The evening times., 1898-09-07
THE FALL OF DIR. SEM.
Once q Patriot, But Now Bad,
Wicked Man.

Wicked Man.
Everybody in this country has heard of
DIR. Sem, of Chicago. since the outbreak
of war. Before that he was known 10
the medical world, here and throughout
Europe, as the founder of modern abdom-
inal surgery and the highest authority on
gunshot wounds. His text book on oper-
ative surgery is in use in all countries
The policy of whitewash has effected a
change in his standing with certain army
officials and the whitewash press. The
Chicago Chronicle explains 1t as follows:
When the war with Spain began DR..
Nicholas Sem, a medical practitioner
pretty well known in this town, and
throughout the civilized world generally.
occupied the dignified if somewhat orna-
mental position of surgeon general Of the
Illinois National Guard. AS a surgeon of
international reputation DIR. Sem con-
ferred more honor on the position than
the position could confer on him.
When hostilities began, however. DR..
Sem ceased to be merely ornamental and
became at once immensely useful Unlike
some other militia surgeons, DR.. Sem
went to the front and he stayed there till
the last shot was fired. He didn't resign
before the fighting began nor while il was
going on. He hasn't resigned yet, though
from a financial standpoint he is losing a
good deal of money by remaining in the
army instead of taking up his profitable
private practice. That. however, is
neither here nor there. DR.. Sem hasn't
complained and no one else need do any
worrying on his account
his military titIe-has suddenly fallen in
the estimation of some people. When he
went TO the war all of Us felt proud of
him. He was a distinguished surgeon, a
physician of worldwide fame. He had
nothing TO gain and much 10 lose by go
ing out as an army surgeon We thought
he displayed good deal of patriotism in
surrendering mis- personal interests in ia
vor of public duty. We clapped him on
the back and said: Good boy. Nick: you
are all right. Were proud of you.
And so good boy Nick went forth. He
went where he was ordered, from one
camp 10 another, and finally landed at
| Santiago de Cuba as chief operating sur
geon of the Fifth Army Corps. What ne
did there everyone knows. The foremost
surgeon of the day worked night and day
in the field hospital with as much enthu-
siasm and energy as though he were get
| ting $1,000 per operation instead of some
thing like SS.67 per day from a grateful
government. We were prouder than ever
| of him We whacked him on the back
| again, called him Bully boy, Nick and
| invited the attention of everyone to the
fact that be came from Chicago.
Suddenly there came a change. Col.
Sem, having patched up the wounded he
roes of Santiago, began TO protest against
those wounded heroes being starved to
death. herded into cattle ships, and
dumped down on the wet ground at
Camp Wikoff. He lifted up his voice and
/ denounced the selection of fever holes as
I camp sites, and he even intimated that
{ hlSh up in army circleS-perhapS at
1 Washington itself-there were fossils. in
competents and blockheads who were do
ing TO death the men whom he had patch
ed up at Santiago for a remuneration of
SS-o' per day. He didn't like 10 see his
work go 10 waste.
Then we changed our ,une-at least.
some of US did.It was no longer Good boy,
NICK, and Bully boy, Nick but the in
subordinate and sensational surgeon. DR.
Sem. We felt that we had made a mis-
take in our estimate of Nick He was
no longer a distinguished surgeon and
honored citizen of Chicago, who had gone
TO the war as a matter of patriotism but
j
basely requited the generosity of the
/ Government by statements calculated TO
! throw doubts upon the perfect wisdom
/ and impeccability of the Honorable Rus
/ sell A Alger, Surgeon General Sternberg
/ their able aides and subordinates He had
/ abused our confidence and ne continues
TO abuse it. The conclusion We have
reached is. as one of us puts it, that the
| good of the service demands that DR..
| Sem be dismissed
| There is nothing else to do. Dr. Sem
| can blame no one but himself for the fix
! he is in. He has done some trfffing ser
| vice. he has sacrificed some thousands of
| dollars, he has worked like a coal HEAVIER
| for his sS.67 per day-but he has bias
phemed st. AIger. He is anathema mara
natha. The good of the service demands
| that DR.. Sem be dismissed
NO longer good boy, Nick No more
| bully boy, Nick He is now wicked
Nick, mutinous Nick. aye. the very old
| Nick himself