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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    Probably the most important need is the development of the local health service. Doubtless the department can best determine Just what arrangement of municipal or county health officers is most feasible, but a primary need, with any form of local health service, is direct super- vision by the state department of health through its own inspectors. The department is desirous of developing a division of industrial hygiene and if local conditions are favorable for placing this in the health department it would be advantageous to do so. WEST VIRGINIA Until 1914 the State Board of Health was little more than an examin- ing board for physicians. Although a rich state with a population of 1 250 000 only $2,500 a year was appropriated for the state department of health In 1914 this was raised to $15,000. The form of organization is not the best, as the appointment of the executive officer by the governor and the terms of the board, which are such that half expire at one time tend to throw this department into politics. The board has no executive power and very little and illy defined legislative power. . ^ Since this was written a law has been enacted which Provides for a Commissioner of Health and a Public Health Council. The latter is Sven great legislative power. Both the Council and the Commissioner have verv considerable execvitive power. LocaTsanitary organization is no. ^ t^l rnnkanres and contagious diseases is poor. The latter are impenecuj The department has to be greatly expanded. There a bulletin but this educationa]^ work need^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ is no adequate control of water .s^PPi^^s ^. ^ statistics according to the executive, ^YPho'd f^eve sufficient are very defective and the jodel law shou d P money appropriated to P^operly en orc^ it P ^^^^ for the free distribution of^antitoxm ^^^.^ ,^ tive ample provision should be mac e m .^^^ tuberculosis authorized by the -w lawO Th ^-'^ educational of about sixty beds. $ Of^O ^^^^^^^ with exhibit and lecturers work in this disease and an exmu 1913 1914 traversed the ^^/^^e durmg the a on 0 9^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ There is a hotel law and mspe , requiring cer- ^^^^^ *Vk,aSivit,L'';tV: SarirnrS. .o ->e .rea* enactment of .1;= model registration law, with an appropriation sufficient to administer it.