Putnam patriot., 1924-08-22

before, entirely dependent on the dis eretiop of the health officer. single individual on whose shoulders rest whatever action is necessary. The wonder of 1t all is that those citizens appointed 10 serve on this entirely powerless board of health are willing to have their names so used The city charter gives no authority to the Board of Health. IL may be consult ed but 1t cannot act. and it is almost never consulted. Meanwhile the bur den of responsibility rests with Health officer Gardner-and the council. Mir. Gardner fulfills his duties wisely and well. but one cannot but wonder if from time to time, he does not feel the load is little too much for his broad and capable shoulders. In the matter or local epidemic, would not Putnam residents feel more secure if they knew that MT. Gardner was act ing under the direction and with the approval of a competent Board of nealtha But until there is some re- vision of the city charter the Board of Health will continue to be what 1t is. q wholly fictitious body in the matter of work or in value to the city.
 NHotGE or DoArd
 Looking up the section of the city charter regarding the choosing of a board of health. we found Section 22. with the caption Board of Health" The first paragraph of this section says. eThe council shall constitute board ef health and may exercise all power and authority which fl shall iudge necessary and proper for the prevention and spread of disease of any kind and then the next para eranh gives the council power to ap- point 4 board of health of five reuuta- bic citizens This section is rather contradictory, certainly, since iirat # says that the council is a board of health and then gives that body pow er to appoint a board The 1nly duty
 pee deailv given the board of health is contained in the next few lines w.1en # is stated that the body in e0- operation with the mayor. health oiii- cer and council may order removed from a property any filthy substance likely to h, injurious to the pubic health. Aside from this the Putnam noard of Health has no powers or du- ties defined by either the ordinances or city charter
 Has Never Funeiioned
 Inquiring into the history of the board of health. we found that never since the incorporation of the city has Putnam had a board which met reg ularly and functiened. Though Il board was chosen every two years the members of 1t were quick to grasp the undesirabilitv of their position as members of a committee which might be liable to severe censure in ease of an epidemic, but which had nc powers of any sort 4 case of everything to lose and nothing to gain.
 An attempt was made once since the war to reorganize the board and put it on a working basis. State Health Commissioner John T. Black. since resigned. and Dr. Stanley H. Osborne of the department of contagious dis eases, now commissioner, met with the members of the local board ard dis cussed the situation. An investigation by these men into the powers which the charter gave the committee forced them Co the conclusion that the board of health of the city of Putnam was able to accomplish little or nothing with the present limit imposed upon it's rowers by the charter and ordi- nances. Generally it Is the custom of most of the members of the board to resign at the first meeting after their appointment. It is not that they are unwilling to serve the city even though the position of membership on the board of health carries no remunera- ton, but will not do so on such pow erless committee.
 The State Board
 Of late the state health commission has grown in power and prominence, and 1t is much more common now than formerly to have a representative of this board come to our city and advise the local health officer, and consult with the local physicians, especially in regard to contagious diseases. Per- haps the next step will be the appoint ment of full time district health off, eer. man particularly skilled in san- itatior. symptcmatology and preven- tion of contagious diseases and other public health matters with a territory comprising several townships.
 A city of the size of Putnam needs. however. under present conditions some local supervision over matters pertaining to the public health, such as garbage disposal, water eontamina- ton. pure milk, and sewerage eonnec- ti0ns.
 Since the duties and the remunera- tion of the health officer in Putnam do not appeal to the busy physician. and of late years a layman has usual ly held the position, il seems that a step in the right direction would be the appointing of capable health board to hold regular meetings. with powers of acting in matters which should rightfully come under its su- pervision. and a sufficient appr0pr.a tion Go put these powers into play.
 BALLARD FAMILY HISTORY