501

1. The commissioner shall have authority: (a) to make, at the expense of the state, examinations and analyses, at the request of any health officer or of any physician in accordance with the provisions of this article; (b) to enter into contracts with laboratories in localities accessible to the various portions of the state for the prompt examination of specimens received from local health officers or physicians and for the immediate report thereon, at the expense of the state; provided that all such laboratories shall conform to the standards of efficiency established by the public health council, and that no obligation shall be incurred by the commissioner in excess of the sums available therefor.