New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-30
PHYSICIANS EXCITED.
COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY MEETING.


The New-York County Medical Society held
special meeting last night to discuss the new Code
of Ethics passed by the State Society. The hall of
the College of Physicians and Surgeons. at Fourth
ave. and Twenty -third-st, packed to the doors
with physicians, who had been brought out by the
recent agitation of the subject. Austin Flint, ST.,
Fordyce Barker, C. r. Agnew, D. b. St. j. Roosa,
II. G. Piffard S. O. Vanderpoe A. jacob, O. s. Pom
eroy, j. C. Peters. and men of equal eminence in
the medical profession. made up the greater portion
Of the audience. 1t was apparently a meeting
fairly representative of the regular school of medi
| cine of this city and county Soon after o'clock
the president. David Webster read the call for the
meeting, which, he stated was Ito secure the gen.
eral opinion Of the members OF the Medical Society
| on the Code OF Ethics" revised Code of Medical
Ethics was adopted by the Medi cal Society OF the
State of NewYork In February. 1882, superseding
that OF 1s4s. The rule that has caused all the
excitement and discussion was as follows: Mem
bers Of the Medical Society of the State Of New
| York, and of the medical societies in affat0n
herewith, may meet in consultation legally quail
fed practitioners Of medicine; emergencies may oc-
cur in which all restrictions should, in the judg-
ment of the practitioner yield to the demands of
humanity
DIR. D.B.StJohn Roosa offered resolution that the
| County Society approve the code as now amended.
II. G. Piffard offered substitute that the entire
matter be left to tho delegates of the State So
! ciety, to act their judgment might dictate after
their arrival in Albany DR.. ROosa
said that he would have preferred
10 have the whole matter go over until
the delegates reached Albany. But 1t appeared to
! be the wish Ol influential members Of the medical
| profession to have the question discussed. 81 be-
lieve" he continued, that we are capable of man
aging affairs. believe that the time has
gone by when we need q code. How do some of the
homilies of the old code strike the ear Such
patient should never weary his physician with de-
! tails not pertaining to his diseases and on the
other hand, the physician should exercise every
care and tenderness in ministrations etc. What
would be thought of any physician who did not do
these thingsi There need of a code TO incul-
cate decency and ordinary good manners The old
code was made up of discrepancies. The opposition to
| the Code centres upon questions of consulta-
| tion This opposition manly has been made up by
| distinguished pharmacist across the bridge. They
say that about TO frateTnze with the
! homGopathists and 10 take the supporters OF n
| dogma 20 our bosoms. The right TO consult with
| legally qualified practitioners does not make rs
| converts to homeopathy and does not cover Us
with the shade Of HahnemanD. This entire ques-
ton should he left 10 the honesty and conscience OF
the practitioners. The opposition attack the advo
| Gates OF llDefallty anu pIuRIehe III
under the new Code a crime equal
to rape or murder. They fear that the good
sense OF the profession will entirely depart
il the barriers 20 freedom in consultation should be
Withdrawn. WHAT is called for Is free expression
Of opinion here On this subject Dr. PfOrd Ia on the
same side "a am. and If he could withdraw hssub-
| stitute think the discussion would be easier on
! account of the greater clcarness with which the
/ whole issue would be brought OUT lApplause.l
| Dr. John G. Adams stated that as the room was
/ oyer.crowded there doubtless were many present
who were not members Of the society. He moved,
therefore that the society should go into executive
session before proceeding further with tho discus
sion The motion was quickly voted down. This
| being the first positive demonstration Of the
strength of the supporters of the resolution OF DIR.
Roosa the declaration of the vote was greeted with
| great applause DIR. Dwyer stated that in
| England there was no such thing as homeopathic.
Every practitioner had to be legally qualified,
and hence there could be differences or questions
| of consultation.
Doctor Gerrish said: think we have arrived a.
very important period. The majority have sub
mitted to minority rule too long Prolonged APP
| pause.l Why did the State Society heap this in-
dignity upon us and refuse TO pay proper respect to
| our professioni Why did the delegates 20 to Al
| bany 10 act rs they did without knowing whether
| the profession wished a new Code or mott Ap-
| pause.l IL was ali outrage to enact law of that
kind Are we going TO allow everybody and anyb body
| 70 enter our profession ] never consulted with
| n homeopathic In my life | have too much re-
| spect for them The speaker evidently meant 10
| say something different, but In his excitement he
| smoke AS above stated There was storm OF
| laughter aud cheers that was continued for some
time causing the speaker 10 pause aud wonder as he
| looked yacantly about him, what he had said 10
provoke so much merrimen Alter order had been
restored the speaker cut his remarks snort VIII
"A very dear friend of mine was expelled from the
4 Academy for consulting with homeopathic. l
| hope that you. will put down this resolution;
fhe president explained that Dr. Roosa's
resolution left the question of con:
sultatlon to the honesty and Intelligence of
| each practitioner, aud the code only called
for procedure in tho event OF conduct unworthy of
| a ply ncan or u gentleman Dr. PIiiards substi-
tute SIMPLY left the entire subject TO the discretion
| OF the delegates TO the State Society DR.. Andrew
H. Smith said that for purposes OF the discussion
the question should embrace every form OF practice
| that might be included under the head OF doglnst
ism lApplause.l For tho last nifty years the op-
| pon.nts OF dognatism had acted IN the way most
likely to cause It to thrive and flourish " We pro,
| expose it. Applause We we'll remomber the
| dead-lne drawnl around the inmates OF the rebel
prisons and how any prisoner approaching within
| certain distance would bo shot down. We have
established dead. line outside oil the dogmatists,
and by IT have preserved their game io them ana
| ehectualy prevented poachng upon their domain.
should any OF the patients Of tho dogmatlsts desire
to consult Flint Sands. the cry would be raised
.Oh they are too bigotcd to ontor upon your case
unless you dismiss me first lApplause.l These
patients have u strous liking for the nun who in
their eyes has iono his best to help them IN their
sunerngs. Tney naturally refuse to dismiss.tho
| dogmatist and there is no consultation. III such
persuns desire tho legitimate opinion VI learned
physician they should have It, and not be debarred
| by any prejudice"
A. jacob said that he was not in favor OF Dr.
Rossas resolution. Dr. Rosa had voted against
the motion 10 instruct the delegates TO the State
Society, ana now he wanted thom 10 be instructed
Dr. RossH-Not At all. .
at is tho same thing continued DR.. Jacobi
Tho resolution practically requests them to vote
In certain way. What We ought to insist upon 10
that the delegates should be uninstructsd and un-
bIassod. Patients stolen on this side and on the
other. The public are more homeopathic than tho
homGopathists themselves. Applause Inc fasi-
ions ladies at the summer hotels. ia their