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Show 36 COBI~SSIONER OX INDIAN AFFAIRS. , . . . . especially among camp Indians; -A mseW tuberculosis in ah intelli- . ' gent white patient is discouraging enough; in an Indian it is more so, especially wben the Indian refuses and avoids treatment and when modern means of treatment are not furnished. The use of alcohol is not dwelt on to any extent, hut suchevidence as was forwarded show tbat its use, especially on reservations which have been opened to white settlement, is on the increase. Its use increases indirectly the liability to tuberculosis and other diseases among the Indians as it does among other races. 3. A change from barbarous to civilized modes of life tends to improve the health conditions, provided such a change is made intelli-gently and they are taught to observe ordinary rules of hygiene and cleanliness. 4. Syphilis is not widespread among theIndiius. Some of the phy-sicians attribute the scrofula seen to hereditary syphilis, but the opin-ion is almost universal that secondary and tertiary evidences of this diewe are rarely observed. Other venereal diseases are sometimes seen. 5. Eye diseases, as trachoma or gmnulated lids, and skin diseases are prevalent and ark due mainly to uncleanliness, and in the case of diseases of the eye, neglect of simple inflammations. 6. Of other diseases, pneumonia and mernles are perhaps most ' fatal, since the Indian has not yet acquired any immunity against these diseases. In summing up it may be mid that the physical welfare of the I n d i i is, and always must be, the fundamental consideration in any scheme to educate or civilize him. It is impossible to develop his mental and moral capabilities without healthy material to work on, and the Government has no right to deny him ordinary health condi-tions. Indeed, it would seem that knowing the Indian's frailties and his lack of. resistance toward certain grave maladies, an effort should be made to give him even more than ordinary sanitary attention rather than attempt to improve his mind at the expense of his body. There is no doubt but that in some schools inferior medical servioes are pro-cured in order tbat more money may be used for the hire of teachers, while sanitary matters are made subservient to those of less impor-tance for the sake of cutting down expense. hsed upon the information deduced from the above, acircular letter was sent to all schools and agencies, as follows: Realizing the gravity of these conditionsand the fact that the healthof the Indiana is of prime importance in the pro- of his edncstion and civilization, the following instructions to superintendents and physicians are promulgated: 1. Physicha shall be required to make thomagh and rigid examinations of all pupils proposed for enrollment. Special attention is to be given to the phpies.1 examination of the chest, the presence or absence of cough, sore throat, or other |