New-York tribune., 1875-11-30
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
THE PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL.


ATTITUDE or THR DISMISSED PHYSICIANS AND OF
THE MANAGERs-SOURCE or THE TROUBLE
THE INDIGNATION MEETING.
The troubles at the Presbyterian Hospital,
which came to tho surface last Spring have again been
brought into prominence. The hospital, situated on
Seventeth-st between Fourth and Madison sves, was
started under the most favorable auspices The
Board Of Managers was composed of men well known IN
business and social circles, and the members OF the
medical staff physicians of ability and promi-
nenoe in their profession. To all external appearance
the greatest harmony prevailed between the managers
and the Medical Board. until last April when, at the
annual meeting four OF the attendant physicians were
not reelected and others chosen to fill their posi-
tions The gentlemen thus dismissed, together with
aeyera members of the Medical Board felt deeply hurt
at this action Of the managers and five OF the remaining
members sent in their designations These designations
at meeting held in September referred to com
mitee consisting OF John Parsons, Dr Willard Barker
Morris X. Jesup, Walter Edwards jr., and Joseph K
skidmorc. who reported against accepting them, and
favored tho investigation OF the OF the gentlemen
who had been dismissed. In spite Of this report the
resgnaous accepted. and the committee censureo
for ovcrsteppng the bounds of its authority The men,
bers Of the Committee then resigned their positions and
placed themselves the side Of the dismissed
This is the position OF the case at present.
The view taken by the managers Is that the physicians
nave no right 70 feel agCrevcd at being dropped from
the Medical Board since is expressly stated In the by
laws that all ply scaus and surgeons connected win
the hospital shall be appointed annually by the Board OF
Managers and that such appointment is for one year
only In refusing 10 reflect these gentlemen the mana
gers did not imply that they incompetent or that
any fault was to found with them tho managers were
simply exercising their right to choose whom they
pleased TO choose members of the Medical Board
They hsve refused give any reason for their action
simply because they say with such provision III the ny
laws, other reason is necessary
ent aspect They say that although the rule regard
ing an annual election is in force in other hospitals 1t Is
always understood that the appointments for lo or
at until the person holding the position has shown
himself 10 be negligent or incompetent. A. this is the
view held 10y many OF the profession. they feel that in
being dismissed although charges were made against
them inronipcency on their part is implied soon after
the annual meeting they sent request 10 the Board OF
Managers the charges against them be made public
the answer that charges had been mado SINH
lar request signed by about IS prominent physicians
was unnotiCed by the managers Dr. Parker states that
the four gentlemen whose dismissal has caused the dis
cusson were men of undoubed ability ana great promise,
having been graduated with honor from the medical col
leges OF this city, and OF them having completed
their studies in Europe.
A large number OF physicians becoming interested in
This affair. signed call for an indignation meeting
which viii probably end in protest being sent to the
managers and another roguest tAat The matter be fully
investigated The call is signed by Drs. Markoe, Burn
stead, Meredith Clymer, Gouley. Jacob c. L. AgneW
+. H. Hamilton, Sands. Sayre, Hammond 81. John
Roosa. Francis Deladed. Alfred LoOmis, j. Marion
Sims James Il. Wood. T. a. Emmett and many more,
and is % i0llOws
Tie members Of the medical profession in the Cly OF
NeW.YOfk who believe that the recent action OF Tue
Board Of Managers OF the Presbyterian Hospital IN e
matter OF failing to TetppOnt certain members Of Tue
medical staff against whom charges were preferred,
is injurious the OF hospitals in then bencc nj
work arr invited to meet at the Thcdtcr Of the Union
League Club Tuesday evening, Nov. 80, at oc1ch
to make public presentation Ol their views on TINS SUB
iect.
Some persons look rather cody upon this meeting ana
say that the proposed action is very Inconsistent
They quote the Of tie Medical Board OF Bellevue
Hospital which was entirely reconstructed year or
two ago. At that time no protests were made, ana no
indignation meetings held In reply, tue Interested
physicans say that the not at all analogous
and that the reorganization at Bellevue was Effected by
tho direct interference OF the medical profession The
primary cause ~ all this Presbyterian Hospital trouble
was personal quarrel between the direct luauagrm III
OF the hospital and The Medical Board hut this qlcuy
stated, nothing whatever @ 10 WITH the rca
point at issue, which is whether the bylaws relating Ia
tho election Of the Medical Board shall be construed dc
cordng the letter Of e law or according 10 the pro
cCdCnt c,tabli5ie led by other hospitals.