Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1902-12-04

|
tiff in the suit and that he was
graduate of the Jefferson Medical Col
lege, of Philadelphia. Witness said
! that he had practiced medicine in
Bridgeton for fifteen years. On Sun
day, December 1, 1901, witness said
that he had received a notice from
the Bell Telephone Co., to the effect
that DR.. Robinson, of Newport
wanted to talk to him. He answered
the message and called up DIR. Robin
son at Newport. This was about l
O'Clock. DR.. Robinson told witness
that the Board of Health had in
structed him to engage him to attend
a smallpox case at Dividing Creek.
Witness subsequently went to New
port, the same afternoon, and met
members of the Board of Health.
They wanted him to take the case.
Witness told them that it was a mat
ter OF business with him, but if they
would pay the price he would take
the case. He was not soliciting the
case, and his price would be $4,000.
Some OF the members thought the
price too high. but finally agreed to
pay it. Witness then took charge of
/ the case at once and went Immediate
ly to the Turner house where he found
Carl S. Turner afflicted with a severe
case of smallpox
a paper writing purporting to re
an agreement and signed by James NJ
Bateman and John W. Page, members
of the Board of Health, was shown
witness and identified as the agree
ment between himself and the Board
of Health of Downe township. Wit
ness said he made 81 visits to the
patient and for three weeks he re-
mained at Dividing Greek during en-
tire day only returning to Bridgeton
at night Witness expended 800 or
more in travelling back and forward
and dlsinfectants. He then detailed
the handling of the case 1t wAs nec-
essary for him to disrobe and put on
a suit OF rubber every time he entered
the presence of the patient When
ever it was necessary to touch the pa
tlent, he would Immediately wash his
hands in disinfecting fluid Witness
said that Board of Health had charge
of the case and that he had met in
session with the Board during the
time and talked the matter over. The
Board of Health had given him orders
for disinfectants for the premises, all
medicines for the patient were fur.
nished by witness.
On the 18th of February the patient
1 was discharged as well and witness
said he presented his bill for services
rendered but that it had never been
paid.
Mr.. Pancoast's GROSS examination
of the witness was scrutinizing and
very carefully planned, but the an
swers of the Doctor were equal to all
emergencies.
DR.. VIM. L. Newell, of Millville,
was next sworn. Has been praotioing
physician for forty-three years. Wit
ness was asked what in his Judgment
was proper compensation for SER
vices such as the plaintiff has rem
dered in this case, but the question
was vigorously objected to by Mr..
Pancoast. The Court finally over
ruled the objection, and witness an
swered that when we take into consid-
GRAFTON the nature Of the case in ques-
tion and the loathsomeness of the dis
ease, the minimum fee which he him
self would be willing to take such
case would be $4,000.
DR.. H. G. Miller, of Millville.
praoticing ply sician of six years ex-
perience, was asked the same question
as former witness. His reply was
that he would not be willing to take
such a case as one in question for less
than $500 to $4,000.
DIR. David H. Oliver placed the
| proper compensation for attendance
ing smallpox cases at $25 visit.
DR.. Theo. G.. Davis said that he
would positively decline to take a
smallpox case and consequently set no
price. Witness said that the Medical
Society, years ago, had fixed the fee
in contagious cases at $5 visit and
mileage at rate of 25 cents mile
The plaintiffs side here rested it's
case and Mr.. Pancoast moved first, to
non-suit the individual defendants
he also moved for non suit as to the
liability of the Board of Health. on
the ground that the facts as brought
out did not prove the Board liable.
The Court held that there was no
individual liability and granted non
suit on first motion. AS to liability
! of the Board the Court said that the
case could not stand on the written
paper purporting to be an agreement