THE INDIAN'S HEALTH PROBLEM 53 



This is what happened to this proud and self-respecting race! But 

 since then they have silently studied the world's history and manners; 

 they have wandered far and wide and observed life for themselves. They 

 have thought much. The great change has come about; the work has 

 been done, whether poorly or otherwise, and upon the whole the good 

 will prevail. The pessimist may complain that nothing has come of all 

 the effort made in behalf of the Indian. I say that it is not too late for 

 the original American to regain and re-establish his former physical 

 excellency. Why should he not ? Much depends upon his own mental 

 attitude, and this is becoming more normal as the race approaches, and 

 some part of it attains to, self-support and full citizenship. As I have 

 Baid, conditions are improving, yet much remains to be done, and it 

 should be done quickly. An exhaustive inquiry into health conditions 

 among the tribes was made in accordance with an act of Congress in 

 1912, and the report presented in January, 1913, was in brief as follows: 



1. Trachoma is exceedingly prevalent among Indians. 



2. Tuberculosis among Indians is greatly in excess of that estimated 

 for the white population. 



3. The sanitary conditions upon reservations are, on the whole, bad. 



4. The primitive Indian requires instruction in personal hygiene and 

 habits of living in stationary dwellings. 



5. The sanitary conditions in most Indian schools are unsatisfactory. 



6. There is danger of the spread of tuberculosis and trachoma from 

 the Indian to other races. 



7. Due care is not taken in the collection and preservation of vital 

 statistics. 



8. The medical department of the Indian Bureau is hampered by 

 insufficient authority and inadequate compensation. 



As a result of this and other investigations, increased appropria- 

 tions have been asked for, and to a limited extent provided, for the 

 purpose of preventing and treating disease, and especially of checking 

 the spread of serious contagious ailments. More stress is being laid 

 upon sanitary precautions and hygienic instruction in Indian schools, 

 and an effort is made to carry this instruction into the Indian home, 

 through field matrons and others. Four sanitoria or sanitarium schools 

 have been successfully established in suitable climates, and it is rec- 

 ommended by an Indian Service specialist that certain boarding-school 

 plants be set apart for trachoma pupils, where they can have thorough 

 and consistent treatment and remain until the cure is complete. Much 

 larger appropriations are needed in order to carry out in full these bene- 

 ficent measures, and I earnestly hope that they may be forthcoming. 



It is interesting to note that whereas a few years ago the Indians 

 were reproved for placing their sick in canvas tents and arbors, and in 

 every way discouraged from any attempt to get out of their stifling 



