The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-13
ABUsB or MEDICAL CHARITY.
An Interesting Discussion BEFORE tho state
Medical Aasocintlon.

The abuse OF medical charity generally ana
In New York city particularly was discussed
yesterday OF the first days session OF the four'
toenth annual meeting Of tho New York state
Medical Association, which Is being held IN
Mott Memorinl Han, "a Madison avenue
John Harsen Rhoades, who Is interested IN the
management of several FREQ dispensaries ana
out-of-door hospital departments In tho city,
blamed tho medical profession for the condition
which 1t SO deploros and cndeavors to remedy.
DR.. Frederick Holme wiggln Of New York
opened tho subject by the reading Of a paper
In which he culled from various publications
tho opinions of many writer's and the remedies
they proposed. Figures presented showed that
during 1895, S37,o7l persons applied for ana
received FREQ medical treatment at the loo
free dispensaries of this city; l,416,247 gratui-
tous visits were made by these applicants to
these disponsaries, and $4,000 persons received
free board, lodging, nursing, surgical dressings,
and treatment. In contrast with this II was
pointed out that during the period from
in New YORK in0 to o'i $50 9Gsp the applicants for free
medical assistance bore u ratio to the total pop
ulation OF 10 per cent.
DIR. ,Wiggin claimed that, conservatively estl-
mated, fully so per cent. Of money donated TO
the support Of dispcnsarios and like institutions
was diverted from the pnrn3se 40 w9iG sno ~ was .hs
poor, TO whom 1t rightfnlly belonged. The eli
entele of the dispensories,, he said, was con.
posed largely oil people who could easily afiord
the services of a physician, and while tho wor-
thy. poor were assisted to q degree, more than
half " the applicants for gratuitous assistance
are people of comparatively good circumstances
and not a few who are wealthy.
the Charity ORGANIZATION Society, which showed
that it had investigated 443 cases OF applicants
for free treatment from Jan. l. : 0 to oct. H.
and had found that POI were able TO pay.
Mr.. Rhoades placed the burden OF blame on
the medical profession Itself.
THE first cause" said he, sis that there Is too
great a multiplication of medical work OF this
character. The ambition OF young medical men
TO attach themselves to medical charities al
ready in existence, TO found new ones in con-
nection with church charities, or independently
upon which they hope TO build regulations for
themselves, and out OF which they expect In
dividually to earn a living, has much to do with
the present condition. Another aid is the secret
ceal facts which come to their knowledge show
ing a patients ability to pay, In the hope OF SO
curing such a patient for private practice. AS
o remedy Mr.. Rhoades suggested the careful Sc
cal institutions and hospitals, the application
OF business principles In the profession, the. dis
missal Of oil men appointed who prove careless,
Incompetent, or self.seeking, and the establish,
ported by all free medical institutions Of the
city, through which the case Of every applicant
will DO investigated.
In the general discussion which ensued much
a bill which placed the regulation Of such insti:
buttons in the hands OF the state Board OF
Health. 1t was limited that the medical col
leges had interfered. and DR.. j. r. McGrcgor
Indignantly accused Seth Low OF being partly
tee OF I'VE was appointed to act in conjunction
with the local medical societies in an effort to
secure necessary legislation.