Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-12-12
sLINGs AND ARROWS.
The Medicine Men Of Erie, Penn,
at War.
An Old Disciple of EscuIapius Victimized
BY an Inscriptions Patient and
a Cunning Setter Of Broken
Bones.
A SANE WOMAN KEPT IN AN ASYLUM.

ERIE, Pa, December 1.-THE medical
profession is furnishing the excitement of
the hour here, serious allegations being
made against DR.. w. X. Cleveland by DR..
Charles Brandes, wealthy physician of
30 years standing in this community. Dur
ing the last year or so instituting suits
against physicians for malpractice has
been epidemic. About year ago Charles
Christoph was knocked down by dog and
he'd lis shoulder dislocated. DR.. Brandes,
the physician Of his family for 20 years
endeavored to reduce the dislocatiou BY
the use of pulleys, Christoph being a pow.
erful man and the dislocation Of an aggra-
waited character. After several fruitless at
tempts it was decided TO postpone the ope.
ration for few days TO allow the muscles
to relax. Chris.oph was Iaken bone. and
that night another physician was called,
and Christoph says he offered to wager $50
that he would fix the shoulders in few
minutes. This second doctor was Cieve-
land. The man consented to an operation,
and in u minutes he was informed that
his arm was all right.
A Doctor Yietimized.
For the next ten days the city and coun-
ty papers contained contributed articles
rejecting upon Dr. Brandes and landing
DR.. Cleveland. A letter signed by Christie
denounced DR.. Brandesr treatment as bru-
tai, and extelled Cleveland to the skies,
claiming that cure had been effected in a
few minutes The publication of this letter
was followed by big suit for malpractice
against DR.. Brandes. The case
never came to the court but
was Compromised. Brande paying
$500 to Christoph, which he states to the
reporter was done to release him Of the an
noyance Of defending such a suit at a
time when he was prostrated by the death
Of his only daughter; 1t appears that in
formation was brought to Brandes, which
led him to suspect he was the victim of a
conspiracy; that the diSlocation was not re-
duced as alleged in in the Christon letter,
and that the letter and articles were not
written by Christoph. To obtain evil
dcnce of Christoph's condition many
efforts were made but failed.
Nothing could induce Christoph
to submit to an examination. Subterfuge
was employed. Insurance men were sent
with most alluring offers in the hope OF
getting him to insure his life, when an ex-
animation could be obtained. but to no
purpose. Finally, the man was persuaded
to call at DR.. Stewards office to see a myth
ical bonesetter from Europe. He called
and was introduced TO a strange physician,
who kept no the impression. An examin-
alton was made and Drs. Stewart and
Spencer who made it, says the shoulder Is
cut and the arm almost useless.
Sensations on the Carpet
Upon this evidence DR.. Brandes put the
affair in the bands OF his attorneys and Erie
is promised big sensation in the criminal
and civil courts. DIR. Brandes, who is one
of the wealthiest men OF Erie, says he will
yindicate himself and bring. the guilty to
Justice if it costs him half his fortune.
Chrstoph, DR.. Brandes, Cleveland, Spencer
and Stewart have been interviewed.
The two latter confirm the allega-
tions as to Christoph's arm. Chris
tOph says his arm is as bad as ever, aud
claims to be innocent OF any conspiracy,
alleging that the letter was written by Dr.
Cleveland without his knowledge; that
Cleveland took them to the papers and in
cited him to bring suit against DR.. Brandes
Cleveland says he wrote the letter, but at
Ghristoph's request, and that he read 1t TO
him before he took it to the publishers.
He also states that he did not incite Chris
toph to sue Bfandes for malpractice; he
merely advised him as friend in the mat
ter, believing christoph to have been in
humanity treated.
Since the above has become known DR..
Spencer has instituted an inquiry into the
Pennington case, and finds that Morning
ton, who sued him for malpractice, never
wrote the letter. He, too, declares his in
tention of proceeding against the parties IN
the Criminal Court.