New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-14
DOCTORS DIFFER.

"Who shall decide when doctors disagree:
long ago became question OF perpetuai inter-
est From that distant day 10 this the world mas
never expected anything but disagreement from
the medical men whose scientific knowledge one
might imagine, would settle past controversy
most Of the questions they have to face. The
average outsider it must be admitted. has Ms
rc,pect for science shaken quite often by the
frequency with which the positive conclusions
OF one scientific man are fatty contradcled by
another man Of science Though many or inc
tales told may be exaggerated or works or
fiction. and entecprising reporting may often
magnify difficulties about trihns details into
antaconism on the main issues. there still re-
mains enough of direct and unqualified contra
dlction on the very matters which medical
science should settle most surely 10 disturb
faith in the profession.
But do men ever consider that on Army Off
Ger or an executive official has the serious re-
sponslbillty Of deciding when the men Of science
report with absolute certainty utterly contra
dlctory conclusions? 1t would not be quite
within the authority OF a General or even OF the
Commander-in- Chief 10 lock them up together
as we do iurcs until they agree nor Is It nj all
certain that the most unyieding doctor would
be tho most correct Upon the President. Sec
rotary or General rests the tremendous RESPONSE
bility OF acting. with the lives OF thousands ana
the happiness of families and the honor II not
the success Of the Nation at stake and they call
on the best medical men they cen find for sc'en-
tfc advice. One Is absolutely certain one way
and the other absolutely certain tho other way.
Ever since this war began, from the Fat contra
dlction of DR.. Cujtcras by other physicians at
Santiago about yellow fever 10 the fiat contra
dictlon Of the Army surgeons by Or. Sem re-
garding the safety of the Montauk camp. some
body In executive or military authority has been
all the time forced TO decide where men of the
highest science could only differ.
One might suppose that every man Of COM
mon sense and common honesty would recog-
nize the extraordinary difficulties of such posi-
ton, and would realize that a decision based
upon the advice Of one man OF science rather
than the other, II It proves mistaken or disas-
trous in results, Is not open to the censure thnt
is unquestonably deserved in other cases where
the decision has depended upon the personal
knowledge Judgment care and fidelity OF the
official deciding Mistakes there have been. no
one can deny, for which ccnsure Is entirely
justified But when General hns to choose
between contradictory but positive assertions Of
men of high scientific repute, Is the blame his n
he errs where the cannot agree1
1t is the plain truth that the controversies and
constant Disbursements between medical officers
of the Army themselves and between them and
the best physicians and scientists who have
been called In to aid. havo been at the bottom
Of a great proportion OF the difficulties with
which the military direction hns had TO contend.
and have caused large share Of the sickness
and loss OF life which the country deplores.
The medical department Of the Army has not
In all cases shown needed efficiency or knowl-
edge. and has disagreed with itself perhaps ms
much as L has disagreed with the men or
science called in to assist a. The great rcspons'-
billty does not lie with the assistant surgeons
who have been appointed from civil life, though
such appointments have been criticised with
natural jealousy by Army interests. for with
the gravest decisions and the most costly errors
OF Judgment these minor officers have had little
10 do. nor Is It apparent that they have not
been devoted in their service. and rs rule,
efficient The physicians Of high professional
and scientific reputation who have been called
TO give advice IN questions Of large Importance,
and the officers OF the medical department who
have so often disagreed with them or with each
other. have A heavy responsibility 70 benr among
them. and since tho public is not In position 10
Judge where the error lies II can only feel sure
that the results Of these dsagreements do not
reflect credit on the profession.