The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-04
THE PR0BANG CONTROVERSY.

speecbes OF Drs. Green, Mott. Reese and
decentralization OF the Academy Ex-
cuIpating DIR. Horace Grcen-The Sanitary
Condition OF the City.
A regular meeting Of the New York Academy OF Me-
dicine held the New York University on Wednes
day evening last and largely attended The supJeos
of the death of Mr.. Whitney taken up and discussed
with much spirit until after eleven o'clock Shortly after
seven O'Clock the President Dr. John Watson, called the
meeting to order The having been read the ques
tion was stated on their approval, when
DR.. ALEXANDER Morr addressed the Academy as FOL
iowsfI not mistaken, sir there is one statement in
the minutes which my part Call for little explanation
The PREpENr-Is reported correctly The question is
in gly on the minutes
Dr. Morr-It is in relation my having stated to DR..
Green that wished the post norton withheld from the
public wished the whole to be wthheldfrom the
public everything kept out of the papers, and even out OF
the Academy possible will only say that did express
that wish 10 Dr. Green at my after the post morem
called upon and requested copy or account OF the
post norton, and forthwith as soon as possible, made
him a.certied copy only wish 1t TO be understood
by the Academy that did make that request and DR..
for himself Us TO the fact, which he no
doubt remembers.
The interrupted the speaker, and stated
that the discussion not yet in order but would be
directly.
The minutes having been approved, reports
ceved from the several sections.
Dr. McNULry, from the committee appointed four years
the sanitary condition OF the city. asked to be ex
cused from further service He stated that report had
been made the Legislature by commission appointed
by the Senate in reference 10 the subject which report he
expected to have had ready for distribution that evening"
but was disappointed. bill before the Legisla
turn having for its object the Improvement they had been
seeking certain peculiar reasons he wished to be
from acting further, but would move that the
committee be increased for the purpose of nursing that
bill On beng asked to state the provisions OF the BILL
the Doctor did 80.
Dr. GmscoM another nber of the committee stated
that the bill did the Academy and he
doubted the expediency Of advocating it, In answer TO
inquiry whence II did emanate, he SAID, 1t is my
bill"
The President reminded the society that OBJ
jectonable bnl
On subsequent motion the committee discharged,
and a one of i've appointed by the Chair
Dr. MoTr then andln reference 10 the death of Mr.
Whitney, stated that he told DR.. Green that any
was made OF the post morie or thing connected with
the case the Academy the proper tribunal to 90 be-
fore. He had motive in making this request Of Dr.
Green for he believed then, and believed STILL that if no
indscreton had been committed in reference 10 this dis
tressng case IN that respect, it would have passed sub
silenio the space of few days But SO vast had
got out He Or. MOTIF wished now If was in order to
submit something further on the subject
The PRESIDENT suggested that there paper to be
read by one of the members which was accordingly sub.
mtted occupying about half hour, after which,
motion the subject Of Mr. Whtneys death was taken up
from the table for discussion
DR.. Mort then spoke follows MIR. President-Inas-
much as all verbal communications are apt to be missated
and sometimes msrepresented, thought would be bet
ter to commit to writing what have to say this DIS
ressing subject have endeavored through life to make
rule OF action TO do unto others as would that others
should do unto me This, together with my personal es-
TEEN for Dr. Green, with whom have been terms of
most friendly intercourse and correspondence for years.
will explain and trust excuse to the public, unwil
ngness to give opinion i'll the late Dr. Whtneys case
other than would be inferred from post
ment read al the late meeting of the Academy Nothing
but OF justice to myself and others concerned
this melancholy affair induces me to give the Acade
my my entire and unbiased view the subject At the
time avail self of the opportunity to contradict
the uDtruth industrousy circulated by Dr. Green's
friends with regard to Dr. Beales and myself Forbear-
this point feel that we have arrived 1t therefore be-
comes my duty to defend my character against the
unjust differences drawn and the false assertions
made by the parties above alluded to. In the
first place, because Dr. Green not called
in to assist in the treatment Of the patient during
his illness invited witness the post nortcm it is in
ferred that Drs. Beaes aud Mott prevented it, And is
Furthermore stated that member Of the family desired
his presence. The inference and assertion alike
true, as the accompanying letter will prove. The letter
lies on the table, it is not necessary for to read it.
You will take my word, probably, for 1t, in this
well as in other things, which l know will pass muster.
This letter is from the family, stating that they per-
fecty satisfied with Dr. Beaies and myself, every part
and circumstance connected with the case and that on
account could they have admitted Dr. Green pate
in anything connected with the case, and that no
account could they have admitted Dr. Green to participate
in anything connected with his illness his death. There
signed by the whole family Therefore the statement
in the public prints floats lightly the The
excited feelings of the family were such as TO preclude
the possibility Of urging Dr. Green's attendance. Nor
can 1t for moment be imagined that such a wish
could have been entertained by one of the immediate
of his death, persisted that he suffering and dying
from the professional treatment of Dr. Green To say
correct diagnosis not made Is idle and ridiculous
and the assertion that had the abscess been opened his life
might have been spared equally absurd 1t evident
that some lesion injury did exist that would
for the extensive emphysema But where that
man could tell until his death Tumeacton from the
tensve diffusion of air through the cellular tissue rendered
any satisfactory inspection OF the throat within, the
neck without utterly mpractcable The abscess rather
cavity, contained very little pus at the post
enough ONLY had the patients life been prolonged TO have
Offfl alarpa nf
membrane, which hung like wet tow in the cavity and
with which it was mostly filed This, with the aceraed
opening into the pharynx and the serious Of the
left lung would lead to the belief that irritating sub
stance fluid had been introduced With regard to the
situation of the abscess or cavity, again that
was such as to forbid the idea 10 be entertained by
any one connected with surgical anatomy that il
might have been seen by any examination from
within the mouth, or felt externally by the most
careful manipulation upon the lips or these facts surely
those who in constant attendance On the case ought
to be the best judges feel if the experience derived
from fifty three practice, together with my duties as
professor OF surgery during that time, ought 70
ente Inc to the confidence Of the public whose eye
and in whose service my professional life has been spent
and am willing to leave II TO that public to decide from
their knowledge Of whether am capable OF drawing
up post morttm the principal object of which would be
TO heap censure upon Or. Green any other man. All
that is required in post mortem plain. full statement
OF the case and such statement furnished to the
DENY at the last meeting, and now add my solemn tes
mony to that truth. Iregre that is called for and
that am compelled to give my own opinion also, which
is that from the best my belief Samuel Whitney died
in consequence OF the treatment 70 which he had been
subjected previous TO the attendance Of Dr. Beaes and
myself (slight attempt ct applause followed by Kisses
for the purpose of suppressing it,
The letter, being called for read, as follows
NEW YORK, Jan. - 1850.
We hereby certify that have carefully heard
ents MADE by pr a, and Beses eisve TO the illness and
lively and capable of Judging they perie y
and faithful snd furthermore that have OF
wish or desire that Dr. Green should be called TO
him We also declare that we have the fullest ia
duty doing everything that it was possible 10 do.
Signed by the father Stephen Whitney 80 OF Fer
dnand suydam, Jane Dorr Mary Whitney Fedal the fami
ly with the exception OF the mother who feeble 10
It, and one
Dr. GREEs-Mr. President and gentlemen Of the Acade
my, Iregret exceedingly that Dr. Mott should have made
that last declaration The high respectable love which
have had for him elder member OF the surgical pro-
fession in New York-has impeed my feelings from the
beginning 10 the end in his favor ana have deter
mined not to bring anything up so far as able
should have tendency in any way 10 njure his feelings
or bring discred upon the that he has pursued
regret that he should have made that statement because
has not been and cannot be- substlnaed that my treat
meDt was the cause Of Mr.. Whtneys death. Applause
and hsses.) Inasmuch DR.. Mott alluded 10 a pr.
T-l.-N