from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
CONTAGIOUS DISORDERS, police, crim. law. Diseases which are capable of being
transmitted by mediate or immediate contact.
2. Unlawfully and injuriously to expose persons infected with the
smallpox or other contagious disease in the public streets where persons are
passing, or near the habitations of others, to their great danger, is
indictable at common law. 1 Russ. Cr. 114. Lord Hale seems to doubt whether
if a person infected with the plague, should go abroad with intent to infect
another, and another should be infected and die, it would not be murder; and
he thinks it clear that though there should be no such intent, yet if
another should be infected, it would be a great misdemeanor. 1 Pl. Cor. 422.
Vide 4 M. & S. 73, 272; Dane's Ab. h.t.