Arizona republican., 1910-12-23

 ON HEALTH Movement 10 Consolidate All Authorities in County DISCUSSION OF THE PLANS Unanimity of Sentiment Was Expressed - Only Question Is the Devising of Practical and Legal Methods of Operation.

The initial step was taken Wednes- day in what the promoters believe will ultimately prove to be the most | beneficial move ever made for the | safeguarding of the health of the peo- i pie of this county. More than that, ! they hope that other counties will in due time follow the example of Mari copa when the latter's plans have been worked out. to the end that all will be done that can be done through organization for the correction of sanitary conditions and the proven ton of disease throughout the terri tory. The occasion was q conference between the district attorney. the city council. the board of supervisors. the territorial superintendent of public health. the county board of health the Phoenix city physician and varj- ous other interested persons
 The purpose of the conference was to discuss the practicability of con solidating the health offices of the city and county. that all sanitary ad- ministration might be under one of ficial head; that better organization could be secured: that the funds of
 
 be made more effective Tor good work; that there might be proper au- thority vested in one head that would not cross with others in administra- tion; that the combined health office might be equipped to accomplish much that cannot now be done: that bacteriological equipment might be secured; ard to do lot of other things along the lines suggested by the above.
 It was known that some legislation would be necessary before all that is desired could be accomplished, but ir was hoped through the conference to determine just how far the county supervisors could go in the eXpendi- Iure of public funds along these lines. To that end the presence of District Attorney Bullard was very desirable, that his opinions might be secured. MT. Bullard said that under a strict interpretation of the law he did not believe the county board of health had authority to employ other than the county superintendent of health, except during -pidcmics. At least, il is presumed that was the idea of the IeiSlSidluIt lil lllt eIdtlilltlll Ol StC- ton 32 of the law, yet by going back further it might be presumed the in- tent was to protect the public health. Preventive medicine and sanitary sci ence have progressed so rapidly in recent years, it is presumed that med ical officers are tO prevent epidemics rather than to stop them when they are started. Mir. Bullard's opinion was that the county could lease the use of the city's laboratory and the city's meteorological expert, when these are provided. for work to be done Tor the benefit of people living outside the lines of incorporated cities. -x
 The movement is along the lines advanced by Dr Mccormack. who recently lecuIred in Phoenix. and To- cally was undertaken by Dr. Beau champ. city health officer. who more than any other. assembled all inter ests for Wednesdays conference. Dr. J. w Foss opened the meeting by outlining it's purpose. Not much progress was made at the conference in the way of working out a plan but the question was left under the advisement of the board of supervisors, or, in fact, of all pres ent, in the hope that it would be talk en up and a beginning made toward