ation to the comfort and convenience of the traveling public, not only by means of rapid transportation, cheap rates, and elegant coaches, but by providing better stations and more attractive grounds. To this end much labor and money have been expended within a short time, and the results are noticeable all along our railroad lines, chiefly along the lines of the Boston & Maine, the Concord, and the Maine Central. As these corporations control most of the roads in our State, the improvements are consequently wide-spread. But the spirit of progress is also manifested by other roads; even the Grand Trunk, a line noted for its dirty stations and grounds, has felt the influence of the age and is making some improvements in this direction. The Boston & Maine, the Concord, and the Maine Central are progressive corporations and during a short period have greatly improved the sanitary conditions of their respective lines. This has, perhaps, been. accomplished through the broad purpose of a general improvement, rather than by special effort to this particular end; but it should be stated that these railroads have expended no very inconsiderable sums solely for the purpose of bettering the sanitary condition of some of their stations. We are also advised that other extensive changes are contemplated in the near future. At some stations there is urgent need of alterations and changes, nearly all of which are known to the respective roads. We have reason to expect that there will be no retrograde movement in the policy that has already given us marked evidences of proficiency and advancement. VITAL STATISTICS. The amount of hard labor and pains-taking detail connected with the collection of vital statistics is out of all proportion to the little interest taken in the work by the general public; nevertheless, the value of an accurate registration of births, marriages, and deaths, and of the statistical tables compiled during months of ceaseless industry, is incalculable to the State and an indispensable obligation which the common wealth owes to every citizen. These records constitute an index to the health-rate or to the death-rate of every town and city in the State, and to the thoughtful and considerate man seeking a residence for himself and family, as well as to the public-spirited citizen who desires that the health standard. of his town shall be maintained at a high rate, the registration reports, or the information deduced therefrom, is a valuable guide. The mortality of a given place for a series of years, if accurately returned and recorded, becomes an infallible register of the healthfulness of the locality. If the mortality rate is low the citizen knows that his family is more safely guarded against illness than if the death-rate were higher; and if the continued death-rate is high the health authorities are admonished thereby that there is urgent work for them to do. No health department can direct its work to the greatest possible advantage without the knowledge revealed by an accurate registration of the causes of death within its jurisdiction. A record of the births, marriages, divorces, and deaths taking place within the State shows the actual movement of the population in various directions with more exactness than can be obtained from any other source. In addition to the information of a public nature thus secured, it frequently happens that questions of great individual importance, resting upon the record of a birth, a marriage, or a death, can be settled in no other way. As a matter of fact, the registration of vital statistics in New Hampshire commenced about ten years ago, and is yearly becoming more accurate and valuable, especially the returns of marriages and deaths. The Registration Report, compiled under the direction of the secretary of this Board, has grown to be a work of great labor and constitutes a volume nearly the size of the annual reports of this Board. It is composed chiefly of statistical matter and is designed for purposes of reference. This report may be found in the public. libraries of the State and is also distributed in various other directions. If they are continued without interruption they will become in a few years an invaluable guide to the health officer in the work of reclaiming unsanitary localities, and in preventing and restricting many of the diseases that now figure too largely among the causes of death. REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. Many foreign countries, as well as several States in the Union, have already recognized the fact that the people should be protected against the merciless and unscrupulous impostors who travel about, advertising to cure all forms of disease or to have most miraculous powers in certain specialties. These quacks, some of them well educated and consequently more finished and adroit in their manner, offer the most attractive and alluring inducements to the afflicted, who, prompted by the hope of receiving benefit, too often become the innocent and defrauded victims of these itinerant swindlers. Their promises are delusive, and their charges, always cash down, extortionate. The sick, especially those suffering from long-standing or chronic diseases, naturally enough grasp at anything that offers any hope of recovery, hence they should be protected by law against the seductive coils of charlatanism. In our own State the evils of medical quackery have frequently been seen. We have had for several years a law which has accomplished something, although it has been pronounced unconstitutional and on the first of January, 1892, when the Public Statutes take effect, will be repealed. Our State is now the favorite haunt of several noted, disreputable, conscienceless medical swindlers, whose lying handbills and advertisements are familiar to the public. A bill regulating the practice of medicine was defeated at the hands of the last Legislature, because the measure was regarded as too weak and defective, especially after it had been amended by the House, to secure the desired end - the protection of the people. The subject should receive the consideration of the next Legislature and a law be enacted that will protect all while it shall injure no one. THE CATTLE COMMISSION. One of the most important laws enacted at the last session of the Legislature was that creating a state board of cattle commissioners. If vigorously executed it cannot fail to afford great protection to the stock owners of the State against the spread of tuberculosis and other dangerous animal diseases. The law provides that the secretary of the state board of agriculture, the master of the state grange, and the secretary of the State Board of Health shall constitute the commission. The board was organized early in the year and commenced work at once. Petitions for the inspection of herds supposed to be infected with tuberculosis have kept the board constantly at work thus far in this one direction. Up to date many herds have been examined, and about sixty animals found to be infected with the disease have been destroyed. The importance of this work can only be realized when it is remembered that tuberculosis (consumption) in the cow and in the human family are identical, and that doubtless the germ of the disease is not infrequently conveyed to persons through tuberculosis meat and milk. chiefly the latter. The State has, therefore, truly taken a step in the right direction in protecting its citizens against one of the sources of the most fatal and insideous diseases known to mankind. law referred to will be found elsewhere in this report. THE COMMISSION OF LUNACY. The The State Board of Health by virtue of a law enacted in 1889 is also a Board of Commissioners of Lunacy. The work which devolves upon the Board in the latter capacity is considerable and exacting, and is represented in a separate annual report. It may, however, be a matter of public interest to state that during the year one hundred and five indigent insane persons have received remedial treatment by order of the Board. Of those committed during the year for remedial treatment 13.79 per cent have recovered; 4.6 per cent much improved; and 6.9 per cent improved. These |