New-York tribune., 1901-01-02
KELLER AND THE DOCTORS
BELLEVUE MEDICAL BOARD TO TAKE
UP COMMISSIONERS LETTER To-
DAY-RUMOR OF DIFFERENCES.

DA1-RDMDR OF DIFFERENCES.
A meeting Of the Bellevue Medical Board will be
held at o'clock this afternoon at the hospital
In the afternoon the Board of Managers of the
Mills Training School for Nurses will also meet,
and Il Is thought that il will adopt a report to be
submitted 20 John W. Keller. Commissioner of
Charities in regard to things concerning the
condition Of affairs at Bellevue Hospital
Many rumors were current yesterday 10 the
probable action of the Medical Board regarding
the letter sent 20 the Board a few days ago by
Commissioner Keller, in which he recited some of
the alleged evils existing in Bellevue Hospital and
asked some questions about the hospital instruc-
tion and administration. It said that the
Board was not OF one mind TO the nature of
the reply 10 be sent to Commissioner Keller. II
was further said that DR.. Charles /. Dana presi-
dent Of the Board, and some other members
thought that some of the questions asked by the
Commissioner were uncalled for. and that other
members, including DR.. Abraham Jacob held
different views on the subject. None of the MEM
bers OF the Medical Board would talk yesterday
about the affair.
II was the opinion of some persons who are ac-
quainted with the subject that at the meeting Of
the Board this afternoon only one report in reply
Commissioner Keller's letter would be adopted
and that IL would be passed without dissenting
vote.
An interesting report is expected to be made %
the Board by DIR. Austin Flint He is one of the
examining physicians in the insane pavilion. He
announced several days ago that he would make
an extended report at the meeting with reference
the case Of Luther Edgerton Newport, who
examined by Drs Flint and Allan Fitch in August
last.
II also learned yesterday that Drs Fitcn
Wiidman and Moore. who are connected with the
insane pavilion, would present at the meeting
statements regarding the alleged negligence and
existing conditions OF their wards
The Board is made up of some of the most promi-
nent physicians of this city. Many OF them are
members Of the faculty Of the various medical col
leges. The Board represents four divisions. which
follows: The Cornell division. the Columbia
University Division known as the College of Ply
eicans and Surgeons; the Bellevue and New-YorE
University divisions and the non-collegiate division.
The latter is open, and gives the Commissioner of
Charities power 20 appoint members 10 the visiting
etsr of the hospital.
Commissioner Keller is still confined 30 his apart
ments at the New-Amsterdam Hotel account of
Illness. He is suffering from heavy cold He
seen late in the afternoon by Tribune reporter.
and when asked if he had heard that there was any
dissension among the members of the Medical
Board on account Of the letter sent the Board
he said:
] have not heard that any Of the members of the
they consider the matter carefully they won't be
offended. / don't see how any member Of the Board
statement concerning, certain things; General
internes are negligent. careless and have at times
received money from patients. I want the Medical
isfe 10 70 make ak the doctors obey the rules Of the in
stitrltion. want to know II the interests OF the
patients are subverted the educational interests
of the medical colleges connected with Bellevue
Hospital.
expect that the Board will answer these ques-
lions / shall not appear before the Board. My
presence might embarrass the Board in some de-
gree. / want the members OF the Board to have
free and open discussion 1 appeared before the
Board at the meeting IL held December and
discussed with the members the general condition
OF the affairs Of the hospital. do not anticipate
snv trouble with the Medical Board. No vacancies
will in the Board in the near future so far as
j know. .
hospital. because any one makes
complaint IL is investigated
The meeting Of the Board Of Managers Of the Mills
Training School for Nurses will be held after that Of
the Medical Board. Many witnesses were examined
by the managers at their last meeting and they
Will examine. it said yesterday, others at to-
days meeting. DR.. George B. Fowler, president
OF the Board of the Mills Training School, said
last night that he had not called Commissioner
Keller yesterday, and that he had nothing to say
TO the action 10 be taken by his Board.
Eight house physicians completed their two years
practice at Bellevue Hospital yesterday. They are
Frank L. Christian. II. 7. JOY. E. Sturge. j. r.
Swanck, II. H. Pelten, L. c. Rice, c. G. Dougher
ty and @. F. Carflart
A ward 20 be known the Tuberculosis
Pavilion was opened yesterday at the hospital for
she reception of plthsis patients The pa
vilion was erected by the reform government, and
was temporarily used an alcoholic ward up 10
few months ago. Three graduate nurses will be
in charge Of the ward. and it will come under the
supervision of the house staff. The pavilion has
room for two hundred patients.