and each one have not more than fifteen patients in charge, will be of the greatest benefit. In addition to an increase in the number of attendants, and the shortening of the daily tour of duty, the infirmary service will be benefited if the most experienced attendants and efficient supervisors are assigned to it. This can be accomplished probably by increasing the pay and thus offering a compensation which will attract the most competent attendants. The authority to hold patients in the Colony when they are unfit to be at large has not been directly conferred upon the board of managers, and it is desirable that a law be enacted which will empower the board to restrain inmates who otherwise would leave without permission, such enforcement of restraint to be subject to an order of court. Many of the patients are frequently dangerous to themselves and others, if at large, and both humanity and the public welfare require they should be kept under supervision. A new superintendent, William T. Shanahan, M. D., is now in charge of the Colony, as the successor to Dr. William P. Spratling, who served from the organization of the institution until November, 1908. Dr. Shanahan, who was for a number of years the first assistant physician, is thoroughly familiar with the work of the Colony, and his appointment to the superintendency was a promotion. The investigation into the causes of epilepsy makes the laboratory work an important feature at the Colony. The equipment for this should be ample, and then with such an abundance of material, the pathologist and assistants can do valuable work. Whatever aids to diminish suffering from the disease should be encouraged. In this connection, stringent laws have been enacted in several States to safeguard the public against the increase of the defective class and to prohibit the marriage of insane, feebleminded or epileptic persons, and the State of New York should enforce similar measures. Heredity is an important factor in epilepsy and the surest preventive of a constant increase in the number of those afflicted with the disease is the separation of the sexes. The State Board of Charities recommends for Craig Colony the following appropriations, or so much thereof as 'may be neces sary: For the new 66 House of the Six Nations For addition to west wing of Peterson Hospital. Enlarging central heating power plant. $40,000 25,000 5,000 60,000 NEW YORK STATE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' HOME, BATH, STEUBEN COUNTY. Established 1878. This institution has capacity for 2,000 inmates. The number of members October 1, 1908, was 2,155; the admissions during the year were 1,221; total for the year, 3,376. There were 1,072 discharged during the year, and 272 died, leaving at the close of the year, a total enrollment of 2,032. The average number present during the year was 1,853, and the average weekly cost of support, including the value of home and farm products consumed, $2.93; excluding this value, $2.85. The total receipts of the institution for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1909, were: From cash balance of the previous year, $11,289.67; from special appropriations, $37,715; from deficiency appropriations, $25,000; from general appropriations, $250,000; from all other sources, $325.80; total, $324,330.47. The ordinary expenditures were: For salaries of officers, wages and labor, $92,755.78; for provisions, $101,821.52; for household stores, $5,393.91; for clothing, $23,095.95; for fuel and light, $28,157.28; for hospital and medical supplies, $4,105.56; for transportation and traveling expenses, $223.30; for shop, farm and garden supplies, $8,996.13; for ordinary repairs, $853.37; for expenses of trustees, $594.28; for remittance to State Treasurer, $325.80; for all other ordinary expenses, $9,563.64; total, $275,886.52. The extraordinary expenditures were $16,440.50 for buildings and improvements, and $1,345.40 which reverted to the State, making the aggregate expenditures for the year $293,672.42; and leaving at the close of the year a cash balance of $30,658.05. Of the expenditures for maintenance during the year, 33.7 per cent. was for salaries, wages and labor, 37 per cent. for provisions, 1.9 per cent. for household stores, 8.4 per cent. for clothing, 10.2 per cent. for fuel and light, 1.5 per cent. for hospital and medical supplies, .1 of 1 per cent. for transportation and traveling expenses, 3.2 per cent. for shop, farm and garden supplies, .3 of 1 per cent. for ordinary repairs, .2 of 1 per cent. for expenses of trustees, and 3.5 per cent. for all other ordinary purposes. Chapter 432, Laws of 1909 (Appropriation Bill), appropriated for maintenance and for the transportation of applicants for admission, $275,000. Chapter 433, Laws of 1909 (Supply Bill), appropriated for deficiency in maintenance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1909, $25,000. Chapter 461, Laws of 1909 (Special Appropriation Bill), appropriated for rebuilding the icehouse, $5,000; for repairs to area walls, $300; for outside verandas, $1,250; for one aluminum kettle, $165; and for repairs and equipment, $16,000. Chapter 466, Laws of 1909 (Special Act), appropriated to remodel, enlarge and improve the hospital, $15,000. The maintenance appropriations amounted to $300,000, and the special appropriations to $37,715, making the total available, $337,715. This Home is practically complete, but the numerous buildings necessary to accommodate 2,000 inmates require annual outlays for repairs and the renewal of general equipment. The enrollment has exceeded the maximum capacity of the Home in each of the past five years, but owing to the absence of many of the members on furlough the average daily attendance has been much under 2,000. It is probable that the maximum daily average has been reached and that the membership will gradually decrease, as disease and infirmity come and those who are now in the Home die. Last year, 1,072 members were discharged for various sufficient reasons, almost all, however, at their own request, and 272 died. The proportion of deaths to the population is more than ten per cent. which rate must increase. The future members of the Home will not be veterans of the Civil War, but survivors of the Spanish War as they become dependent. The increasing infirmity of the present members makes larger demands upon the time and strength of the staff of attendants. Formerly most of the veterans were able to care for themselves in their barracks, and many were sufficiently active to work on the farms and in the buildings, but they cannot be relied upon much longer for even the simpler tasks; it is difficult for them to wait upon tables in the mess hall now, or to act as orderlies in the hospital, for the years have decreased their activity and strength, and soon all the employees must be taken from civil life. consequence of this, the expense of maintaining the Home will increase. In This institution needs a number of improvements, the principal one being a coal pocket of sufficient capacity to provide for the storage of about 2,100 tons of coal. It is estimated that this supply will carry the institution through sixty days. It has frequently happened in past winters that storms or strikes have prevented contractors and railroads from delivering coal promptly at the institution, and consequently infirm members have suffered greatly from cold. On several occasions the last ton of coal was nearly consumed before a fresh supply was received. To avoid these dangers and to make provision which will cover emergencies, a coal pocket with ample storage capacity is necessary. Among other important improvements are: The completion of the grading in the new cemetery as the large number of new graves each year requires the extension of the roads and makes the grading a matter of immediate necessity; painting the buildings, and some new equipment in the hospital department. Besides these in the engine and boiler rooms repairs and additional equipment must be provided to maintain the plant at its highest efficiency. The farm fences have broken down and a new fence should be provided, and decayed wooden silos should be replaced by new and more satisfactory silos of cement. In the hospital department, a steam sterilizer, bed tables, and electric stove and other equipments are needed, and for the convenience of the Home, a hand ambulance should be provided. For this institution, the State Board of Charities recommends the following appropriations or so much thereof as may be |