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Show 16 CONMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS sale of liquor in northern Minnesota, since which time activities have been resumed and the law enforced. On December 8, 1914, application made in the State court for a reatraining order against the o5cers of this service to prevent them from interfering with the business of the Bemidji Brewing Co. was dismissed, and on March 2, 1915, 745 barrels of beer were destroyed. I This enlargement of territory and other sections demanding atten-tion makes necessary a substantial increase in the appropriation for the suppression of the liquor tra5c among the Indians. The liguor situation as a whole is constantly improving and the $ sentiment among the people is strongly in sympathy with our work, regardless of the attitude of the individual on the queStion of prohibition as it is understood in white communities. HEALTH. The maintenance of good health is a prime requisite in the process of civiliziig the Indian and placing him upon a self-supporting, basis. Large sums of money and much scientific thought have been given to the improvement of sanitary conditions among these people. Results indicate that there has been wonderful improvement. Epidemics of whooping cough, measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, smallpox, and pneumonia have been met and dealt with as promptly and as consistently as available funds would permit. Cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever appeared at Warm Springs, Oreg., and Fort Apache, Aria., but epidemics of these diseases were successfully averted. . Tuberculosis among the Indians exceeds that among the white race and its prevention is a most important problem. Trachoma, with its resultant damaged vision, is a serious drawback to the Indian in his progress toward civilization. The medical force working in the field consists of 1 medical super-visor, 1 assistant medical supervisor, 1 special supervisor, 7 special physicians, 7 field dentists, 6 field nurses, l21 regular and 61 con-tract physicians, 81 nurses, and 78 field matrons. Supervisors are required to keep in touch with the rapidly increesing knowledge of appropriate prophylactic measures to check the spread of disease, and after studying the local conditions at each school and on each reservatioh to suggest ways and means for improving the health and sanitary conditions of the Indians. The vital truth of right living, preservation of health, and pre-vention of disease are being taught in the schools. An essay contest on the subject of tuberculosis has demonstrated that the Indian pupils have gained a considerable knowledge of its etiology. The traveling medical officials carry stereopticon slides illustrating the |
