EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION 223 



the county, at least in counties having less than 

 15,000 inhabitants outside of the county seat. 

 Such an office should be supported at least in part 

 by the county. 



Whether such combination be made or not in 

 the general health administration of rural dis- 

 tricts, it is quite possible, and an evident advan- 

 tage, for neighboring cities and villages to em- 

 ploy the services of the same veterinarian. Thus 

 it would be more easy to have the full time officer, 

 who may thus devote his entire attention to pre- 

 vention of disease, rather than a part of the time 

 of one whose real interest is in another field of 

 study. 



The man whose living depends upon his treat- 

 ment of either human or animal diseases finds that 

 his private business is most urgent, just when his 

 official duties are most pressing — during epi- 

 demics. Self-interest compels him to neglect his 

 public work. 



176. Records. Records of the offices should be 

 so kept that at any time those responsible will be 

 able to tell the exact condition of affairs imder 

 their supendsion. The local commissioner should 

 Ivnow just how many cases there may be of infec- 

 tious disease in his jurisdiction, and where 

 located ; and by means of his reports similar infor- 

 mation should be obtainable in the state office. 



177. Reports. The outbreak of any infectious 

 disease in a locality should be at once announced 

 to the state office, those for animal diseases going 

 to the state veterinarian. There should, in addi- 

 tion be weekly reports showing the number of new 

 cases, number recovered, and number deceased. 



