or his present physical decline. His
mental lethargy and want of ambition under the deadening reservation
system have had much to do with the outcome.

He was in a sense muzzled. He was told: "You are yet a child. You cannot
teach your own children, nor judge of their education. They must not
even use their mother tongue. I will do it all myself. I have got to
make you over; meanwhile, I will feed and clothe you. I will be your
nurse and guardian."

This is what happened to this proud and self-respecting race! But since
then they have silently studied the world's history and manners; they
have wandered far and wide and observed life for themselves. They have
thought much. The great change has come about; the work has been done,
whether poorly or otherwise, and, upon the whole, the good will prevail.
The pessimist may complain that nothing has come of all the effort made
in behalf of the Indian. I say that it is not too late for the original
American to regain and reestablish his former physical excellency. Why
should he not? Much depends upon his own mental attitude, and this is
becoming more normal as the race approaches and some part of it attains
to self-support and full citizenship. As I have said, conditions are
improving; yet much remains to be done; and it should be done quickly.
An exhaustive inquiry into health conditions among the tribes was made
in accordance with an act of Congress in 1912, and the report presented
in January, 1913, was in brief as follows:

1. Trachoma is exceedingly prevalent among Indians.

2. Tuberculosis among Indians is greatly in excess of that estimated
for the white population.

3. The sanitary conditions upon reservations are, on the whole, bad.

4. The primitive Indian requires instruction in personal hygiene and
habits of living in stationary dwellings.

5. The sanitary conditions in most Indian schools are
unsatisfactory.

6. There is danger of the spread of tuberculosis and trachoma from
the Indian to other races.

7. Due care is not taken in the collection and preservation of vital
statistics.

8. The medical department of the Indian Bureau is hampered by
insufficient authority and inadequate compensation.

As a result of this and other investigations, increased appropriations
have been asked for, and to a limited extent provided, for the purpose
of preventing and treating disease, and especially of checking