Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-10-31
DOCTORS vs.. DOCTORS.

DOCTORS vs.. DOCTORS.
DR.. Arirur Jordan, VINO wss recently
exrelled irom the at mbersbip of the
Richmond Academy OF Medicine and
Surgery because of his position as medi-
cal director of the Virginia Mutual
Medical Society, has published the fol.
lowing card:
~ beg sufficient space in the colum 8
OF your valuable paper to reply briefly
to the published statements which ep
peared few weeks since 10 the press Of
this city regarding my expulsion from
the membership OF the Richmond Aca-
DENY of Medicine aud Surgery.
The real and only point in issue be
tween he academy and myself related
to my alleged violation of the tariff Of
fees by reason of my position as medical
director OF the Virginia Mutual Medi-
cal Society, regularly Incorporated
company under the laws of this State.
This society undertakes to give its
members for stated, fixed sum, no
matter how grave or complicated the
disease or operation, efficient and salts
factory medical service, including medl-
cines at greatly reduced cost.
The academy conterded that in as
suming the directorship of this society,
I had violated the tariff of fees OF that
oody, and was, therefore, guilty, OF
oonprofessional conduct. l insisted
hat could not have violated any
tariff of fees of the Richmond Academy
Of Medicine and Surgery, for the very
simple reason that it appeared from a
careful examination of the minutes of
tnat body from its organization, in
February, 1890, to the date of my ex
oulsion, that no tariff of fees had ever
been formally adopted by that medical
body.
To this reply was made that l had
violated the tariff Of fese in vogue in
the city of Richmond, yet it must be
borne in mind that the academy bad
never even adopted that tariff. Re
copnizing the absurdity Of it's position,
resolution was adopted which, in
part, reads as follows: The academy
snail have Jurisdiction over the mem
cers in enforcing the methods and Gus
toms in vogue in the city of Rich
mond." There can be no reason 10
doubt that this resolution and its provl-
sions were brought into existence for the
| express purpose of fitting my case.
We're charges preferred against me for
the violation of the terms Of this reso-
LUTON? Assuredly not; and for that
reason, and another to be mentioned
further on, prepared and submitted to
the academy my appeal from It's decl'
sion to the American Medical Assocla'
ton, the author OF the Code of Ethic:
adopted as part of the constitution Of
the academy.
Was this appeal granted? No; and
great was my surprise when was in
formed after filing ny appeal that the
following resolution had been adopted
"Resolved, That the secretary be di'
rec,ed to inform DR.. Arthur Jordan
that his communication of August 10,
1899 Zone day, mark you, after the re-
port of the judiciary committee on my
cuse), was duly read before the acade-
nv, and in reply the academy would
say that, having regularly ex
nelled him from their membership
oe was beyond their jurisdiction,
land consequently they had no right TO
either grant or refuse an appeal to any
society or organization he may select. "
The judiciary committee, on August 8,
1899. reported as follows: "Your com
mittee, therefore, recommends that ~
Arthur Jordan be expelled from the
academy, unless DR.. Jordan shall dis
continue such practices and annul saln
contracts and so inform the academy. .
This urjust attack on hitherto hon
ored member of the academy must De
considered in another light, and upon
that ground, amongst others, hsseo
nv appeal. Que OF the members o.
The judiciary committee, who sat IL
Judgment on my case, today holds, and
| has for some time past held, the po;;l
ton of "contracJ physician" ia the
employ of railroad company. This
gentleman, nc less violator OF the
code OF ethics, and the tariff OF fees, Sc
called as viewed by the acade my, was
10 my mind, disqualified FROM serving
as a member of that COMMITTEES, eut
should heve declined TO act. Net so
and l am at loss to understand why
he has not been tried for violating th'
code of ethics and the tariff of fees.
J I will conclude this statement, al
ready 100 long, with reference to tn
following remark of the gentleman wh'
formulated and preferred charge
against me, made in my presencs, ant
before the judiciary committee. H'
said "It is only question of time be
fore the scheme adopted by the Vlr
airis Mutual Medical Society wouit
extend to, and include the, high ant
moneyed class of society. Does thl
, not prove fully that this fight on me
and through me, on the society, wa
, based upon purely mercenary motives
r and was NOT founded on equity, Justic
or principle?
, l have dared to champion the caus
of right and the interests of the peopi
. at the risk of professional friendship
0 and with the result that l have oeel
i expelled from the membership OF tn
academy. Respectfully submit ted,
ARTHUR JORDAN, NJ. ID.