Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-02
THE OLD AND THE NEW.
Progress OF the War over the Code of
Medical Ethics
DOCTORS ENROLLING ON BOTH SIDES.

medical ethics may be said to be only begun.
There have been two important engagements.
In one OF which the new coolers" captured the
County Medical Society, aud In the other the
''old coolers" captured the Academy of Medicine
Skirinishing has been going on daily, not only
In this city. but in every county OF the state,
each one OF which has it's medical society. The
last thing done by the local '.old coders' was to
issue an open letter to ''the members of the
regular medical profession In the state of New
DIRK" 1t is signed by Drs. Abram De BOis. J.
W. 5. Gouley, William 6. Lusk, Austin Flint,
John I'll. Hinton, Samuel s. Purple, Austin
Flint jr.. Samuel T. Hubbard, and T. Gailard
Thomas. The open letter says among other
things:
Inc s0-called new code recently adopted by
the medical society of the state of New York.
sanctions fellowship by means of consultations
with all practitioners who are illegally author
lied to practise medicine" This sanction ex-
tends to practitioners who have adopted desig-
nations intended to distinguish them as belong
ing to sects apart from, and hostile to. the reg
ular medical profession, and who are organized
IN order to lessen public respect for this profess
sion and for its members. viii you not seri-
Ousiy consider the question whether under
these circumstances, affiiiation by any act with
sectarian or Irregular practitioners is consistent
with due regard for the honor of the profess
sion. OF with proper sense of selfrespeet?
We submit for your consideration that the
substitution OF the new code for that adopted
by the American Medical association has in
fiIcted upon the medical profession of this state
great injury and disgrace
1T is believed that the recent action of the
New DIRK state Medical Society in relation to the
code of ethics is not sustained by the sentiment
and Judgment OF the great majority of the medi-
cal profession in the state. But even granting
that they who are opposed to this action are in
a minority. it must be admitted that the num-
~ U.fy- no nffrc Of 80
state society. if persisted lin, will be division
OF the profession of the state into two parties.
In view OF the evils which cannot but follow such
DIVISION and the many advantages of mar
mony, We appeal most earnestly to those who
have been led to approve Of the substitution of
the new code for that of the national to recon-
slider the matter and We solicit the active CO.
operation of all who are in favor of the national
code. IN concerted efforts, TO affect as speedily
as possible reversal of the action of the Med
cal society of the state of New York at the aIl-
nual meetings In 1882 and 1883.
HOW THE ROW BEGAN.
The history of the events that led up to this
split among the doctors is briefly told AS far
back as 1923 the American Medical Association
established what was called system of medical
ethics, which was intended to lay down the
principles governing prophecies of the profess
sion. In 1916 the Code of medical ethics was
adopted, and This forbade the sO-called regular
physicians from consulting with homeopaths or
eclectics- The New York State Medical So
ciety. at Its last annual session but one, passed
a new code, permitting consultations with
all regularly qualified physicians. The re-
suit was breach between the State and
the National societies, the latter in 1882 de-
Gliding that. as the New York code contained
provisions essentially different from those of
the National code the New York State Medical
Society was not entitled to representation by
dpItp2tpS In tha inf inst
past delegates tayOriDg the new code were
chosen 10 represent this county at the next meet
ing OF the state society, and an effort heated
oy Ut Lewis y. Sayre. was made to pass resO-
luton in the County Medical Society declaring
In favor OF the repeal of the new code. There
was rally of both sides al d special meeting of
the County Society, when the new coolers"
triunphed, DR.. ForGyce Barker DR.. Piffard Dr.
Agnew, DR.. RoOsa. Or. Jacob and others head
Ing the victorious forces and Dr. Austin Flint.
Dr. Thomas and DR.. SaYre being arrayed against
them When the state convention was held the
attempt to repeal the new code was defeated
Since that time the odd c3ders' have been
quietly organizing, and, without warning
10 their opponents, took possession of
the Academy of Music week ago
Thursday. and, led by DR.. Austin Flint,
jr-. declared that no should he pro-
posed fOr membership in the Academy who
favored tree consultations. DR.. Barker. Dr..
Roosa, Dr.. Agnew and Others made a gallant
ii-ht' put tutS NtIt culHuUlDCItu TWO 10 one
The next proceeding on the part of the 'Old
coolers" was to issue the open letter described
above, and the new coolers held a meeting al
the house of DIR. jacob the next evening and
appointed committee to consider the situation
and to report at meeting to be called within a
few days. DR.. Alfred C. Post is chairman and
Dr. Sturgis secretary Of the new coolers" Or
gantZation. and Dr. Austin Flint, IT,, and Dr.
JOhn ii. Hinton are respectively president and
secretary of the 'Old coolers" organization
some OF THE LIBERALS.
DIR. John c. Peters Is one Of the prominent
supporters Of the new code and when the re-
porter called upon him yesterday he expressed
his opinion Of the opposition movement very
freely and forcby
The rules of the American Medical Associa-
tOn," said DR.. Peters were in a few respects
arbitrary and oppressive. In operation since
lS45. or nearly forty years they led to the form
alton of state and county medical societies by
the hOmeopaths and eclectics, and to the found
ing OF sectarlan colleges, hospitals and disDen-
saries. They deprived many sick and diving
persons OF the best medical and surgical advice
OF the regular profession; aroused the indigna-
tion OF the public at large against such narrow
minded and cruel procedures and arrayed many
physicians and lay persons against true and lib
eral medical art and science. In the short wear
that the new code of the medical societies of the
state and counties OF New York has been i'm on
So-cailed sectarian and irregular physicians
have resigned from their medical societies In the
last three months than In forty years under the
old code. Every sick person can now get the
best medical and surgical. general and special
advice without Quarrelllng with or Diminishing
his family physician, causing great sorrow or
inconvenience, or even raising a scandal at the
bedside. Every respectable, honorable well
educated physician or surgeon. without regard
to race or sect can now hold counsel with the
best specialists and general practitioners
ATTITUDE OF THE COUNTY SOCIETY.
''Why did the County Medical Society on Mon
day night avoid all reference to the proceedings
in the Academy of Medlcre?"
''Well, | think the attitude Of the County
Medical Society was very significant" said DIR.
Peters. ''ln that large meeting they were
scarcely ten men in favor of the old code and
ABOUT two hundred in favor Of the new. It
would have been very easy to have passed reso-
luton directing the committee on nominations
not 10 present the names Of any medical men
for membership who were not In favor of the
new code Bnt they declined to take any such
undignitied. retaatOry or aggressive step.
They, however. continued their vigorous cru
SADIE against really ignorant deceitful and mer-
cenary quacks by their condemnation OF the
United States Medical College"
1.-The gathering at DR.. Jacobs on Friday
night" continued Dr. Peters. twas a strong
fhn ffrrn and Av~t,. IL,