REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL AND CHIEF

SURGEON.

THE NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS, December 11, 1906.

SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith certain papers relative to membership and health of the National Home, to accompany the annual report of the Board of Managers for the year ending June 30, 1906. They consist of

(1) Statement of percentage of members admitted from different States and Territories.

(2) Statement of average number present from date of organization. (3) Charts showing average number present at different periods during the year since 1892.

(4) Statement showing average number of members present at Branches since their establishment: Total average present, average present and absent, whole number cared for, and percentage of increase.

(5) Statement of deaths and number of deaths per 1,000 of average present and absent and whole number cared for.

(6) Statement of ages at death and number of deaths per 1,000 to whole number cared for during year ending June 30, 1906.

(7) Statement of diseases and causes of death for year ending June 30, 1906.

(8) Returns of the National Home for year ending June 30, 1906. The returns from all of the Branches show a smaller increase in the average number present than in former years and a continued growth. in the proportion of sick and feeble members. The increase in the average present was but 8, while the increase in the average number sick was 73, and the increase in the number treated in hospital was

191.

Nearly one-half of the average number present (47.1 per cent) were cared for in hospital at some time during the year.

With the exception of a case of leprosy, no unusual development of communicable diseases occurred during the year. The isolation of contagious diseases of the ordinary acute variety can easily be accomplished at any of the Branch Homes, but leprosy, because of its duration and peculiar characteristics, is in a class by itself, for which no provision has been made. It is not possible to provide reasonable comforts and freedom for such cases in a thickly populated institution

without endangering the welfare of others. The necessity for making special provision for the care of soldiers who have acquired this disease while in the service is therefore evident.

Good results have been obtained from the fresh-air treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis at some of the Branch Homes, and it is hoped that facilities can be provided at all Branches for this treatment before the end of the next fiscal year.

All of the Branch Homes have been inspected by the inspectorsgeneral of the National Home during the year, and the reports of the Inspector-General of the Army have received careful consideration.

A high standard of excellence has been maintained in administering to the wants and necessities of the more than 34,800 members who have received the benefits of the Home during the year, and no irregularities affecting their comfort and welfare have occurred. The correction of minor defects by Branch officers, when attention has been called to them, has, as a rule, been made with promptness and a spirit indicative of an earnest devotion to duty.

Respectfully, yours,

W. E. ELWELL,

Inspector-General and Chief Surgeon, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.

Hon. FRANKLIN MURPHY,

President Board of Managers,

National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.

Percentage of number of members admitted from the different States and Territories to whole number cared for by the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, from date of organization to June 30, 1906, viz, 138,035.

Average number present and absent, etc., and gain and loss, from date of organization to June 30, 1906.

Averages.

Gain.

Loss.

Chart showing average number present, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, for the nine years from 1892 to 1900.