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Problem of Indian Administration

no means could be considered sufficient for the Indian population at large.

In some instances the local state, county, or city public health nursing service could care for the Indians within its jurisdiction. For example, in some sections of California many Indians are receiving the same care as the whites. Consideration might well be given to the economy of the practice of some large life insurance companies, which utilize existing public health nursing services on a fee basis with a view to prolonging the lives of policy holders.

Four positions have been authorized for California by the Service. They will be placed with due consideration for the existing facilities. It could doubtless receive additional service at several points: by codperation with the state and local health boards.

The housing facilities provided for the public health nurse are usually very poor. At one jurisdiction the nurse is located at some distance from both the boarding school and the agency headquarters. Another nurse was for a considerable time quartered in a small house on the edge of an Indian village at the extreme edge of her jurisdiction, whereas she should have been stationed near the center of the district. Not enough consideration has been given this important factor of location.

Thirteen positions have been established for traveling nurses, but only nine of them have been utilized, as they were created primarily to have nursing service available for special physicians. Four of these positions are thus in reserve for epidemics and similar emergencies. Six of these nurses are trained and have civil service certification; one is a practical nurse under civil service rating; one is a “temporary” practical nurse, and one position is vacant.

Their duties are to assist the traveling specialists in their trachoma work. They usually remain after a clinic to supervise the immediate follow-up on recent operative cases.

Field matrons have been employed for a long period of time. They are mentioned here only because a certain amount of health service is assigned to them. Their duties, as outlined from time to time, have been broad and all-inclusive. The type of service outlined for them would, in fact, tax the most modern public health nurse, social case worker, and farm demonstration agent combined. The very meager salaries offered and the low educational standards