The Washington herald., 1908-03-12

Members OF the Medical Society OF the
District OF Columbia are stirred by the
dismissal Of DR.. J. Wesley Bovee from the
stan Of physicians at Providence Hos
pital. The society held one Of the largest
meetings in its history on Tuesday night
al George Washington University 70 con-
slider the case.
The members automobiles, lining either
side OF Fifteenth street. from New York
avenue 70 II street. left a narrow path.
Illuminated by electric lamps.
\ reporter for The Washington Herald
was denied admission 10 the meeting OF
was purely a professional as well as a
secret affair.
Expert in His Profession.
DR.. Bovee is one OF the best known
gynecologists Of the country. He is also
one OF the most popular Of the members
Of the medical society, as was attested
by the large turnout at the meeting in
question. and which was held for de-
cisive action on his dismissal. an act per-
formed by a hospital superintendent.
This action. however. was not taken
until Or. Bovee had refused to hand in
his resignation. It is understood the ply
sician was let out because Of an opera
ton. which. while fully in accord with
the ethics of his profession. was not in
harmony with the rules Of the church.
Report by Committee.
At the meeting of the society a commit
tee previously appointed to investigate the
dismissal, reported that DR.. Bovee's oper-
alton, which had required great skill in
surgery. was in harmony with medical
ethics.
On presentation Of this report, the so
ciety voted unanimously. it is said, to
recommend that DR.. Bovee's place at the
Providence Hospital be filed by no one
connected with the society, and that he
be fully exOneTated Of any charge OF I'M
professional conduct
In speaking of DR. Bovee's case. a
prominent physician. who refused 10 al
low his name to be used. explained the
affair as he understood IT,
Physicians story.
About the middle Of February" he
said. a woman was admitted 10 Provi-
dence Hospital who needed skiIlful atten-
ton. DR.. Bovee. who is recognized as an
authority in his particular line-that Of
gynecology-was the attending physician
After an examination he saw an opera
ton was thet only resort left to save the
woman's life. He performed an operation
and the woman recovered
Shortly thereafter DR.. Bovee received
letter asking that he forward his resig-
nation. DR.. Bovee declined to comply
with the request. AS a result he was dis
missed.
'Dr. Bovee notified the medical society.
and asked that his act at Providence Hos
pital be investigated. His request was
complied with and he has been eXoner-
ateL
DIR. BOvee Is Silent.
DR.. Bovee. when seen last night at the
Grafton Hotel, where he was dining, re
fused TO discuss the case.
Il have done nothing to be ashamed
Of" he said, "and do not care TO discuss
any alleged trouble at Providence Hos
pital"
Were you dismissed from the hos
pital?" he was asked.
IF a grocer boy wants TO quit his job.
and does so. do you call that dismissal?"
he replied
No statement could be obtained at the
hospital, other than that DR.. Bovee was
no longer connected with that institution
The Medical Society IS determined to
stand by DR.. Bovee, while the authorities
at Providence Hospital are resolved that
DR. Boyee shall not be connected with
the institution in the future