The Washington herald., 1909-06-14

Dr.. William c. Woodward. District
health ofacer. yesterday delivered hts
ultimatum with regard to the case OF
John R. Early. alleged '1eper OF Wash
lngton-
For the first time he set forth in detail
the conditions under which Early will be
released or allowed to leave the District.
These conditions. he said. had evidently
not met the approval Of Early and his
advisers
The health officer declared he had done
his duty and had made every possible
concession 10 Early. but had reached his
final decision. He said 1t will now be UP
10 Early and DR.. L. Duncan Bulkley. the
New York skin specialist. 10 comply with
the demands OF the local officials. or
Early Will stay where he is.
The health department he declares will
take no further steps in the case. and
be VIII not consider any attacks made
upon himself or other officials.
Position of Health officer.
The health officer has no possible per-
sonal motive in desiring 10 keep Early in
the District Of Columbia" said Dr. Wood
ward. ''On the contrary. Early's removal
IN any proper way 10 any other jurisdic-
ton would relieve him from annoyance
care. and responsibility. The health oficer
has. however. under the law. a duty 10
perform with respect 10 the case. and he
Intends 10 perform it
Dr. Woodward declared the proposition
he had made 10 Early and Dr. BuIkley
was 70 submit the case absolutely to
Surg. Gen. Wyman. OF the Public Health
and Marine Hospital Service. for deter
mination as 10 its exact character. or 10
submit II 10 any three reputable ply
sicians practically familiar with leprosy.
one to be selected by Early, one 10 be
seiected by the health officer, and the
third TO be selected by these two men.
Terms Not Accepted.
No reply has been made tC either OF
these propositions. the health officer de-
clares, although ample time has elapsed
for an answer TO have been received.
IN commenting on the attitude OF DR..
BulkIey and Early. Dr. woodward said II
might almost be inferred that Early and
his medical adviser are afraid 10 allow
the case TO 20 to a final decision on its
merits.
DR.. Woodward said yesterday with re-
gard TO the case:
II Is hard 10 believe that Dr. Bulkley Is correctly
quoted in the daily papers Of Sunday morning rela-
i've 20 the Early case
In the first place. neither Dr w. H. Nelch of
Johns Hopkins University. nor Dr. W. H Park
q NeF lork CITY, has ever examined Early nor. 20
Tar as ] know. ever even seen him
In the second place the case has been disruosed
n leprosy by two physicians whose experience win
reference 70 that disease s far more extensive than
that q the skin specialist of New York CITY. and
he Is the only physician who. after having examined
the patient has ever alleged that he is not gIfer-
Ing from eprosy.
Criticisms Unfortunate.
The apparent effort the part Of DR.. Buklev.
II be Is correctly quoted. TO make it apuesr th1t
the case was diagnosed as leprusy merely bv ne
or by the inspector in charge Of the contagious
disease service instead Of sttrbutinz the diagnosis
to the two distinguished physicians By whom dag.
noses were made. is unfortunate unless il Is IN
tended as a part of a studied effort 70 unislead
the public and the medical p=ofesslon with rsspet
TO the matter.
In determining what weight is 20 be given 70
me statement attributed 70 Dr. Bulkley that both
~. heich ana DR.. Park are Of the orf1ion that
Aarly IA not leper e should be renepnherr5 tbat
br Bulkley. prior 70 Dr. Ehlers visit TO this citv
positively asserted that Dr. Ehlers "a y=orld-ride
authority on leprosy." had declared that 1T Is i'm
Poosiole that Mr. Early has had leprosy." whereas
Dr; baiers. aitsT examining the patient positively
ana without difficulty diagnosed the case clinjcalv
ana eae'er1oloE1oally. as one Of leprosy
Refused to Admit Him.
II the board Of health or the comn,s,ionsr ~
health Of New York City. OF the c,rpmissione- =,
heath Of the State Of New York. is willing tbs,
Early should come 20 New Yo-k civ - -
Of that fact has ever been subitted 10 N, b.s,rh
department Of tho District Of Columbia A .
matter a fact. under date Of October s. this de-
portnent submitted 70 the commissioner Of health
Of the city Of New York ard Of the State A uropo-