Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-13
Friday evening, Dec. Is. ISIS.
AFTER HIS DOUBLE PAY.

AFTER HIS DOUBLE PAY.
We have heard of two instances in
which physicians employed by the
Howard Association during the late
epidemic have since brought bills
against their patients, and sued on
them. As this is matter Of general
interest, we propose, fguratiyely speak
ing. to take off our gloves and give the
matter an investigation, and a thor
ough discussion, and if anybody gets
hurt or pinched, it viii be our fault.
In the first place, however, the writer
of this article desires to acknowledge
the very kindest attention from a dis
tinguished Howard physician, and al
though no bill has been presented, he
hopes one will be, and desires to pay it
as an evidence of his gratitude and
appreciation. So much for that. But
we owe a duty to others, and will part
ly discharge = by taking up what We
will call case No. l, which is
similar to many of the same
kind. We have a very high
respect for the medical profession, but
not enough to silently witness an act
of extortion and injustice by any Of its
members. The case alluded to is that
one DR.. Ess, a Memphis doctor who
was employed by the Towards at ten
dollars a day, and we presume was
furnished board, lodging and a horse
and buggy; if not he was a rare ex-
ception. Among the patients treated
was Mr.. w. c. Smith, a baker on
Main street, near Beal. DR.. Ess, so
we are informed, stated during the
time he acted as a Howard physi-
clan hat his time and services be-
longed to that association, and that he
was paid by them and had no right tc
make any charge. After the fever
abated, however, and the ten dol
lars a day and perquisites ceased
to flow in, it seems that, like
Pharaoh of old, he changed his mind
He made out a bill of twenty-five dol
lars against Mr.. Smith, who refused OIL
was unable to payit. The doctor ther
sued on it, but raised the amount t.
sixty-fye dollars. While the case wal
still pending before a magistrate
court, he took the bill out, revised j
and raised it to Sill. And if he get
another chance at it there is no calcu
lating what he will make it next time
1t grows as marvelously as the ok
woman's dried apples which she CAV
her boarders for breakfast, and fol
lowed by rotations of warm water 70
dinner. 1t was the understanding {
Colonel Pickett, General w. j. Smit
and other Towards, as well as anon
the people, that the service
of Howard physicians rendere
in yellow fever cases was as free as tn
medicines, stimulants and d%elicaciC
furnished by the Howards. MAJ
people who feared they might not
able to pay their own family physical
called on the Howard Association {
this account and for this reason.
these doctors have a right to charge
one case they have in all, and the yC
unteer physicians from abroad ha
the same legal right to make out bi
and collect from every patient atten
ed. Some of the home doctors, '
understand, defend their action
charging by saying that they were on
employed to look after paupers
their spare hours, and that their e
gagement with the Towards was n
to interfere with their private practic
What a lame and ridiculous defens
We suppose, then, that a doctor Ell
ployed by the Towards who HI
enough private practice to occu
most of his time, just let the paup'
die, and drew his little ten dollars
day all the anne This matter co
Germs hundreds and thousands Of pc
pie and involves a vast amount
money. Every case should be resist
until the points at law are settled.