Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1898-10-15

etc 1<d I" ChNC oy oil CIIpAOlC VI thO
asylum. in my presence, on the 18th
day of last September. Since then L
am credibly Informed that you have
discharged this obligation by a money
consideration. DIR. Smith deyotes
much mere time in card playing in
the asylum than to attention to his
duties.
Upon what ground DIR. t. W. Scott,
assistant superintendent, received his
appointment / have always been una
bic to understand. 1t certainly could
not have been because of his ability
to fill the position, as he is inexcuSa-
bly, ignorant and iiliterate. In conse-
quence of his immoral and indecent
conduct, / have, with difficulty, been
able to prevent some of my best lady
employees from resigning their posi-
tions. His characteristics are too vile
and repulSiye for description.
There are about 800 patients in the
institution, 200 of whom are women.
1t is absolutely impossible for me. IN
addition to the performance of my
duties as superintendent, to give per-
sOnal attention to all of these pa
tients. and / am compelled to rely
largely upon the physicians who have
been placed here as my assistants.
Notwithstanding the abuses that
have been and are being practiced,
and the negligence and Incompetence
that seem to be encouraged in the in
much as possible in addition to my
other duties for the relief of the pa
tlentS. Complaints have been made
to me that it has been the practice of
DR.. Scott, to invite the young lady
employees to his room for the purpose
of being examined for uterine troub-
les, he suggesting to them that they
needed treatment of that character,
and these abOmiaabIe suggestions
have been made to modest young la
dies of unimpeachable virtue and rep
utation. Think of such a man having
charge of 200 demented and defense
less women.
Another sample of the practice that
is going on at this institution is the
case of a patient by the name of John
Young, from Jewell county, who for
many years had performed service in
the laundry. He was taken seriously
ill on Friday evening and word was
sent to Dr. Stott, who at time was re-
lieving DR.. Smith, that he needed i'm
| mediate attention. The doctor did
not go. He was notified again Satur-
day, and on Sunday, and still he fail
ed to visit him, and on Monday morn
ing the patient was found dead on his
cot. L knew nothing whatever of
these circumstances until after the
dead body of the patient was diScoy-
cred. Then. upon investigation, /
learned the above facts. This is only
/. one instance OF the many cases of sim
| liar neglect.
DIR. Smith has often said that it was
better TO let the patients die than to
/ prOlOng their Ives, since they are an
expense to the state.
L have learned that both of these
physicians have given patients exact
| ly 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
i stock than do these two men in the
patients committed to their care.
Attorney General Boyle has a friend
by the name of Black who came from
Colorado. The board of charities, at
the beneSt of Mr.. Boyle. created the
position of assistant steward for him,
and Black was appointed, although
he was not then voter in this state.
There being no appropriation for his
salary, he is carried upon the rolls as
an attendant. This man has frequent
| ly been incapaciJated for the perform
ance of any duty whatever by rea-
son of his drunkenn SIS. In add
tion to this, he is a general diSturber
and a menace to the discipline of the
institution, and there is absolutely
no service that is necessary for him
to perform. Complaints have been
made on account of this man, his
character, habits and general useless
ness, not only to the board of chart
ties, but also to Attorney General
Boyle and to yourself. NotwithStand-
ing all this, he still retains his posi-
ton and continues to draw his salary.
Many patients not in the iucurable
department have frequently COM
planned of gross and inhuman lack of
attention and disregard of the COM
mon properties on the part of the as
SlStant physicians mentioned. Many
times they would occupy but two or
three minutes in making their medi-
cal examination and inspection of
ward containing as many as forty pa
tients. There have been patients re-
ceiving no examination or medical
attention whatever for a week or ten
days after their arrival at the asylum.
and at a time above all Others when
prompt and careful attention should
have been given them.
In addition to the performance of
my own duties and many that belong
to the province of my assistants, /
have been compelled to act in cler-
ical capacity, in correcting and over
looking their letters in answer to the
numerous inquiries of the friends and
relatives OF patients. / have had to
consign several hundred of their let
tiers to the waste basket and re-write
them myself, after personally inform
ing myself as to the condition of the
patients about whom inquiry was
made L learned that the Stenogra-
pher was in the habit of remodeling
letters dictated to her by DIR. Scott.
for the purpose of correcting their
MANY mistakes and iQcnOurrrifiaS.