Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-08-08
DIR. BAXTER VS.. DIR. BLISS.

Upon urgent request we publish the
following relative to the ''doctor's quar-
rel" which took place at the White
House on Sunday morning. after the
wounding of the President on the day
previous. DR.. J. HI. Baxter, as most of
our readers remember, is the son of the
late Hon. Portus Baxter, and is we'll
known in the northern portion of this
county. We know nothing about
medical ethics" but presume, as was
reported at the time, that in the emer-
gency and the great danger, only the
most eminent surgeons were sought, and
that DR.. Bliss was selected as one of
such, on account of his extended expert
ence DR.. Baxter was absent, and ne
cessity requested that the case be taken
in hand at once, by the best skill at
hand. This, however, did not excuse
DR.. Bliss for his abuse of DR.. Baxter,
who by feelings of great sympathy for
the President and by right as family
physician, made great haste to reach the
scene of danger:
Sections and of the code of ethics
of the American Medical Association
read as follows:
"Sec. 5. When physician is called
to an urgent case, because the family
attendant is not at hand, he ought, un-
less his assistance in consultation be de-
sired, to resign the care of the patient
to the latter Immediately on his arrival.
Sec.6. 1t often happens in cases of
sudden illness, or of recent accidents
and injuries, owing to the alarm and
anxiety of friends, that number of
physicians are simultaneously sent for.
Under these circumstances courtesy
should assign the patient to the first
who arrives, who should select from
those present any additional assistance
that he may deem necessary. In all
such cases, however, the practitioner
, who oficiates should request the family
physician, if there be one, to be called,
and, unless his further attendance be
requested, should resign the case to the
latter on his arrival
Immediately after the wounding Of
o the President messengers were dispatch
ed in all directions for physicians. DR.
Smith Townshend was the first to reach
the patient and prescribe appropriate
remedies. DR.. Purvis was next in at
v tendance, and after him DR.. D. w
J.. Bliss. who at once assumed forma
d charge, which he retained undisturbec
d until the arrival at the White House o
e DR.. J. II. Baxter. the Presidents fami
', ly physician, who requested D. Bliss t
h take him to the patient. This DR.. Bills
ID refused. We give DR.. Baxter's state
D. ment of relationship to the Presiden
G. and interview with DR.. Bliss in his ow
in words, as follows:
IN 81 have been President Garfield
lie family physician for the past five or 81
s. years. and since his advent to the Viii
he House have continued to treat him pr,
he fessionally. Mrs. Garfield prefers hon
k. eopathic treatment, and in her recel
~ illness l had no professional connectic
ne with her CASE
le- cat the time the President was sh
EN- l was absent, having left the city twel
err hours previous to spend few days wi
gas a friend near Williamsport, Pa. !; b
in on receipt of the news of his being sh
err l returned by first express train, reac
ice ing Washington Sunday, July 3, at
emf A. NJ"
AXE 81 went directly from the depot
led the White House, and finding DR.. Bl
ven said to him: Doctor, l have come
out ask you to take me in to see the Pre-
was dent He replied We'll, don't see
ock necessity of your seeing the Preside1
rain | wish to keep him quiet Somew
pry. astonished at his reply, said: 4 mi