 The board was established to confine and treat the smallpox epidemic in the territory, and had wide powers to carry out this mission.The Board of Health established vaccination programs among native populations in the District of Keewatin based on legislation that continued well after the Council was dissolved.Mr Nursey was despatched by Governor Morris in February 1877 with a quarantine party to Lake Winnipeg to establish a northern quarantine and sanitary cordon between the City of Winnipeg and the infected area.