Colonial Public Health Events
•1712 Provincial Legislature passes an act that created the first provincial health officer in America.  Commissioner Gilbert Guttery was the first, and last, person to hold the position, which was abolished in 1721.
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Charleston had America’s first health officer, Commissioner Gilbert Guttery.  He was empowered to board and inspect all incoming ships before passengers were allowed to come on shore.
Support for quarantine measures fluctuated, becoming of greater interest when epidemics struck. Enthusiasm for quarantine and sanitation waned between epidemics.


State Board of Health.  Tricentennial Report on Health 1670-1970.  Columbia, SC. State Board of Health, 1970.