Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-06-25
ROW AMONG VIRGINIA DOCTORS.


A FIGHT AT THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE
PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE AT A
DEATH BED--THE PARTIES HEAVILY
BOUND TO KEEP THE PEACE,
&C., &C., &c.
A rather surprising affair occurred at
Richmond last week, being the arraign-
ment of several of the most widely-known
physicians in the State before the Police
Judge upon the charge Of having already
broken the peace, and the suspicion of be-
ing about to engage i'll u duel. The parties
arraigned were Drs. Hunter Mcclure, Jno.
S. Wexford, and Chas. Magill and MI. HI.
M. Taylor. The Richmond correspondent
of the Petersburg ''NeWS" gives the fol-
lowing
ACCOUNT OF THE DIFFICULTY:
1t was caused by remarks made by one
physician as to the treatment of case by
a brother physician, DR.. Hunter Mcclure
on the night of May Sd was called in to see
Mrs. Putney, a much beloved lady, in the
35th year Of her age, who was seven
was threatened with miscarriage. The
doctor gave the lady hypodermically S
minims Of Magendie's solution OF NOR
phine, and intended to repeat the dose if
she was not relieved. In about 20 minutes
after the hypodermic administration She
expressed herself relieved from the pain,
and the doctor left, after directing a mix
ture Of ginger and soda and a few drops
of chloroform to give if the pains returned.
AT u O'Clock that night Dir. Mcclure was
again sent for to see this lady, but being
out Of the way he did not get there until
2:30 O'Clock, when he found her dead.
When DR.. Mcclure could not be found
Dr. Magill was sent for, and subsequently
Dr. Wexford also. Both these doctors ex-
pressed the opinion that DR.. Mcclure
had killed the patient with morphine
That was the origin of the trouble, and
the treatment OF the case was discussed
by the Academy of Medicine on the 5th of
May. DR.. Mctfuire, with some asperity,
charged that Wexford and Magill had
been guilty of unprofessonal conduct in
saving in the presence of deceaSed'S family
that he had killed the lady by his mode of
treatment Of the case. On two OF three
occasions While the Academy was discus
sing the matter a conflict between Mcclure
and Wexford seemed imminent. About
10 days ago Wexford said in meeting Of
the Academy that he never lied for him
self and could not for others, (meaning
McGuire) and made use Of other language
offensive to Mcclure, but Mcclure took no
notice Of it at the time, by advice of
friends. Finally the whole matter was re
ported to d committee to ascertain if Well
ford and MeGill had oeen guilty of unpro-
fesSional conduct in talking OF McGuire S
treatment Of the case, and if the death OF
Mrs. Putney was caused by morphine.
The committee reported last night to a
large meeting Of the Academy that Well
ford and McGill had done nothing to make
them amenable to the charge of unprofes-
sional conduct, and that Mrs. Putney
death WAS caused by puerperalconvulsions
and not by the morphine administered by
Mcclure.
After the adoption OF this report Dr..
Mcguire arose. and addressing Wexford
who was seated ON the opposite of the
room, said that he had heard it as coming
from Wexford, that he McGuire) had been
guilty Of cowardice at the previous meet
ing Of the Academy; that he did not de-
sire to disturb the proceedings which were
regularly going on before the Academy,
but that now that they were over, he de,
sired to say, if Wexford had circulated
such reports impugning his courage, he
would be compelled to designate Wexford
as Il trickster and d liar.
Wexford jumped from his seat, and
hurled his penknife at Mcclure. Mcclure
lodged it and it hit Dr. Harris, doing nc
harm. Mcclure reached around him fol
a cane, but gentlemen near interpreting
his movements to mean that he was going
to draw d pistol, became greatly alarmed,
and DR.. McGill put his portly body be-
tween the colnba6ants, saying that he was
old, and that his body had better receive
McGuire's bullet. The chairman in vain
endeavored to quiet the turbulent gentle
men, and at last the police were called in
and Drs. Wexford, Magill and Mcclure,
aud Mr.. Taylor "a medical student and
relative OF DR.. McGuire) were arrested,
taken to the Station-house and bailed to
appear before the Police Justice.
THE LIVELY SCENES IN THE ACADEMY
OF MEDICINE.
The Richmond dispatch" gives q full
report Of the examination before the Police
Judge Of which the following is all extract:
DR.. James Beale was the first witness
sworn. He stated that at the meeting of
the Richmond Academy of Medicine held
Thursday night, after some business had
been disposed OF, DR.. Mcclure arose and
addressed some very offensive remarks to
Dir. Wexford. Dr. Wexford threw some
w
at first that the missile was paper, but was
afterwards Informed that it was a pen
knife. DR.. Mcclure lodged the missile,
and put his hands towards his breast, us
witness believed, with the view Of draw
ing a pistol DE-. Macgill then arose, and
witness thought from his movements that
he purposed joining in the difficulty.
There was great excitement in the room,
and Dr.. Beale and Dr.. Coakely went for
the police, and Drs. Mcclure, Wexford,
Macgill, and MI. Taylor were arrested
Did not see Mr.. Taylor making any bel
ligerent movements. Nh. Taylor is a rela-
tive OF DE. McGuire's, witness had since
learned.
Police Justice; CDR. Beale, have you
any reason to apprehend u breach of the
peace?"
DR.. Beale: II know there was very bad
blood between the parties last night, and
| have no reason to doubt it's present eX-
istence."
Police Justice: elias there been any
challenge passed OF notes sent?'''
Dr.. Beale: None that know OFF,
DE-. Beale here again referred to the fact
that the language Of DR.. Mcclure to DR..
Wexford was very offensive.
DE-. Grattan Cabell WAS next sworn. He
thought there was bad blood between DIS.
Mcclure ana wexford, and also between
DIS. Mcclure and Macgill. He was in the
chair when the difficulty at the Academy
OF Medicine occurred, and endeavored
vainly to maintain order, and was glaa
that the police had been sent for. Had he
not been i'll the chair he should have gone
Tor them himself.
Police Justice; do you still apprehend
a breach of the peace?"
llr, Caheli: II do, not only from what
occurred last night, but from what oc-
CURED previously between The gentlemen. y
Dr.: Payne, though put upon the stand,
could add nothing to what had already
been said. He was seated in front Of Dr.
Wexford when Wexford threw something
at Mcclure. AL the members of the
Academy Immediately arose amid much
excitement, and Drs. Wexford and Nc
Guire We're preYented from .reachinr each