New-York tribune., 1901-01-10
INQUIRY IN MOORE CASE.
MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL BOARD
OF BELLEVUE SEE COMMIS-
SIONER KELLER

The Medical Board Of Bellevue Hospital held a
special meeting late yesterday afternoon and It was
understood at the hospital that the meeting was
called 10 make additional investigation Of the
charge OF neglect Of duty preferred by John w
Keller. the Commissioner OF Charities against Dr.
J. ". Moore, Of the hospital staff. Mr.. Keller was
In consultation with members OF the Medical
Board before the meeting and the entire staff Of
the hospital called before the Board al the
meeting. II said about the hospital that there
was friction between the Medical Board and the
Commissioner because the Board had made a re-
port which virtually eKonerated DR.. Moore of the
charges.
After the meeting Dr. W. NJ. Polk the dean of
the Cornell University Medical College. and Dr.
Alexander Lambert secretary to the Medical Board,
went 70 Commissioner Keller's office and were
closeted with him for some time. What the con-
ference was about could not be learned but II was
reported that the medical men had called on Mr..
Keller TO ask him about his request for an ad-
ditional report in the Moore case
When asked about the action Of the Medical
Board the Commissioner said that the Committee
of Inspection had not finished its report. He ad-
mitted that Dr. Lambert had made a partial re-
port, and said that the Rev. ]. Butler Thompkins
who had made complaint against DR.. Moore Of
negligence on the latter's part had withdrawn his
complaint. The Commissioner stated that he did
not withdraw his complaint, and further
more. would not. He added, however that # the
Committee OF Inspection found that DR.. Moore was
not guilty OF negligence and sent report to him
which would meet with his approval and satisfac-
tion, DR.. Moore would not be dismissed.
Eight nurses from the Mills Training School re-
signed last night They were Wheeler, Bruce
Lenox, Wright, Clancy, Kenega, G.ering and Deu-
quios. These names were made public by several
NJ the nurses, who also stated that twelve more
were contemplating resigning in the next twenty
four hours. If the latter designations occur they
viii make total Of fortyone since the investiga-
ron started when the number of male nurses at
the hospital seventy-two
Commissioner Keller said yesterday that Dr.
Fitch. of the insanity experts at Bellevue
would have 10 explain charge made in the letter
of DR. Allan McLane Hamilton. The only serious
charge against DR.. Fitch, the Commissioner said,
was that he received $50 for the commitment of
Georgiana Wendell. In the Wendell case" DR..
Hamilton wrote, where Fitch received $50 as his
price for commitment. he subsequently took charge
Of the patient, instituting armed guard about
the house, and it with the gEatest difficulty
that counsel could get access to the prisoner
Judge Marean subsequently discharged the patient
on habeas corpus, because personal service was
refused"
Mr Keller said that he had abolished the fee
system in public insanity cases. Dr. Fitch Ill
yesterday and could not leave his home, but the
Commissioner said he understood that DR.. Fitch
thought he had the right 10 charge s25 for each
Rminer in insanity previous TO the order
sboshing the fee system and there two ex-
aminers in the Wendell case
In the Ritchie case, cited by Dr. Hamilton, the
Commissioner said. the charge of $500 alleged to
have been made by DIR. Fitch might be thought ex-
orbitant. Il cannot act in such case, however"
the Commissioner said, because II a private
case The patient never brought TO Bellevue
Dr. Fitch has the right, I suppose. 10 charge as
much he can get I'm private cases"
Mr.. Keller asked yesterday about photo
graphs said TO be in the possession of DR. Mac
donald. on Wards Island, showing the marks Of
brutal treatment Of insane persons who had been
sent to the island The Commissioner said that
he doing and would do all in his power 10 pre-
vent brutality but he would be glad to receive any
evidence DR.. Macdonald might have.
In relation TO the misrepresentation of moneys
which DIR. Hamilton's letter speaks Of, Mr.. Keller
taken money from patients, but if he found that
was done he would punish the nurses.
George Blair, Superintendent Of the Out Door
Poor Department, was summoned before Mr..
Keller yesterday to answer the charges of news
paper REGARDING the disposition of the of Fiva
Baron. The Baron woman was supposed 10 have
been sent TO Montreal four months ago. but was
the day she left Bellevue Hospital After ex-
planning 10 the Commissioner his stand in the mat
ter, Mr. Blair was ordered 20 make q report in
writing. Mr. Blair said that he had all the neces-
sary evidence which would exonerate him. and that
The State Lunacy Board had taken action in this
matter.
Commissioners in Lunacy paid visit to Mr..
Keller's office yesterday They talked about the
Bellevue nurses, changes and reforms in progress.
Mr. Keller told them az that had peen done and
he said they declared they were satisfied. After
yard Mr.. Kellers secretary conducted the two
went through every part of the female and male
yards and then went through me hospltai itself
straint. which Mr.. Keller thought a rather
sons. The device is large sheet with a hole in
the centre for the patients head 10 protrude
he mans limbs after the sheet has been properly
placed him The Commissioner said that he
would get some Of these new restraint robes at
-pr. Stewart: the new superintendent, of Bellevue