A report on state public health work based on a survey of State Boards of Health / by Charles V. Chapin.

  • Charles V. Chapin
Date:
[1915]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A report on state public health work based on a survey of State Boards of Health / by Charles V. Chapin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    Even with efficient and adequate epidemiologic work on the part of the state department of health it can only be partially successful until there is better local sanitary administration. Educational work needs to be extended and all modern methods made use of, particularly exhibits. Definite campaigns should be organized for the prevention of malaria, typhoid fever and for the prevention of infant mortality and for child hygiene. Tuberculosis has apparently been much neglected in Georgia and should receive special attention. A modern sewage and water law is needed and an engineer to enforce it. IDAHO Most of the work of the department of health is done by the dairy and food inspector who is also sanitary inspector, inspector of drugs, humane officer and sealer of weights and measures. Besides regular food and drug work, including milk and the scoring of dairies, he also examines local water supplies, enforces the hotel law, inspects slaughter houses, markets, groceries, restaurants and all places where food is handled and also barber shops and bathing places. He has five depu- ties, four clerks and a chemist. Although appointed by the board of health he works independently of it. The last incumbent did a good deal of publicity work and was a skilful advertiser. It has been alleged that politics has sadly interfered with the administration of this important office. Outside of the food inspector's office the department does some edu- cational work by means of press articles, exhibits and lantern lectures. The state has adopted the model registration law somewhat modified, but has only one clerk to administer it. There is a good diagnostic laboratory at Boise, with a branch at the State University at Moscow, but the latter needs another labora- tory man. More clerical force is needed for perfecting vital statistics. There should be a better control of communicable diseases under a full time epidemiologist. Provision should be made for the distribution of antitoxins and vaccines and the work of the diagnostic laboratory should be further developed. A modern water and sewage law is needed and a full time engineer. Educational work should be increased and specific campaigns carried on for child welfare and against tuberculosis and typhoid fever. The department ought to be reorganized. The board is partly ex officio, which is not desirable. There should be a board of five or seven, one appointed each year for a term of five or seven years, and without executive power other than the election of an executive officer, who should not be a member of the board. The executive should be a full time man. The legislative power of the board, which is now somewhat uncertain, should be defined. The people of Idaho should demand that the whole department be kept absolutely free from politics of every kind. «