1850

Publication of Lemuel Shattuck’s Report of a General Plan for the Prevention of Public and Personal Health, “the most famous document of the American public health movement,” proposing establishment of general board of health and local boards of health to supervise implementation of comprehensive sanitary measures” (Ellis, ch 1).  1856-60:  Four successive national conventions on sanitary reform and quarantine regulations following outbreak of yellow fever in south in 1850s led to formation of United States Sanitary Commission in 1861 to assist union army medical dept and provide medical services for Union soldiers (Ellis, ch 1).