The board of county commissioners of any county of this state may establish within its county a full–time county health department and provide for the maintenance thereof. Full–time health departments shall be construed to be an organization under the immediate direction of a health officer and employing trained public health personnel who shall devote their entire working time to the prevention of disease and the promotion of public health.

Source: SL 1953, ch 129, § 1; SDC Supp 1960, § 27.18A01.