NOTE. In the cases of the samples having a question mark following the candle test there was a difference of opinion regarding the accuracy of the tests.

Ovalbumen.-Coagulates at 64 to 67 degrees Cent. Analysis gives-carbon, 52.46%; hydrogen, 7.19%; nitrogen, 14.36%; sulphur, 1.73%; oxygen. Ovoglobulin.-Coagulates at 75 degrees Cent. Analysis gives-carbon, 49.88%; hydrogen, 7.09%; nitrogen, 14.36%; sulphur, 1.73%; oxygen. Conalbumen.-Coagulates at 55 to 60 degrees Cent. Analysis gives-carbon 52.25%; hydrogen, 6.99%; nitrogen, 16.11%; sulphur, 1.70%; oxygen. Ovomucoid. Not coagulated. Analysis gives-carbon, 49.37%; hydrogen, 6.88%; nitrogen, 12.65%; sulphur, 2.25%; oxygen.

Yolk proteins:

Ovovitellin. (A phosphoprotein.) Analysis gives-carbon, 51.24%; hydrogen, 7.16%; nitrogen, 16.38%; sulphur, 1.04%; phosphorous, 0.94%; oxygen, 23.24%.

Mixed milk from which the cream has been allowed to completely rise (24 hours), was mixed by the stirring in the can twenty-five times, then allowed to stand quietly one-half hour.

A study of the above analyses shows, in the case of beef, that slight changes from the normal composition of fresh beef occur on cold storage, at or near the freezing point of water. They are in large measure those so-called "self-digesting" changes which are supposed to make it more tender, and, to many, more palatable.

These changes are a slow (uncertain) increase in the number of bacteria, especially on the outside, a slight increase in the soluble proteins, i. e., primary and secondary protein derivatives (proteoses, peptones and peptides), and usually slight loss of water from drying.

On beginning putrefaction all of the above changes first take on a sudden increase, but this is especially true of the nitrogen existing as free ammonia, bacteria, and moisture in the fat free solids, accompanied by an increased depression of the freezing point of the plasma. Only after the putrefactive changes have distinctly progressed as a rule, do the products of the more profound decomposition of proteins appear in recognizable amounts, although to a slight extent all of these processes are coexisting.

On account of the number of accidental factors which influence the bacterial count, this is often of less practical value with these foods than is the content of free ammonia, etc.

Nitrogen as free ammonia should not exceed, as a rule, 0.0015 to 0.0025 in fresh eggs, or 0.015 to 0.025 in beef. Water in beef should not be more than four times the content of the fat free dry material, and the depression of the freezing point of the plasma should not be one entire degree centigrade.

It must not be forgotten that an acute and experienced sense of smell and taste is perhaps fully as delicate as any of the above tests, although it of course does not allow of expressing the results numerically.

The above concludes our report on the routine analyses and chemical studies of purchased supplies.

Besides these, quite a number of analyses have been made incidental to studies which are directly or indirectly of medical interest. These studies are: "Chemical Analyses of Nervous Tissues, Especially Brain," "Studies on Brain Protagon," "A Method for Determining Organic Phosphorous and Sulphur in Sticky Biological Materials, Especially Nervous Tissues," "Pharmacologically Active Principles of Common Ragweed" and a continuation of studies already begun on the micro-chemical reactions of important alkaloids, and the melting points, boiling points and elementary composition of medical chemicals as means for their identification.

These, as previously stated, are discussed in the report of the Binghamton State Hospital.

Respectfully submitted,

BURT E. NELSON,

Chemist.

REPORT OF THE MEDICAL INSPECTOR

To the State Hospital Commission:

I herewith respectfully submit my report, as medical inspector for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1914.

During the year, I have made 161 visits to the 41 institutions. which are subject to the visitation and inspection of your Commission and your representatives. Sixty-five visits were made to the State hospitals, and 96 to licensed private institutions. Four visits have been made to each State hospital and to each licensed private institution, with the following exceptions: Six visits were made to the Long Island State Hospital, five visits to the Hudson River State Hospital, two visits to the Mohansic State Hospital, and two visits to the recently licensed private institution, the Spring Hill Sanitarium at Hastings, N. Y., and three visits to the new Pleasantville Sanitarium at Pleasantville, N. Y.

Reports in detail, covering the medical and nursing service, complaints of patients, recommendations concerning new cases admitted, and the general efficiency of the institutions visited. have been filed, both at the institutions and in the office of your Commission. Six thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven patients admitted to the State hospitals, and 730 admitted to licensed private hospitals, a total of 7,657 were examined, each patient being allowed an interview as provided in the statute, and the suitability of his detention passed upon.

In addition to the visits above enumerated, six visits were made to five unlicensed institutions, and one to a detention pavilion. Two visits were made to the Hudson Training School for Girls, at the request of the superintendent of that institution, in order to examine two inmates who were considered suitable for commitment to a State hospital. Commitment was recommended in

one case.

On October 22, 1913, at the direction of your Commission, and the request of Mr. Justice Dugro of the Supreme Court, I examined and submitted a report to him concerning the mental condition of three patients confined in the Matteawan State Hospital for the criminal insane, who had applied to the court for writs of habeas corpus.

During one of my visits to the Matteawan State Hospital, I examined, at your direction, 25 women patients whose terms of sentence had expired, in order to detrmine their suitability for transfer to civil hospitals for the insane.

A considerable part of my time was devoted to special investigations concerning accidents and casualties, the complaints of patients, and the charges of relatives concerning the alleged abuse of patients, the most important of which are considered in detail in this report.

A portion of my time during the year was devoted to attending various committee meetings, and in assisting in the promotion examination for senior assistant physician, the practical part of which was conducted at the Psychiatric Institute.

I have attended the quarterly conference of your Commission with the managers and superintendents, held during the year, and have also been present at meetings of the Albany and Rensselaer County medical societies.

STATE HOSPITALS

ADMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES CIVIL
HOSPITALS

There have been admitted, exclusive of transfers, 7,956 patients to the 14 civil hospitals for the insane, during the fiscal year just ended. Of these admissions 374 were voluntary patients which is an increase of 48 over the previous year. Of these voluntary patients 161 or 43 per cent were readmissions. This result is most gratifying, and shows the increasing tendency on the part of patients to take advantage voluntarily of the treatment offered by the hospitals and much benefit should accrue therefrom, as those who place themselves under treatment during the early periods of their psychosis obtain the greatest benefit.

One hundred and eighty-eight of these voluntary admissions were seen during the year. Of this number 26 proved to be