The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-17

general assembly on the recommen-
dation of the board of charities and
corrections lis being tested. one hun
derti men paid last year to the proba-
ton officer for the support OF theil
families 36.5Ss.O0. The board recon-
mends that probation officers should
be appointed ard nonsrpport caset
placed under them In every city In
the State. This recommendation
meets with my approval.
During the last eighteen months
the board OF charities and corrections
has placed in family homes one hun.
dred and fifty delinquent colored
children. a majority Of whom were
taken from jails; all except eight are
doing well. This work should be con-
iinued, and II would be well to 20
amend the law that white and coiored
children committed to the reformat
ries should first go to the board OF
charities and corrections. and homes
secured for them as in the opinion OF
the board could be trusted. with
power To send such as proved I'M
manageable to the rcfornatories al
the discretion OF the board.
The Federation Of Colored women's
Clubs of Virginia have purchased a
farm upon which will be established
Industrial school for delinquent
colored girls. This enterprise has the
approval OF the board of charities and
corrections. ard I heartily recommend
It 10. the favor OF the general as
semhly,
Inebricty.
Inebriety is now a disease. and must
he SO treated IL the reclamation OF
our unfortunate fellow citizens Is de-
sired They should not be sent to
Jail. but should be kept from all In
taxicating liquor until Z has been
thoroughly eliminated from the sys-
tenn: should have plenty OF sunshine,
fresh air and wholesome food. and
made TO work A colony should be
established where inebriates and drug
habitues should, under proper rules
and regulations. be required to earn
brought To bear upon these unfortu-
nate people tending restore their
self-respect and manhood.
Board of Health,
Medical science has made wonder
ful advances during the last twenty
five years, and has, more than during
any other period Of the worlds his
tory, directed Its attention to the-pre-
vention Of diseases. Our State hoaxd
Of health, though but five years old.
has, with the help. Of the legisla-
tnre. achieved q record which honors
the State.
OF the many things to its credit.
mention the Catawba sanatorinm for
consumptives. which has received, be-
cause it merit it. the confidence of the
people, and to which many citizens
from every section Of the State sur
fering from actual or inctpient tuber-
culosis seek admission.
~ ~ t~nA
become q necessity in the diasnosis Of
disease, and the speciments examined
have increased from four thousand.
four years ago, to sixteen thousand
now. In the distribution Of diptheria
antitoxin, smallpox and anti-typhoid
vaccine and anti-rahie treatment. our
citizens have been saved one hundred
and twelve thousand dollars.
These agencies, together with free
distribution of thousands of popular
bulletins on disease prevention. have
reduced the mortality from diptheria
one-haff. ana typhoid cases by at
least four thousand. not to mention
the lower death rate. The success
full administration OF the vital. sta
tisticx law recommended by the board
has put Virginia abreast OF the moro
progressive States Of the union.
Progress, however, 10 = constant ad-
vance towards an ever receding from
tier, and l recommend that our Leg
islature take a, step forward and en-
act law which viii require that be-
fore marriage license shall be issued
In this State the prospective groom
deliver to the clerk OF the court hav-
ing the right to issue the license, q
certificate from a reputable physician
selected by the friends or the family
no Ia uh N . n
the man intending to marry Is free
from that terrible disease which
stamps its horrid curse upon the In
nocent offspring to--the third gem
GRAFTON. and against which. II we de-
sire the vig~r and happiness OF health.
society must protect itself.
On the report Of the oculiSt and
aurist OF the Virginia School for the
deaf and the blind ut Staunton. and
as likely to prevent many cases OF
] recommend the passage
of an act, with adequate penalty. re-
Quiring every accoucheur to drop q
two per cent solution Of nitrads OF
silver In the eyes OF every child ut
birth, regardless or parentAge or sus.
picion Of Infection. Any Inflammation
or redress OF the eyes OF the child
which comes within two weeks OF
Its birth should be ct once attended
to by e physician, or reported to the
health officer in the county or city
where the child ID.
state Hospitals. 4
The reports from There institutions
show them to DO In good condition
and well managed. The comfort and
health Of the patients are carefully
looked after and the expenses are
kept within reasonable limits. The