The year was 1904 :
One man’s liberty, they declared in a 7-2 ruling handed down
cannot deprive his neighbors of their own liberty
— in this case by allowing the spread of disease
“There are manifold restraints to which every person is necessarily subject
for the common good,” read the majority opinion.
“On any other basis, organized society could not exist
with safety to its members Society based on the rule that each one is a law unto himself
would soon be confronted with disorder and anarchy.”
“Real liberty for all could not exist under the operation of a principle which recognizes the right of each individual person to use his own, whether in respect of his person or his property, regardless of the injury that may be done to others.”