El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-08-31
Joint HEALTH OFFICER FOR CITY
AND COUNTY is BADLY NEEDED
IBy c. 4

y ONE Of the prevailing conditions existing at the county
hospital and in health and sanitary circles generally
- in the city and county of FL Paso could be remedied if
the city and county should adopt the plan suggested by
Rotary club committee.
This committee suggested the appointment Of health
officer for the city and county jointly, man to give his
entire time to the work Under direction the sanitary
and health work Of the city and county would be carried
Such man, though not drawing as much money as
paid to men, could be paid sufficiently to en-
all his time the health Of the two
and could no doubt evolve system of effective coopera-
ton that would result IN saving TO both city and county
and at the same time improve conditions generally
The Rotary plan IS that the sanitary and health work
Of the city and county be continued at present, but
that officer be director Of all the work and that
The city chemist besides doing the work now required Of
him by the city, also apothecary for the county
clinic This IS but the first step The two departments
would eventually be combined, the county bearing
percentage Of all expenses and the city another portion
In Bexsr county this done according FL PasO doc
tors the county bearing 90 percent of the cost and the city
40 percent This applies TO the operation Of hos
Pta In this county because Of the sparse population Of
the county the percentage might be reversed but in any
event. money could be saved and better service could be
given the ndgents Of the county and city by combining
health departments.
IF such combination is not possible at present the
5int city and county health official should be named
possible and his Recommendations for other
pl0yes in the city and county health departments be
spected Such official should be far pos
sble from political influence and the appointed under
him should be selected because Of merit not because Of
political standing pull.
The entire blame for the condition the county hos
Ptal cannot be placed upon the existing condition, Of
course ueall4 OllCeI 10 lne
work of the tys and county health, he would be in
closer touch with the work and thus better position
TO the things needed. When physician IS named
city county health officer at the small salary paid
he be expected to devote his entire time the
work. he cannot live upon the measy salary paid in either
position The consequence IS that private practice must be
protected and naturally the public cannot receive
the attention II needs
Our dependents are not of our choosing their own
but such through unfortunate circumstances They
consideration and As important their care
however is the general health Of the community
should be guarded constantly and carefully One
responsible for all the work accomplish than
with divided responsibilities With division respou-
sibty there IS always temptation shift this respon-
sibty This is said without reference individuals but
with reference solely the system Placing the respon
bty upon the shoulders Of and making him re-
sponsble for II all, makes him feel the necessity
shouldering the burden and doing his best.
There is for the consolidation of many DEPART
ments Of city and county government for the
offices Of and collectors taxes recently sug
gested by county Judge McClntock the politicians
may not be ready for this Consolidate the health depart
meHts starter to be followed later by similar
combinations deemed advisable Services will be improved
and taxes VIII be saved.