The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-19
DIsPENSARY DOCTORS DIFFER.
PRESIDENT AND ONE MEMBER OF
ST. JAMES STAFF RESIGN.


to First Sever Their Connection
with the Dispensary-SOme Be
Iieve the Appointments n Blow Mt
the Dispensary, But DIR. Carson
Says Not.
The designations of Dr. E. n. Corson
and DR.. S. ]. Lanier as staff physicians
of the st. James Dispensary will proba-
bly, be handed the remaining members
of the staff to-day. These gentlemen re-
sign to accept appointments as members
of the staff of the Savannah Hospital.
The matter will not come in the nature
of surprise to the dispensary physicians
however, as they are fully informed as
to the designations, as well as to the
positions the retiring members are to fill.
From the general expression among them,
however, they are not inclined to believe
the changes are made without the hope of
accomplishing some object not altogether
apparent to them just now. None of the
physicians commit themselves on the
question and are cautious in giving their
views, but it is commonly known that
the retirement of the two physicians who
have taken such a leading hand in the
upbuilding and maintenance of the (insti-
tuition, is being discussed from more than
a congratulatory standpoint.
For quite a time there was consider
able dissatisfaction among physicians by
reason of the fact that the Savannah Hos
pital was closed in a sense to all except
the regular staff physicians. This state
of affairs, it is claimed, deprived many
of the physicians of clinical material
which they would otherwise get, and the
result of an agitation was the establish
ment of the st. James Dispensary. Or
ganized by a corps of leading young ply
sicians and surgeons 1t was launched in
temporary quarters, but the promoters
later fitted out convenient home for the
dispensary at West and Broad and Charl-
ton streets. The members of the staff
give one hour each day, from l to 2
O'Clock, to the dispensary work and treat
patients free of charge There is only a
nominal fee charged to cover the expense
OF medicines and materials used. This is
such as to be within reach of even the
poorest and the physicians in charge
vice, because of their ambition to make
the institution a lasting success.
Behind this object, however, there SEEM
ed TO be tacit understanding that one of
the reasons for starting the dispensary.
ana NOT The least, was to provide what the
Savannah Hospital might have provided
by opening its doors to all physicians of
the city. 1t is claimed to have been mu-
tuaiiy understood that this was one of the
main objects and the resignation of two of
the leading members of the staff to accent
appointments at the hospital has natural
ly touched a keynote and caused much
discussion among those remaining. Some
were inclined to construe the move as an
EFFORT to impair and possibly dsorganze
the dlspensary by taking away two of it's
Ieadlng members, one of whom, DR.. Cor
son, is the president, and has been a most
assiduous worker in behalf of the infant
institution. In view of the prominent
place he occupies on the staff, he was APP
proached by a Morning News representa-
i've ana asked concerning his resignation
1t is fact" he said that have been
rendered an appointment on The staff of
the Savannah Hospital, and after due con-
liberation, decided to accept the position
to take effect at once. My resignation as
president of the st. James Dispensary will
be made very soon. Toward that institu-
ton, however have not the slightest an
tlpathy, and would not take any step cal
culated to deter its progress in any way.
The reason 1 will resign IS that I secure
more for myself by doing so. The St
James is a young institution, and while
l believe it is greatly needed in the city
and feel that it is sure to be firmly estab-
llsned IN course of time, still l saw an ap-
poftunity to better myself and did not feel
that should decline to accept an honor
which had been kindly rendered me. While
l will not be personally identified with the
dispensary any longer, still / shall not an
tagonize nor cast the slightest hindrance
in the way of its future progress
Dr. Lanier is in New York and no ex-
preston was therefore had from him as to
his appointment His friends assert. how
ever, that he intends To accent the an
pointment and resign from the dispensary
what the dispensary physicians believe
adds color to the theory that there is an
tagonism behind the hospital appointment Is
is the fact that they Were rendered DR.
Corson and DR.. Lanier on condition they
would sever their connection with the dis
pensary. Why there should be such a con-
dit.on attached to the appointments in
view of the inimical relation which is said
TO exist between the Two institutions. is
not thoroughly understood by them. They
do not assert that an unfriendly feeling
toward the dispensary is being given tam
gible shape, but it does not appear to them
why the appontees should be REQUIRED to
rid themselves of the dispensary before
being confirmed by the board of managers
of the hospital Then, too, there is some
feeling on account of the fact that the an
pointees were oblivious of one of the oh
jects of the dispensary: the opening of the
hospital to all physicians who desired to
visit charity patients there.
1t is claimed, however, that the hospita1
is an endowed institution and its board
OF managers has the same right to select
staff as does the other hospitals Phvsi
clans connected with the hospital saw
moreover, that there is no Intention wbst.
ever of injuring the dspensary. The re-
cent death of DR.. M. L. Boyd caused a
vacancy and as it was desired to strength.
en- the hospital staff by additional physi
clans, the board decided TO select three
making six altogether. This was done
and while Dr. Corson and DR.. I.anier were
taken from the d3spensary, il is asserted
1t was not with view to interfering with
its usefulness.
Firmly determined in their efforts to COR
ry out the objects of the disDensar.v. how
ever, the staff will continue uninterrupted--
ly and with renewed zeal and energy