1916] OF THE SENATE. 37

associates to whom they are a danger. We will accom-
plish this purpose better by taking a single infectious
patient and permanently guarding him from infecting
those about him than by accepting ten patients, each for a
brief period of time, and at the end of this period sending
them back to again infect the surroundings from which he
was removed. However, experience points to one serious
difficulty in the way of carrying out the plan to keep in-
fectious patients during their lifetime. When patients
with even advanced pulmonary disease are placed under
the favorable conditions of institutional care a certain
proportion, perhaps one-third, instead of rapidly advanc-
ing to death, will show unexpected improvement and regain
a large measure of strength and vigor. If such patients
are discharged and return to their unfavorable home sur-
roundings, they quickly relapse, and soon are numbered
among the victims of the disease. However, as long as
they stay at the institution, although they do not recover
from the disease, they remain in a state of reasonable well-
being. Therefore, since we insist that a patient who once
comes under hospital control must be guarded until death
releases him, some special provision must be made for
those patients who neither get well or die. Otherwise, the
institution would soon be blocked. How to solve the diffi-
culty is not clear. Perhaps, an industrial colony con-
nected with the Hospital might prove to be a satisfactory
solution of the difficulty. "

It is the opinion of those best informed that no new steps
be taken in the campaign against tuberculosis before special
provisions are made for tubercular negroes, justly propor-
tioned to their number, their racial susceptibility and their eco-
nomic status.

PENAL INSTITUTIONS.

The past two years has marked a great improvement in the
conduct and management of penal institutions of the State.
This has been brought about by a better understanding on the