The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-10
Ghf Sntflliofnter.
onlce Nos. 80 aud ~ Fourtoenth street,
INSANE ASlLuM CRVOkEpNEss.

Tho Shameful Conduct nf tho Manage
mCnt-A Disgrace to tho State SOM,
Facts and Figures.
To he Editor ne LaieiligeHeu.
sm:-I ask room in your columns 10
add one more article to the many which
have already been published about the
West Virginia Hospital for the insane.
In this correspondence remarks shall be
confined chiefly to the drug department.
In the first place the statutes OF West
Virginia protect the public against quack
druggists or the practice OF pharmacy,
except by those legally authorized. No
matter how small tue town or how slight
the business, n man, ii not a registered
pharmacist or under the supervision OF
such, he cannot 30 into the drug busi-
ness.
Very well, what has the Board Of
Directors done Mt the above named ill.,
stitution2 DR.. Warder came to them
representing himself to be registered
pharmacist aud on the strength OF that
and few other things which will be
mentioned further on, he received an
appointment as druggist at the Asylum,
all without presenting any papers show
ing him TO be what he represented him
self to be. Here this man is dispensing
medicines to the poor unfortunates,
while ii you or |, Mr.. Editor, were TO
open drug store to accommodate the
smallest town without showing the
proper official document We would have
to suffer the penalties OF the law.
II the law protects small town or II
locality from the illegal practice Of phar-
macy, why not protect our public insti-
tutions? This is not the only illegal APP
pointmcnt made in the past few years.
ltshould be the highest aim OF the man
ayers Of our public institutions to pro.
cure the best talent obtainable and be
sure every step taken is legal. Then
when u man presents himself for favors,
by showing the people papers he never
lays himself open TO criticism MS m
illegal appointee. Here is another
chance for special legislation.
What is this druggist p doing? TAX
ing apprentices to do his work. By this
statement your correspondent does not
wish to reflect in the least upon the ap-
prentices, for any one or all OF them
would be very desirable pupils; but the
fitness OF things from preceptor down is
what we criticise; that an institution
with prescription business possibly
larger than any drugstore in the State
shall be superintendent by man who is
not registered pharmacist. II he thinks
himself competent let him go before the
Board Of Pharmacy and procure certi'
ticate rs a registered pharmacist.
Again, is he u success financially?
We answer no. That institution has
had the misfortune to have more than
ono appointee who, as u linsncier, was q
total failure. Your correspondent is
informed that under the first
six months supervision OF the present
incumbent the drug bill amounted to
81 500 against 500 IL and 1908 40 each
for the years ending September So
1856 (sec report for 1856 under head
Of expenditures for year ending Septem-
Der so, etc, pages % and O0) and DR..
Warder went in there witha full stock
OF drugs.
We admit there were few more pa
tients for the first six months than i'll
1916, but three times the cost for drugs
in one year is big odds to allow for the
increase in the number OF patients. Is
that financial success?
1t has also came to our ears that the
is unable to account for some OF
the drugs gone from the drugrOom,
which shows lack Of diligence or atten-
ton to his business, as he is made solely
fnr Nhn I.N,r lnn0rttnnut
criticism We have to offer for
incompetency: The druggist was placed
in charge OF a number OF patients, which,
II we remember correctly, was contrary
to an order passed by the Board when
he was appointed. These patients had
Il breaking out, or eruption, which Itch
cd severely, and OF course, was very all
noying. Upon close observation the
cause was found TO be very animated
one. The poor creatures were covered
with vermin. Being under tho super
vision OF the druggist, he ordered blue
ointment used freely to cXterminate the
verlnin, which in short time was daub-
ed over the water spiggots where the
patients went to drink. From the spig-
COTS it got into their mouths. To cap
the climax he allowed them to be bathed,
which resulted in salvation for num-
Der of them, which ended in death for
some, MIR. Beam, OF your city, and Cap.
tain William Baily, Of Harrison county,
being among the number.
This, of course, is q very sorry lesson
10 the druggist as well as the friends OF
the deceased. Your correspondent is
informed that when these deaths were
recorded it was placed on the books,
"Died of exhaustion" As physician,
apart from his profession as druggist,
(?) he should have given the strict in
junction not to allow the patients to go |
into the water during the use OF TIE
blue ointment Lastly, why was he put
there? Because, by virtue OF marriage,
there was chance OF greater political
influence than in the appointment OF
any other applicant for the place. Sec
onily, by so doing one OF the directors
was voting an account into his pocket,
which was a solace to him greater than
most ANYTHING else lie could do. In this
We see what? One man protecting his
pocket, others serving party. Too often
We hear men say, 10Th on the stump
and in office, ~ have served my party
WE'LL" when they should have been able
to say, II have served my people we'll"
This it will ever be as long us the inter
est in politics reigns supreme to the in
terest OF the people. JUSTICE.
Weston, W. Va, Oct. s, 1885,