The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1882-07-06
MEDICINE MEN
WHO ARE cRANKiER THAN ouITEAU

Quarrel Like Cats and Dogs over
the Assnssin's Corpse 80 Another
Shameful Exhibition of Medical
Wnys-A Very Queer Kind of lamb
In Fact. He Plays the Wolf with
Hartigan and Sewers - Guitcnu's
Body BoiIing In n Big Pot ut the
Medical Museum.
THE CRITIC stated four days ago that n row
was imminent over the corpse OF Gultsau with
tho two committees of doctors rs principals.
Tho fuct was truthfully stated. The night is
In progress, and the autopsy threatens to do.
velop Into n genuine "Kilkonny wake" In
which blows are struck, eyes BACKED, otc.,
"over our dear departed"
Or. Lamb, OF the Army Medical Museum,
backed by Row. Mr.. Hicks, tho legal owner Of
tho cadaver, made an autopsy report, signed
by himself alone and forwarded It to n medi.
cal paper In Philadelphia for publication.
Drs. Hartgau and Sewers, who were selected
as members Of the postmortom committee,
propose TO mako another report, which, II they
arc members OF the postmortem committee,
must be regarded rs n majority report. Lot
tiers havo passed between tho minority and
majority, and the matter has assumed nrather
lively aspect.
The SquabbIc
Is positively disgusting and tho doctors could
not adopt moro certain plan to bring tho
whole medical profession into disropute. Tho
country bowed Its head In shame last year
when the doctors quarreled over Garneld's
sick couch, ana now comes tho disgraceful row
over tho assassin's carcass.
passed between tho doctors, and also au inter
view with Colonel Corkhlll.
Lambs First Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. O., July 3.
Dts. HdrtigdH and SOigerS!
DEAR SIRs: After consultation with q mum.
hggs gf .1NxsaN yla,Nu l,a IT,
depreciation upon tho memorandum (or
"agrcementD handed to me Just before the
autopsy, have sent the report to medical
Journal, but, asyou were aware, your SER
vices are recognized In tho report. Worry re-
spectfully, ID. 8. LAMB.
A thunderclap in cloudless sky could not
have caused moro genuine establishment.
Speaking upon this point, DR.. Sewers said
"Having received this, wc were at loss to
know how TO properly Interpret 1t until tho
time, Colonel Corkhill having seen tho pub.
lished account of q forthcoming autopsy sent
TO me and DR.. Hartigan inquiring about the
matter. AS a result, the following letter was
sent TO DR.. Lamb"
SOwcrs ana Hartigan to Lamb.
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 5.
Or. ID. -. LdM6, ActtHg AsststdHt Surgeon,
United States Atnty.
DEAR DOCTOR: We have called on the Dis
trict Attorney at his request, to ascertain
what tho difficulties wero In connection with
the rumors OF the "so-called autopsy" II
WIS HETccu tHht tHo autopsy buOulu DO flhug
by Drs. Sewers, Lamb and Hartigan Jointly,
and II was ut his (tho District Attorney's) suy
gesti0n that you were retained In conjunction
with ue. He says to us that, In his judg
ment, the publication of any report
that does not meet tho approval
of, and is not signed by all three
physicians, is officially unuuthorizod and a
violation OF the trust imposed upon US, and
that he earnestly protests against 1t. II Will
destroy all thc security the medical profession
Of the country Will huvo In tho proposed exam
inGtlon OF the brain, and Is an assumption OF
authority unauthorized and another violation
ofhis rights In the promises. The foregoing
statement OF Colonel Corkhill reassures us as
10 the correctness Of our opinion expressed tC
You with regard to our official connection with
the autopsy of Charles j. Gulteau, and Il
IL be correct, as stated In the evening papers
and In yonr letters to us that copy OF the re
port compiled and signed by you alone has
been forwarded to medical Journal for pub
lication, as majority OF the committee
equally authorized and responsible, we re
specially request of you, all the notes taker
at the autopsy TO enable us to formulate ro
port such as we arc willing TO sign, In com
plianc0 with the trust imposed.
Respectfully, TT. Sewers,
]. F.HARTIGAN.