A WELL-ROUNDED COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Abstract

THE subject is a large one requiring pages to amplify, with a mind capable of broad survey of health work. A well rounded health department is an organization that moves along, accomplishing the things essential to the betterment of community health in a broad and tactful way, keeping in mind that the success of the work hinges on educating the public in all the aspects of preventive medicine. As intimated the subject is very extensive, too much so for the essayist, who acknowledges his limitations. The subject of preventive medicine and the application of the principles reach out into the life of every individual. It centers there, having for the object just one aim, to conserve life, by health promotion. The conservation of life begins before birth and extends well into the age of senility. The ideal of a health department then, is the reduction of the death rate to the attainable minimum, correspondent to environment, with two points of consideration-intelligence and topographical surroundings. With this vision kept in mind, the requirements of a health department are multitudinous, permeating into all the activities of society, individually and collectively, necessitating men and women acquainted with the human traits of character as well as trained in the science of public health. The administration of a health department may be classified under two headings-Touch and Mechanics: that of touch as it relates to contact; mechanics to the art of practical application. While there may be occasions for drastic measures, force as an instrument of obtaining compliance with health laws tends to antagonize. In former times it was necessary for the health officer to command obedience to health statutes and he very often had to resort to warrants of arrest to compel his orders, but now, as a result of the great advances made in preventive medicine, which have been widely diffused through educational channels the' public understand the importance of dise,ase control, making such a step seldom necessary. The better way is by harmonizing the department to the environment, keeping in mind that it exists as an educational institution, that its development is gradual, and that patience with persuasion and time will accomplish gratifying results. There is one point of significance which should be kept constantly before the personnel of a health department, that is, that a health department operates for all, regardless of politics, race or religion. Politics should be repulsed on every hand because of the weakening influences which will eventually be brought to bear over the independence and initiative of the staff. To ignore even slightly a race of people lessens the effectiveness of a well rounded health department, while proselyting has no place on a well rounded health program. There are three classes, independent of each other, that are engaged or concerned with health promotion: the physician, the public and the health department. The three comprise the entire community and to combat disease and save life they must be brought together and work as one. We may say that the'sponsor of preventive medicine is the medical profession and unless the stamp of approval is given by this altruistic body a health unit will be as withered grass. The doctor Nmust be respected. He is respectful to a health department when the health officer and nurses remain on the ground assigned to them.