New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-05
STORM OVER PROCTER.
PASTEUR MEN INDIGNANT
DR.. R0mboud Says Case Vas Prom
ised to Institute by Physician.

Since the arrival OF William Cooper Proctor.
Of Cincinnati who came here several days ago
TO De treated for rabies, there has been much
friction between the authorities Of the Pasteur
Institute and the officials Of the Health Depart-
ment.
Dr. George G. Rambaud, president of the Pas
teur institute, was greatly incensed Yesterday
when he learned that the physicians of the
Healtn Department We're treating Mr.. Proctor
after he had been told that his institution was
TO nave the case. Every preparation had been
MADE TO receive Mr.. Proctor, a letter having
been received from his physician a day before
Mr. Proctor left Cincinnati The letter said thar
MI Proctor was 10 receive the best OF medical
attention and every courtesy that could be given
10 him
All arrangements had been made" said Dr.
hamoaud at the institute yesterday ''by Dr. J.
Eichoerg. Mr.. PrOcters physician. to have Mr.
Frocter come TO our institute Dr. Eichberg
wrote me letter and sent me the head of the
dog that bit Mr.. Proctor for diagnosis, to de-
termine the presence or absence Of rabies We
at once made special arrangements 10 receive
him.
He did not arrive the day we expected him
and we thought that probably he might have
been delayed the road Two davs went bv
but there was no Mr.. Proctor. Then we received
ZIP that our patient had fallen into the hands
OF the physician Of the Health Department. l
cannot understand what caused Mr.. Proctor
suddenly to change his mind, especially after
being advised by his physician to come to US
for treatment
/ learned. however. from DR.. Poor Of the
Health Department, that Mr.. Proctor on arriv-
ing in New York. went direct TO DR. +. G. Jane
way who, by the way, has no knowledge of dis
eases Of this kind, and was advised by him 10
go to DR.. Poor and DR.. Park. who has charge Of
that department. I Immediately called up Dr.
Poor at East 10th street and the East River,
and told him he had no right to treat out-of-
town patients, especially Mr. Proctor. who was
advised 10 come TO US
Although DR.. Janeway knew of our in !
stitute, he sent Mr. Proctor to the Health
Department. An occurrence of this charac- /
ter naturally suggests the question. Has the /
city Health Department the right to offer treat
ment for any disease 10 citizens OF other cities /
who have ample means Of providing themselves /
with treatment from the regular sources?
Why should the Department of Health offer !
70 treat scarlet fever. dphtheria. pneumonia. /
appendicitis or other diseases Of millionares and
paupers Of other cities and other states7 |
Hasn't II enough 10 do 10 attend to hv- /
gienc arrangements Of New York City with
OUT interfering with any one special disease
which is not contagious and which affects only !
very limited numbe.- of people and is amply
provided for by institutions recognized as doing
good work in their special lines?
We have been here for seventeen wears and
never yet have refused our services to any one.
whether they could pay or not The Health
Department charges for treatment. when IT re-
eeiVes an appropriation from the city for its
special department on this disease am going
stfcad next month to consult with eminent pro
itSsors on This question. and will not take anv
definite steps until then 10 make fight for our
rights.
It's only question Of rights The Health
Department only took up the treatment Of
rahies four years ago. II has enough to con-
tend with in the city without bothering with
cases out Of town. which we cater to mostly"
When Mr. Proctor came to me-" said Or. 2
o. Janeway last night, he asked me how much
The fee was; then ! advised him 10 go to Dr.
Poor for treatment"
The doctor refused to make any comments on
pr. Rambaud's remarks
Dr w H. Park. director Of the research
aooratory OF the Health Department. who has
been treating Mr. Proctor denied the alIega-
tons Of DR. Ranbaud.
II has been the custom since 1894 10 treat |
PATIENTS he said. wherever they come from
NE are allowed TO send serum or vaccine TO !
mem TO any part Of the country. We don't
charge and we are not allowed TO accept money
from patients in New York City whether they
pe miihonaires or paupers. We charge $50 for
z course treatment 10 patients that come to us |
from out Of town. We give them eighteen diff
ierent treatments the whole for $40 When
We send the medicine out Of town we give them
the came number for SO. The money goes TO
the city"
hegaroing the statement made by DR. Ram
oauo Dr. Park said: NO one on the Health
Doafo has any desire 10 take any case from
ule Pasteur Institute When Mr. Proctor came
mere tor treatment he told that DR.. Janeway
sent him 10 US. I don't think that DIR. Janeway
Nouid ever show any discrimination as to who
enooid treat patients. He has known me and
D'' foor Tor a number Of years. and knows what |
eood work We have done Most people outside
!" lhe city think that the Pasteur Institute is
me only place where they treat hydrophobia'
"hen Commissioner Darlington OF the Health |
department. was seen last night he said: IF |
slyDooy comes TO us FOR treatment. matter
IN. nho ne Is, rich poor, a matter OF human !
a..luIess, we treat them all alike. or we
10 Lnfee Tor out-of-town patients; com |
aeiseo 20 oy law" When the Commissioner was
~ Wilat had occurred at the Pasteur Institute
- sac: i don't know anything about it, and |
U aess- The physician said last night that
N'i' rrocter was getting along very well.
mo