The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-04
ONLY FIVE DEATHS. AMONG CONNECTS ON. ROADS IN TWO YEARS
Dr. Burnes Reports on Con- ditiOns in Jefferson Coun- ty Camps-S Situation Is
 Highly Satisfactory

Dr. W. A. Burnes, physician in charge of the several convict camps Of the coun- ty, has submitted to the board of revenue a report of the health of the convicts for the two years the system of working the convicts on the county roads has been in effect He states that the betterment of the convicts is humane and the food good and abundant. pr. Burnes states that open air good food, regular habits and reasonable working hours have proved . cure for the dope" habit and other ailments brought about by excesses. The report follows:
 "Board of Avenue Jefferson County, R.
 F. Lovelady, President, Birmingham
 "Gentlemen: I herewith submit a brief report of the convict department as con- cerns health conditions.
 This department has been in existence now for two years. In that time there have been received 1060 prisoners. There are on hand at the present time 28l. White: Male, 32; females, f. Black: Males. A2; females, 8. In the two years there have been five deaths-tuberculosis l. tubercular pneumonia ?, gun shot wound l, emphysema, chronic l. You will note that there have been no deaths from acute diseases. True there have been several cases of grippe and few cases of pleurisy and pneumonia. There have been received quite number of dope fiends, all of whom have made good re- covery, and as long as this class of indi- viduals remain at work on the road they stay cured. On their discharge number of them resume the habit, but l know of several who have not returned to the habit since securing freedom. It is very simple matter to get person off his dope when control of said person sx., t,cn nl,,tn txrlo ha ic nriC
 ''There has been only one serious acci- dent occurring in the two years. The present location of the different camps, F in number, is good with one or two exceptions. The same may be said of the way the camps are kept by those in charge. The treatment of the prisoners is humane, and the food good and bounti- ful. As the days go by it is easy to see that the work on the roads Is an ideal place for the county to employ it's convicts. There has been an improvement all along the line in the handling of the men and the system now in operation is produc- ing good results to all parties concerned
 First, the open air, good food. regular habits, reasonable working hours have all contributed to restoring health and vitality many an individual suffering from a variety of ailments when they are re- ceived on the roads. Thus at the same time he is undergoing punishment for his crime he is being restored to health. Sec ond, inhabitants of the county and peo- pie generally are getting the benefits of their labor in the form of good roads. There is no individual but that receives some benefit directly or indirectly from the work you have undertaken and are so successfully carrying out.
 q desire to thank the board and the of- flee force as well as the superintendent and all the men employed by him for their hearty cooperation and assistance given in the work I am trying to do. Yours very truly, w. A. BURNES,
 Physician in Charge