The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-04-29
STATE BoARD OF HzALrH
WHAr IL DoEs

1t furnishes literature about the cause
and prevention of preventable diseases,
written in plain language 90 that any
one can understand it. 1t distributes a
weekly press bulletin to all of the news
nnpers and many citizens of the state.
1t plans to furnish anti-typhoid vac
cine free to the public in so far as its
resources will permit. 1t furnishes
statistics showing what anti-typhoid
vaccination has done in the prevention
of typhoid fever.
If an epidemic occurs in any com
munity, it sends an expert to investi-
gate the cause and recommend means
for prevention; If the local authorities
are unable to control the situation, the
Board of Health takes charge Of the
situation until the epidemic is con
trolled. A recent example of such work
was the sending Of DR.. Laubaugh, bac-
teriologist, to briggs to diagnose and
control an epidemic. This was diagnos.
ed as septic sore throat and the source
traced down to contaminated water
supply.
1t furnishes to the individual and
to towns and county boards of health
advice, and assistance at any time
without cost.
l
for consumption, typhoid fever, diph
liberia, malaria and gonorrhoea, free OF
cost, upon request of any citizen of the
state. Examinations for syphilis are
made at cost as are also many other ex
aminations of strictly private nature
1t examines the brain and spinal cord
of animals suspected of having hydro
phobia.
1t sends mailing cases without charge
in which to send in specimens for ex
animation.
If a town, institution or individual
is contemplating the installation of a
water or sewer system it furnishes free
advice as to the best methods, and
passes on any proposed plans.
Its laboratories examine public water
supplies of cities, towns and villages
making an inspection of the supplies
when necessary, in addition to the
chemical and meteorological examina
tions. 1t examines private water sup
plies upon request. Plans and circu
lars are prepared and distributed on
the protection and installation Of wa.
ter supplies.
Its laboratories and pure food and
sanitary department keep careful
check upon the public milk supplies of
the state.
1t inspects, through the pure food and
sanitary department, upon request, any
public or private institution, or any
city, town or village, and recommends
the things necessary for sanitary i'm
provement.
| 1t sends lecturers to public meetings
whenever possible, to speak on any
health question, without charge.
1t keeps an accurate, legal record
OF the two most important events in
the life of every citizen-his birth
and his death, so that to-day, or hun
record will be available for any of
the many purposes for which it will
be needed.
1t inspects, through the sanitary in
spection department, every hotel in the
state at least once each year, and sees
that the sanitary requirements of the
law are complied with.
| 1t inspects regularly the sources of
water furnished by railroads to their
passengers for drinking, to see that
they are of the proper purity, and
grants certificates of purity. No rail
road may continue to use water
supply unless such certificate of
purity is granted.
1t inspeets the schools of the state,
through the county health officers, and
corrects unsanitary conditions. Each
school report is gone over by an ex-
pert and where conditions are found
to be bad, correction through the local
school board is obtained. Many cases
of bad lighting, ventilation, heating
and unsanitary conditions have been
corrected. All plans for new school
houses are checked over to correct
faults.
The experts employed by the board
are constantly seeking to find out new
truths regarding the prevention of
disease, which may be of value to the
health Of the people of Idaho.
1t collects reports of all contagious
and infectious diseases and stands
at all times on guard against epidemic
or pestilence.
1t seeks by every means to guard