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small trap under the kitchen sink should be removed, and a trap that cannot be siphoned substituted therefor.

At the time of the inspection the water supply was found to be insufficient for the demands of the jail. Either the tank capacity should be increased, or a pipe large enough to insure an ample supply at all times of the year should be laid to the street main.

In the basement of the jail is a large opening connected with the sewer; this should either be trapped or discarded entirely, preferably the latter. The opening does not seem to be necessary, and is at all times offensive.

We would also suggest, as a matter of economy as well as greater protection against fire, that the twelve stoves now used to heat the institution be abandoned and steam heat substituted therefor. This is not recommended strictly as a sanitary measure, but we believe it would be a much better and safer way of heating the building.

We believe the sanitary condition of the jail to be such that your board would be warranted in taking immediate action to remedy the defects. The present condition is dangerous to the health of the inmates, and we believe the health of those confined there should not be jeopardized by waiting for the action of the county delegation in regard to the matter.

Should your board decide, as we hope and expect you will, to remedy the present unhealthful conditions at the jail, this Board would gladly render any assistance desired in suggesting the necessary changes and the manner in which they can best be carried out.

It will be seen by the above that very radical changes, involving considerable expense, were called for at the time. The county commissioners, fully realizing the importance and necessity of the alterations suggested, took hold of the work with commendable promptness and made the changes suggested. The old soil pipe, closet, etc., were removed from each cell, and the plumbing in other parts of the building thoroughly overhauled. New soil pipes, terminating in the open air above, have been put in, and connecting therewith is a modern water-closet in each cell with a flushing tank overhead. There are twelve cells, and each has been provided in the manner mentioned. The opening in the floor of the corridor which formerly connected directly with the sewer

without any trap, has been properly trapped and is used now only to drain off the water when the hose is used to wash the concrete floor of the corridor. A bath-tub and sink have been placed in the corridor, greatly to the comfort and convenience of the prisoners.

The bath-tub, wash-bowl, etc., in the jailor's apartments have been thoroughly trapped. Heating by stoves has been abandoned and steam heat substituted. The jail formerly had twelve stoves, it now contains but one, the kitchen range. The heating apparatus has not yet been given a thorough test, but it appears to be ample for the institution. The water supply which has previously been short at times, has been increased by putting in a new and much larger pipe in connection with the street water main. Since this alteration there has been no lack of water.

Numerous minor improvements have also been made, and the condition of the jail at the present time is exceedingly good. One other improvement ought to be made, to wit, better ventilation for the jail. Suitable ventilating flues could be constructed with slight expense, which would greatly improve the atmosphere of the jail. We would especially call the attention of the county commissioners to this point. The sewage of the institution is discharged in an open field at present, so far removed from any residence as to be unobjectionable. There is some question, however, as to how long these conditions will exist.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

Although some improvements have been made at this institution as they have been absolutely demanded from time to time, yet the entire group of buildings is an aggregation of almost worthless houses. More or less money has been expended each year upon these buildings, still no one of them is what it should be. The main building, or almshouse proper, is a large wooden house, four stories in height besides the basement. This building is so frail and the timbers are so rotten as to give rise to suspicions that in a very strong wind there

is danger of its collapsing. Close examination of many of the timbers showed that they are completely decayed with dry rot, even in the second story. In the main hallway a large timber which supports the hall floor, is badly crumbled with dry rot, and this in a position, too, where it would be least expected. The sills of the building, window-stools, and other portions that admitted of ready examination, were found to be in the same condition—indeed, the state of this building is such as to render it extremely doubtful if it would be worth repairing. The building used for the men's insane asylum is also worthless. The women's insane asylum and the building occupied by the old men were built more recently than the others, hence are in a better condition, but they are cheaply constructed wooden buildings.

The laundry and home for the old women and the schoolroom are located in one building, while adjacent to it is the boiler which furnishes heat and power. The laundry machinery, running six days in the week in the basement, causes much annoyance in the other departments which are directly over it. This arrangement is entirely wrong; the whole building is required for laundry purposes. At the present time all the clothes have to be carried from this building across the yard into the dining-room of the main house, to be ironed after the meals are cleared away. There should also be a separate building for the schoolroom. There are now about 40 pupils. If this institution is to be maintained, these changes should be made. This building is the best of the entire group in fact, it is the only one that could be suitably

arranged for a laundry.

The superintendent's house is also in a state of decay. The condition of these buildings, as regards fire, is one of constant peril, there being nothing whatever to prevent their being entirely destroyed, with great loss of life, should a fire get under headway. There are absolutely no facilities for extinguishing fire. The water supply is wholly inadequate for any such purpose, and with all the force obtainable, water could scarcely be thrown into the second story of the build

ings. The neglect of the county delegation at its last meeting to provide some remedy for this great danger, as well as for other needs, after having examined and duly understanding the conditions, is inexplicable. The water supply is from a reservoir which was formerly used for a silo, and is elevated but a few feet above the level of the buildings. It is supplied by wind power and two hydraulic rams. There is ordinarily scarcely water enough for domestic purposes, there being times when the supply is insufficient and water has to be pumped from wells on the premises. The present supply is not sufficient to run a system of water-closets in addition to what it is now doing. There is no system of sewers worthy the name at the institution. There are no water-closets, and the old vaults, notwithstanding the efforts of the superintendent, are always in an unsanitary condition.

The only thing to be commended at this almshouse is its administration. All the buildings, wards, and rooms, were in the greatest possible state of cleanliness, indeed it was almost surprising that the walls and floors of some of the rooms could be kept so clean, with wide, open cracks and rough and badly worn boards as were especially noticeable in the men's insane asylum. These cracks in the floors and walls are constant harbors of vermin and it is only by the daily use of insect powder that these pests can be controlled. Every part of the institution was thoroughly neat and clean, the beds in good order, with clean sheets, pillow-cases, and spreads. The greatest praise is to be given the superintendent and matron for their constant efforts and their great success in keeping the institution in so good a condition.

When the present site of the buildings was selected, the county had less than 100 paupers, but with the rapid increase in the population this unfortunate class has increased until it now has over 300 inmates at times in the almshouse. It can readily be seen that an institution designed to accommodate 100 inmates would not be suitably appointed for three times that number.

In view of the present condition of these buildings, we

would recommend, that this location be abandoned, and that an institution ample for the needs of the county be constructed at some more accessible point.

At the time of the inspection there were present 256 paupers, 21 prisoners, and about 60 children.

CHESHIRE COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

Since our last report on this almshouse the county has erected a brick building on the east side and in the rear of the main house, for laundry purposes and to provide extra room for the insane. The building is two stories high, very thoroughly and substantially built, and covered with metal shingles. A small brick room connected with this building contains a small boiler and engine to furnish power for laundry purposes in the building proper. The first floor is devoted to the laundry, clothes room, drying room, three rooms for the insane, four water-closets, sink, etc. In the second story there are six rooms, besides one containing the sink, water-closet, and bath.

The entire building is finished in hard pine, including walls and ceilings overhead, and is heated by steam. There is a ventilating shaft in the centre of the building, with registers opening into it from the corridors. The rooms are ventilated into the corridors by means of large transoms over the doors.

The second story of this building is connected with the main almshouse by a covered walk. There is a well-constructed basement divided into two parts, one of which is used for a vegetable cellar, and the other for the men's smoking room.

This building is just what has long been needed, except that it is not large enough to provide accommodations for all the county insane. The ward for the insane in the main house, which it was thought might be vacated and used for hospital wards after the building for the insane should be finished, is still occupied by the insane, there not being sufficient room for them in the new building.