The New York herald., 1870-02-05
NAVAL SURGERY.
Freaks Of Esculapius at tie Brooklyn Navy
Yard-How Lieutenant Commander
Mitchell Was ssTreated" for
Disease-ShOnld Doctors
he Made Admiralss

~ there has been considerable feeling concern
Ana the late treatment OF Leutcnant Commandsr
Mitchell, OF the United States Navy by the hospitsl
authorities Of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, ana 90 con-
aradictory statements signed by the parties involved
have appeared In the HERALD it Is matter oi pubic
Interest TO know the facts. With THIS emu III view
, HERALD reporter visited the Navy rard and as
oertained what is contained In the following fom
nigh and responsible sources:-
Every naval of1cer, rom the Admiral to the lowest
grade OF lns or STAFF monthly contributes the sum Of
Swenty cents to be applied to the support OF general
hospitals where those wounded or diseased In the
Servios can have medical treatment and careful and
humane attention. and there exists no right on the
part Of any surgeon to reject or exclude any
officer from the fun enjoyment Of these henentS
But should 0cer feign illness he can be reported
30 the Navy Department and his false position Will
be followed BY severe punishmeps-fn the extreme
dismissal 1t appears that lieutenant Commsnder
Mitchell. an efficient ana experienced onicer, had
Severe case OF varicoss veins, from the effects Of
which he might long aave been prostrated upon
bed OF sickness Nth the possibility that he might
have lost his ue. lie sought to enter the hospital
1d made dasory preminares he was pIormsa
Shat rae naval surgeons attached to the yard. DR..
{sskson, Dr.. smith, DR.. Wells.the last doctor in
Some to the conclusion that they could not
perform the operation, and that its obstinate
Lieutenant Commander Mitchell had no recourse
but to seek the advice Of surgeons in civil life who
SOuld treat his disease DR.. Klssam was consulted.
Bis services were engaged. Lieutenant Commander
Mitchell asked that he might then be admitted into
a9sph.s h ana INA. .ne suagery , m,gn5 Dc per-
and with the astuto observation that Dr. Kissam was
p "quack." However, the operation proceeded. Dr.
KlSsam, by forming ligaures about the affected
parts, relieved the patient, and he Is now on the
Highway to recovery. Witness now the absurdity OF
the learned DOCTORS opposition. Two OF TIE naval
surgeons attended the treatment, and thus con-
lessed their ignorance and professional inability
6is surgeons paid by the United States could not not
Cure him and they would not try. Straning point
bf etiquette, and even exceeding their authorities
Ind absolutely violating the rules for the better
government or the navy, the doctors in question
3aye allowed motives unworthy OF officers whose
Which win terminate In an oiicial investigation.
The whole question suggests these questions
6etition Congress for enlarged powers when this
tase shows that they exercise the most un
limited prerogatives; whether medical knowledge
aervtcS ana whether the time has come to make
4octSI1 admirals2 1t must bring the blush
~ Shame TO the cheek OF every American
Nho feels pride IN the excellence Of the American
navy, to see incompetent and stubborn men en-
rustad with cases from which they turn their heads
IA pitiabe ignorance To let IL go broadcast to the
World tnat an on1cer can be literally driven away
AFFLICTED bosOms OF surgeons struggling for lltmed
and revolutionary privileges In the wardroon and
pn the quarterback Will be the surest condemnation
In this day Ills cured by treatment OF the disease
4ot by mistreatment Of the patient. Can not tails
obtain In the navy?
The following communication from Lieutenant
HoMmaEder Mitchell deserves careful attention.
BBooKLYN. Feb 3, 1870.
10 THE EDITOR HERALD:-
My attention has been called article In Issue OF
4hs morning the signature ol Jackson, surgeon
Gnjted States Navy answering article signed "Vic
hch appeared In your issue OF the LIST mat have DC
fnme has been published beg the insertion in your columns
~ the following statement Of fncts:
requested Dr. smith, surgeon OF the Brooklyn Yard, to
3nter in the hospital in the regular by ick cket
from the of the Navy Yard approved by the Ad
ral Commandant The question then to whether
pr Jackson would receive for treatment Dr. kissam
The first tne visited the hospital unable to Dr.
Hill Wells to whom made the request to enter the hospital
4nd there have operation performed by Dr. Kissan The
matter referred Dr. Jackson who said that he would
De obliged 10 refer the to the department. Two days
tfor called DR.. Jackson lie had not referred the
base to the departments but told that he could
1anctop my entrance into the hospital under his
1ontrol and there be attended by outside surgeon.
requested the hospital to perform the operation
which contemplated by Dr. Kissan, stating them that
8are They declined to perform the operation and
Auence treated by Dr. hissan The operation gues
Hon originated by DIR. Rssan, and has proved to
very successful much that preferred to undergo IT,
2nstead of being treated by methods involving
Since the publication OF the article signed "Vctn'
published without my knowledge consent, have felt
$ompeled by the questions whicn have arsen request
t2tAacoTy than newspaper controversy.
A. M MITCHELL.