The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-08
SCHOOLS OF MEDICINE.
DR. L A. Ryder Gives a Comparison
of Expenses.

of Expenses
To the Editor of the State Journal:
1 have read two articles recently pub
Iished in the State Journal, in regard to
the Schools of Medicine in our state in
stitutions.
The first was news item published
while 1 was in Colorado. The second ar
ticle is signed w. s. Lindsay, and appears
in the Monday night issue of the journal.
Both of these articles have used my
name without permission, as a natural
result I will be pardoned for replying to
both.
The comparison of figures which
shall give, will be with the intention of
showing the expense of medical and sur
gical supplies in all of our state institu-
tions during the last four years. These
figures are taken from the official re-
ports, as published by the state of Kan
sas. There is no desire to urge person.
atty but simply to show that where ever
homeopathy has been used in the state
institutions, there has been great saw
ing of expense to the state.
DR.. Lindsay has very kindly shown a
comparison of figures in the reform school
work, that is favorable to homeopathy
thank him for his consideration. 1 want
to call his attention to this fact, how
ever, that in order to make just COM
parison for all schools of medicine, he
should not select one Institution alone
but take them all under consideration.
The following is a comparative state
ment of expense for medical and surgical
supplies, in all of our state institutions
for the past four years:
The average per capita expense for four
years in the Idiotic and Imbecile asylum,
$S.91; Soldiers Orphans Home, 81; In
dustrial School for Girls, s.. %; Blind asy-
lum, $1.47; Institution for Deaf and Dumb,
$1O0; Osawatomie Insane asylum, $1.97;
Topeka Insane asylum, sal; while the
Topeka Reform school was IL
By comparison of these statements it
will be seen that in the past four years
the Reform school has shown an average
per capita of expense less than that OF
any other state institution. 1 grant that
it is not fair to compare this institution
with the asylums, where the inmates are
sent for the exclusive purpose of medical
and surgical treatment. 1t is certainly
not unreasonable however, to compare
the Topeka Reform school with the In
dustrial School for Girls, (total expense
for four years $12.91 per capita,) the Sol
diers' Orphans Home (total expense for
four years $3.50 per capita,) the Blind asy-
lum, (total expense for four years $3.50
per capita,) Institution for Deaf and
Dumb, (total expense for four years $4.02
per capita) while the Topeka Reform
school for four years showed but a total
expense of $3.50.
The expenses in the medical department
of the Topeka Reform school We're mate
rally increased by the methods used in
buying drugs Under the law they an
ticipate the needs of the institution, and
contract for all supplies at least six
months in advance. The same is true in
the purchase of drugs and medicine The
medical expense of the Reform school
during my administration, was greatly in
creased by the purchase of large quanti
ties of quinine, calomel, compound
thartic pills, whiskey, etc. The same can
be found stored away in original pack
ages, and charged to the homeopathic
department. A requisition or order had
never been made for such supplies by the
physician in charge. With all this added
to the Reform school expense account,
the institution made a better showing for
expense, than any other institution.
During my work at the Reform school
for four years, no death resulted among
the boys from disease. The. only death
occurring in the institution resulted from
accident, the boy dying from internal in
juries a few hours after the injury.
I am sorry to say that in one secluded
part of the Reform school grounds there
exists a fair sized cemetery. In the past
the undertakers have frequently been
called to ship the remains of boys to dis
tant parts of the state. 1 am proud to
know that during the past four years, un-
der homeopat thic treatment, no grave has
been dug in that cemetery, and but once
has the undertaken been called upon. in
the accidental death above referred to.
1 do not refer to any one predecessor as
physician of the school, but to the entire |
history of the institution.
Very Respectfully,
L. A. RYDER, NJ. D.
Topeka, Kansas, Sept s, 1897.