(1) Each county in the state is authorized in its discretion to create a county health department and to appropriate funds for its support. A director for the same shall be appointed in accordance with Section 41-3-37 and certified to the board of supervisors of the county. Said director shall be a licensed physician, well trained in health work and shall be required to give his entire time to the work.

(2)

(a) The State Board of Health may create public health districts of two (2) or more counties for the purpose of administering health programs and supervising public health workers in the district. The state board of health or its executive officer shall appoint for each such district created a district director, who shall be a licensed physician, well trained in public health work, who shall give his entire time to the work. The district director may serve as county health officer of any or all counties in the district.

(b) The boards of supervisors of the counties comprising a public health district are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to appropriate funds for the support of the public health district from the general funds of the counties; and pursuant to Section 19-9-97, to levy additional taxes for the support of county or district health departments.

(3) When any county or counties create a health department hereunder, then all other local or municipal or county public health agencies and departments are thereby automatically abolished, and said county and district health departments shall have full control over all health matters in said county and counties, including all municipalities therein, subject to the supervision, direction, and jurisdiction of the state board of health. The proper authorities of any municipality in the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized in their discretion to make an appropriation for the support of such county or district health department from the general funds of such municipality.