EDITORIAL. 



The sanitary and medical work in the Philippine Islands have de- 

 veloped to such an extent that beginning with the Medical Section of 

 Volume III of this Journal, it will be possible to introduce a series of 

 editorials having direct connection, not only with laboratory investigation, 

 but also with the statistical arid other results of the medical advances in 

 these Islands. Much material which has gradually accumulated, but 

 which is not of such a nature as to be brought together in formal discus- 

 sions of research is of the greatest interest to all who are concerned with 

 scientific work in the "tropics and it has seemed proper to afford a place 

 in this Journal for the publication of these results. It therefore will be 

 the future policy of this Journal to publish an editorial section of this 

 character in each number of Section B. 



Paul C. Freer. 



PROPHYLACTIC MEDICINE AS APPLIED TO THE HYGIENE 

 OF BILIBID PRISON. 



Probably one of the most satisfactory results that has ever been 

 achieved by prophylactic medicine is that obtained by the Bureau of 

 Health since the medical work of Bilibid Prison was placed under its 

 charge in November, 1905. The diagram on the following page will 

 show most effectively how the death rate has decreased from 238 per 

 thousand to 13.5 per thousand at the end of June, 1907. 



One of the first moves after taking charge was to improve the sanitary 

 condition by admitting light and air and to relieve the overcrowding 

 which was believed to be an important factor in the excessive mortality. 

 A number of structural improvements were made; all the drains were 

 deepened and made semicircular; the level of the ground was raised, 

 and a system of daily sprinkling instituted. Drinking-water barrels 

 were provided with locked covers to guard against contamination. Rigid 

 inspections were made of all latrines. Prisoners who were ill were 

 encouraged to come into the hospital upon the appearance of their first 

 symptoms. Some months after -the introduction of these immediate 

 measures, the death rate was reduced to an average of about 75 per 

 thousand, and here it remained ; it seemed impossible to lower it further. 

 Like everything else, there was a reason for this. The prisoners were 



