CITY OF CLEVELAND

construct the tunnel from the funds available for the new construction
work but as it will be a decided step in raising the
efficiency of the institution it is fortunate that this improvement
could be made at this time.
TRANSPORTATION.
The improved transportation facilities whereby the Cleveland
Railway Company established an hourly bus service be-
.tween the institution and the terminal of the Kinsman street
cars at East 154th Street and Kinsman Rioad, has continued
during the year and has materially added to the proper operation
of the Sanatorium. There has been less labor turnover as
a result of these important facilities and patients who have been
permitted to go home on leave have required much less physical
exertion than was the case formerly when several transfers
were necessary and the service was often interrupted.
CHARACTERISTICS OF POPULATION.
During 1926 the types of cases handled were largely those of
pulmonary tuberculosis in a moderately advanced stage as heretofore.
Of course, with the additional number of children
handled, a slightly larger percentage of pre-tuberculous cases
were admitted. The figures for the past fifteen years of operation
at the institution show a decided change in some respects
in the types of cases handled as regards color and nativity.
The buildings now in use first were occupied in May, 1913,
and careful statistics are available for the entire period of operation
since. During the first eight years of operation, from
1913 to 1920, the number of colored patients for the entire period
was 2%. Last year, out of the 694 cases treated altogether, 115
were colored or slightly over 16.6%. This percentage of colored
persons has been increasing rapidly since 1920. The percentage
of colored in 1925 was 14.1% and in 1924, 12.4%. The increase
of colored patients is in keeping with the steady increase noted
in the city in the total number of cases of tuberculosis among
negroes and the total number of deaths. In 1925 and in 1926
nearly 30% of all deaths from tuberculosis in Cleveland were
among the colored group.
As regards age during the first eight years of operation,
1913 to 1920, approximately 61% of the cases handled were
under 30 years of age. Last year, out of a total number of 694
cases treated, 489 or approximately 70%, were under 30 years
of age. This is largely due ta increased beds for children, but
the point should be stressed that the average age of the population
is sufficiently young to take into consideration the needs of
the younger age groups in matters of recreation, entertainment,
supervision and discipline in order to effect the best therapeutic
results in the shortest possible time. Naturally the people of
younger age are most active and as the treatment of this disease
requires long and continued rest the average individual affected
undergoes with considerable fortitude the long days of invalidism
wherever situated.