Page:LewisMeriam-TheProblemOfIndianAdministration.djvu/290

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Health
263

very closely to those of the present survey insofar as they relate to the same reservations.

In August, 1912, Congress authorized the Public Health Service to make an investigation into the prevalence of contagious and infectious diseases among the Indians of the United States. A report was submitted in 1913, containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Viewing the situation of this problem in the Indian Service today, it would seem that the Service has lacked the technical staff necessary to correct the preventable mistakes outlined in that report. It has of course been seriously handicapped for funds with which to prosecute such a program, but, more important, it has lacked a well equipped technical staff adequately to present its technical requirements to Congress and the Budget Bureau.

The American Red Cross, the American Child Health Association, and the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company have cooperated with the Service by preparing, and in some cases even by providing, brief pamphlets on various subjects pertaining to health. As this literature has been published in English, it is useful chiefly in the schools and among the more advanced better educated Indians. Obviously it can be of little service to the Indians who do not easily use English. Religious literature has been printed in the Dakota language for the Sioux tribes, and in the Five-year Program at Pine Ridge mimeographed folders have been prepared in that language. The fact that this has been done shows that it could be done in health literature. Little use has thus far been made of moving pictures. Home surveys have been made on several occasions. They are too often filed instead of being used as the basis for an active cumulative index of the health situation inherent in the Indian home.

It should be noted that from time to time various other voluntary agencies have carried on health activities among certain Indian tribes. These activities have generally dealt with a specific problem and not with the situation as a whole.

To the activities of the Red Cross in providing public health nurses can doubtless be traced in no small measure the recent development of this service by the Indian Office itself. The Eastern Association on Indian Affairs is making a similar demonstration by providing field nurses in New Mexico. The survey made by the