The evening times., 1896-06-08
lelIh It ODDS
New D.ssensions Among the
Staff at Emergency Hospital.
HOW THE TROUBLE AROSE
DR.. Kerr Explains Why He Discharg-
ed George fendrick From the In
stitution-Not u Fit subject for
Treatment-Other Question In Dis
pute-wil Probably Be Settled.

The new dissensions among physicians
at Emergency Hospital will probably lead
to Important results. and settle finally
several questions OF interest.
Dr. James Kerr, the surgeon OF the staff.
who is being attacked by the other physi-
clans, sad this morning that he is acting
under advice, and added that he would
spend every cent be had. IL necessary, TO
secure fair treatment in this community.
His opponents claim TO be ready to ma ke
move in a day or two that viii dispose
of Dr. Kerr effectually.
Professional Jealousy, combined with hon
est difference Of opinion as to the proper
field Of the Emergency Hospitals work,
is said to be at the bottom of the whole
affair, and there is touch OF woman's
uieddling in it, .
The occasion of the present disturbance
was the discharge from the hospital yes
terday Of George Fendrick, colored boy,
who has hernia. DR.. Kerr claims that the
BOY is not fit subject for treatment at
the Emergency Hospital, as his case is
chronic. and it is very doubtful If he can
DC helped by surgery. He is too old to
De classed as child and put under the
care OF DR.. Hawkes.. Therefore he exer-
cised his right to tell the boy to go home.
There was not the slightest hardship con-
nected with the discharge.
WHERE THE PHYSICIANS DIFFER.
This is only one instance where the physl-
clans have differed as to the work that
should be done at the hospital. DR.. Kerr
holds that emergency cases ought to hive
precedence there. and the beds ought not
to be filled up with patients who could as
well be treated elsew here. The other mem-
bcrs of the staff. whose work has little to
do with the emergency cases. hold that the
dispcnsary work forms an essential part OF
the dispensary service. and cases ought not
TO be turned a way to keep places for possi-
bic emergency cases.
DR.. Kerr said this morning that great
injustice had been done him in the public
statement of the Fendr;ck case. The facts
were not as given. The boy was not on the
operating table at all He had been in the
hospital three or four days. and did not
wish to be operated upon. He had begged
to be sent home, and when told he could
go, put on his clothes gladly and ran home.
..The boy was wrougfully admitted to
DR.. Hawkes. service in the first place"
said DR.. Kerr. ''Dr. Ha wkes has charge OF
the cbildren's diseases; / have charge of
surgery. He took the Patient into the hos
pital for the purpose Of operating upon him
forhernia and not on account of anyurgency.
He violated the regulations OF the hos
pitalin taking the boy for a surgical opera
ton when he belonged to my service, be
ing over the age fixed for the childrens
ward.
Even supposing that Dr. Ha wkes could
operate for hernia, lit was contrary to all
precedent, and a manifest insult tothe sur
geon OF the hospital. to take such a case
way from bis service. The boy had been
in the hospital several days aud was very
much opposed to an operation. He was
crying to get away and begging for his
clothes.
DISCHARGED THE PATIENT.
when found Dr.. Hawkes. was going 10
operate on him yesterday I went there
and protested against their taking my
cases. When they showed no disposition
to desist I went upstairs and told Fendrick
he could go home, at which he was very
much pleased. He got bis clothes at once
and went home.
There was snever anyqucstioD whoshould
do surgical work till DR.. Hawkes. began his
present course. nor any friction. His con-
duct In this case Is in keeping with what
he and other members OF the staff have been
trying to do for the past year.
DR.. Kerr then read from prepared state
ment of his side OF the controversy. which
he wishes TO put before the hospital board
This showed that number of cases which
properly belong to him have been di-
verted to others of the staff: three or -four
in the week ending April "a. DR.. Hawkes.
| not Being q surgeon, had employed assist
ants who lay some claims to that practice
| to do the work.
Dr. Kerr would not go into details, which
| will come out in due time, but said the
disturbance was mainly due TO the late
, superintendent, Miss West. She had been
| he asserted, ut the bottom of the whole
| trouble.
DR.. Hawkes., as secretary. OF the staff
has called a meeting for tomorrow tc
| choose an assistant. The difficulties will
then receive further attention. Dr. Ker,