The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-20
A CARD.
NEW ORLEANS, La.

New ORLEANS. La. Sept. 10, 1877.
To the Editor of the Democrat.
Sn'-It is not often that one physician is called
upon to defend himself against the attacks of
nor is it quite in keeping with the professional
dignity of gentlemen who have had ambition
enough to study the science and practice. Of
medicine to do so. whenever they are assailed
by men mean enough to make use Of their pro-
fesBonal opportunities to crafty their malice:
however there are times when check must be
put upon the evil practice of ones enemy, and
believing that the medical profession and the
public Of New Orleans vii onsider me fully
jgssf II % sbmg The bG9wng @ yse
as lieentiate Of the Royal College of Surgeons
II Ireland, the Royal College Of Physicians Of
may learn oil the particulars las far as news
paper letter will allow of the Coroners inquest
with which my name was connected, as per re-
port In yesterdays newspapers.
In the early part OF last month | was. visited
by one Clara Johnson. who requested me to
pfeseribe for her. d she was suffering very much
office few times and being to her residences.
was sent for on the 10th ult. and on visiting
planning as before. After due examination 1
discovered she was also afflicted with dyson
terry, for which treated her. and visited her
when she was delivered in my absence of a still
born child. On the 18th inst. she died, and [
gave certificate of death in accordance with
the most prominent symptoms Of her illness.
viz: dysentery. tNow here ] would refer to
other matters in connection with her death, of
which have heard q great deal SINCE but as
there is to be criminal proceedings in the mat
ter. pass on to the autopsy and coroners jury
It appears there was good zeal OF talk ut her
wake about a fuss 'sshe was alleged to have
had with some one four or five weeks previous,
and 1t was then In order for some one to remark
to police officer that she was very likely killed,
etc.
Next day my certificate was Intercepted, and
the Coroner, accompanied by the City Physi-
clan, visited the body of the d ceased, and to
! hn GatiafHPfOn
etc. declared she had died. not from dysentery.
but peritonitis. and that said pertonits was
Br. J. G. Beard was prudent enough to call in
some other physician to c,,rroborate his G IN
illusions, but perhaps he did not deem such
precauton necessary, as he was the City Physi1,
clan and was mere doctor; and, again.
suppose he was in q similar position. after
NJ What the h etc. had to to
| patient, concluded he had eaten horse on
| account, of there being saddle and bride
under the bed. Bat / could not expect Dr.
J. G. Beard to let such an opportunity for in,
| iuring me pass, for surely a man that told
several OF my patients that ! was not doctor.
| death was produced by peritonitis when said
| it was by dysentery.
AS to the instructions he gave to the Coro-
| ner's jury we will see. in evidence, when the
Coroner has been fortified by the opinion of the
Attorney, General, Of whom he was to have
not guilty Of malpractice, In conclusion, l
would compliment DR.. J. G. Beard on discover
| ing that deceased came to her death by per
| itonitis produced by Il blow murder and at
| the same time that the physician was guilty of
| malpractice in treating the deceased, showing
! that the deceased died from two different
causes, viz: First. from tho blow on the part
| of the accused, Amy Johnson; and secondly,
| from the effects of the treatment by the physi-
| clan. thereby starting a new problem in medi-
| cal Jurisprudence and which will have to be
solved before the world can know who or what
| it was that terminated the earthly existence OF
| the late Clara Johnson.
| Very respectfully.
il. S. HIGGINBOTHAM, NJ. d.