The Portland daily press., 1871-10-28

The deep regrets which "one in consultation
hae uttered in the argus of Oct 25;h would
certainly have been spAred him, if he had OBJ
served the rules which usually govern in con-
sultati)ns of physicians. By whom, it would
be interesting to know, was the statement
made to the public that grave doubts exist
ed at the consultation in the case of Dr. Rob-
inson in regard to the propriety of the course
decided upon, unless it was la some way Derry
ed from lone in consultation
Furthermore, what could be the motive that
led to such an unusual proceeding? Would it
in any possible way be of service to the patient
the aim and object of this consultation? Was
it of any possible benefit to the public? And
II the profession alone was to receive lesson
submit whether the appropriate and legiti-
mate channel for such discipline had been Sc
lected. At a loss how to understand tho mo-
tive that dictated this statement. I called upon
the courteous editor of the Argus and gave him
the history of this consultation. He was con-
WINGED that the statement published was err
roneous and wrote the editorial which this
zone in consultation, says is not true, in part
On the other hand, again say that 1T is liter
ally true 1t is not what is said in such an as
sembly that determines the question of una
nimity for it is TO obtain expression of views
and opinions of each member of it that such
consultation is called. But when every mem
Der of it, in reply to direct question, consents
to one and the same conclusion, and ''under
existing circumstances" advises the operation,
tn1nR LnaG we may safely say that such u
conclusion is unanimous.
In the present case, so plain ard controlling
were the circumstances that determined the
necessity OF an operation, and dictated as
clearly the lowest point at which it should be
performed, that two only of the ten gentlemen
present thought it orth while even TO
suggest an operation at any lower point, but
several illusions were made to the selection of
higher one, the general feeling and conyic-
ton being that we mast be sure of going high
enough to insure sufficient vitality to carry on
successfully the healing process. confident
ly believe that this would be the unanimous
opinion of all the best surgeons of the country
1t was no time to venture upon any doubtful
measures. Every effort had been made to save
the foot, and every part OF ittbat the gangrene
had spared The disease had invaded the bones
OF the ankle Joint. Who could say that there
was vitality enough at that doubtful point to
carry on the necessary circulation in the flaps
that must be made to coyer,the bones? A mis-
take upon that point would in all probability
be fatal one, for second operation must in
that case follow very close upon the first, and
that upon person nearly exhausted by sick
ness and great suffering of four or five months
duration.
For one, l have not the slightest misgiving
in regard to the place of selection, nor does
any one with whom have been able to con-
verse upon the subject
One OF the two gentlemen who, very properly,
expressed their ideas in regard to an operation
in the foot, has since told me that he heartily
concurred in the opinion of the majority. If
then, have unfortunately msrepresented the
opinion OF any OF the gentlemen it must be
that only OF, literally, cone in the consulta-
ton" ~
l do not believe that any one present ct that
consultation considered the remarks of these
two gentlemen'as expressive of grave doubts
or dogmatic opinion of any kind in oppos.
ton to the propriety of an operation above the
ankle or even of any doubts at all about it,
l did not understand that even Zone in consul
taton" did more than express his opinion that
the operation might safely be made in the foot
He made no effort to urge the adoption of this
opinion nor in any way gave us to under
stand that any grave doubts existed in his
mind as to the propriety of the coui Sc decided
upon. L understood him as concurring in and
asserting to the decision of the majority. es-
peciaily after it was understood that Dr. Rob
inson himself was so DESTROYS that the opera
ton should be made above the ankle.
Not one word was uttered at this consulta-
ton OF an unpleasant nature, the proceedings
were entirely harmonious and it closed with
the conviction on my mind that the gentlemen
aoere unanimous as to the propriety of the OPP
GRAFTON and the place that was decided upon.
When,the next morning" zone in consultation
very kindly volunteered his valuable services 10
assist in the performance of this operation al
the point decided upon, who could believe that
he was the victim of grave doubts as to its
proprety? But if he was, may we rot reason
ably suppose that these doubts would have
been in part at least dissipated when, upon
moved and som considerable manipulation hav
ing been resorted to in order to make the limt
do its best, one small and extremely feeble
squirt of an artery was all that was vouchsafed
to guide ''one in the consultation in the per
Torrance of his duty?