The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-04-29

the people Of the state against dis.
ease and to increase through better
health the happiness and prosperity
of the citizens.
It examines animals heads for
rabies and advises persons about the
preventive treatment. Through its
laboratories are examined the foods
and drugs sold in the state. The far
reaching effect of this alone can
hardly be conceived by those who
have not given it thought. Were this
work to be abandoned, Idaho, in few
months, would become the dumping
ground for those foods and drugs
which could not be sold in states
maintaining an efficient inspection.
Even coincident with the present in
spection there is a constant tendency
among producers Of all classes to slip
articles into the markets which are
not allowed under the food and drug
law. There are so many hundreds of
different foods and drugs and so many
different brands of each that the op-
portunity and incentive to put out
adulterated products can be minimized
only by the most systematic and hon
est inspection.
The State Board of Health is de-
voting constant attention to systemat-
lzlng this work to an even greater ex-
tent. 1t is cO-Ordinating the different
offices that execute the work so that
lost motion, duplication and diverg-
ence of effort shall become less, and
carefully planned and executed work
shall prevail.
During the present biennium new
plans have been formulated whereby
certain classes of foods or drugs or
both will be taken up in all parts of
the state at nearly the same time so
that every brand of an article will be
checked. This will soon give the
board broad view Of conditions over
the state as whole and greatly in
crease the efficiency Of the work over
the past several years.
| Through its laboratories it is work
ing in harmony with other departments
of the state government. 1t has al
ready analysed irrigation waters for
the state engineer and spraying mater
ial for the horticultural department.
This not only saves money to the state,
but gets quicker and more reliable ac.
ton than if samples had to be sent
out of the state for analysis.
During the next two years this kind
of work will be increased.
1t examined copper wire screen for
the capitol commission.
NO mother is any part of the state
need be uncertain why her baby is do
ing poorly. Her doctor may take a
sample Of her milk and submit it ITO
the laboratories for examination. One
should first write, stating conditions
and wait for proper containers and
directions.
No family with a we'll need to
wonder if the water is safe to drink.
BY corresponding it can arrange to
have the well tested.
Those using ditch water to fill els
terms can obtain advice about the best
practice and have the water analyzed
Members of the staff frequently con
Ter with manufacturers who want to
improve their products or install more
modern appliances. A very large
amount OF information on a great va
rlety OF subjects is on file in the var
lous offices Of the board and is avail
able to private and public individuals
and firms of all kinds who NAV call.
phone or write for it.
1t is the desire of the board to dis
semlnate information as broadly as
possible and it welcomes inquiries
about every subject. If the informa-
ton is not in it's own files it can
usually obtain it from the MANY
sources of information at its disposal.
1T is not possible tor the individual
to know about the numberless remedies
Offered to the public but he can easily
write to the board and find out about
the particular ones he IS interested in.
Any Of the above services are fur
nlshed upon application to DIR. Ralph
Falk, secretary, at Boise.
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