[Local health administration: basis for a basic approach]

Meaning and impact of local sanitary units are revised, with reference to the most remarkable moments of its evolution within a proposal for organizing Public Health Services (I). Ways in which its administration is achieved are highlighted as important factors in the process of fulfilling its objectives (II). A technique is proposed to provide the administrator with proper knowledge of routine of the organization (III). Fundamental principles of planning (IV), administration (V), management (VI) and control (VIII) are applied to the local sanitary unit.