The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-04-25
Or. DUFFy'S 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 Loring. of the Coun-
ty Medical Society. and DIR. E. r. Duffy.
OF l25 West Slxtieth street. who have
been charged with having palmed Off
bogus diplomas 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
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 92 First
street. to whom he is said to have
furnished a diploma for money.
Dr. 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 n
diploma o. not. hut only to find out
whether such persons were practising
lawfully or not. and had been registered,
says that tho action of the agent in
these cases may have been due to over
zealousness.
"Loring called upon me this morn
ing Pr. Hunter said to an Evening
the questions put to him In straight
forward manner. He insists that he
never attempted to blactmail any one,
but that he honestly believed mid
wives were supposed to have license
or diploma. He says he simply advised
the women to go to DIR. DUFFY as favor
to them:
THE Board. however. intends getting
to the bottom OF this story, and will
summon before II all the midwives
whose names have been. mentioned. II
it is true that Lorlng has, gone from
house to house compelling those women
to procure diplomas, he will be required
to give a fnll explanation TO the Execu-
When the reporter showed DR.. Hunter
one of the diplomas" sold by DR.. Duffy
he pronounced 1t worthless, SO far as the
Health cath Board wss con, m,l. o,,.
the woman license to practise midwifery.
The Board of Health requires no certifi-
cate whatever from physician
sion was given him by DR.. Duffy him
self, who admitted having issued a num-
II Know v the Board of Health does
not require such certificates" he said,
but think 1t an outrage that It does
not. Because the Board OF Health
n,eglects its duty ia no reason, why we
amined before being allowed to prac-
tise midwifery. In each case I ex-
anime them FULLY and give the certifl-
| cate. OF course, I charge them for my
professional service.
| II have no arrangement with Loring
and with ANYTHING he says or does away
AS to this Mrs Ehlert. she lies. I gave
her no certificate or diploma. She
animation"
There is bill before the LeGIs.
lature making 1t necessary for mid
wives to pass an examination, but It
has not yet become law. and 4 1t
| of no value.
Julianna Becker. of 1888 Second street.
called at the Board of Health to-day
and said that DIR. Kritger, OF West
| Forty-frst street, had asked her for s.
to insure her getting a midwifes diplo-
ma. She gave him the money and he
then demanded $GG more.
Mary Crimm!ns of PIG East Ninety
| NTH street. also come u the Board OF
Health. She said she had been called
| on several times by n man who repre-
sentcd himself TO be a doctor, and who
demanded money from her for n diploma
aqth3rizinS her T. act as a midwife. -,
| of Health officials that midwives do not
need diplomas; all that Is necessary Is
for them TO register themselves as re-
| quired by law.