Hon. Henry H. Porter,
President Department of Public Charities and Correction.
SIR.—I have the honor to submit the following report of the conduct of the department under my charge, and the cost incurred during the year 1886.
Early in the year, by the use of recently devised apparatus and more sensitive chemical compounds, the work of the department was extended to more difficult branches of illustration, which had previously been deemed impracticable on account of the inability of many patients to remain still a sufficient length of time to secure the requisite amount of actinic effect. When it is considered that by the older and slower methods formerly used our time of action was divisable only by seconds and minutes, and that now equal effects are produced by hundreths and thousandths of the same time it may be plainly understood that the methods of work have been greatly improved.
Important operations can now be photographed while the work of the surgeon is being done. With the illustrations of the case before, during and after operation a complete record is possible. The importance of such to the institution, the profession and the welfare of future patients is plainly apparent to all who are conversant with hospital practice.
Many expressions of gratitude and thanks continue to be received for the introduction of methods of work which are not being adopted in similar institutions at home and abroad. And the recognition of the wisdom of the Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction of the City of New York in establishing this department is each succeeding year being more widely extended.
The photographing of the unknown dead at the Morgue continues to meet with the general recognition of its importance, which has been accorded to that part of the department work in past years.
By this means the identity of the dead is established beyond question, and the fate of missing friends and relatives who die as "unknown" in our city is often fully explained by these illustrations.
Number of hospital plates and prints made, 454; number of morgue cases photographed, 70. Material on hand January 1, 1886, $17.09; material purchased during the year, $75.32. Toatl, $92.41.
Material on hand January 1, 1887, $16 27. Showing expended during the year, $76 14.
| Number of hospital plates and prints made.... | 454 |
| Number of Morgue cases photographed.... | 70 |
| Material on hand January 1st, 1886.... | $17 09 |
| Material purchased during the year.... | 75 32 |
| $92 41 | |
| Material on hand January 1st, 1887.... | 16 27 |
| Showing expended during the year.... | $76 14 |
Most respectfully,
O. G. MASON, Photographer.