Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-01-23
W0ODSB0RO PHYSICIAN
Sent To Jail For Not Report
ing DiDhtheria Case.

DccldTlnR LHdL ne WOuluSO W JAN TdID-
er than give bail upon the charge of fail
ing to report to the county health officer
cases of infectious diseases which he at
tended, DR.. Robert l.. Hammond a prac-
titioner of medicine at Woodsboro, Md,
was lodged in Frederick county Jail Sat-
urday last in default of 800 bond
County Health Officer j. M. Goodman
swore out warrant against DR.. Ham
mond, charging him with failing to report
two cases of diphtheria at Woodsboro.
One case was child of Mr.. and Mrs.
George F. Smith and the other was the
case of the physicians own daughter.
While each had diphtheria, children from
the families attended the public schools
at Woodsboro.
DR.. Goodman stated his attention was
called to the matter by citizens of Woods
boro and that he called the physician,
and he admitted the two cases were diph-
liberia. DR.. Goodman then went to
Woodsboro and urged the physician to
report the cases, and he refused, saying
he had never re orted case in his life,
and did not intend to do SO.
The law relating to the reporting of
all infectious diseases requires the physi-
clan in attendance to report such cases
as soon as diagnosed. In case of failure
and conviction, fine ofs $50 to 5000 is
imposed, and the same fine upon the
health officer if he does not report the
refusal of the physician. DR.. Goodman
had but one course, and he swore out the
warrant.
Dr. Hammond was arrested by Con-
stable Hauver, of Frederick, and taken
before Justice Miller, of Woodsboro. The
physician was highly incensed and stated
that he would not have the justice try
his case and that he would not give any
bond imposed. Justice Miller exacted a
bond of 500, and DR.. Hammond told the
officer to take him to Jail. This was done
and when the physician entered behind
the bars he announced that he would stay
there until he was taken out under pro-
cess of law.
DR.. Hammond Is man about 60 years
of age, and has been located at Woods
boro for many years. He has fairly
large practice. He is regarded as a
physician with the average intelligence
and his friends are unable to understand
why he has taken the position he has
upon the matter of reporting infectious
diseases.
Citizens about Woodsboro are greatly
exercised over the matter, and the fact
that children from each of the homes
where the diphtheria cases existed. at
tended school, makes the spread of the
dreaded disease to many of the homes in
the town extremely likely. The case
has not had parallel in this county in
years.
After being in Jail about an hour DR..
Hammond was released on his own re-
cogrizance.
The above is the report of the case as
given in tie daily Frederick News.
On Tuesday of this week, DR.. Ham
mond publishes letter in the News in
which he gives his side of the case, part
of which follows:
"In answer to the charges given pub
lefty through the press in the alleged vi
olation of the laws relating to the report
ing of diphtheria cases, the undersigned
begs the freedom of the press to say that
the report is an attack, prompted by jeal-
ousy, upon the professional and personal
character of one who processes not only
to be a law-abiding citizen, but one who
has endeavored in every way to uphold
every form of law that safeguards the
moral and general welfare of the whole
people.
1.-The triune principle of justice, mercy
and liberty has actuated his conduct in
this instance as we'll as in all others, the
champoning of which has caused him to
become unpopular and his motives and
acts to be frequently misunderstood and
misrepresented.
The Doctor gives statement regard
ing his treatment of the case in question
and takes parting hit at the conditions
found in the county Jail. He says:
"Whle there lin jaiD | was interested
in the prisoners and their surroundings,
and noticed that only four or five cots
were in the cells that were to accommo-
date dozen or more persons, mostly
young men, and this thought occurred to
me that the horses in their stalls and the
cattle in the barnyard, having no souls,
yet have straw provided them upon which