The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-09
CRITICS
BY JAIL PHYSICIAN
DR.. William S. Gordon Declares That Same
Course There Will Be Continued Unless He
Is Ordered Otherwise by Judge Witt.
of Hastings curt

Replying yesterday to a report by
the investigating to the State
Board OF Charities and Correction, DIR.
william s. Gordon, Jail physician, de-
clnred that while acknowledging tho
good Intentions of my critics, and OK
pressing my Willingness TO cooperate
with them heartily in all needed re-
FORMS, i propose to continue in tho
snme course until notified by the Judge
that the condition with regard 20
the Jail physician Is far from satis-
factory" DIR. Gordon's statement FOL-
lows:
The report, in Tho Times-Dispatch OF
october l, OF tho Jail Investigating
committee to the State Board of Chart
ties and Correction includes certain
statements regarding tho medical de-
partment which arc personal and mis-
leading. Before the report of last year
was published. one OF the members of
the committee interrogated me and
was told. in addition to other informa-
ton. why daily visits to the jail were
not considered necessary by the ply
sician. The recent report was sub
mitted without consulting me, and
since the former explanation appears
TO have been unsatisfactory. / deem
II my duty to reply TO n repeated and
more emphatic criticism. and to ac-
quaint the public with the exact state
Of affairs.
The hospital steward Is referred to
as IA man, formerly Il prisoner in the
jail, and with no special medical train
Ing" 1t is true that this man was
formerly a prisoner; but 1 see no rea-
son for mentioning this fact and har-
rowing his feelings when he has turned
over a new leaf and devoted himself
10 an honorable calling. There are
many useful men In the world who
have done wrong and mended their
ways. Previous to his commitment he
was n druggist. and had gained some
experience in a hospital over a period
OF two years.
undcrEocs big Change.
For ono and a half years as n pris-
oncr. and for two years as n free
man, he has been trained by me as n
nurse; has cared for n large number
OF medical and surgical cases. and has
become invaluable by reason OF his
Intelligence and fidelity to his duties.
He has worked day and night to his
own injury in carrying out my instruc-
tons, and has received not q cent of
salary for his services. despite my
eHorts to have his just claims rccog-
nized. The pittance which he has pick
ed up has barely enabled him to live,
and has had to be supplemented II
times by donations out of the pockctg
OF his friends. Had he proved recreant
to his trusts he would not have been
retained.
The recommendation that daily WIS.,
It's be made by the doctor is not practl-
cal. nor based upon the committee's
knowledge OF the peculiar conditions.
II the visits are for tho purpose Of
interviewing each prisoner with re-
gard TO his health. a large proper
ton of the day, II not OF the night,
would be spent In listening to the
~Sroundless complaints of men and wo-
men who have nothing else TO do but
to malingcr and worry the medical at
PENDANTS. 1t is surprising how dis
eases multiply when the doctor an
pears. If the daily visits are to be
made for the purpose of watching for
one OF those Sudden and violent SELF
ures' which are said to be not un-
common. 1 reply hat they are as apt
to occur in the doctors absence as IN
his presence. He might, however, eaten
one on the fly. II the Visits are made
In order to ascertain from the nurse
or officers whether there be any cases
needing attention. I reply that this
can be done, and is done. as easily
through the telephone
Hospital Is Excellent,
The Jail hospital Is an excellent one
and well equipped. The nurse is alert.
and his knowledge of human nature
and long experience in dealing with
prisoners enable him to act with
Judgment In the matter of summoninp
the doctor. The inmates are aware
that they can report to the nurse when