New-York tribune., 1902-01-20
DOCTORS STIRRED UP.
PRIVILEGES ALLOWED THE PUBLIC IN
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE CAUSE
DISSENSION.


OF dissension in the New-York Academy of
, Medicine. arising from the custom of the acad-
emy of extending to non-members nearly all
the privileges enjoyed by regular members 1t
was said that at the recent annual meeting of
the academy, held at the beginning of the year.
several members resigned for this reason, and
that one member stated specifically in his resig-
nation that he withdrew from the organization
because outsiders were permitted to take part
in the discussion of medical subjects at the
meetings. and We're also allowed to use the IL
brary and TO enjoy all the liberties extended to
members with one exception the taking of books
from the building 1t was also said that the
secretary read list of the members who were
In arrears and had been dropped from the rolls.
MISUNDERSTANDING that about dozen strangers
were present at the meeting The reading of
this list Of delinquents, it is alleged, caused a
heated discussion to its propriety, it being
the sentiment of a number Of the members that
1t was in bad taste AS a result, it is said. five
or six designations handed to the secre-
tary, to take effect at once
DR.. L. F. Bishop, corresponding treasurer of
the Academy of Medicine. when seen at his
home. No. "a West Fifty-ffth-st. last night
said II was true that a list of delinquents, ac-
cumuated during the year had been read in
open meeting, and in the presence of from ten
TO dozen guests. and he deplored it as an un-
Aoi luildle lnClQent. de knew or no reSigna-
tions, however resulting from the reading of
this list, although five six members had
severed their connection with the organization
at that meeting for various reasons.
Several members have withdrawn from the
academy. he said, because they objected to
the courtesies of the academy being accorded to
the medical profession at large, whether men,
bers or not. 1t is a small piece of business for
member to object TO the rule which permits
the public to enjoy the privileges that he
gets and pays for. Many distinguished ply
stcians have given endowments to the academy
in the shape Of books and money, and we have
considered that these gifts were not intended
for the exclusive use of our members, but for
the entire medical profession. 1 think the
academy is to be commended for this custom.
In addition, have always thrown our meet
ings open to the public, and any one who has
ideas to air can present them. 1t is not like
social organization. 1t has duty TO perform,
and its members must make it useful to the
profession. The academy has had q good deal
to do with banishing all this nonsense of differ
ent schools of medicine. Everybody who has a
theory to advance can get free hearing, but
people with crooks in their minds can't stand
that sort of thing. A man can always get a
chance to read paper before one of our meet
ings, whether it is on lockjaw or pumpkin seeds.
That has prevented the formation of cliques in
the organization winch OlnerWlSe WOuiu nave
been inevitable.
Every member who was dropped at our an
nual meeting for non-payment of dues was at
least three years in arrears. Our constitution
provides that members two years in arrears
shall be dropped. We always lenient If a
physician has been member for ten years and
for some reason finds it impossible to meet his
dues they are remitted by the academy, and If a
member enlists in the army the same action is
secretary blundered in presenting the names Of
his delnquents before strangers. 1t ought to
have been read in executive session. There is
some ground for criticism of that action, but it
ought to be overlooked
I'm the case Of the men who resigned, how
ever want to say that If man is anxious to
obtain the privileges of the academy without
paying for them, glad to get rid of him.
To any who resigns that pretext, say
Good riddancer You rest assured that no
steps will be taken to curtail the privileges be-
cause of these criticisms, The academy was de-
signed for the benefit OF the profession and the
public, and it will remain true to its principles"
DR.. Abraham jacob, vice-president of the
Academy of Design, entertains extremely
bitter feeling for those who resigned. He said:
The story that many members have resigned
because the puphc enjoys as many prlvileges
as they is false. Five or six members resigned
at recent meeting, but only one gave that as
his reason in his letter Of resignation Another
resigned for the same reason last year. Men of
this stamp brutal. low, despicabe egotists.
and 1 have respect for them. When this
question has been discussed at our meetings I
have spoken strongly, and have always spoken
as / felt. These men say, What we can have
gratis we will not pay for To belong to the
Academy of Medicine is an honor that every
physician should be proud to enjoy. This story, |
believe has been spread by some malcontent
who wishes the academy no good.
Regarding the list of delinquents read by the
secretary, l wish to say that the secretary had
no choice in the matter. He is required by the
constitution and bylaws to perform this duty
once a year, and executive meetings are
provided for the must be read in open
meeting. That could not be avoided"
FOTR Rig BUILDINGS COLLAPSE. |