A few years since the insane were commonly chained to floors, or tied to stakes under houses or in yards, and were not infrequently burned alive during conflagrations.

Such conditions no longer exist, but the government is not yet able to provide for nearly all of the insane who need institutional care.
The several institutions above mentioned have a very important function apart from the relief of human suffering, in that they afford unexcelled opportunities for giving practical instruction in nursing and in the practice of medicine and surgery.
A few years ago there was not such a thing as a Filipina trained nurse in the islands.

I was firmly convinced that the Filipinas of this country could learn to be good nurses, and made earnest efforts to have included among the first students sent at government expense to the United States several young women of good family who should attend nurses' training schools and then return to assist in our hospital work.
I failed to secure the adoption of this plan, but later the training of nurses was inaugurated in connection with hospital work at the old Civil Hospital, St.Paul's, the University Hospital, the Mary J.Johnston Hospital and the Philippine General Hospital.

At the latter institution there is now conducted an admirable school where more than two hundred young men and women are being trained.

Three classes have already graduated from it, and Filipina nurses have long since proved themselves to be exceptionally efficient, capable and faithful.