Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-09-19
THE HOSPITAL.

the Increased amount Of work now
will warrant the appointment of two
more doctors to the staff. In select
ing these two new members of the
staff, no ~favoritism should be shown.
1t is only just that the Board of
Managers should select the Oldest
doctors In point of practice in the
city, provided they have been here a
sufficient number of years to build
up a practice and to become well
enough known to the citizens to
guarantee their good standing in
their profession. We fail to see
where personal dislikes enter into
the matter at all.
The agitation now on regarding
the appointment of two new physi-
clans to the medical staff of the
hospital raises the question as to
who the hospital is for. Did the
people contribute their money and
work hard to build the hospital only
toSturn it over to six doctors to be
run as if they owned it and for their
own profit, without interference? or
course it is q nice thing for these
doctors to have absolute control of
the institution, forcing all the other
doctors in the city to turn their
cases over to them when patients
are sent there, but 1t does seem a
little selfish for the staff to fight so
hard to keep other physicians out
when the hospital was built by the
people of the city. One would think
that if it belonged to the people one
doctor should be as welcome there
as another, under certain restric-
tions.
In most cities where a hospital is
erected by public subscription, and
where it is maintained by the people
largely through appropriations, the
doctors consider 1t q privilege to
serve on the medical staff and they
take care not to abuse that privilege.
Far from showing any attempt
at dictation as to how tho hospital
shall be managed, they are particu-
lar not to win the displeasure of the
managers of the institution. In this
city, it seems, the reverse is true.
The doctors evidently do not look
upon the hospital as a privilege. but
a right. They even assume to die
tate to the managing board, and in
stead of the physicians being under
the managers, the latter, it would
doctors. 1t looks very much like
the tail wagging the dog.
In the present instance the
trouble seems to narrow down to
just one nan on the medical staff.
He would assume to dictate to all.
DR.. w. e. Ramsay, it appears, mas a
personal grudge against DR.. G. w.
Fithian and for that reason he would
prevent Dr.. Fithian enjoying the
privileges of the hospital, an institu-
ton which was built by the people
and is maintained by the people
through contributions and appropri-
ations. If DR.. Ramsay can present
any real reason why DR.. Fithian
should not become a member of the
hospital board, that is a different
matter. No n desires incompetent
physicians on the staff.
DR.. Fithian has been practicing in
this city longer that any other doc
tor of the allopathic school not al.
ready on the medical staff. He has
built up a large practice and has a
great many friends. He has proven
hinfself thoroughly capable and
~6fdcient, and justice demands that
when the medical staff of the hospi-
tai is increased, he shall be the first
physician named. Any personal
grudge that DR., Ramsay or anyone
else has against him has absolutely
nothing to do with the case. We
have net yet been officially informed
that tbs hospital was built especially
for Or. Ramsay.
The threat said to HAYS been