The board of health shall have power to cause any house or any premises to be cleansed, disinfected or closed to visitors and prevent persons from resorting thereto while any such house or premises contains any person laboring under any contagious or epidemic disease. The board of health may direct any nuisance to be abated, or unwholesome matter or substance, dirt or filth to be removed from any house or premises, and may prescribe the time and mode of doing so, and take any other measures it may deem necessary and proper to prevent the spread of any contagious or epidemic disease. (1956 Code, Sec. 8-11)