USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > A documentary history of recent dissensions in the District Medical Society of the County of Hudson, N.J. > Part 1
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A E. FOOTE, D.
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
OF
2 /
RECENT DISSENSIONS
IN THE
DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY
FOR TIIE
COUNTY OF HUDSON,
N. J.
232
COMPILED BY J. E. CULVER, M. D.
New York : POWERS, MACGOWAN & SLIPPER, PRINTERS, Corner Nassau and Frankfort Streets, (SUN BUILDING ) 1873.
URGE
232
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
THE object of this publication is to arrange in readable print a full and complete compilation from the Minute Book of the Hudson Co. District Med. Society, and other documents, of all that therein explains, or in any way relates to, past and existing differences among the members. The transcrip- tions are faithful copies, without correction of grammatical errors They embrace a diversity of topics, and extend back more than a decade of years. Explanatory notes accompany thiem whereever necessary to a correct appre- ciation of the facts.
Our reasons for undertaking this task are :
1. It is intended to appeal to the New Jersey Medical Society to sustain the rights of the regular officers and members of the Hudson Co. District Med. Society, against a quasi rival faction, composed of a large minority of the members, and several other parties that are not members, who have conspired together unlawfully to assume the name and exercise the powers of the Hudson Co. District Med. Society.
2. The said faction has already hastened to forestall public opinion, and has, to this end, published in the daily papers certain malicious misstate- ments derogatory to their former associates, which are well calculated, and possibly they were intended, to deceive and prejudice even the tribunal to which we purpose to submit our case.
3. To understand fully, and weigh accurately, all the evidence to be adduced concerning the dissensions alluded to, and the near and remote causes of them, will require close and prolonged attention ; and it is much easier to read, refer to, and comprehend the matters involved in the questions at issue, if they are presented in letterpress, rather than in manuscript.
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HISTORY.
DR. I. N. QUIMBY'S CANDIDATURE.
HUDSON CO. DISTRICT MED. SOCIETY, REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING, November 19th, 1860. Dr. E. W. Buck proposed Dr. I. N. Quimby for membership.
REGULAR MEETING, December 24th, 1860.
Dr. Quimby was unanimously rejected.
REGULAR MEETING, June 5th, 1868.
Dr. M. A. Miller proposed Dr. I. N. Quimby for membership.
REGULAR MEETING, July 7th, 1868.
The Society then proceeded to ballot for Dr. Isaac N. Quimby, who received two affirmative votes, and fourteen negative, with one blank.
Dr. T. F. Morris presented the following, which was adopted :
Whereas, Dr. Quimby has been rejected by the Society, therefore be it resolved : That it will be considered a violation of the Code of Ethics for any member of this Society to meet or consult with him professionally, or any other applicant who may hereafter be rejected.
Dr. Morris moved that the Secretary notify Dr. Quimby that he was rejected ; and also notify all members of this Society of his rejection ; and notify the Pathological Society of New York, and the Academy of Medicine. that he was rejected for repeated and gross violations of the Code of Ethics; the vote standing fourteen in favor of rejection, two against, with one blank.
REGULAR MEETING, December 1st, 1868.
Dr. F. G. Payn proposed for membership, Dr. I. N. Quimby. (He was rejected by ballot, January 5th, 1869; the vote counted is not recorded in the minutes.)
REGULAR MEETING, May 4th, 1869.
Dr. J. E. Culver offered the following Resolution : That Dr. I. N. Quimby be accepted as a candidate for membership, and that the Committee appointed in his case shall withhold their report until perfectly satisfied as to the eligibility of the candidate. Proposal accepted ; and Drs. Culver, Payn. and Varick were appointed a Committee to report at leisure.
REGULAR MEETING, September 7th. 1869.
Reports of Committees .- The Committee on Dr. Quimby reported having met, and decided to postpone their report for six months.
Dr. Morris then moved that the Committee be discharged. Seconded, and carried. It was then moved, and seconded, that the Society resolves itself into a Committee of the whole, to consider the case of Dr. Quimby. Carried.
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REGULAR MEETING, November 2nd, 1869.
Committee of the whole on Dr. Quimby reported; and, on ballot, he was unanimously rejected.
NOTE .- The above items serve to illustrate the history of the rejections of Dr. Quimby, and to show the exceeding captiousness of Dr. Morris. Dr. Quimby is but very remotely connected witli the present disturbances in the District Med. Society. His influence probably led the Regents of the Hudson Co. Hospital to infringe and violate the rights of the District Med. Society, and chiefly dictated their staff appointments. Through his exertions the Hudson Co. Path. Society, as a rival to the District Med. Society, was organized. It is proper to state that Dr. Morris' 2nd Resolution, quoted, was passed without being heard and understood by several of the members, including the President.
IIUDSON COUNTY HOSPITAL.
The Charter of the Hudson County Hospital was granted by the New Jersey Legislature, during the Session of 1860-61.
The first amendment to the Hudson County Hospital Charter was obtained by Dr. Quimby clandestinely, without the knowledge or consent of the District Med. Society, or of the Hudson County Hospital medical staff then existing. It increased the number of Regents from ten to twenty. It passed the New Jersey Legislature during the Session of 1868-69.
The second amendment to the Hudson County Hospital Charter passed the New Jersey Legislature during the Session of 1869-70, after expensive lobbying. It deprived the District Med. Society of its franchise guaranteed in the original Charter; and enabled the Regents to appoint " such and so many physicians and surgeons " on the Hospital staff, independently of any moral or professional standing or qualifications. Several of the Regents, in violation of their trust, concerted with Dr. Quimby to procure this enact- ment.
REGULAR MEETING, December 7th, 1869.
Dr. Morris moved that the President appoint a Committee of five meni- bers to wait upon the Regents of the Hudson County Hospital, and urge their compliance with the present Charter, so far as relates to the appoint- ment of the Hospital staff. Drs. Talson, Chabert, Payn, Culver, and Forman were appointed.
NOTE .- The Committee agreed to meet the Regents at Taylor's Hotel, December 20th, 1869. Owing to the inclement weather, only Drs. Talson and Culver attended. They pre- sented the following paper, which was read to the Regents by the Rev. V. V. Mabon.
APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THIE HUDSON COUNTY HOSPITAL.
Audi Alteram Partem.
GENTLEMEN : It having come to the knowledge of the Hudson County District Medical Society that the Executive Committee of the Board of Regents, appointed under the Charter authorizing the organization of the Hudson County Hospital, have recommended to you a non-compliance with the just and lawful provisions of said Charter and an appeal to the State government to rescind that clause thereof which requires the medical and surgical staff to be members of the Hudson County District Medical Society or members of the State Medical Society-thereupon, at a regular meeting
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of the Hudson County District Medical Society, held at the Jersey City Charity Hospital, December 7, 1869, we, the undersigned, were, with the unanimons approval of the members present, appointed a Committee to wait upon the Board of Regents of the Hudson County Hospital, respectfully to urge the immediate organization of the Hospital corps in accordance with the requirements of the Charter, and to protest against any infringement or abrogation of the rights therein granted to the Hudson County District Medical Society.
To perform the duties assigned us we come before you, gentlemen, and most respectfully and earnestly solicit your hearing. We foreknow that the success or defeat of a noble enterprise waits upon your action. We do not fear that your ultimate decision will be, in any wise, adverse to the interests vested in our Society by the Hospital Charter. We do not fear that any member of your Board will prove recreant to his high trust, and seek to divert the Institution from its original humane purposes. But we do fear that your Executive Committee are misinformed in regard to the Hudson County District Medical Society, its objects, and its relations to medical men, to medical organizations, and to the Hudson County Hospital. We hope to remove all misunderstanding.
The Hudson County District Medical Society consists of a large majority (seven-eighthis) of all the medical practitioners in this county who possess the moral qualifications and scientific attainments requisite to become members. Its objects are clearly defined.
CONSTITUTION OF THE DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE COUNTY OF HUDSON.
ARTICLE I.
This Society shall be known as the District Medical Society of the County of Hudson. Its objects are :
Ist. To advance the science and art of Medicine and Surgery.
2d. To promote harmony among medical men, and maintain high the standard of professional character.
The following, also quoted from the Constitution of our Society, com- prises the whole law governing admission to membership.
ARTICLE V.
Any practitioner of medicine and surgery, of acceptable moral and professional reputation, who is a graduate of a medical college, or a licentiate of a medical organization either in affiliation with the American Medical Association, or by them recognized as qualified to grant medical diplomas, shall be eligible to membership in this Society. Every proposal for member- ship accepted shall be referred to a committee of three members, appointed by the President, that shall forthwith proceed to examine the eligibility of the candidate, and shall report thereupon at a subsequent meeting. The report received, an election by ballot shall be held, and a concurrence of three-fourths of all the members present will be required to admit such candidate. Upon admission, each member shall subscribe his name to the constitution and by-laws, and pay an admission fee of five dollars into the treasury ; he shall also pay twenty-five cents per mouth thereafter.
These requirements are neither exclusive, compulsory, nor burdensome ; and, hitherto, almost every applicant, duly qualified, has been admitted to membership by a unanimous vote; none has ever been rejected. Every practitioner of medicine and surgery, worthy to become a member of the Hudson County District Medical Society, is welcomed by all the members to terms of equality ; and he may join the Society or not at his option. A few of this class of non-members reside and practice their profession in the county, and not one of them has ever vet complained of our Society, or had
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canse to complain. Sister societies exist throughout the State of New Jersey, the United States, and the whole civilized world. Their vital purpose is to cultivate among medical men, everywhere, habits of scientific investigation, moral conduct, mutual confidence. We trust that from the ranks of our Society, and those eligible thereto, the Regents will be able to select a com- petent and unexceptionable Hospital staff; and that men unfit for the former association will be deemed unfit for the latter. Every physician. to become a member of the Hudson County District Medical Society, minst be of good moral reputation, and must exhibit his diploma ; and the approval of this Society, of itself, constitutes a safe guide for the Regents in making their appointments. We believe, moreover, that medical men are better qualified to judge of medical men's abilities and character than are others. We take the liberty to assure you, gentlemen, that the Hudson County District Medical Society will never interpose objections, teclinical or other, to the appointment on the Hospital staff of any physician or surgeon in good standing among his professional brethren.
But were it possible, and were the Board of Regents to place on the Hospital staff one with whom, on account of his moral obliquities and educational incompetence, the members of the Hudson County District Medical Society cannot affiliate, that moment, and by that act, they will debar from the Hospital not merely a large and influential body of men, but the best medical and surgical skill which the county, the State, the nation possesses. For the rules of conduct of the Hudson County District Medical Society claim not the allegiance of our Society alone, but they are the national code of medical ethics, framed and adopted by the American Medical Association. We repeat, were it possible, and were the Board of Regents to appoint on the Hospital staff one charletan or truthless knave, that moment, and by that act, they will virtually exclude therefrom the entire medical profession. For truth and deception, seience and superstition, are essentially antagonistic; and they cannot be brought into entangling alliances. The observance of a code of ethics among the medical profession is world-wide. It is no innovation. It had been enforced before the Hippo- cratic oatlı was penned.
The idea of establishing a Hospital for Hudson County originated with members of the Hudson County District Medical Society, who, in the prose- cution of their professional duties, often became cognizant of the want of an asylum for the homeless sufferer. By the same members the first Regents were named, and their consent was obtained to the use of their names in the Charter. By the same members, and the Hon. A. O. Zabriskie, and the Hon. J. D. Miller (since deceased), the existing Charter was framed. By one of the members, T. R. Varick, M.D., the entire expense was paid of its enact- ment into a law by the New Jersey Legislature. The Charter is conchied in unmistakable language. It was the intention of the originators of the Hospital to place it under the charge of a succession of worthy and scientific physicians and surgeons resident where their services could be rendered to meet its requirements ; and, also, to guard perpetually against revolutionary proceedings tending to divert its management into the control of any of the numerons forms of quackery. To secure these results, one check upon the action of the Board of Regents was incorporated in the Charter. That check is the bare privilege granted to the Hudson County District Medical Society of determining that the physicians and surgeons, from whom the Hospital physicians and surgeons are to be appointed, shall be duly qualified. We are told that it is possible to force a repeal of this vital conservative provision of the Charter-to wrest the Hospital out of the hands of its original projec- tors, and to fill its professional staff with a menagerie of mountebanks. Is it possible ? We scorn the suggestion of perfidy-of legislative frivolity.
Gentlemen, the proposed amendment to the Hospital Charter, recom- mended by your Exeentive Committee, requires that the members of the
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Hospital staff shall be graduates of Colleges. "Such as" one in New York and one in Philadelphia. "Such as," in its most restricted sense, can mean none other than these two Colleges; in its widest interpretation it may embrace all chartered Colleges, whether they teach medical and surgical seienee, or Thomsonianism, or Homeopathy. We protest against the pro- posed amendment, as opening a wide door and inviting to places of delicate trust and grave responsibility all manner of false pretension, heartless char- letanism and fantastic trick; for its phraseology is loose, ambiguons, and pervertible. We protest against the proposed amendment as ignoring all moral qualifieations, and not even requiring that your appointees upon the Hospital staff shall be respectable members of the profession, or of society. Gentlemen, the Hospital Charter only restrains you from making unworthy appointments to office ; but the proposed amendment, in its ambiguity, half conceals a purpose which threatens practically to restrain you from making good ones. Gentlemen, you have accepted office under the Hospital Charter, and, although yon were not sworn to carry its provisions into effeet, yon are in honor bound to do so. He who eavils can resign and withdraw his subscription ; but he has no right to remain, a dog in the manger, with intent to delay or defeat the organization. Let him not seek to rob us of our Hospital Charter, but rather let him obtain a new one to his liking, at his own cost, for the special benefit of his favorite "Doctor," clairvoyant, homeopathist, hydropathist, Thomsonian, or eclectic, as the ease may be. He who whispers to your Executive Committee to amend, purposes to destrov.
Gentlemen, in behalf of suffering humanity that deprecates delay ; in behalf of the vested rights of our Society; in behalf of the originators of this noble enterprise; in behalf of common justice, we appeal to you to maintain inviolate that wise, definitive, and comprehensive law which confers on you obligations as well as powers, and demands of you the honorable organization of the Hospital staff.
Finally, gentlemen, permit us to express our utmost confidence that honest convictions and entire good faith actuate all the members of your Board; and to pledge the prompt co-operation of the Hudson Comty District Medical Society in all your praiseworthy endeavors to found and sustain the Hudson County Hospital.
Very respectfully,
GEO. W. TALSON, ROMEO F. CHABERT, F. G. PAYN. J. E. CULVER, S. R. FORMAN, Committee.
HUDSON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, REGULAR MEETING, January 4th, 1870.
Committee to wait upon the Regents of the Endson County Hospital submitted a Minority Report, through Dr. Culver. It was moved and seconded that the report be received, and that the Committee receive the thanks of the Society.
Dr. Hunt also made a motion that this Society sustain the Committee appointed to wait on the Regents of the Hudson County Hospital, and that the report of the Committee be published, which was carried.
NOTE .- The plan of the Regents was, originally, to have the Second Amendment require the members of the IIospital staff to be graliates of "Colleges, such as"; but this reading was afterwards changed to, " such, and so many physicians and surgeons," etc.
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THE MEDICAL STAFF NO. 2 OF THE HUDSON COUNTY HOSPITAL.
REGULAR MEETING, March 1st, 1870.
Dr. Talson, the chairman, made a statement in reference to the action of several members who had promised to serve on the hospital staff of the Hudson County Hospital.
Dr. Hunt moved that committees of three each be appointed by the Sec- retary to call upon the members named. Seconded by Dr. Morris, and carried.
Committee on Dr. Payn-Drs. Culver, Watson, and Varick.
Committee on Dr. Burdett-Drs. Vondy, Benson, and Chabert.
Committee on Dr. Noble-Drs. Vondy, Benson, and Chabert.
Co nmittee on Dr. Buffett-Drs. Morris, Foreman, and Lutkins.
REGULAR MEETING, April 5th, 1870.
Dr. Talson presiding. Dr. Morris moved the consideration of appoint- ments on the staff of the Hudson County Hospital. Carried.
Dr. Buffett offered a resolution on this subject which was ordered to be laid on the table.
Dr. Culver gave a history of the origin of the Charter of the Hudson County Hospital in the membership of this society.
Dr. Buck moved that the Society hold an adjourned meeting to consider more fully the matters now pending before the Society. Carried.
ADJOURNED MEETING,
April 12th, 1870.
The Secretary then read the resolution by which the adjourned meeting was hield.
Dr. Buck addressed the Society at some length in reference to staff ap- pointments in the Hudson County Hospital. Many of the members took part in the discussion to which this paper gave rise.
Dr. Vondy offered the following resolution, which was seconded and carried :
Whereas, The Board of Regents of the Hudson County Hospital have appointed on the visiting staff of their hospital an individual who has been several times rejected by the Hudson County Medical Society for gross and repeated violations of the Code of Ethics of the American Medical Associa- tion, which still continue,
Resolved, That the physicians and surgeons residing in New York City, who have been recently appointed as consulting physicians and surgeons to the Hudson County Hospital, be, and are hereby, requested to decline the appointment, nuless the visiting staff shall be selected from the Hudson County Medical Society, or at least be composed of regular practitioners in good moral and professional standing in the place or places where they reside.
Dr. Foreman offered the following resolution, which was adopted :
Resolved, That this Society recommend to those of its members who have received appointments to the staff of the Hudson County Hospital to- gether to decline to serve with one who does not observe professional conr- tesy toward this Society.
Dr. Hunt moved that the members present who have been appointed on the staff of the Hudson County Hospital be now heard. Carried.
Dr. Buffett then stated that it was his present intention to serve on the hospital staff. Dr. Noble also stated his intention to serve. Dr. Burdett stated that he had promised to serve on certain conditions and he was not vet aware that these conditions had not been complied with.
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Dr. Cornelison, consulting physician, pleaded his willingness to stand by his appointment.
Dr. Payn informed the Society that he had resigned from the hospital staff. The society then adjourned.
M. A. MILLER, Secretary.
REGULAR MEETING, May 3d, 1870.
Dr. Talson presented to the Secretary a communication from Dr. Finnell, of New York City, in reference to a member of our society. (Charging Dr. Prendergast with irregularities.)
Dr. Watson moved that a committee be appointed to ascertain the cor- rectness of the report. Carried. .
Committee-Drs. Watson and Mulcahy.
(The report was found to be true. Dr. Prendergast was requested to con- form his conduct to the Code of Ethics, but without result.)
Dr. Culver moved that a committee be appointed to prefer charges against members of this Society who are serving on the staff of the Hudson County Hospital, and report at next meeting. Carried.
Drs. Culver, Watson, and Mulcahy were appointed a committee.
MEETING, Jime 7th, 1870.
Committee on Hudson County Hospital-Dr. Culver, chairman of com- mitte on charges, asked for instructions.
Dr. Hunt moved that the committee be instructed to prefer charges (covering the whole grounds) against such members as have openly defied the society in this matter, including one of the consulting physicians of the hospital, who is a member of this Society. Carried.
(At the July regular meeting the Committee on Charges was ordered to report at next meeting.)
MEETING, August 2d, 1870.
Dr. Culver, chairman of a special connnittee, read charges and specifica- tions against Dr. J. M. Cornelison, a member. Report received and com mittee continned.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE, APPOINTED MAY 3, 1870.
JERSEY CITY, August 1, 1870.
Mr. President of the Hud. Co. Dist. Med. Soc. :
Your committee appointed to prepare and prefer charges against mem- bers of this society who are guilty of malpractices, beg leave to state that we have performed our allotted task in part. We have examined, deliber- ately, the cases npon which we are now prepared to report.
Your committee have not been insensible to the grave considerations that determine and environ your decision. The honor and even the exist- ence of the Undson Connty District Medical Society are imperilled. It has been threatened in a publie meeting of the Board of Regents of the Hudson County Hospital, by one of their number, " to fight the Hudson County Dis- triet Medical Society to the bitter end." Perchance its extermination is fore- doomed. Soon to see it perish is the malicions hope of its enemies. The ontside, irregular, practitioners have long dreaded, and perhaps magnified its influence for good. The member guilty of irregularities of conduct to- ward the public, or toward his brethren in the profession, has felt its re- straints, and once or twice he has bewailed that he should be coerced into any involuntary propriety of behavior.
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Your committee have restricted the charges herewith submitted for your approval to acts inimical to the well-being of our Society. As far as possible they have avoided unpleasant personalities. Refractory members, against whom charges are preferred, must be brought to trial, must have ample op- portunity for defense, and must acquiesce in the final judgment of this Soci- ety. We need not add that the dictum of this society innst ever be pure from personal prejudice and above reproach. Its decisions may become pre- cedents ; they are subject to review by the Medical Society of New Jersey.
What constitutes a crime against the Hudson County District Medical Society ? This preliminary question was discussed by your committee. A crime against a State consists in disobedience to the laws enacted by the in- habitants of that State, or by their chosen or accepted representatives. A crime against a church, be it Jewish, Christian, Mohammedan or Pagan, of whatever sect or denomination, consists in disobedience to any of the rules of conduct or faith established and enforced by that church. Moreover it is so with all social organizations. They enact or adopt each its own code of laws, infidelity to any of the requirements of which is a crinie against mem- bership. The members of the Hudson County District Medical Society have, every one of them, voluntarily signed a constitution, by-laws, and a code of ethics, devolving npon themselves certain duties. To ignore or dis- avow the compact, or to disobey its injunctions, is a crime against member- ship. Besides, every rule of government adopted by this society, is, by vir- tue of the subscribed constitution and by laws, binding on every member alike to render it obedience. ( Vide Art. V. Con. and Sec. V. By-Laws.)
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