New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-11-30
r. B. WILLIAMS ASKED $50, 900

Is an appendix in the body O.
millionaire of more value, II
dollars and cents, than the afore
said piece of anatomical furni
re II the body Of bread win
ner This is an ethical question
suggested by an incident now be
ing widely discussed in connection
with the serious illness last sum
mer of Mr.. Frank B. Williams
st. Mary lumber king and chair
man of the Republican State Cen.
trail Committee of Louisiana.
Prior to the regular session OF
the General Assembly of 1912 Mr.,
.lliams had an appendix. He is
minus it now, the organ (if it can
be SO termed) having been re-
moved by DR.. Charles A. Danna,
house surgeon Of the Charity
Hospital just in time to prevent
the appendix from removing Mr..
Williams.
During the heat of the legisla-
tive session at Baton Rouge Mr..
Williams, who was at the State
capital, was suddenly stricken
with appendicitis. His condition
was reported to be very serious
indeedEalmost critical-and DR..
Danna, who happened to be at
Baton Rouge too, was hurried
called to attend the st. Mary mil
ionaire.
Distinguished for. his eminent
abilitesaass.a surgeon, DR.. Danna
performed here. after Mr.. Will
liams was 4(ls8eh to New Orleans
under his care, the operation
which separated his patient from
the offending appendix, to the en-
tire satisfaction Of patient and
surgeon. Although reported to
have been very close to the "val-
ley of the shadow" Mr.. Villains
recovered and is now said to be
physically as good as new.
These facts are well known to
friends of Mr.. Williams and to
the public generally. It is the
aftermath of the operation that
has given rise to so much gossip
in local professional circles, as
well as among laymen, and which
has inspired the discussion about
the monetary value of an appen-
dix based on the financial stand
ing of its former possessor.
According to the story going
the rounds, DIR. Danna estimated
tt. value of his professional SER
vices and the success of the ope-
ration which probably saved Mr..
Williams life at the neat SUM OF
&2O, 900, and sent the Republican
leader q bill for that amount. The
exact process of reasoning by
which DR.. Danna reached the con-
clnsion that it was worth $4,000
to Mr.. Williams to get rid OF a
troublesome appendix is known
only to the we'll known surgeon
himself. But in any event, ac-
cording to the quid-nuncs who are
discussing the matter, it was not
the same process of reasoning en-
ployed by Mr.. Williams himsel!
for that gentleman is understood
to have protested vigorously
against the size Of the surgeon 4
bill. and to have suggested that
$5, 600. would be reasona5le
amount for the services per-
fLrmed.
It is reported Mr.. Williams
actually rendered 5000 to DIR
Danna in payment of his bill. re.
jecting with emphasis the $2O,OOc
proposition. And it is also re.
ported that DR.. Danna was equal
" emphatic in his refusal to ac
cept any compromise whatever
deeming his great skill as q surg
con and the success which at
tended the operation worth that
amount. Both sides stood firm
and according to local gossip, arc
still standing firm. A suit has
been limited at, but ahus far has
not materialized.
Mr.. Williams is said to be able
to estimate his fortune in seven
figures, and to multiply ~ by two
at that. It therefore becomes .
question Of whether the appendix
Of ! millionaire, successfully re.
moved at 4 critical period, is OF
greater monetary value than the
appendix Of q sufferer, who Is
blessed with little of this world 3
goods. It Is I fine point in ethics
for general discussion, for the In
terest is not confined to profes.
sional ranks since every man. and
or~.vS MAO haa nm anDnn-