There has been but a moderate degree of sickness among the inmates of the several institutions. No epidemic has occurred, and no unusual frequency of contagious disease.

Rev. Mr. Dadmun, Chaplain and Superintendent of Schools, is occupied continually in the care of the children and making efforts to provide for their welfare after leaving the Institutions as well as while at the island.

QUARANTINE.

By reference to the report of Dr. Durgin, Port Physician, it will be seen that but few cases of malignant or contagious disease have been treated at Gallop's Island. The removal of the small-pox hospital to this place, prevents the spreading of the contagion among our numerous population at Deer Island.

Hospital conveniences are much needed to take the place of those old wooden buildings erected for the temporary purpose of barracks for soldiers in the late war. They have become so dilapidated, that some of them have been blown down by heavy winds, and even the single building used for a hospital is propped up by braces to maintain it in a tolerably upright position. Suitable buildings should be erected to provide for epidemics of any degree of intensity.

Dr. E. H. Stevens, assistant port physician, resides at Gallop's Island, in charge of the hospital, having daily communication with Dr. Durgin; thus the entire medical staff is at all times available.

LUNATIC HOSPITAL.

The question of a location for a new hospital which, during the past year, was the occasion of much deliberation and discussion by the city Government, and subjected to divers influences by others interested in the several sites submitted for approval, is still undecided and open for new and increasing controversy. No improvement is suggested in the plans, and

they have been examined and investigated by the most competent judges. Only the location seems to be at fault; and the Board, at the request of the Government, officially, declaredthe Winthrop estate to be for all reasons the best, besides being already the property of the city. We hope the present year for a solution of the problem, and a final decision.

In all the wards of the hospital there is great inconvenience for want of room. No classification can be had, and the in mates themselves complain of their crowded state. Nor can their condition be ameliorated, unless more room is afforded. The capacity of the building will not allow of much further occupation. Sixteen beds in one room is quite too close prox imity for diseased people. Ventilation cannot be perfect even with all the temporary appliances which can be made practicable. The Superintendent, Dr. Walker, with commendable judgment and foresight, has placed the attendants in the enlarged cottage building, so that the patients may have the entire facilities of the hospital. The billiard room has been turned into a dormitory, and all the available room is occupied throughout the institution.

The able report of the Superintendent gives a clear and detailed account of the fire which occurred in the cottage building on the morning of Christmas, and which for a time threatened serious damage to the Institution, but was finally subdued after great and praiseworthy effort on the part of the Fire Department. The main building was uninjured, although we feared that the stairways on the exterior, erected this year as a "fire escape," would be brought into immediate requisition. By strenuous exertions the danger was passed without injury to a single patient.

The superintendent and officers deserve much credit for preserving control of the inmates, quieting their fears, and keeping them in a calm and tranquil state until the cause of alarm had subsided.

It requires but little effort of the imagination to foresee what must have been the result had the main building been burned. With all the means of escape we have provided, still the terror and uncontrollable vehemence which characterizes the insane, in all probability would have prevented their being removed to a place of safety without some loss of life.

It is hoped that a hospital will be erected creditable to the fame which attaches to the city of Boston; for liberality and scientific culture, and for the bright example she has set in establishing and maintaining institutions of a public character. By such a structure this class of unfortunates would be supplied with those comforts of which they have long been deprived.

Dr. Rowe, the Assistant Superintendent, merits the confidence of the Board for his faithful attention to the duties of his position.

HOUSE OF CORRECTION.

The effective descipline of Captain Robins, together with the demand for prison labor, have resulted in rendering this Institution for the present year a paying one. A new shop for the employment of the men, and steam power of sufficient capacity offer a strong inducement to manufacturers to contract for the use of prison labor. There is room for more improvement in this direction. Captain Robins' report, which is appended, contains some suggestions which are of value as to new shop accommodations. The subject of a want of cells is most urgent, and the confinemet of prisoners in the attic is a necessity which should not be suffered to continue.

An enlargement of the prison is imperatively demanded.

Heating the several buildings belonging to this department, from one common source is a subject which is worthy of investigation. It is recommended to place in the centre of the area, between the male prison and chapel, steam boilers, with suitable connecting pipes to each building so that they may all be heated by steam at much less than present cost.

It would seem that after the first cost of boilers and service pipes, the saving of fuel must prove an economical measure, which would soon offset the primary expenditure. If this could be accomplished, it would tend continually to the reduction of the cost of maintaining the Institution.

The employment of prisoners, aside from the consideration of the pecuniary profit, is advantageous in relieving the monotony of confinement and is conducive to health. Books from the library are placed in their hands, and are an aid to their intellectual developement, while the spare time is thus occupied profitably.

Respectfully submitted,

J. P. BRADLEE, PRESIDENT.

REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF

THE DEER ISLAND INSTITUTIONS.

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

GENTLEMEN,— The following reports of the Deer Island Institutions, for the financial year ending April 30, 1870, are respectfully submitted:

ALMSHOUSE DEPARTMENT.

There were remaining on May 1, 1869:

Men, 102; women, 51; boys, 60; girls, 28. Total, 241. Admitted from May 1, 1869, to April 30, 1870, inclusive:Men, 252; women, 99; boys, 34; girls, 22. Total, 407. Discharged from May 1, 1869, to April 30, 1870, inclusive: Men, 236; women, 89; boys, 36; girls, 21. Total, 382. Remaining May 1, 1870

Men, 118; women, 61; boys, 58; girls, 29. Total 266.
Number of deaths during the year:-

Men, 18; women, 12; boys, 2; girls, 3. Total, 35.
Largest number of paupers during the year, 358.

The adult almshouse department has been crowded beyond its comfortable capacity, the hospitals so full as to be detrimental to the health and comfort of the occupants, and the dormitories so crowded that there has been scarcely room to pass between the beds. That a new almshouse is required, is no