The evening times., 1898-12-01
and appeared this year for re-examina-

and appeared this year for re-examina-
tion.
In an addenda to the table of statistics
of the insane patients examined DIR. May
field says:
'.yFhe examination of the supposed in
sane made necessary l76 visits 10 the sta
ton houses and 90 responses to the mar
shal's summons.
..These investigations into the mental
condition of persons confined In the va
rious station houses are by far the most
responsible and trying duties of the police
surgeons The opportunities for obserya-
ton are so limited, and the preceding his
tories of such cases are so frequently
lacking, as to make necessary the great
est possible care, lest the sane be de-
prived of their liberty, or the safety of
the community be jeopardized by the lib
Grafton of dangerous lunatic.
THE board cannot too strongly urge the
need of some place of detention where
such cases (who are patients, not prison
ers) may be safely and comfortably
housed under careful medical supervision
until their mental condition can be def
nitely determined"
At the conclusion of the report the sur
geon states:
'Of other work included under the head
of duties of surgeons to the police depart
ment, unfortunately no record has been
kept, nor is it very practicable to do so.
This work includes the inspection of sta
ton houses medical and surgical SER
vices TO prisoners, attendance as wit
nesses before trial and pensioning boards,
and not infrequenuy as witnesses in
court The sum total of such work has,
during the past year. formed no inconsid-
cradle part of the work of the surgeons,
especially in the matter of the time con-
sumed in its performance"
The report of Sanitary Officer Frank.
which follows that of the surgeons, is of
considerable interest to the public. This
official has charge of all the persons pass
ing through the city and is also in charge
of the ambulance service. All the cranks
who annually visit Washington are turned
over to Officer Frank, and he either sends
them to their homes or commits them to
the insane asylum. The destitute who
have been left within the boundaries of
the District of Columbia without money
are also returned to their homes if the
case deserves to be so treated, or else are
committed to the almshouse. The report
is as follows:
"Tramps and impostorS come here in
large numbers seeking the aid intended
only for the worthy destitute. 1t re-
quires the utmost care to prevent the dis
pensing of such assistance to those who
do not merit it.
During the fiscal year 1885, 935 persons
were furnished with transportation to
their homes. or on their way thereto, an
increase of 10 persons over the fiscal year
1897. The amount expended for this pur-
pose in 1898 was s1,749.95. The number thus
provided with transportation may be
classified as follows: Males so; females,
265; white. 1853; colored, 172; native born,
7S9; foreign born, 146i
''The most distressing cases with which
this office has to deal are the men from
the oyster fields of the Chesapeake Bay
and lower Potomac River. Forty-one of
these oyster dredgers were provided with
transportation during the year, being an
increase of II over the preceding year.
Thirty mine women who had been
Drought to this city by their husbands
and here deserted were furnished with
transportation to their homes during the
year. Many of them had to be sent a
long distance. Eightytwo eX-soldiers and
eX-sailors who had come to this city in
regard to their pension claims, and were
without the means of returning to their
homes were sent on their way, an in
crease of II as compared with 1897 The
records show an increase in the number OF
persons who came here seeking employ
ment, and, having remained until their
funds were exhausted, sought the aid OF
this office to return home; 23S of this class
were assisted, while in 1897 the number
was but 160, an increase of IS.
.I again call attention to the very small
appropriation for the transportation OF
destitute persons. The sum of So, 300 was
the TRANSFORMATION of paupers and pris.