and reading room be in immediate proximity to the mess hall, so that the old men may collect there under shelter in advance of meal hours, and not be held outside waiting in the open air in cold or inclement weather for the opening of dining-room doors.

The number of men to be provided for now is 826 and the number of available beds 3 1,018, so that 192 more men can be sheltered than are at present in the Home. dditional dormitory space is not, therefore, needed at this time.

The losses by deaths and discharges of inmates present give vacant beds continu usly. The number of men present on the 30th June, 1898, at the commencement f the Spanish war was 695. The number present, after three years of active service the Army in war, on the 30th June, 1901, is 826, an increase of 131. Even with a ontinuation of war, with these figures as a basis of calculation, further dormitory ace will not be required for four and two-fifth years.

The young men who come to the Home do not stay long unless totally disabled
m gaining their subsistence in civil life. They have the prospect of years of life
fore them with all their possibilities of success, and they still have friends at home
assist in pushing their fortunes; so they remain here only long enough to put their
sion applications on the way to be granted, preferring to week active employment
h its emoluments in civil life to inactivity and no future at the Home. Those of
m who fail to achieve success by middle age drift back in declining years to the
me for permanent residence. We may therefore not look for any considerable
ease in the number of inmates from this class of men, now mostly soldiers from
Spanish war and the Philippines, for fifteen or twenty years in the future.
e records show:

ment hill, which had become crowned, narrowed, and rough, has been plowed up and macadamized and new side gutters and cross drains for it have been laid. This road, which has met with favorable remark as an excellent piece of work of its kind, was constructed under the immediate personal supervision of Mr. Alexander McPherson, chief gardener and superintendent of roads and grounds, who is entitled to special commendation in its construction. Through the courtesy of Captain Beach, of the District Commissioners, the Home was enabled to secure superior material for the top dressing of this driveway.

A silo for the preservation of green forage in its fresh state for feed to the herd in the winter season has been commenced.

Minor repairs have from time to time been made during the year to keep the property of the institution in the very best condition.

EXTRA-DUTY MEN AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.

Two hundred and eighteen of the inmates are employed on extra duty as noncommissioned officers, clerks, janitors, electricians, kitchen and dining room attendants, ward masters, waiters, and nurses in hospital, carpenters, painters, assistant plumber, assistant blacksmiths, stable men, teamsters, gate keepers, upholsterer, saddler, florist, and as laborers on the roads and grounds and on the farm.

All inmates competent and willing to work are given employment with extraduty pay. There is much work to be performed beyond the physical ability or technical knowledge of the inmates and for this 64 civilians are employed. This number is not fully equal to the demands of keeping all the work fully up to date, so that the less pressing has often to be deferred till the more important shall have been completed.

This statement is made simply to set forth the situation and not to lay the foundation for an increase of civilian employees. Any increase of the kind that may hereafter be made apparent as necessary for the betterment of the service at the Home will be specially applied for as needed, with full statement of the reasons calling for it in each case.

THE HERD.

The herd now consists of 2 bulls, 43 cows, and 7 heifers. An increase of 10 in the number of cows is needed to fully meet the demands of the Home mess hall, for old men who require soft food, and of the hospital for special diet. The milk is of good quality and is pronounced as far better than that obtained under contract before this herd was established.

ALFALFA.

A plat of 4 acres was planted last year as an experiment in alfalfa, with the result exceeding expectations, for three good crops were cut from it during the season. The plat promises to yield even more crops this year. As the potato crop at the Home for the past few years has not been of good quality or heavy yield, the 15 acres heretofore devoted to its cultivation will be planted in the coming year wholly in alfalfa or partly in alfalfa and partly in corn for feed for the animals at the Home.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS AT THE HOSPITAL AND SPECIAL REPORT ON DISEASES.

The attending surgeon in his report gives no expenditure for ice for the hospital. This is explained by the fact that the refrigerating apparatus now introduced into the hospital manufactures for it all the ice which it requires.

The copy of the special report referred to by the attending surgeon as in preparation to be sent to the Surgeon-General, will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners as soon as completed.

TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS.

At the United States general hospital at Fort Bayard, N. Mex., for the treatment of consumptives, there have been admitted since last report as inmates of the Home 120 discharged soldiers, 16 from the Home and 104 direct from the Army, and 11 former inmates have been readmitted. One hundred have been discharged at their own request, 3 for misconduct, and 18 have died. The total number of inmates of the Home treated there for the past nine months is 178. The number now remaining there is 58. The expense to the Home on this account, including clothing and transportation, has amounted to $13,461.71.

CLOTHING.

The quality of the clothing has been brought, as nearly as circumstances will warrant, to the army standard. Linen shirts and collars, which have not heretofore been furnished to the inmates, are now provided for them.

The army standard need not be fully reached, for the clothing required here is such as shall be suitable for the even tenor of life at the Home, and need not be of such material as is needed for the rough experiences of active service.

DISCIPLINE.

The rules of discipline have been duly enforced. The number of men tried is less than for the same period heretofore. A few incorrigibles, who have not sufficient will power left to withstand the temptation for strong drink whenever they get a little money, have been suspended for their constant infraction of the rules of sobriety. They come back with expressed intention of better conduct, but often fall away again after a season of good behavior. These are unfortunates, who have to be dealt with firmly but kindly.

ENTERTAINMENTS AT STANLEY HALL.

Sixty-two entertainments were given at Stanley Hall during the autumn, winter, and spring, a season of six months, at an expense, exclusive of light and heat, of $414.32.

THE BILLIARD, AMUSEMENT, SMOKING, AND READING ROOMS, MUSEUM AND LIBRARY. These are kept in good order, under charge of noncommissioned officers, and are constantly used and enjoyed by the men.

THE BAND.

The band consists of the band leader, Mr. John S. M. Zimmerman, 12 inmates, and 7 civilians, employed and attached as temporary inmates. It is well instructed and gives satisfaction. In the summer season it gives open-air concerts, two per week at the hospital and five at the Home. In the winter the five at the Home are given in Stanley Hall. It also furnishes music for all entertainments at Stanley Hall and for memorial services and funerals at the cemetery.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Episcopal services are held each Sunday in the chapel.

Funeral services for deceased inmates of the Roman Catholic faith are attended by the Roman Catholic chaplain, and of deceased Protestant inmates by the Episcopal chaplain.

OFFICERS, NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND CLERICAL FORCE.

The deputy governor, surgeon, treasurer, clinical assistants, and chaplains have performed their duties most faithfully and acceptably, and full and free acknowledgment is given of their cordial support of the governor in the administration of the Home.

The sergeant-major and all of the other noncommissioned officers form an efficient body of men, conscientious and faithful in the performance of their respective duties. The clerical force is attentive, intelligent, and faithful.

ASSISTANCE RENDERED BY THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Renewed acknowledgment is due to the chief of police and his officers and men for valuable assistance rendered by the force on Sundays and holidays in preserving order upon the grounds and guarding the shrubbery, flowers, and Home property from destruction or damage at the hands of thoughtless or irresponsible parties. Very respectfully,

GEO. D. RUGGLES, Brig. Gen., U. S. A., Governor.

The BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOLDIERS' HOME,

Washington, D. C.

REPORT OF THE ATTENDING SURGEON OF THE SOLDIERS' HOME.

UNITED STATES SOLDIERS' HOME,
Washington, D. C., June 30, 1901.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the medical department of the Home from October 1, 1900, to June 30, 1901:

This list exhibits only the diseases complained of by the patients at the time of admission to the hospital, and does not include the numerous complications, operations, nor secondary affections arising during the course of treatment. The principal troubles are tuberculosis, chronic rheumatism, heart disease, hernia, catarrh, epilepsy, dyspepsia, and constipation. Many of the men are affected with two or more of these

diseases at the same time, and yet be admitted to hospital for some minor complaint not connected with either.

The 2,133 cases treated at sick call are not included in the above list of diseases.

The daily average of inmates present at the Home was: For 1897, 722; for 1898, 751; for 1899, 807; for 1900, 838; for 1901, 853.

Number of prescriptions compounded during nine months.
Applications for treatment at sick call

Number of out-patients connected with the Home treated.