The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-19
CHARGE IS FALSE.
SAY THE DOCTORS
Emergency Physicians Deny
DIR. Walmer's Accusations.
SUGGEST ULTERl0R MOTIVE
Complainant's Son Properly Treated
for Slight Injury and Taken Away
From Hospital by His Father.

The ire of Emergency HOSPITAL officials
has been aroused by the complaint of
Dr. E. S. Walmer, of 1912 Thirty-second
Street, who declares with vehemence
that his son was recently subjected to
1nhumane treatment while patient at
the institution.
These charges seem to be a part of
a scheme to injure the reputation of
the hospital" says Dr. Swan Moses
burnett, who has been serving as the
executive officer of the board of direc
tors
The assertions are wholly false" re-
plies Dr. Thomas F. eastman, head
resident of the hospital, who is ac-
quainted with the facts in Walmer's
case.
Father Expressed Thanks.
In further denial of the accusations
In DR.. Walmer's letter to the Commits
sioners; the hospital officials say the
young man was attended in a thoroughly
professional manner and received treat
ment in accordance with that required
by any similar institution of a high
standing. They also declare the pa
tient's father expressed his sincere
thanks for their kindness to his son
when the latter left the hospital at his
own demand
The letter TO which the physicians
lodge objection was received by the
Commissioners yesterday, and will prob
ably be included in the charges now
under investigation by the District. II
reads as follows
Dr.. Walrler's Letter.
81 have the honor to bring to your at
tention the following facts relative to
the treatment of my son, DR.. NJ. H
Walmer, at the Emergency Hospital. on
the evening of the 1st instant At about
o'clock Of that day he was the victim
of runaway accident being thrown
from his buggy and badly injured, from
the effects of which he is at the present
time ccnhned to his bed, and under
medical treatment. A friend who wit
messed the accident conveyed my son to
the hospital in a carriage, and from the
time he arrived there (shortly after 5
o'clock till the time I took him home
about 10 o'clock) he was without any
medical treatment wrothy of the name.
and the conduct of those in charge was
Indifferent in the extreme. Full partfcu-
lars regarding his lack of treatment can
be furnished by witnesses of the highest
standing in the community.
81 understand that this hospital re-
ceives large grant from the District
and has reputation for its humane and
sanitary methods of treatment; but 1
think in justice TO the public, that the
Itate of affairs set forth above should de-
mand an investigation with the view TO
Temedying them, and that action will be
taken as will prevent repetition of the
inhumanity and Indifference TO suffering
as was evidenced in the case of my son. -
Spite Work, Says DR.. Burnett
There is really no reason why the
hospital should be made the brunt of
this harsh criticism" said Dr. Burnett.
"0n its face, it has every Indication
of spite. and I feel confident that the
charges could be traced to an old dis
turbance that has caused no end of trou-
bic. Candidly, do not think Dr. Wal
mer has justifiable complaint. and
there certainly seems to be a hidden
motive at the bottom of all this.
TO make a personal investigation of the
case, but this will not be neglected
Not the slightest doubt exists in my
mind, however. that young Walmer was
treated in a perfectly satisfactory way.
II he had not been, why was not the
complaint mado sooner? The more
think of 1t. the more I feel sure there
is some scheme to hurt US. And, indeed
1t is high time a stop be put to this
Every year the Emergency Hospital
handles about 5000 cases We try earn
estly to furnish the best treatment 10
our patients, and l know this is usually
accorded them. However, Il would nc
impossible to please everyone, and, of
course, we expect some complaints.
The public imagines. however, that tlie
Emergency is a Government institution,
and 90 there with the idea that a large
sum of money has been allotted 10 each
case"