Section 4. The commissioner, with the approval of the council, shall from time to time divide the state into not more than eight health districts. He may from time to time order two or more district health officers to work in one district, in order to study, suppress or prevent disease. Each district health officer shall act as the representative of the commissioner, and under his direction shall secure the enforcement within his district of the laws and regulations relating to public health. He shall have the powers and perform the duties set forth in this chapter, and, under the direction of the commissioner, shall perform such other duties as he may prescribe.