New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-25
LAVISH CHARITY OPPOSED.
DOCTORS RELIEVE THERE ARE FAR TOO
MANY FREE DISPENSARIES.
MANY WHO COULD AFFORD TO PAY GET TREAT
MENT WITHOUT cosT-sIMILAR VIEWS Ex-
PRESSED BY THE STATE BOARD
OF CHARITIEs-MEDICAL
EXPERTS FOR THE
COURTS.

COURTS
Albany. Jan A-An active attempt will be made
by the State Medical Society. which meets hero to-
morrow. to obtain legislation limiting the estnb-
shment Of free dispensaries in the big cities. Dr.
w. G. Macdonald chairman Of the Arrangements
Committed said to-day:
THE hard times OF which the people have been
complaining for time past nave actually al
fected the income OF physicians In large cities
having free dspensary service the question OF tho
regulation of patients seeking free aid Is rapidly
becoming vital one to a large class OF physicians
Familiarity known the family doctors. The ad-
vent of specialists in nearly every department or
medicine the medical dispeIsary devoted to IN"
treatment of every form OF disease. the disposition
10 organize an endowed school Of medicine.
quirng large amount OF clinical material for the
purpose OF practical instruction. have left tho
family doctor In many instan -es practically with
out an occupation. The disposition OF people who
could we'll afford to pay the family physician q
reasonable and living fee to run on to the free dis
pensary is quite well understood. Instances OF
glarng fraud perpetrated by such persons are In
Vulnerable.
The STAT Society desires through properly con-
stituted authority possibly the State Board OF
Charities to make such rules as will facilitate the
humane and skilful treatment of the diseased poor
and, on the other hand. compel people who are
competent tc pay for medical services. II Is also
desirable to curtai somewhat the appropriation OF
semi pri ,ae institutions. IN that way relieving the
taxpayer Of a fraction of his now too heavy bur
dem
In its annual report to the Legislature presented
tonight the State Board of Charities said: There
continues to be accumulation or evidence
Strengthening the Boards belief that in certain
parts OF the State, notably In the city of New
York and vicinity there has been a greater growth
of forms OF charity than necessity demands
For this the Board was unable TO approve
the incorporation Of ct. Bartholomews Clinic and
the Chevy Tree Home for Destitute and orphan
Children, both In the city Of New-York without
intending to cast the slightest reflection upon their
proposed incorporators.
while statistics are often misleading and de-
fcient there are good grounds for believing that
nearly 30 per cent Of the population OF New-fork
City obtain practically free medical treatment ana
the Board Is reliably informed that there are now
over four thousand vacant beds in the children's
institutions OF New-York City.
There are strong reasons why the Board should
carefully examine into the merits OF every appn,.
cation for the approval OF certificate, ana why
should refuse approval unless the necessity Tor the
incorporation at the time and place and under me
irmatveiy shown and ga tisfactory evidence be fur
nished ae to the character ana S,anone n aso ~
10 the financial standing and sources OF iuture
III one-half the thought and energy that are
wasted In making the poor OF our great ciues o.
and spirit OF independence, the condition OF the
destitute would be materially improved and that OF
the State rendered more prosperous and satisiac-
tory The Board conceves 1t TO be one OF It's rune
lions to seek to turn this misairected energy INTO
The drafting OF hin to do away with the intro,
duction OF expert evidence by persons designated
by plaintiff and defendant. and substituting
boar OF medical experts TO provide sucn evidence
TO the courts especially in murder cases, Will be
the most important work OF the State Medical AS
ISOLATION at It's meeting here tomorrow. paper
on the subject will be read by Dr. J. b. Ransom. OF
Dannemora Prison. $500, .
4 hill designed TO create a non-partisan board OF
experts has been under discussion for some time
by members Of the society. and several physicians
high In the councils Of the organization are sad 10
have agreed upon its essential features when are
as follows: That the members OF the proposed
hos I'd shall be appointed by the Governor. subJec:
TO the approval Of the Senate that the province CT
The board shall be to act as instructors ana au-
yisers 10 the courts: that the functions ana powers
OF the board shall he to examine into the sanity OF
accused persons and that under no circumstances
shall physician not a member of he board be al.
lowed 10 testify except as TO questions or fact IL
will be provided that the members OF the board
shall be selected from the most expert aIenlsts.
and that It's membership shall be large enough 10
provide amply for all criminal trials.