The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-06

~%%~%Ns@-A ernor:
 August S1, 19O5 Hon. J. M. Carmichael, President Con
 viot Bureau, Montgomery Ala:
 Dear Sir-In making this report I have but little to add to those previously made except to state that time has demon strated the wisdom of the medical organ ization instituted by me some years since AS you are aware, this department is about complete. have a competent phy- sician at each camp who keeps daily record of all sickness and who makes a monthly report to me. on blanks fur nished for that purpose. All tubercular and chronic cases of sickness are trans ferred to the general hospital at We- tumpka for treatment or operation.
 The death rate, I am glad to say, has continually decreased, and for the past year will be about 21a per cent, this in- cluding accidents. which are not strict ly chargeable.
 Is Curse of Civilization.
 I have nothing now to report in regard to the county convict system, but regret to say that this curse of civilization Is de- cidedly on the increase in the state. The enhanced value of convict labor has quickened the alertness of the fee brigade. The drag-net has in many places been materially enlarged. Convictions are be- ing had on the most frivlous charges, and in many instances the costs are very many times greater than the fine. It seems to me, with all due deference 70 the courts of our country, that a little more rigid care upon their part, looking to the protection of the weak and defense- less part of our humanity, would suhserve humanely the interest of the poor ignor- ant and friendless part of the commun- ity, which bear the burdens to which reference is already made, and from which neither women, children or imbe- ciles escape.
 No Improvement in Jail System. No improvement has been made in the jail system since my last report They are still killing their full ouota besides delivering to us many invalids, some of whom are restored to health, while oth- | CTS are permanently disabled. As we have many tubercular patients, and with every indication of an increase of this disease among our prison population, 1t is my opinion that these cases should have separate isolated hospital outside of and away from any place used for others
 It is true that they are now isolated as much as possible, under present con- ditions, but they should be removed en- tirely from contact with others. Where they are now confined no expeetorating is allowed, except in spittoons provided TOT that purpose, and the warden is in- structed to strictly enforce this order. Not only would an inexpensive. separate hospital built along modern sanitary lines be a great benefit to the convict, but the various treatments that would be instituted there. and the records kept, would be of undoubted value to the whole state. This movement cannot be put Into execution too soon. We are meeting a condition. not theory. Tu- berculosis is enga ging as never before the attention of the world, and In a few years this section will feel ravages from it greater than from any epidemic 1t has ever known. l believe that nearly all of the convicts in Alabama in the next generation will be tubercular. It is upon us 1t is not too early to meet 1t. l beg further to report that health conditions at the mines have been ex- ceedingly good. Every convict confined there has been examined and classed personally by me each month, and my assistants have rendered valuable serv- ice. They not only attend the sick, but give personal supervision to the food, quarters. water supply. etc.; in fact. ev- erything pertaining to the prison. Respectfully submitted, SHIRLEY BRAGG, Physician Inspector.