Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-16
rHE HoME HowARp poCroRs.

We publish lawyer-like commun-
ication to-day in behalf Of the local
physicians of the Howard Medical
Association who propose to charge all
yellow fever patients who are able to
pay. If these physicians were only
employed to treat the INDECENT the
fact is late coming out, and was not
generally known at home or abroad.
Our correspondent states his side of
the question in the strongest pos
sible light, and still, after max
ing every possible concession to him,
his case is 2 weak one. He would
place the doctors in what we believe in
most instances to be false position
by implying at least that they remained
here to make money and ought to be
paid accordingly after discountiRg
bad debts and INDECENT people. All
classes suffered heavily by the epi-
demic, and many of those who took as
great risks as the doctors such as
nurses, visitors, ministers, printers and
editors, to serve the public, receive
only pittance for their services.
and expected nothing more. 1t
was understood that all were work
ing for the good of humanity,
and that this private practice to
which our correspondent refers, meant
other kinds of sickness than yellow
fever If man broke his leg, or had
measles, or another addition to the
home circle, of course he would not
have expected the free services of a
Howard physician 1t is well-known
fact that the wealthy people, with a
few exceptions, were absent. The
worlds great charity was contributed
under the impression that it secured
medical attention as well as medicine
and delicacies for yellow-fever pa
tients. If, however, a discrimi-
nation was made in the con
tract, so that the volunteer doctors,
like DR.. Greenville Dowell, of Calves
ton, Texas; DR.. Yonge, of Savannah
DR.. Simmons, of Charleston DIR.
Coleman, of San Antonio; Dr. Nc
Culley, of Independence, Ks; DR.
Bartholomew, of Murfreesboro, who
fell here of the fever, and others We
could name, were restricted tC
$40 a day all told while q
home physician was allowed $40 day
for practicing on paupers, with the
privilege of picking out the cream O
the paying practice in the city i
was a singular arrangement and, W.
fear, not in the best TASTE Al
that time we were receiving
aid from all parts Of the country, anC
it would not souud well to go forth t,
the world that this distinction wa
drawn against those who, at sucl
great peril, came to our relief If tn
people had known that there were tw
classes OF doctors, one allowed t
charge anybody who might, could
would or should pay, and the othe
who could not charge anybody but tn
Howards, we imagine there woul
have been an immense demand for tn
latter class. The nurses who cam
here from distance were paid jus
the same as local nurses. There wa
no discrimination. We are awar
that doctors do a great deal {
charity practice and that payin
patients help to make up the los
1t was supposed, however, that thoS
who remained had higher motiN
than to get even or ahead. Whe
the doctor had to go to the country, {
to treat some ordinary disease, it prt
sented an exceptional case. If one ma
desires to attest his gratitude and al
probation by pocketing a handson
receipted bill, it does not follow thi
this is rule for others, or settles ii
principle involved in this controvers
1t certainly does not from our stant
point. We are discussing the questiC
pro bono publico and driving at Il
main points.