The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-11

confreres are doing there, and why we were
debarred from any OF the benefits and advan-
tages arising from professional connection
called to care for the sick poor In their
homes. and We. as well as our patients,
would gladly avail ourselves of the privileges
OF the city and county hospital were we per-
mitted to do so. But these privileges are de-
MED to our patients unless they are willing
to relinquish the right to be attended by any
physician other than member of the old
school and of your staff as 1t is now constf-
tuted. Again, among the Weather class Of
our patrons, many times 1t occurs that we
are called to treat servants or friends who
are too poor to be self-supporting during
Illness. and who are justly entitled to the
privileges of our city hospital and care from
It's stan or phystcians. Here again they are
met with the same denial unless willing to
relinquish all preference for the physicians or
practice OF their choice.
1t seems to me, doctor, that for any class
of citizens, let them be physicians or lay
men, to insist on the right to exclude any
equally respectable body of citizens from the
privileges of charitable institutions in which
all alike are interested and are taxed to sup
port is very un-American in spirit. 1t hard
~ seems necessary for a learned and seien-
such an extent against part Of the same
profession who have every right to claim
equality, both professionally and under the
law.
I have been asked very often, why do you
not make fight for these privileges which
are denied you; why don't you organize
circulate peLlLlOnS ana bring every influence
to bear that you can until your rights are
recognized? We the people, will stand by
you II you will only assert yourselves and
ask us to. My reply is this; If we can gain
admission to the City and County Hospital
without fight, without engenderng passion
We ought to accomplish it that way In no
field is the need of harmony and singleness
OF purpose more requisite than in that of
philanthropy. And next to absolute denial
OF all right to admission to our hospital, 1
would consider our advent there after a
a lIpfo 1ato oiToIIn cfa r0o
Imagine two rival STATS of physicians in that
institution viewing each other with hatred
and Jealousy! What would be the inevitable
effect on the hospital? 1t would not be other
than subversiye to its efficiency and harmful
to all concerned. Therefore, unless compelled
by positive and Incorporating denial Of ad-
mission on the part of the present manage
ment through you, | am not in favor of max
ing fight for the rights of physicians Of my
school. Many of your staff, with yourself,
l can claim as warm personal friends; and
nothing less than the feeling Of great and per-
sistent wrong to my school of practice would
ever induce me to enter into such a warfare
Let US sincerely hope that such a course NAV
never be necessary.
In asking admission to the City and County
Hospital, do not think for moment that we
are inspired by any design to supplant the
present management, even If such a thing
were possible. We recognize that we are a
minority; but, with our clientele, very re-
spectacle minority: While approaching this.
and asking for what we consider our right
IN fair minority representation we at the
same time acknowledge that in numbers you
represent rete the majority and by right should
controI-at least, until the influence Of our
school has increased and by right can de-
mand more.
am aware that both you and the board of
control of this city felt grevously insulted a
rev months ago by the arguments of certain
element OF my school of practice wherein
they made statements rejecting upon the
management of the hospital and implying
that the very best means for perfecting the
efficiency of the hospital was Impaired and
the expenses increased, by not per-
hitting them to have the management and
control of this great city charity. This eie-
ment of my school is as much or more at
variance with the spirit of the times and the
huvalce OF science as the narroWest and most
plgeoted OF your own school could possibly
be, and it is needless for me to add that I
have no sympathy with the arguments they
offered.
We ask admission to the city and county
hospitals as natural right, because we are
c!tlzens and taxpayers and our patrons are
also. We ask to be admitted in order that
we ana cur patrons may have the privilege
OF using in common with you gentlemen and
your patrons public benefit, public char
ity, that belongs to us all, and over which
none should claim exclusive right.
II admission to our rights there is allowed
for the element of my school of practice to
which l belong l promise that there will
never be any reason for regretting the action
of your management so long as we are fairly
and considerably treated. None will be
more loyal in support of our city and county
the new staff asking admission through me.
My proposition for admission is practically
embodied in the foregoing. When admitted
we will take up our work in much the same
manner as your present staff, cur staff re-
ceiving a certain proportion, say every third
or fourth patient admitted to either the medi-
cal or surgical ward, where no preference is
expressed by the patient, and all cases where
preference is expressed for homeopathic
treatment. Until such time the city
and will give us separate wards we are will
tn mai n mo vUor dS
with those of the old school staff, only ask
ing that we may have the cordial support Of
the management, and that no unfairness of
treatment be permitted to our patients by the
nurses OF other employees. So long as these
matters of fairness can be maintained, and q
spirit of generous rivalry and good feeling
obtains between the staffs 1 see no especial
reason why there should be any separate
wards for the two schools.
I realize fully that admission to the city
and county hospital by a staff OF our school
means much hard work with no direct conf
pensation to the members Of the staff, and the
question arises, will it pay? Is it worth the
while to strive for something that brings
only work and responsibility? My answer is,
we are all doing more less charity work
now, without the help OF the public charity
of our city, to which we and our patients are
entitled. Besides that, we, in common with
your school, are recognized and have class
Of students in the state university. The fac
ulty of our department is excluded from the
privilege of using our city and county hos
pital, or the material there for clinical in
struction, which is greatly needed by
students. In Minneapolis, which aims to rival
us as a medical center, the two schools are
working in their city and county hospital
without friction or detriment to either, which
materially strengthens their right to claim
that the medical center is in their town and
not in ours. Why may we not unite in the
same way here, ard both schools of practice
work tremendously for this local advantage?
If this letter seems to deal with arguments
for recognition of the rights of weaker but
very respectable practice more than was
originally intended to soutline a plan for
having double staff. it is because 1t seems
that purpose A courteous regard for the
feelings of one staff in the treatment and at
ttude Of the other, 1t seems to me, is all
that is necessary.
Hoping that this letter will be accepted by
you and the gentlemen of your staff in the
spirit of good will that it is intended. and
that it may have some influence in helping
to break down unreasonable Drejudices, | am,