what is a Cheif Sanitary Officer?

I went on http://yellowfever.lib.virginia.edu/reed/finlay.html and one of the sentences says " Finlay concluded his career as the Cheif Sanitary Officer of Cuba, a position he held it for eight years before retiring in 1909. What is a Cheif Sanitary Officer?

Public Comments

1. like a health official
2. They probably meant Chief Security Officer. E-mail them and ask if they meant sanitary or security officer! However, since it was many years ago, it could very well be "sanitary officer."
3. He made sure all the poo and pee got directed to the right place without incident.