It shall be the duty of the county commissioners, at the expense of their county, to provide suitable means for warming the county jail and its cells or apartments, beds and bedding, and such other permanent fixtures and to make such repairs as may be prescribed by the district judge or the State Department of Health. The commissioners shall also have power to appoint a medical officer to the jail and pay him such salary as they may think reasonable and proper, which shall be drawn out of the county treasury, and said medical officer or any physician or surgeon who may be employed in the jail shall make a report in writing whenever required by said commissioners, district judge or grand jury.