EXHIBIT M.-Statement of tableware, etc., transferred to Branches National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers during year ending June 30, 1899.

EXHIBIT N.-Statement of amount and value of manufactured articles transferred to the several Branches, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, during fiscal year ending June 30, 1899.

EXHIBIT O.-Average quantity of goods used in the manufacture of each article of bedding, clothing, etc.

The following old materials were used in the fabrication of the fol lowing articles:

No. 8.-REPORT OF AN INSPECTION OF THE SOUTHERN BRANCH, MADE OCTOBER 18 TO 20, 1899.

This Branch was the seventh inspected on the present tour, and was the first visited on returning to Washington from the Pacific Branch. National Soldiers' Home, Elizabeth City County, Virginia.

Post-office address.

Local manager.

Officers.

Gen. William J. Sewell, Camden, N. J., is the local manager. His term expires April 21, 1904.

The officials of the Branch are as follows: Governor, Col. P. T. Woodfin; treasurer, Maj. Wm. Thompson; commissary of subsistence, Col. Charles Candy; quartermaster, Capt. J. H. Gifford; surgeon, Maj. R. S. Vickery; Protestant chaplain, Rev. Jos. H. Bradley, D. D.; Catholic chaplain, Rev. T. J. Mercer; matron, Mrs. M. Mahon.

Yellow fever.

A fever, with symptoms somewhat similar to dengue complicated with malaria, appeared at this Home between the 23d and 25th of July, 1899. The fever spread quite rapidly and on July 29 there were 26 cases of the disease. On July 25 two patients died, who shortly after decease turned yellow. When the trouble began to take on a serious aspect the authorities of the Branch immediately isolated the suspicious cases, and two experts, who had seen much of yellow fever in Cuba, were called in for consultation. After a post-mortem on the two cases dead, they pronounced the disease true yellow fever, and this view was also entertained by the surgeon of the Home (Dr. Vickery). No sooner had this become generally known than the surrounding towns, such as Hampton, Fort Monroe, Norfolk, and Phoebus, established a rigid quarantine against the Home, making it extremely difficult to move supplies to the isolated Branch. It was deemed best by the authorities of the Home that all the well members should be moved from their barracks and quarters, and it was found necessary to temporarily quarter them in tents, and the president of the Board of Managers applied to the War Department on August 1, 1899, for the necessary tentage and bedding, and this was sent without delay. At one time over 1,500 men were quartered in 350 tents. As fast as the buildings were emptied of their inmates the disinfection, which consisted of the burning of large quantities of sulphur, and the use of bichloride of mercury and formaldehyde gas, and the destruction of all exposed bedding and clothing, commenced; and, one building finished, the men were moved back and another building taken up until all were thoroughly disinfected.

The origin of the fever is in doubt, but is generally attributed to the

visit of a former member of the Home about July 3, 1899, who had recently come from Santiago de Cuba.

During the prevalence of the epidemic 40 cases developed, resulting in 12 deaths. This is considered a creditable showing in view of the large population (3,239 on July 31, 1899); the debilitated condition on account of advanced age of the majority of the inmates making them susceptible to the infection; the small area to which they were confined; and the fatality of the disease in other localities.

The last case was discharged September 1, 1899.

Too much praise can not be given to the governor, surgeon, and other officers of the Home; to the Marine-Hospital Service; to the War Department, which offered its services to the Board of Managers at an early date and promptly complied with every request; and to the cooperation of all concerned, for their prompt and energetic efforts in stamping out this scourge, which had life for but a single month in a truly propitious field.

Grounds.

The reservation of this Branch contains but 69 acres, 43 of which are leased from the Hampton Normal School for twenty years from July 1, 1883, and can be renewed at the expiration of the time. The rate paid is about 5 per cent of its valua tion, or $1,075. Would it not be better to effect a purchase of this land, if possible, as many permanent improvements, such as valuable build. ings, handsome lawns and avenues, and water, sewerage, etc., have been added by the Government, which, should the lease be refused at any time, might become a loss. The site is beautiful, the location healthy, the climate balmy, it is in close proximity to the Capitol, and everything seems to point to a profitable investment if the grounds be purchased, even should there come a time when it is no longer needed as a soldiers' home. The valuation of the ground was given a year or two ago at $500 an acre, so it will be seen that if it is purchasable, one leasehold would nearly acquire it.

Buildings.

Some of the buildings at this Branch are old and dilapidated. They are of a great variety of construction and design, and some are poorly ventilated. In lieu of an old hospital building two new barracks are being built, for which, including furniture, $35,000 was appropriated by Congress for the fiscal year 1899. These will make a decided improvement, and will also relieve the crowded condition. Although a deficiency in the number of bath tubs aud lavatories was noticed in many of the Homes, at this one the defect was most apparent. In some barracks there were only 2 tubs for 200 men. Ample bathing facilities should be provided, and the best solution of the problem would seem to be the erection of a central bath house, as proposed by the governor. In this connection Col. Dallas Bache, assistant surgeon-general, U. S. A., in his inspection of this Home, October 28 to November 1, 1896, said:

The construction of a central bathing establishment upon some such lines as advised will relieve the barracks of the extra burden of bathing now imposed, and new barracks plans might well consider the reduction of the number of bath tubs to a sufficient allotment for special cases.

In some of the barracks the floors were badly worn and should be repaired. Sanitary plumbing is needed in many of the urinals and closets, which in their present condition emit offensive odors. Toilet paper is not used; this Home presents the only exception. Newspapers are liable to stop the pipes and in this way prove expensive.

Some wooden shacks were noticed near the beer hall, greatly increas