The Washington times., 1912-03-14
MASTERSON DELAYS
LEGAL FIGHT WITH
HEALTH OFFICIALS
DR.. Woodward Makes Public
a Letter He Wrote to
Defendant.

At the request of the defendant, the
hearing in the Police Court In the case
of the Health Department against Dr..
William l.. Masterson on the charge
OF making premature report of recov-
cry OF scarlet fever patient was post
poned until next Wednesday. DR..
Masterson asked that he be given time
'1ense. The Medical Society or the Dis
trict at a meeting last night, decided
TO support DIR. Masterson, and make
the case a test one.
Health Officer Woodward today made
public letter addressed by him to
DR., Masterson prior to the issuance of
warrant, inviting him to suggest any
reason why prosecution should not be
instituted. DIR. Woodward said that in
response to the invitation DIR. Master
son called at the Health Department,
. but the explanation given by him was
not sufficient to justify failure to pros
escute.
DR.. Woodward's Letter.
The following is the Health Officers
letter to DR.. Masterson:
'On January 26, 1912, card signed by
you was received at the Health Depart
ment reporting Raymond jenkins, re-
siding at 1911 Penn street northeast,
suffering from scarlet fever, and on
February % a card signed by you was
received at the department reporting
!
of the medical inspectors called to eX-
anime this patient before releasing him
I and the premises from quarantine, it
! was found that desquamaton had not
! ceased consequently the patient was
not discharged from quarantine. Some
/ days subsequent to the inspectors visit
! the child was on at least two different
! occasions found on the public streets,
/ the mother, it seems, being under the
! impression from your conversation with
her that the child was well and safe to
mingle with other persons, notWith-
, standing she had been instructed by the
inspector to keep him in the house. On
/ January . this boy was examined by
two of the medical inspectors of the
Health Department and found to be
. still desquamating on the feet. Section
] of an act for the prevention of scarlet
fever, etc, in the District of Columbia,
provides that no persons shall certify
a.. knowingly or neGligently that any pa
tient has recovered from scarlet fever
until such patient is in such condition
as to be free from danger of communi-
eating the disease from which he is
suffering to other persons.
THE department feels that the report
of the recovery sent by you to the
Health Department was in violation OF
the act referred to, and feels constrained
TO present this case to the Corporation
Counsel for prosecution in the Ponce
Court. If you can suggest any reason
why prosecution should not be insti-
tuted against you, | shall be pleased to
receive such suggestion before final ac-
ton is taken in the case.
Woodward Is Reticent.
Health Officer Woodward declined to-
day to discuss the case. saying that the
Health Department will reserve Its
statements until it is heard in the
Police Court. Dr.. Masterson also de.
clined to make any statement, other
than to express the belief that the
course pursued by him Is entirely within
the law.
Physicians who came to the defense
of DR.. MastersOn at the meeting OF
tho Medical Society, said that tho
=. prosecution is merely the result of diff.
ference of opinion between the Health
Department and the physician, and de
clared 1t absolutely wrong that he
should be made to appear IN the Police
Court on such a charge. DR.. woodward
declined to reply, and said today thai
he would not be drawn into a contro
.-Versy, but would await the action ol
the Police Court.