THE OUTLOOK OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORK 



organizations. This situation also has been very much 

 improved, and more and more the two classes of organiza- 

 tions are learning to cooperate with each other amicably 

 and effectually. There were at one time a large and unneces- 

 sary number of voluntary organizations devoted to health 

 work. They did not get along well with the official agencies 

 or among themselves. Within the past decade there has 

 been a beneficial condensation of these agencies into a 

 much smaller number of well-organized and, in general, 

 well-financed associations having definite objectives and 

 able personnel. Their power for good has undoubtedly 

 been greatly increased thereby. 



The need for voluntary health agencies arises chiefly 

 from the fact that there are a number of things which 

 should be done in health work but which, in the present 

 state of popular opinion, are not a proper charge upon the 

 taxpayer. Much good has also been done in the past by 

 calling public attention to certain needful activities, demon- 

 strating the possibility of useful work along these lines, 

 and eventually securing their promotion as a part of the 

 official health work. On the other hand, an efficient health 

 official, with his broad view of all the health needs of his 

 community, will often discover a hiatus in the scheme 

 which he is unable to fill, with the funds or authority at 

 his command, but which a voluntary organization could 

 fill admirably. It is becoming recognized as the best official 

 practice in such contingencies for the health official to 

 seek the aid of the voluntary association. 



The organization of official health work is readily under- 

 stood when once the Constitution of the United States and 

 that of the particular state concerned are considered. 

 Legislative and police powers reside in the states. A 

 minimum of authority has been delegated to the Federal 

 Government by the states, which, so far as health matters 

 are concerned, extends only to international and interstate 



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