The evening times., 1900-07-14
CoNVIcTs POORLY FED.
Epidemic of Disease in the Mary
land House of Correction.

JESSUPs. Nd, July 14.-Dr- c. p. Car
rico. the newly appointed physicians TO the
Maryland House of Correction. has dis
covered tnat scuryy is prevalent among the
inmates OF the institution.
The discovery has been reported to Supt
j. Jesse Moore. who In turn notified the
board % directors Of the Institution and
State Treasurer Murray Vandiver- Direc-
tors Stearns and Haines have been appoint
ed special committee to investigate the
causes OF the prevalence OF this disease.
Dr. Carrico in making his statement.
said that out OF 375 patients now in the
institution there are more than fifty suf-
fering with the scurvy. The presence OF
the disease is due TO the lack OF proper
vegetable diet. The disease affects the
prisoners In the mouth In many instances
those afflicted have lost the teeth from
spCngy gums. In other cases those az
iicted suffer with contraction OF the mus
cles- The majority OF those affected are
barely able 10 stand on their legs.
A correspondent visited the institution q
yesterday, and saw several OF the prison
ers. Harry SuEstrom. OF Baltimore city.
was seen in his cell. being unable 10 walk
owing 10 the drawn condition OF his leg.
He said. Il have been in the institution
for some time, and before this attack !
have always enjoyed excellent health.
attribute my present condition TO the fact
that we are poorly fed The meals. which
generally consist OF meat and soup are not
sufficient for men to live on. The soup is
nothing more than water with few beans
in il. Since have been in the Institution
l do not remember seeing as much as one
potato IN the portion OF soup served 10 me-
He stated that since the present superi0-
tendent, Hr- Moore, had taken charge there
had been az Improvement IN the food
John Gray. who has served as COOK q
the institution for some time ard has
charge OF ne preparation OF meals for the
convicts. when asked what Was the menu
served 10 the prisoners. seemed dis5rciine,-
to make any statement But. or examina-
tion. he stated that the soup, which was
usually sefyei 10 from 80 TO 400 prisoners
was made OF abour 200 gallons OF water
and three bushels OF beans He stated that
no potatoes were used in making soup.
Since Mr.. NJore had taken charge hs had
been directed 10 use four bushels OF po-a-
toes and bushel and quarter OF beans in
making the soup.
Superintendent Moore was rot inclined
to discuss tie discovery reported by Dr.
Carrico. he stated. however, that he had
found the prisoners were suffering UIII
the lack OF proper nourishment. and. alter
making careful investigation, had dec -ded
that the complaints MADE by the prisoners
were not without foundation. He added:
4 Immediately informed the Board Of
Directors that the men would have 10 have
more vegetables TO eat, and. as there are
none on the farm, I insisted that sufficient
quantities SHOULD be purchased. The board
directed me to provide what was necessary
for the health OF the cOnvicts. and I shall
eudeavOr to give them sufficient food, as IL
is impossible 20 expect them to work vixen
they have not sufficient strength 10 do the
task which Is expected OF them. am sur
pr;sed to find the inmates in such a condi-
ton. They could have been kept healthy
and free from this disease by g more lib
eral supply Of vegetables. and while the
old board may have considered 1t economy
to curtain the expenses OF feeding the pTis-
oners, l feel that II Is money well spent
In taking care of their health
The investigation committee will visit
the institution and make a personal exam
ination OF the condition OF the prisoners
for themselves and Will report their ind-
ings at the next meeting OF the board.