The Expanded Rôle of the Sanitarian

Abstract

IN the field of environmental sanitation in the local health program our concepts of service have undergone a remarkable change in recent years. Our increasing knowledge of the etiology of disease and control of morbid conditions has called for changes of methods and a shifting of emphasis, activities, personnel, and point of view. The attitude of the people in this country toward the responsibility of the government-federal, state, and local-in public health is crystallizing toward a more rational widespread public health program. While it is clear that there is this steadily increasing demand on the part of the public for a more comprehensive program, there is likewise developing a demand for an improvement in the quality of the services rendered. Such factors are having a tremendous influence on the development of the sanitation program and call for an understanding of the role the sanitarian shall play in the expanding program of local health service. In a discussion of the role and qualifications of sanitation personnel in the local health program there is generally a divergence of views. It appears that these discussions take two trends; that is, there are those who approach the problem from the theoretical and academic standpoint and those who look