Rock Island Argus., 1898-05-07
HOSPITAL STAFF OUT,
a Disagreement Between the
franciscan Sisters and
the Doctors.
A RESIDENT PHYSICIAN ADVISED

Mother superior sends Communication
Declining to Permit the appointment
and the Entire Medical aud Surgical
Board Withdraws Its Services From the
Institution.
The medical staff OF s. Anthonv's 5
hospital resigned from further serv-
ing hat institution at a meeting held
at the Harper house last evening.
This action IS The result Of the Fran
ciscan sisters refusal 30 countenance
the appointment OF resident plvsi-
elan At the hospital. Two months
ago the staff adopted resolutions re-
questing such an appointment. The
matter was referred 10 the mother su-
perior of the franciscan order at Little
Falls, Minn. II was met with a re-
fusal. April , the staff passed an
other set Of resolutions. in which it
was stated that from the beginning of
the movement on the part OF the Fran
ciscan sisters looking to The establish
ment of a hospital here. the phvsi-
clans now composing the medical and
surgical staff, have by both word and
deed been unremitting in their eXer-
tons to assist this most worthy insti-
tuition; that during the entire time the
physicians have been in attendance AZ
the hospital they have been sub
lec,ed TO great Inconvenience and loss
of time By reason of incompetent male
nurses and the absence of resident
physician. The resolutions stated
further that ii was the belief of the
staff that the interests of the hospital
were in jeopardy from this cause. ex-
pressed surprise at the refusal, and
asked its reconsideration.
The mother superio" came To Rock
Island. Conferences with the physi-
clans OF the staff followed. and they
agreed to stand whatever expense
might be incurred by the presence OF
an inferno al the hospital. They were
informed that the rules of the Fran
ciscan order did not permit a resident
physician.
The staff embodied its final answer
in the following resolution which was
adopted April %:
Whereas. A.ter q con Insulation of
the medical and surgical staff of s..
Anthony hospital and the mother
superior of the Franciscan Sisters the
reasons were fully set forth rs 10 the
desiI-abili!y and necessity of having Il
resident physician for the hospital.
and
I Whereas. The mother superior at
the close of such consultation was still
unwilling to concede TO the wishes of
the staff. and
Whereas, That while this staff
fully appreciates the untirinc efforts
OF the sister in charge and her assist
ants in The hospital work to render
efficient service to the inmates of the
hospital. it feels that Justice to the
welfare and reputation of the hospital
demands its constant professional su-
pervision which has been requested.
and therefore
Resolved. That if at the end of 10
days from this date permission is not
received for the appointment of "A resi-
dent physician. this staff will be
obliged. from a sense of Justice to
themselves and the hospital. to resign
from its service.
Last night the mother superior $ an
swer was read at the meeting of the
staff. She again refused to allow the
appointment. The staff thereupon
resigned. This also means the disso-
lution OF the adjunct and consulting
statfs. The physicians viii treat what
ever patients they now have at the hos
pital, but after that their connection
with the hospital win terminate unless
the sisters reconsider their action.
Sought Only the Best
The s.aif states that the simple de-
sire on the part OF the surgeons was
to insure the hospital being up to date
and creditable to all concerned in its
conduct and the treatment of its pa
tients: that under other conditions The
"'Nt'A : Nodit fiti NbII-4ctthtiN remain
identified with it. To attain these
much desired ends resident phvsi-
elan was absolutely essential. The en-
tire staff with the exception of one
physician. who is i'll. signed the reso-
lutions outlining their position. TIE
staff is composed Of Drs. S. c. Plum
mer. e. q. Craig. c. c. Carter. c.
Beruhardi, G.. L. Eyster, G. Z. Barth.
j. r. HolloWbus T. VI. Sala. J. 2.
Comcgys. b. F. Hall and X. c. J.
Never. Besides there is consulting
and an adjunct staff of 20 members. who
in their relations 70 the hospital are
the creatures of the regular staff which
has resigned. This morning Mercy
and S.. Luke's hospitals at Davenport
rendered the uses Of these institutions
to the Rock Island surgeons.
The franciscan Sisters say they
regret exceedingly the present state Of
affairs. but state they viii be ready
soon 70 announce their reason sfor not
/ complying with the request of the
E