| OCR Text |
Show 18 COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIBS. Laguna show that this method of hating active cases is of increas-ing value. The capacity of the Laguna Sanitorium has been in-creased to 34 and Sac and Fox to 88. The East Farm Sanitorium at Phoenix and the one at Fort Lapwai care for 100 each. During the fiscal year 1915 arrangements were effected for the erection of . sanatoria at the Carson, Blackfeet, Turtle Mountain, Cheyeme and Arapaho, Pima, and Mescalero Reservations. In line with the above, a part of available funds were used in the purchase of material for the correction of defects in sanitation in the Indian homes. Especial attention is being given to better disposal of sewage and protection of water supplies from contami-nation. Arrangements have been made with the United States Public Health Service for the examination of pathologic specimens by the laboratories of that bureau which may be received from medical 05- cers in the Indian Service. This courtesy will facilitate diagnosis. The relation between diseased teeth and the development of sys-temic disease was recognized by the field dentists and led to a cam-paign for better methods of caring for the teeth and the elimination of oral sepsis. Pyorrhea (Rigg's disease) was found to be prevalent and measures were at once instituted directed toward the correction of this condition. The insane asylum for Indians is located in Canton, S. Dak., and has 51 patients, the limit of its capaciw. Under present conditions no more can be accommodated and the most deseming for whom applications are made are placed in State asylums. IMPROVED HOME CONDITIONS. The mere increase in the number of Indians farming and in the total acreage cultivated by them, with the consequent production of a greater quantity and value of crops, is not of itself the h a 1 end to be achieved, but only a means to the'ultimate goal of independent self-supporting citizenship for the Indians on the same basis as the whites, with a11 that this involves in the way of civilization, improved living conditions, etc. The work of bringing about better housing and sanitary conditions among the Indians has made progress during the year, and it is intended to especially emphasize this feature of the work during the ensuing fiscal year, to the end that a systematic campaign may be formulated and carried out on every reservation, , having in view the greatest possible improvement in this respect. This problem, likewise, resolves iteelf into two factors--(l) implant-ing in the Indian the desire and ambition for better homes, and (2) devising physical ways and means to bring about this result. (1) Advantage is taken of every possible opportunity to stimulate in the Indians an interest in home development along modern and |
