DISEASES OF THE HEART AND LUNGS.

The conclusion is forced upon us that epileptics are prone to diseases or disorders of the heart and lungs, the organs of blood and air.

Whether heart disease, pure and simple, or tuberculosis of the lungs, arising de novo in the individual, ever causes genuine epilepsy we are unable at this time to say; but there seems to be no room for doubt about the part played by tuberculosis as a family cause in the etiology of epilepsy.

Thorough physical examination in 1,070 cases on admission showed the following:

Heart.-Mitral regurgitation in 77; irregular cardiac force and rhythm in 75; cardiac hypertrophy in 50; roughened first sound in 13; systolic murmur apex in 10; aortic regurgitation in 9; mitral stenosis in 6; accentuation second sounds in 5; atheroma in 5; aortic stenosis in 4; fatty heart in 3; double mitral in 2; tricuspid regurgitation in 1; diastolic murmur apex

in 1.

Lungs. Defective breathing in 86; consolidation of the lungs (mostly partial) in 31; emphysema in 5; asthma in 2.

The diagrammatic chart here presented shows that more epileptics die from tuberculosis than from any other single cause, every fourth death being caused by it, while status epilepticus, a very fatal condition to which every epileptic is liable, followed as a close second, it being the cause of death in over 23% of all cases. The very force and violence of the convulsions themselves sometimes produce death, while there are always accidental causes, such as asphyxiation during sleep, or mechanical violence, from which every epileptic having his freedom is at times unprotected. Ten of the 95 deaths were due to organic heart disease.

It is interesting to note the intimate relationship between the matter under the head of "Infirmities on Admission " in this report and the "Causes of Death" shown above.

SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS OF THE PAST YEAR AND OTHERS UNDER WAY.

INFIRMARIES.

The two infirmaries, one for either sex, each holding 40 to 50 cases, both designed with a view to future enlargement, are practically completed and we hope to occupy them by January first next, or as soon as the sewer and water lines to them are completed. The bids for this latter work were opened August 2d last, and were as follows: $1,920.50, $1,640.30 and $1,340. The appropriation for it was $1,500, and the contract was let at $1,340.

DORMITORIES.

Early in the summer, plans were made and accepted for four dormitories in the Villa Flora Group. On receiving bids it was found that they exceeded the per capita cost of $500 per patient and were all rejected. Preparations are under way at the present time for making plans and specifications for all buildings. to be put up under the item of $90,000 given us this year for dormitories.

VILLAGE GREEN.

The four buildings for 120 male patients on the Village Green were finished early in the year and are now occupied. They each hold from 28 to 30 patients, each have a man and his wife in charge, and have proved to be very satisfactory homes for patients.

TWO SILOS.

Bids were opened on August 2d for two silos under the appropriation of $900 for same. The contract for their construction complete was awarded the Mt. Morris Lumber Company, at $707.95. The silos have been completed and filled with ensilage.

UNDERGRADE CROSSINGS.

The two undergrade crossings on the Pennsylvania Railroad are practically completed and will soon be opened for use. The bid for doing this work by contract was $1,591, while it will be finished by day's labor for less than $1,000. With these two crossings in use, and with the railroad track properly fenced, the danger of accidents to Colonists will be lessened.

WILLOW POND.

We have cleaned Willow pond by removing several hundred cubic yards of mud and silt and distributed it over the adjoining land as a fertilizer. All the ice we now use, amounting this year to 1,700 tons, was cut from this pond.

WAREHOUSE AND BAKERY.

The appropriation of $1,500 for finishing the warehouse and bakery is being expended for that purpose by contract, and we hope to occupy this building within six weeks or two months.

TRADES SCHOOL.

A contract was made on August 2d for the construction of a third wing to the trades school, and the work is now under way. The addition of this wing will give us the needed increase in the amount of room for shop and industrial purposes.

FILTER BED.

The new filter bed in connection with the sewerage system, an acre in extent, was completed last fall and is in successful We have found the intermittent filtration sewage system perfectly satisfactory in every respect.

use.

CONDUIT FOR STEAM PIPES.

We are building a brick conduit, 3 x 4 feet, to carry steam heating and hot water pipes about the Villa Flora group, including the Roman Catholic chapel and priest's residence. It is regretted that work on this conduit was so long delayed, but every effort is now being made to complete it as soon as possible.

TENANT HOUSES.

Bids were opened in August last for four new tenant houses under the $4,000 appropriation for that purpose, but all were rejected as being in excess of the appropriation. An additional appropriation will be required before these cottages can be built.

HOTHOUSE AND WIRES UNDERGROUND.

Plans have been made and accepted for a hothouse of approved design, 20 x 100 feet, for garden and floral purposes, and its construction will be begun at an early date. Plans and specifications have also been made for putting all electric light, telephone and other wires underground, for which bids will be received at an early date.

FENCING.

About one mile of new wire fence has been built through the forest along the east line of the property. This completes the fencing around the entire estate, but some cross fences need yet to be built.

MINOR REPAIRS.

A large number of minor repairs have been made in all departments, including engineering, carpentry, plumbing, masonry and painting. The following buildings were painted outside, wholly