20G CUBA AND PORTO RICO 



inducing practitioners to locate themselves in districts 

 which without sonic contribution from the government 

 would be altogether destitute of medical aid and advice. 

 Under this department there are eighteen public hospitals 

 throughout the island, with a total of 1117 beds. 



The police system is most thorough, consisting of a 

 constabulary of seven hundred and seventy men, with 

 over one hundred stations scattered throughout the island, 

 and several prisons and reformatories, in which prevails 

 the mark system of the English convict prisons, after 

 which the Elniira (New York) Reformatory is modeled. 

 The prison system includes a penitentiary with male and 

 female divisions, and industrial schools and reformatories 

 for both sexes. 



Not the least interesting part of the Jamaican adminis- 

 tration is the thoroughness with which statistics are 

 gathered. An excellent registration department records 

 the births, deaths, baptisms, and marriages, while infor- 

 mation can be readily obtained on any desired subject. 

 There is also a board of supervision, having charge of out- 

 door relief of the poor. The government printing-office, 

 the botanical gardens, and the government laboratory are 

 also embraced in the administrative organizations. 



A notable public feature is the Institute of Jamaica, 

 located at Kingston. This is a public lyceum and museum 

 maintained at colonial expense. The library is rich in 

 Jamaican and early West Indian literature, while the 

 museum presents a splendid illustration of the island 

 fauna, flora, and archaeological objects of interest. Public 

 lectures are given, and the publications of a scientific and 

 historic nature are appreciated throughout the world. 



The courts are thoroughly organized, embracing a 

 supreme court of judicature with nine justices, from 

 which in certain cases appeal may be taken to the council. 

 This court also has supervision over the findings of the 

 lower court in British Honduras. There is an encum- 

 bered-estate court, an admiralty court, resident magistrate 

 courts, and courts of petty service. 



