The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-14
DIR. LIE HARDY AND THE DOCTORS.
why the Medical Society Pigeon
hOIed the Health Omcer's letter.

The members of the Georgia Medical So
ciety. which includes practically all the
physicians In the city with the exception
of the homeopathic. do not relish DR.. Le-
Hardy's statement of the failure of the
society to grant his request for permission
to appear before that body to address the
members on the subject of vital statistics
and 1t was said yesterday that some no
tice would probably be taken of the mat
ter at the next meeting of the society.
Whether Dr. LeHardy has violated the
code of ethics of the society was not stat
ed, but this may be the case. The Georgia
Medical Society is a staid and conserva-
tive body with a strict regard for the code
of medical ethics and does not approve of
unnecessary publicity concerning its af-
fairs.
The reasons why the society did not
grant Dr. LeHardy's request to address
it were explained by the president, Dr.
George H. Stone, in this wise: About
three years ago there was ruling of the
society, the president did not say on
what point, to which Dr. LeHardy took
exceptions. The society declined to re-
verse its ruling and DR.. LeHardy an
nOunced that he would not attend its
meetings until the ruling was reversed.
This resolution he has adhered to al
though he has continued his membership.
All the members OF the society WERE OI
course, well aware OF the reasons which
kept DR.. LeHardy from attending its
meetings. When his communication was
received, asking permission to appear be-
fore the society to address it In his Off
cial capacity, the meeting took the posi-
ton that, as DR.. LeHardy was a member
of the society, he had the right to appear
before II and address 1t at any time after
giving the notice required by the rules,
and, consequently. there was no necessity
for him to apply for permission in an Of
fetal capacity. DR.. LeHardy's communi-
cation was accordingly received as infor-
nation, and he was 50 notified. Had the
health officer not been a member Of the
society, the president stated, a request
from him TO address II in his official ca
pacity would doubtless have been grant
ed.
DR.. Stone said that he thoroughly APP
proved Or. LeHardy's position on the
subject OF vital statistics and trusted that
he would be successful in requiring all
persons whose duty Il Is to furnish such
statistics TO do so. The majority OF the
members OF the medical profession in the
city are doubtless willing to cheerfuly
comply with the ordinance on this sub
ject. he said. but the fact that few have
failed to comply, thus making the staus-
tics worthless, has caused the others to
neglect the matter also. Since DR. Ie-
Hardy has announced his intention OF en-
forcing the ordinance, he said, all the phy-
sicians I'm the city will doubtless readily
furnish reports OF all births occurring I'M
der their charge.
Or. I. ). Charlton heartily approves the
health officers efforts TO secure reliable
vital statistics. 'It Is important" said
DR.. Charlton. that record be kept Of
every birth. death and marriage occurring
within the city. To secure reliable re-
ports OF births will require some regula
ton Of the business OF midwifery. so
far as I know there are no regulations
governing this business, and Il Is Import
ant there should be. There Is not the
slightest doubt that many deaths. some
times OF the mother. as well az the chlid
are chargeable annually 90 ignorant mid
wives. While there are a number OF GOOD
mldwivos, there are many more who are
ignorant and unskilful ana thoroughly nm.
fttcd for the business Ia which they pno.
Tess 20 engage. The midwives arr MOI re-
quirod TO be licensed. and are not even
required 20 De registered AT the health Of
ice. There should be some system nv
which they should be required 70 have a
license or certificate Go be issued only
20 those who can establish their Qtnoss
70 serve On such a capacity"