Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-14
DOCTORS IN A STEM
Question of Allowing Their
Names to Appear in Print
Agitating Them
MAY DISRUPT THE SOCIETY
Medical Association of Woodbury.
County Passes Resolutions Requir-
ing That Members Not Allow Their
Names to Appear in Newspapers
Minority Objects.

Sioux City, Dec. 14.-Publicity? Yes.
Publicity? No.
These are the answers the physi-
clans of Sioux City give the ques-
ton: Shall we allow our names
to appear in print?" And this is the
question that has caused several
members of the medical profession
here to prophesy that the Woodbury.
County Medical society will not keep
for very long time its present pros
perity, and that it may even split on
the rocks.
A resolution was passed at the
last meeting of the society requiring
that no member should allow his
name to appear in the public prints
in connection with any case, or in
any interview on medical subjects.
The Sioux City medical profession
has been talking about the resolution
ever since, some Of the doctors
warmly in favor Of the legislation.
some hot against it, and others
"damning with faint praise
The "Ethics" of II.
PROFESSIONAL elIiCS ueillduuS lIinl
no reputable physician shall openly
advertise, but the question in point
centers on the mode of advertising.
The stricter members of the profess
sion charge that some of the society
members have been in the habit OF
getting as often as possible into the
newspapers, and being in position
on account of their stand on the
ethics question. to be unable to do
likewise, they object strenuously to
the methods of their brethren who
believe in being good to the reporters.
Charges and counter charges have
been flying back and forth ever since
the last meeting of the society, the
ants charging the adherefts Of the
resolution with petty jealousy, and the
latter standing on the professional et-
hies platform.
THE question of ethics in the way
of advertising is an old one in the
medical fraternity" said one of the
"pro' doctors yesterday, land this
seems to me to be nothing but a
difference in the method. That IS
where we are at. in short, and we pro-
pose to stay there
A Matter'of News.
ct appears to me like question
of ones minding his own business"
said another physician, who for OBJ
vious reasons, did not wish his name
used. IF our colleagues in the medi-
cal society believe it a stigma to
have their names printed. even in
a legitimate newspaper way, that is
their business, and do not intend
to criticise them, nor interfere with
them. But If I am called to sur
gical case or one of serious illness.
and the papers, as a matter of news.
wish to print nay name, intend
to go on letting them do so, the
Woodbury. County Medical society, of
which 1 am a member, to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. You mark my
words. if this controversy is carried
much further there will be split in
the society, and some high doings at
the meeting in which the matter is
discussed. There will probably be
some explosions from the society on
this account, if it is carried much
further, which will be regrettable
thing, considering the present prosper
ity of that organization"
In general terms this is the stand
taken by two factions in the matter.
One side says, Keep your names out
of the paper, or leave the society,"" and
the other, mind your own business"