so repealed.

Births and Deaths-Registration. (Act 257, July 11, 1918.)

SECTION 1. State board of health to have charge of registrations of births and deaths. That the State board of health shall have charge of the registration of births and deaths; shall prepare the necessary instructions, forms, and blanks for obtaining and preserving such records and shall procure the faithful registration of the same in each primary registration district as constituted in seetion 3 of this act, and in the central bureau of vital statistics of the State board of health in the city of New Orleans. The said board shall be charged with the uniform and thorough enforcement of the law throughout the State and shall from time to time recommend any additional legislation that may be necessary for this purpose.

SEC. 2. That the secretary of the State board of health shall have general supervision over the central bureau of vital statistics, which is hereby authorized to be established by said board, and which shall be under the immediate direction of the State registrar of vital statistics, whom the State board of health shall appoint within 30 days after the taking effect of this law, and who shall be a medical practitioner of not less than five years' practice in his profession and a competent vital statistician. The State registrar of vital statistics shall hold office for four years and until his successor has been appointed and has qualified, unless such office shall sooner become vacant by death, disqualification, operation of law, or other cause. Any vacancy occurring in such office shall be filled for the unexpired term by the State board of health. At least 10 days before the expiration of the term of office of the State registrar of vital statistics, his successor shall be appointed by the State board of health. The State registrar of vital statistics shall receive the annual salary at the rate of ------dollars from the date of his entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office. The State board of health shall provide for such clerical and other assistants as may be necessary for the purposes of this act, who shall serve during the pleasure of the board, and shall fix the compensation of persons thus employed within the amount appropriated therefor by the legislature. Suitable accommodations shall be provided in the offices of the board of health for the bureau of vital statistics, which shall be properly equipped with fireproof vault and filing cases for the permanent and safe preservation of all official records made and returned under this act.

SEC. 3. Registration districts.-That for the purposes of this act the State shall be divided into registration districts as follows: Each city, each incorporated town, and each police jury ward shall constitute a primary registration district: Provided, That the State board of health may combine two or more primary registration districts when necessary to facilitate registration, except the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleans, which together, is hereby constituted a separate and distinct primary district, and under the further exceptions and conditions hereinafter set out.

SEC. 4. That within 90 days after the taking effect of this act, or as soon thereafter as possible, the State board of health shall appoint a local registrar of vital statistics for each registration district in the State except for the registration district of the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleans. The term of office of each local registrar so appointed shall be four years, and until his successor has been appointed and has qualified, unless such office shall sooner

become vacant by death, disqualification, operation of law, or other causes: Provided, That in cities where health officers or other officials are, in the judg ment of the State board of health, conducting effective registration of births and deaths under local ordinances at the time of the taking effect of this act, such officials may be appointed as registrars in and for such cities, and shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the State registrar, and to all of the provisions of this act. Any vacancy occurring in the office of local registrar of vital statistics shall be filled for the unexpired term by the State board of health. At least 10 days before the expiration of the term of office of any such local registrar, his successor shall be appointed by the State board of health. Any local registrar so appointed who, in the judgment of the State board of health, fails or neglects to discharge efficiently the duties of his office as set forth in this act, or to make prompt and complete returns of births and deaths as required thereby, shall be forthwith removed by the State board of health, and such other penalties may be imposed as are provided under section 22 of this act: Provided, That in the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleans, the chairman of the board of health of the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleans, is now, by law, made ex officio recorder of births, deaths, and marriages for said city of New Orleans; shall be ex officio local registrar of births and deaths of the district of the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleans, and shall continue to be selected in the manner, hold office for the term, and be amenable and answerable only to the authority selecting or electing him as chairman of said board of health and be removable for the causes only, and in the manner now provided by law, and he shall have exclusive authority to appoint, control, and direct such deputies, subregistrars, and other assistants as he may deem necessary to carry out the purpose of this act and to remove same at pleasure. Local registrars.-Each local registrar so appointed by the State board of health shall, immediately upon his acceptance of appointment as such, appoint a deputy, whose duty it shall be to act in his stead in case of his absence or disability; and such deputy shall in writing accept such appointment, and be subject to all rules and regulations governing local registrars. And when it appears necessary for the convenience of the people in any rural district, the local registrar is hereby authorized, with the approval of the State registrar, to appoint one or more suitable persons to act as subregistrars, who shall be authorized to receive certificates and to issue burial or removal permits in and for such portions of the district as may be designated; and each subregistrar shall note, on each certificate, over his signature, the date of filing, and shall forward all certificates to the local registrar of the district within 10 days, and in all cases before the 3d day of the following month: Provided, That each subregistrar shall be subject to the supervision and control of the State registrar, and may be by him removed for neglect or failure to perform his duty in accordance with the provisions of this act or the rules and regulations of the State registrar, and shall be subject to the same penalties for neglect of duty as the local registrar: Provided, That in the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleans, the deputy recorder of births, deaths, and marriages now provided by law shall be ex officio deputy local registrar for the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleaus, shall be appointed by the chairman of the board of health for the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleans, shall hold office for the term, and under the exclusive direction and control of, and amenable and answerable only to, and be removable only by, the chairman of the board of health for the parish of Orleans and the city of New Orleans, and said deputy local registrar shall continue to exercise the authority now vested in him by law, and may sign or certify to any record, transcript, certificate, or other document required by this act to be