The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-12
REPORT OF DR.. LOWRY
WORK OF THE CITY DIsPENsARY
HAS GREATLY INCREASED.
In Some Lines OF Activity All Records
Have Been Broken-Other
City Affairs.

The annual report of DR.. Charles Lowry,
superintendent Of the City Dispensary, was
submitted 10 the Board of Health yester-
day. It deals with every case attended by
the internes OF the Dispensary or through
SIS natron. Mrs. Cakes. for last year. DR..
Lowry gives an itemized statement Of all
cases treated. and says the work OF the
last year showed a great increase over the
year before. there being 80 per cent in
crease in the work and all done with
per cent. increase in appropriation. This
Increase Of work. DR.. Lowry said. was met
largely by the sacrifice of himself and his
assistants. who tried in every manner to
keep up the already high standard of the
institution.
The total number of cases treated last
year by the Dispensary physicians was 49,
ga. which included 1854 treated at the
Dispensary. The internes attended 400
surgical cases There were ESQ vaccina-
lions. most OF them in the past two months.
There were forty-eight poison cases at
tended. One of the largest items OF the
report Is that OF the number Of prescrip-
tons filed during the year To this branch
OF the Dispensary DR.. Lowry pays much
attention, and said that the growth of the
city Aa0 NaAASO lOE greater III the
drugroom of the Dispensary, and it was
found necessary a few months ago to in
stall regular graduate of pharmacy in
that part Of the Dispensary. A II. King.
who is now in charge of the drugroom, is
the first one TO hold the position of drug
clerk, the work formerly being done by the
regular internes who had TO divide their
time In that part of the building with their
other medical work.
The number OF prescriptions filed last
year exceeded by .4.0O0 that of any previous
year. Regarding Mr.. King. DIR. Lowry
recommended an increase in the salary Of
the drug clerk TO make the position perma-
nent.
The surgical work was also on the in
crease, and last year there were 600 more
cases treated by the internes than at any
other time.
board TO the large number of impostors
who call at the Dispensary for aid. He
said that in six weeks sixty people have
that they were able TO buy drugs or could
pay a physician for their treatment. He
said that on account Of the large number
OF people well able TO pay for medical
treatment or for drugs who call at the Dis
pensary and take up the time of the physi-
clans, whose only duty IL is TO care for
charity cases, he has established rule.
which has been posted in all public places.
warning people to not attempt impoSitionS
on the Dispensary doctors.
One of the deplorable facts. DIR. Lowry
In his report continues, is that the present
ambulance is too clumsy and rough TO car
~ those suffering pain. Springs have been
placed under the stretcher to alleviate the
jarring, but even this, he said, has not
helped much. as the wagon is too heavy
for its present use. DR.. Lowry advised the
board to purchase new wagon, made on
the most modern plans. to be used only for
emergency surgical work The present
wagon, he said, could easily be utilized for
the conveyance of contagious disease pa
tients. IN closing his report DIR. Lowry
praises the work of the five internes of the
Dspensary, who, he said, deserve great
credit for their devotion to their work,
which has greatly increased.