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Show XLYIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSJONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. physicians mere, males, 606; females, 553; total births, 1,159; of this number 1,046 are Indians, 99 half-breeds, and 11 are whites. The limited number of births reported is accounted for by the peculiar social c ~ ~ s t oinm r ogue among the Indians,%hich causes them to regard the mention of a birth as an indelicacy, and which precludes the physicians from ascertaining and reporting any except those which come under their immediate observation. The same remarks appl~. also to the deaths. Thennmber vaccinated successfully was 6,951; nusnccessfully, 2,029 ; total vaccinated, 8,980. The medical corps consists of 64 physicians, and the inferertce is t,hat they have faithfully performed the duty assigned them. The physicians are steadily gaining t,he confidenceof the Indians, and the power of the native "medicine man7' is surely and gradually waning. The marked .contrast between the civilized method of caring for the sick, compared with the barbarous method of the native I'medicine man," has accom-plished and is accomplishing much to induct the Indians into the meth-o d ~an d customs of Christian and civilized mankind. To the uutu-tored mind of the Indians every action, to be effective, must have a practical bearing ; every endeavor to advance them in the scale of civil-ization most present a phase looking to their individual temporal well-being. This is strictly true and demoustrable as to the pl~psician'ss kill and surgeods art. When the lengt.11 of time (three or four years) which is required for the physician to familiarize himself with the language, habits, and mental peculiarities of Indians is taken into consideration, and also the diplo. macy which is reqnirerl to obtain and maintain their confidence9 it is obvious that it is specially dexirable to procure efficient and, if possible, permanent medical officers of pronounced moral and temperate habits, of great will power, capable of making good and enduring impressions on the Indians. It is detrimerltal to the service to be continually ckaug- Ing medical oBicars. In connection with permanent medical officers, a system should be inaugurated of caring for the blind, insane, and destitute aged Indians. COAL DISCOVERIES ON THE WHITE MOUNTAIN INDIAN RESERVATION, ARIZONA. In the early part of last year valuable deposits of coal were discov-ered mithin the limits of what is generally known as the San Carlos division of the White Mo~~utaiInd ian Re~ervationin Arizona Terri-tory. Owing to the scarcity of mood or other fuel in that section of Arizona, the news of the discoveries created intense excitement, and speculators, miners, aud prospectors poured in upon the reservat~on, thereby greatly endangering tlte peace of the Territory. No serious ' trouble occurred, however, and by the exercise of prompt and vigorous measures the reservation was finally cleared of intruders and tranquil- ;ity restored. |