The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-10
Died of Neglect.


Another sample of the practice that is
going on at this institution is the case
of patient by the name of John Young
from Jewell county, who for many
years had performed service in the
laundry. He was taken seriously i'll on
Friday evening and word was sent to
DR.. Scott, who at that time was re-
neving DR.. Smith, that he needed inn
mediate attention. The doctor did not
go. He was notified again saturday
and still the doctor did not go. He was
notified on Sunday and still he failed
to visit him, and on Monday morning
the patient was found dead IN his cot
I knew nothing whatever OF these cir
cumStances until after the dead body
of the patient was discovered, then up
on investigation, I learned the above
facts. This is only one instance of the
many cases of similar neglect. DR..
Smith has often said that it was bet
ter to let the patients die than to pro-
long their lives since they are an ex-
both of these physicians have given pa
tents exactly the same prescription
without any examination Whatever
during their entire term Of Office at the
asylum. The average Kansas farmer
takes more interest in the welfare OF
his stock than do these two men in the
patients committed to their care.
Black a Hard Citizen.
Attorney General Boyle has a friend
by the name of Black who came from
Colorado. The board of charities at the
behest of Mr.. Boyle created the posi-
ton of assistant steward for him, and
Black was appointed although he was
not then a voter in this state. There
being no appropriation for his salary
he is carried upon the rolls as an at
tendant. This man has frequently been
incapacitated for the performance of
any duty whatever by reason of his
drunkenness. In addition to this he is
a general disturber and a menace to
tie discipline Of the institution, and
tLare is absolutely no service that it is
necessary for him to perform. Com
plants have been made on account of
this man, his character, habits and gem
eral uselessness, not only to the board
of charities, but also to Attorney Cen
eral Boyle and to yourself. Notwith-
standing all this he still retains his pO-
sition and continues to draw his salary.
Lack OF Attention.
Many patients not in the incurable
department have frequently complained
of gross and inhuman lack of attention
and disregard of the common proprie-
clans mentioned. Many times they
would occupy but two or three minutes
in making their medical examination
and inspection of a ward containing as
many as 40 patients. There have been
patients receiving no examination or
medical attention whatever for week
or ten days after their arrival at the
asylum and at a time above all others
should have been given them.
SCOTS Letter Writing.
In addition to the performance of my
own duties and many that belonged to
the province Of my assistants, I have
been compelled to act in a clerical ca
pacity, in correcting and overlooking
their letters in answer to the numerous
inquiries of the friends and relatives of
patients. I have had to consign hun
dredS of their letters to the waste baSk-
ct and rewrite them myself after per
sOnally informing myself as to the con-
ditiOn of the patients about whom in
curry was made. 1 learned that the
stenOgrapher was in the habit of re-
modelling the letters dictated to her by
DR.. Scott for the purpose of correcting
their many mistakes and incOngruities,
so 1 gave her positive instructions to
transcribe them exactly as they were
dictated, and as the letters were to go
forth over my signature I required her
to submit them to me I herewith in
corporate copies Of several letters as
samples Of the ignorance and incompet-
ency with which I have had to contend,
and I invite your careful attention to
them and pledge you that the moral
character and the professional ability
of these gentlemen are in keeping with
the letters.
Topeka. Kan. Sept. 20, 1898.
NTr. P. c. Johnson. Bern, Kansas:
Dear Sir-In reply to your letter Of the
18th where you make inquiry concerning
the death of Mrs Eliza johnson. will say
that She died from chronic exhaustion and
mania She had been going down hill
for some time. She refused to eat but once
a day. but we fed her with a tube She
improved little prior to her death. but
was taken a few days before her death
with a general weakness and seemed to
succumb to the trouble heretofore mem
toned. She was a hopeless case and
Die. T. W. 5. Yours Respectfully,
Topeka. Kan. June g, 1898.
Mrs. A J. Ball Esbon. Kansas:
Dear SIadam-Your letter where you
make inquiry concerning the condition of
Hannah Nickel, will say that she is very
In regard to what Mrs Rafferty, told you
in regard to Hannah was partially true.
She seems to be well most of the time, but
there are times when she is somewhat
disturbed. She is not violent nor does she
when she Is disturbed, but as to her being
perfectly well I Will say that she is not
means. She is very agreeable and does
not seem to give the attendants or pa
tents any trouble. With the exception of
the grip she mad three or -FOUR Gays Sne
has been quite well physically.
Die. T. W. 5. Yours Respectfully,
Topeka, Kan, Sept. %, 1893
Mr.. Charles F. Meader, junction city
Dear sfr-In reply to your letter of Sept
18th. concerning the condition of Mrs. AL
lie Meader. will say that she has been Suf-
Yer. every afternoon temperature running
as high as 1882 and 1O4 with very dry Sc
cretOus. She has been very irrational
ana easily agitated. but yesterday her fe-
Yer was not nearly 50 high and she took
a great deal more nOurtshment than she
mas al any time since she has been here
As to her hair, we have intention Of
cutting it Off as she can be treated sue
cessfully with her hair in the condition
that 1t is well as to cut it or.
Die. T. w S. Yours Respectfully,
Topeka. kan. Sept. Il. 1898.
Mr.. W. G. French Winchester. Kansas: