New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-23
4 NAVY OFFICER ~ TROUBLE.
MEDICAL INSPECTOR KERsHNER DENIES Al
TENDANCE To A NOVA SCOTIA VESSEL TO
PREVENT POSSIBLE CoNTAGION-AN
ECHO OF THE NAVY PER-


PREVENT POSSIBLE CoNTAGIoN-AN
ECHO OF THE NAVY PER-
SONNET BILL
Washington. March % (SpeciaD. There are gentle
whisperngs around the Navy Department that =
court OF inquiry is TO be ordered in the matter OF
controversy between Medical Inspector Edward
Kershner, feet surgeon OF the North Atlantic
Squadron, and Captain Fighting Bob Evans, who
commands the flagship Nsw-York. The correspond
ence given below. which has been received at tho
Navy Department and Is now under consideration.
explains the matter issue 1t involves the ques-
ton whether Flee; Surgeon Kershner neglected his
duty az a medical officer OF the United States Navy
by declining attend 10 case OF sickness on
board a Nova Scotia vessel az Barbados The re-
Election cast upon Dr. Kershner by Admiral Meade.
aside from the report in the matter OF the Nova
Scotia vessel. = characterized gratutous and, in
view Of the fact that DR. kershner was reported TO
have been active in working in opposition TO the
Personnel BILL which failed TO pass Congress, 1t Is
interpreted as a movement the part OF the line
TO get square with him. The action Of the Secre-
tary upon the report is awaited with much interest
The correspondence is as follows:
United states FLAGSHIP %ew-Y9rk, First Rats
Sir: l. have the honor TO report to you tnat a can
ahead of US was received for medical assistance
about p. m yesterday. the MESSENGER stating ina,
"a man had been poisoned and as the captain was
2 Medical Inspector Kershner objected TO answer
case OF yellow fever and that it their business
to send on shore for dGso that the
captain would beat the owner by charging DOCTORS
B. / suggested to Medical Inspector Kershner that
this might be case OF urgent necessity, maybe OF
life and death. to which he replied that he should
have sent on shore in the first place and not to u.s.
BY your direction medical assistance was SENT
j. The vessel lyins about 400 yards from this
ship Very fFspsSS apiaia T. r. e Pom nHASS
Indorsement-R Respectfully returned to the com.
Meacdc 10 the Chief as he may deem
necessary to explain such action on w. his MRE asD
Rear.Admlral Commanding North Atlantic squad
Iniorsement-The sanitary advice. given TO cao;
tain Evans was as stated one OF me mrs. ana
it, is the protection OF the health and yes OF ne
given in consonance with this understanding OF my
duties Medical Inspector. United States Navy.
Indorsement.-Uned States Flagship New-York.
first rate. Bridgetown Barbados. February ..
Respectfuly forwarded to the Department for
such sos % may a P aef"sa ana
never be disregarded when II Is sound oui Iack
OF ordinary humanity Is not to be eon'oundea WIN
ThirdHMedicai Inspector Kershner has, II my
CURED in medical officer in his position sa n,, In Point Point
s6 p SeSn me has lie ad to
New York the necessary instrument; 10 analyze the
purity OF air and water and his advice since that
time in regard 10 many matters connected with these
things TO be OF a gueSSwork sort, ana OF 2
ouerulous and timid character He impresses me an
a chronic fault-finder without much cause for COM
plant.
Fourth-The medical profession Is OF the
noblest OF the learned professions and requires for
its proper exercise and devotion. well as
the keenest observation. and | cannot understand
how a man occupying DR. kershners position can
hesitate a moment 10 help case Of suffering
or demean himself by fault finding and COM
plant. and would suggest TO the Department that
n medical officer OF less tmid character and ono
more jealous. more progressive and up TO date in
his profession be substituted for Medical Inspector
Edward Kershner the surgeon OF the fleet.
r. w MEADE.
Rear Admiral United States Navy. Commanding
United States Naval Force North Atlantic