The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-04-25
Or. DUFFYS STORY.
He Charged Midwives Only for
Professional Services"
Gave Them Certificates When They
Passed His Examination.
Health Board and County Medical
Society Taking Action.

The case Of Agent Lorlpg. OF the Coun-
ty Medical Society. and DR.. e. II. Duny,
OF rs West Slxtieth street. who have
been charged with having palmed off
bogus diploma at $40 each upon mid
wives practising In this city, has been
under consideration by the Board OF
Health for two days.
The story was first told exclusively by
1.-THE Evening World"
President Wilson said this morning
that he had referred the whole matter
to Lawyer Henry Steinert. counsel to
the Health Board, for his opinion as to
the proper method OF procedure. No de-
cisive action will be taken by the Board
until 1t has been advised as to Its
rights.
The officers OF the County Medical So
ciety have also called upon Agent Lor-
ing for an explanation of his conduct
with regard to Mrs. Ehlert, of 81 First
street, to whom he is said to have
furnished n diploma for money.
Or. Alexander S. Hunter. the Chair
man Of the Executive Committee of the
County Medical Society. while admitting
that Agent Loring had no business to
inquire as to whether am idwife had a
diploma o. not. but only to find out
whether such persons were practising
lawfully or not, and had been registered.
says that the action of the agent in
these cases may have been due to over
zealousness.
"Loring called upon me this morn
ing" DIR. Hunter said to an Evening
World" reporter. "an1 he answered all
the questions put to him L: 8 straight
forward manner. He Insists that he
never attempted to blackmail any one,
wives were supposed to have license
or diploma. He says he simply advised
the women to go to DIR. Duffy as a favor
to them.
THE Board, however, intends getting
to the bottom of this story, and will
summon before it all the midwlves
whose names have been mentioned. II
II Is true that Loring has gone from
house to house compelling those women
to procure diplomas, he will be required
to give full explanation to the Execu-
| tive Committee"
When the reporter showed DR.. Hunter
one of the diplomas" sold by Or. Duffy
he pronounced 1t worthless. so far as the
Health Board was concerned.
THAT paper he said, does not give
the woman license to practise midwifery
The Board of Health requires no certifi.
cate whatever from physician
The certificate i IN the reporters posses es
|
self, who admitted having issued a mum.
II know the Board of Health does
not require. such certificates" he said
but think 1t an outrage that II does
not. Because the Board OF Health
neglects Its duty |, no reason why we
should; I believe women should be ex-
amined before being allowed to prac-
tise midwifery. In each case I ex'
anime them fully and give the certif-
| cate. OF course, i charge them for my
professional service.
| II have no arrangement with yorine
and with anything he says or does away
AS to this Mrs. Ehlert. she lies. l gave
her no certificate or diploma. She
came here, but failed to pass my ex-
animation"
There is bill before the Legis
lature making 1t necessary for mid
wives to pass an examination. but 4
has not yet become law, and 4 Il
should pr. Duffy's certificates would b,
| OF no value.
Juliannn Becker. Of 1873 Second street
called at the Board of Health to-day
and said that a DIR. Krltger. OF Yves
| Forty-tlrst street. had asked her for s
to insure her getting n midwifes diplo
then demanded s66 more.
Mary Crlmmins. of 2l6 East Ninety
| nth street. also come II the Board o,
Health. She said she had been called
on several times by a man who repre-
| scented himself to be a doctor, and wit
demanded money from her for a diploma
authorizing her to act as midwife.
| of Health officials that midwives do no
need diplomas; all that Is necessary Il
for them to register themselves as re
CURED by law.