New-York tribune., 1910-12-28
EXPELS DR.. R. KUN|TzER
Medical Society Acts Against
Chief of Sydenham Staff.
HE ISSUES STATEMENT
Will Sue for Reinstatement
Society's Action Almost With
out Precedent.


New York last evening. by a vote of 392
to 3S, expelled from membership Dr. Rob
ert kunitzer, chief physician of Syden-
ham Hospital. According to officers of
the society, this is the first occasion in
the history of the organization. which
was in corporated in 1903 where regu-
lar practitioner had been expelled on
charges other than advertising for prac-
tice.
The charges on which DR.. Kunitzer
was deprived of membership arose from
an article which DIR. Louis A. Ewald
wrote for the hospital anniversary a year
ago. in which he said that he had per-
formed the operation of carcinoma uteri
sixty weight times, twenty-seven of the
operations being performed IN Syyienham
Hospital.
A number of hearings were had before
the board of censors of the society. Drs-
II. Seymour Houghton, LinnRus E. La
Fetra, j. Riddle Goffe, Henry Mem.
Painter. Charles G. Kerley and Brooks
H Wells. and their findings were sent
to the organization for investigation
The charges made against the doctor
were that ne permitted the records of
the Sydenham Hospital to be altered to
substantiate Ewald's statements. and
concealed from the investigators of the
society certain facts in the records Of
the institution.
The directors of the hospital, Judge
Otto A. RosalSky, Joseph P. Day, Will
To-, Cpin
berg and others, expressed confidence in
the veracity of the chief physician An
evidence of their belief is the fact that
he is still holding the same position
r. Two months ago Egon Egghard.
relative of Dr. Kunitzer, who was hold
ing the place of superintendent of the
hospital lost his position. He then ap-
peared before the board of censors of the
society and volunteered to give testi-
mony as to the alteration of the records
Held Many Long Sessions.
One session of the board was held. last
ing from s p. m. until S:15 o'clock the
next morning; another from $50 p. m
until 1 o'clock the next morning, and
there were several shorter sessions
The result of the investigation was the
presentation of a report recommending
the expulsion of the doctor. The comitia
minora. which decides cases in ethics, re-
viewed the work of the censors and pre-
sented an Endorsement of the report last
evening, which was considered then in
executive session.
DR. Kunitzer appeared in person to
defend himself. and Samuel L. F'ranken-
stein, of No. 115 Broadway. and James
w. Osborne appeared as counsel for
Kunitzer. but were not allowed in the
assembly hall. The society's attorneys
Almuth c. Vandiver and John G. Dyer,
were present, however. and gave oc-
casional advice.
The findings of the comitia were
read by the chairman of the board of
censors. Dr. Houghton. and the ballot
ing began. sections of the room being
taken at time. The result was re-
ceived with cheer after cheer by the
members.
DIR. Kunitzer made the following
statement:
The people who know me hest and who
are fully acquainted with my character
and my work still stand by me and sup
port me. The board of directors OF the
Sydenham Hospital composed of Joseph
p Day Judge Otto RosalSky, Walter @.
Moore William Fletcher. Vito ConteSSa, a
prominent Italian merchant: Aaron Mich
ael Samuel Bauman, Solomon Wronker.
Gustave Kraus and others, have fully ac-
auainted themselves with those charges
and have exonerated me.
They know that these charges were origi-
mated solely by discharged employees OF the
hospital who hate me- in consequence OF
their discharge. The medical board of the
hospital have full confidence in my inno-
cence-
MY patrons. such as Isaac Guggenheim.
Judge Rosalsky and others. still stand be-
hind me and will not prevent my work. in
which l take pride. TO be interfered with
by this blow.
Time will show that the County Medical
Society has acted on the unsWorn testimony
Df reiudiced witnesses. all of whom seek
10 destroy me because | reported them 10
the management of the hospital for their
deinquencies.
Since this trial l have obtained absolute
proof of the perjuries of the witnesses who
testified against me. and / made a strong
appeal to the board of censors OF the
County Medical Society for a new trial.
based upon this new evidence. but the
board of censors refused 10 listen to my
appeal All I can say in conclusion Is that
am innocent OF these charges. and that
intend forthwith 10 sue out a mandamus
a acairst the County Medical Society. not so
much TO obtain reinstatement as to estab-
lish my innocence in a court of lAw>