The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-17
IEFEVRE'O WAYS.
Close of the Investigation Of the
County Hospital.
No Ds6nite Action Is Taken-Dr. Rsgens-
burger Speaks His Mind About ST.
perintendent Lefevre.

Long and Bucknall were present. The pro-
ceedings were somewhat livelier than on
the preceding evening, owing to some bitter
personalities which were INDUCED III by
Directors Regensburger and Long ana Dr'
Lefeyre, superintendent at The hospital
PATIENTS STORY
wRudolph Inland, who had been patent
of tina lospital from January last to April
was called as the first witness and was
sworn lv the Mayor He testified that he
Iod heFn i'm + ward and notwithstanding
fhat he was weak from illness me nurse
who had charge Of his ward insisted GU BIS
sweeping and clean ing out the warn, as
well as doing kitchen WOrk. Ut, Anderson,
uho mad treated the patient lad told
him 10 remain 10 bed. The witness ad-
mitted though that the nurse simply tod
him to get up and do the work, and maze no
attempt to compel him to do anything. Ke-
garding yictuals the witness said that ne
did not get enough to eat some tunes nc
did not get medicine for three days.
DIR. Regens burger asked the witness sew
eral questions regarding the discipline at
the hospital and the manner OF WORK WhlcA
he was compelled TO perform
The Mayor then called DR.. Lefevre to the
witnessstaud and proceeded to question him
closely.
The Superintendent testified that he
looked after his duties between the hours OF
6P. N. and l O'Clock the next day.
do you look after the various Depart
ments?" asked the Mayor.
'tYes. [ 20 through all the wards almost
every day, and see that they are kept clean,
also see to the quality and quantity or the
food furnished, l am in the kitchen every
'Who do you leave in charge when you
''The resident physician"
did sou ever leave the place when the
resident physician was not thereY
Yes when l expected him back very
shortly. This was not often, though /
was not in the habit Of DONG it.
no LACK OF DISCIPLINE.
is there any lack of discipline there?'
"IGon't think there is. 1t is good IN
E" WHO suggested the change in The bill Of
fare for the nurses tabler
81 did. and / dOn't think there has been
any additional expense attached to the
change. The food costs about the same but
it is served up in a better manner than un-
der the old system"
TIE Mayorhaving ended his examination
DR.. Regensburger braced himself back 10
his chair and i'm a steely tone Of voice began
his cross-eXam nation.
SHE first inquired regarding the duties Of
the matrOu at the hospital, and desired 10
know whether the nurses ala nOt Interfere
with her in the performance Of her duties.
i never heard Of It," replied the super
is she not cowed down and afraid to per-
form her dQ.
''NoW, doctor" went on the QuestiOneT in
a more impressive way than before, have
vOu ever eaten breakfast, dinner or supper
with the nurses?'
Il have sometimes taken a cup Of choc0-
late in the nurses parlOr, replied DIT. Le-
feTTe, calmly.
"At hat hOur?"
"Oh, about II o'clock at night"
Did you ever spend the evening with
Frequently"
"Nha f0r?'
"Weu, TO give them Instructions in work.
and sometimes because they had company
Did YOU ever stay in the nurses paTlor
until J. Ct I o'clock at night2"
yes, when there has been company
there"
"Have you not been in the habit Of hold
ing social intercourse with them?"
what do you mean by social inter
"Nay visiting the nurses in their par
lor"
q have answered that already
THEY WENT OUT RIDING.
did you ever 90 out riding with the
YES, on two or three occasions I have
tahCl lLlco GOA01 III D1k 4tL 4 niue ullhte
aud also Miss Robinson. i think l had a
perfect right to do ST. They are perfect
ladies. and l treat them as a gentleman
should"
"Doyou think that it is conducive 10 good
discipline for the superintendent of a
hospital to be Cd such friendly terms with
tie employees, and especially female
nurses ?"
It's according to what you mean by IA
millar terms"
well, being seen coming out Of their
rooms late at night and taking them cut
riding"
see no harm In it."
That's al" said DR.. Regensburger, and
as Dr. LeteYTe withdrew, Dr.. Regensburger
moved that the board go into executive
session and consider the charges
Dr. L0g was on his feet at once pro-
testing.
7 believe we can settle this best By talk
Ing IN open council where the representa-
tlves Of the press can hear what we have 10
say. am not ashamed Of my acts" and lie
giaTed at Dr. RegensbuTger.
Neither am ], >" the latter retorted, and
so il was decided TO talk the matter over
openly.
Dr. Long arose and with another not very
frIendly glance at Dr. Regensburger began
the war Of personalities.
Ever since this investigation began" he
SAID. Il have been il a quandary as to what
tie whole matter is about. l would like to
know what has been discovered bv IL It
has shown one thing, and that is that there
has been interference in the management
OF the hospital by gentlemen who have had
no right to go there and act as they did. If
had been superintendent OF the hospital |
would have given these Needing parties to
understand that l was superintendent when
they called. What did the steward do when
lie was told TO revise the bin Of fare? lie
went 10 member Of this board, and
that member advised him to disObey his
instructions. Was that right? l don't
thnk that any one member of this board
has right to 90 to the hospital and dictate
10 me superintendent All the employees
are under the superintendent. ] have IL,
too On good authority that a member of
tins board also directed the staff % surgeons
al tue hospital 10 discharge patients as
speedily as possible in order % reduce ex-
peDses. Who gave him this authority
Defending THE NURSES.
There is no Law in this city that gives
him the right to do his. / say iet this mas-
ter be thoroughly Investigated. ] want
justice and right. Regarding the nurses. ]
know that they are ladies' Of refinement ard
education, and are superior 70 their posi-
tIoDs. ! would not be ashamed TO call on
Them"
Yes, and you have done Sc, interrupted
DR.. RegeusbuTgeT
Il don't deny It. / called there with my
VIE On the occasion Of a reception" replied
Dr. Long. lie then reiterated that he was
determined to Yentilate the whole matter
and find out by what right one member Of
the board sets himself up as a dictator.
Ut 6egenbuTger, who had been chatting
during bis cOnfrere's remarks now jumped
up and began to unb0som himself by launch
Ing forth IN vigorous manner in response
to DR.. Longs remarks lie was heartily in
favor OF ventilation regarding the matter and
was determined to have it. He declared
that he was the only member of tile Board