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Service and bring that knowledge to such temporary specialists as may from time to time be retained, so that the division coordinates the specialized knowledge of the Indian Service with the best knowledge gained by other organizations doing related work. The permanent specialists, if well qualified for their positions, will know and be in contact with the workers in their field in other organizations and will know what they are doing, and thus can advise the Commissioner regarding whom to retain for special projects.
To attempt at this time to say precisely what permanent positions should be created would be unwise, because time has not been available for a thorough discussion of the subject with the various officers of the Service and others whose detailed knowledge should be brought to bear on it. A valuable purpose will, however, be served by discussing briefly the needs as they have been seen by the members of the staff of the present survey.
Health. Promotion of health and the relief of the sick are functions of such extreme importance that they always merit first consideration. Fortunately at present the Indian Service is probably better equipped for planning and developmental work in the field of health than in any other branch of its activities. The present administration has already taken a great step in advance in enlisting the whole-hearted cooperation of the Public Health Service. The chief medical officer of the Indian Service is a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service. He is well equipped for planning and developmental work. As is set forth at length in the special report relating to health, he should be supplied with a small staff of specialists to aid him in developing and perfecting the specialized medical services which must be rendered. The position of epidemiologist at present authorized should be filled. New positions should be created for specialists representing the fields of tuberculosis, trachoma, child hygiene, venereal disease, and hospital administration. Their duties should be primarily consultive rather than administrative, and much of their time should be available for work with the Division of Planning and Development. Other needs for medical specialists can doubtless be supplied from time to time by further details from the Public Health Service in such a way that the extensive and varied resources of that strong organization will be available for the Indian Service. As has previously been