On the other hand the poorhouse has been transformed into a "Home for the Aged and Infirm" in some States, and inspections of public institutions by the grand jury are becoming more than merely cursory.

State boards of charities are being established, and men have even attacked members of their own political parties on the charge of incompetence, cruelty, or neglect of duty as keepers of prisons or almshouses.

Hundreds of towns have their associated charities, and scores have visiting nurses.

Where there is only one nurse, she visits negroes as well as whites, but many towns support one or more for negroes as well.
In former days orphans were "bound out," if no relatives would take them, and in that case they might not always be properly treated.

At the present time not only States and municipalities support asylums, but religious denominations and fraternal orders manage many well-conducted institutions.