New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-14
DR.. E. c. SPITKA,
ALIENIST, DEAD
Son, Philadelphia Physl-
clan, Makes Vain Effort
TO Save Him.
WAS DEFENDANT
IN $4,000 SUIT
Jeweller Charged That Specialist
Alienated Affections of
His Wife.


D~ Edward Charles Spitzka one Of the
best known alionists in this country. died
yesterday ut his home, 40. "a East Esd
street. from apoplexy Only few min
utes before his death the PHYSICIANS law
yer had arranged to have his client ep-
pear in the Supreme Court on Friday for
p preliminary hearing in suit for SooD
brought against the doctor by Joseph
Cershcau. n ioweller. OF No. 9N Simpson
street. The Bronx. who charged that Dr.
Spitzka had a3enated .he affections OF MS
wife. Mrs Minnie Gershgall
with the alienist when he died WAS his
wife. Mrs Catherine Watzek Spitzka- ana
hts son. Or Edward Anthony Spitzka-
who rivaued hts father In fame as
brain EXPERT The son was summoned
from Philadelphia early yesterday morn
Ing by his mother. and arrived In time 10
nevote his professional skill TO an enort
70 save his fathers life. He declared last
hight that though the immediate cause OF
tOT. Spitzka's death was apoplexy, II mao
been brought on by worry over the suit
The action was termed by the son rs one
without foundation.
In August DIT Spitska was operated on
for cancer OF the Jaw, but he recovered
md appeared 70 ne in fair health Mrs
Srdtzl<a said her husband went 10 meet
ing Of a medical association Monday night
and returned in good spirits He awak-
ened her early yesterday morning and
told her 10 summon their son. 81 know
! am going 10 die he said.
Son Battles 80 Save Father.
Medical cid was called from near ri
hand. but rs soon as the younger spitzKa
arrived he took charge on the hght 10
rave his fathers life. little after noon
the slienist died.
While James D. McClelland, the doctor
counsel. and Alexander A. Mayper, the
LAWYER for Joseph Gereshall. wero makins
arrangements for the preliminary hearing
IN the alienation suit n telephone mes
sage came from Mrs. GershgaN Inform
ing them that the doctor had died. MT
N1cCleuand at once gave out statement
declaring the suit against the dead man
should not be allowed 10 emirch great
fame, as the case was III iN'-''NN'
said:
.s'rbe story OF DR.. spitzka Is q peculiar
nne. and I wish, IN Justice 10 his memory
md HIS family. to say that the doctor al
ways positively denied the charges
against him.
About two years ago a Joseph Gersh-
gall. p jeweller, brought his wife TO Dr.
Epitzka to be treated for melancholia.
After an extended period Of treatment
DR.. spitzka cured Mrs. Gershgall. so
grateful was Mrs. Gershgall that she ever
entertained feeling of deep gratitude
toward Dr Spitzka. but am certain that
.helr relations were at all times abso-
utely honorable.
1T was Just after a very serious opera
ton recently when Dr. Spitzka, much &c
his amazement, was served with sum
mons in a suit against him for $4,000 FOR
alternating the affections OF Mrs Gersh'
gall. lie was greatly surprised. but turned
the matter over TO me and said he was
perfectly willing 10 try the case.
In the complaint Gershgall did no
mention any acts Of misconduct between
Or. Spitzka and his wife. and ] filed s
petition asking his lawyer for bill o.
particulars. in answer 10 my reques
for a bin OF particulars Gershgalrs law
yer made an application for q preliminary
examination OF DIT. SpitZka, Gershgall as
serting that he had no proof of any
vrongdoing, but that he wanted 20 ex'
anime the doctor IN preliminary examina
ION in order 70 get the proof on whici
10 try his alienation suit
Case Based on Letters.
Mr Mayer, lawyer for the jeweller
raid his clients case was based upon let
ters from the doctor 10 Mrs. Gershgall
On November Il. 1913, Mr.. Gershgal
brought a suit for separation against BIZ
Tife. in his complaint he alleged Mrs
Gershgau secretly gave or consented Il
Give her love- affection and attention U
ono Edward c. Spitzka-"
DR.. SpitzBas son said last night hi
father had died almost penniless as re
suit OF his work for charity patients. II
accordance with the instructions or IN
slienist. his brain was removed and sen
IN DR.. John II. Larkin 20 he examined
and weighed.
Outside OF his research work, one OF TN
greatest factors IN the fame OF DIT
Spitzka was his appearance in the tria
NJ Charles Guiteau. assassin OF Presiden
Garfield. DIT Spitzka examined IN
prisoner and declared he was insane.
The alenist was born IN New YORK II
1859. and received his carly medican edu
cation al New York University Medica
College. Later he studied at I'eipsic anI
Vienna. lie married in Vienna IN 1910
His fame upon his return TO this country
quickly spread From 1885 TO lSSf NJ
served as professor Of medical turispru
dence and neurology IN the New NorF
Graduate Medical College. At the tiin'
Of his death he was consulting neurolosls
OF Sydenham Hospital
DR. Spitzka was the discoverer OF th'
interoptic lobes OF the reptillan BRAIN
From 1881 20 1884 he was editor OF Ih'
American Journal Of Neurology lie re-
ceived many prizes FOR various papers OF
brain experiments. and was member o.
numerous medical organizations From
1853 10 1884 he was president OF the Amer
can Neurological Association.