Health, BILL OF

Health, BILL OF, in Shipping, is a document carried by every British ship, unless engaged in the coasting trade, or specially exempted. It is granted at home by the customs, and abroad by the British consular agent, or, if there is no such person, by a British merchant or foreign consul. When no contagious or infectious disease is known to exist at the place of departure, the bill is 'clean;' when there is reason to fear the appearance of such disease, the bill is 'suspected;' when such disease actually exists, the bill is 'foul.' The practice of other countries is identical. See QUARANTINE.