Mr. and Miss Mt. Pleasant gave us a splendid musical entertainment in the early fall. The Girls' Reserves of the Y. W. C. A. of Silver Creek, under the direction of Mrs. F. J. Anderson, Mrs. Charles Ehmke and Miss Lucile Lawrence, furnished a splendid evening's entertainment May 31st.

Our relations with the various departments at Albany with whom we deal have been most cordial. We have had hearty cooperation in carrying on the work of the School.

In conclusion I wish to thank you as a Board for the assistance rendered during the past year. I rejoice that the most cordial relations have existed at all times. I wish also to express my hearty appreciation to all officers and employees for their cooperation and support.

Respectfully submitted,

J. C. BRENNAN,

Superintendent.

PHYSICIAN'S REPORT

To the Board of Managers of Thomas Indian School:

In submitting my report for the year ending June 30, 1924, as your Attending Physician, it seems fitting to present a brief resumé of health conditions prevalent at the Institution for the year. During the holiday vacation, one of our girls became exposed to whooping cough and on her return developed the disease and started an epidemic which included practically every pupil who was not protected by having had the disease. This girl developed pneumonia, as a complication, which was severe and long drawn out. As she was convalescing the cervical glands became enlarged on both sides of her neck, probably tubercular. An abscess also developed under her arm and for a time her case seemed desperate. She now has attained fairly good health again.

During the epidemic of whooping cough about twenty-five pupils required hospital care. Our treatment was confined wholly to the Administration of Pertusis Vaccine, furnished by the State. Eighty pupils received three injections each, a few five or more. The results seemed very satisfactory indeed. The Matron and Nurse were very pronounced in their opinion that the disease was alleviated and the epidemic cut short.

In the early fall at the opening of the school, we had two cases of diphtheria, each making a complete recovery. One of our new pupils proved to be a carrier which cleared up after a long time.

We have had a lad who had been under treatment the greater part of the year suffering from organic heart disease. His general health has improved resulting in an improvement in his heart's action.

Two cases of fractures occurred, one of the clavicle and one of both bones of forearm, which terminated with perfect results.

One lad lost his vision in one eye due to an accident. He was seen by an oculist in Buffalo but unfortunately his injury was of such a nature that his sight could not be saved.

Many cases of incised wounds have occurred, requiring surgical

care.

Early this year Dr. Edward Clark, Deputy State Health Officer of Buffalo, came out to the Institution at my request and Schick tested all pupils over ten years of age. All who reacted and all pupils under ten years, one hundred eighty in all, were given the toxin-antitoxin treatment. Each pupil was given three injections with no severe reaction following. This is preventive medicine as we believe it confers an immunity against contracting diphtheria. At the beginning of the school year each pupil was given a complete physical examination, conforming to State requirements as employed in all schools throughout the State.

16

We have several cases of defective vision which I feel very keenly should be attended to before or soon after the opening of school this fall.

This year, at last, a large amount of dental work has been done here at the Hospital by Red Cross dentists which in my opinion is an important factor in maintaining the excellent health of our pupils which now prevails.

I wish to include in this report my appreciation and thanks to Superintendent Brennan for the many improvements at the Hospital. It has been repainted, redecorated and an addition provided which furnishes an operating room, completely equipped. We feel this will be an incentive for better work.

In conclusion I wish to express to the Board and all who are associated in the work, my appreciation for your consideration and cooperation with my efforts.

Lastly I wish to join with the Board in an expression of sorrow over the loss by death, of one of your members, Mr. Walter Kennedy who for many years had served the Institution so efficiently. Respectfully submitted,

WALDEN M. WARD,

Attending Physician.