South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-10-21
Letters Of the People
FLOYD DAVIS CASE AGAIN.

South Bend. Ind, oct. 30. 1915.
Editor News-TimCS.
we. the men whom Trustee WitWer
mentioned in his Letters Of the Peo-
pie" in connection with the Floyd
Davis case feel. that, in all justice to
everyone concerned, we should give
our version OF the affair. We also
feel that in the anxiety of some to
shift the responsibility 10 others
shoulders. there has been a misstate-
ment of facts and we take this oppor-
tunity 10 review them as they were.
The symptoms of tetanus in this
case appeared on "wednesday night;
but no serious Interpretation was
placed on them until Thursday late in
the morning. DIR. Cooper was then
called 10 take charge of the case.
We were advised by him. that the
case was a serious one and that anti
tetarus was the last resource and the
only chance even though small one.
II may be said here. that 1t was Il
hours at least. from the time the
symptoms of tetanus first appeared
until an appeal was made TO the
township trustees office but that DR..
Cooper was not called until late that
morning SO that he was not i'm charge
Of the case for the length OF time
stated. We feel that this was "a pure
misunderstanding on the part OF Trus-
tee WitWeT rather than a deliberate
misstatement OF fact.
In conjunction with him. we made
application to the township trustee,
for help. 1t is true that we were will
ing to pay for ordinary medical at
tention as was stated, but we were at
the time unable to pay as large "a sum
as the serum demanded. This was
clearly stated at the time SO we can
see no reason why Mr.. Witwer makes
the statement that we were willing to
stand the expense without Qualifying
it. After the case had been stated 10
that official, he seemed willing TO
grant the request; but felt that the
township physician should be called in
consultation. This was done.
The circumstances and history of
the case were again gone over and
the township trustee suggested, it may
be said TO his credit. that the township
physician go in consultation with the
attending physician. This was agreed
TO by DR. Cooper contrary to what
Mr.. Witwer SAYS but the opinion given
by the township physician and sec
onded by the trustee was, that this was
q special case not conn pg under their
jurisdiction ant that If the response
bility of this case was assumed by that
office. il would make them liable for
other special cases which might arise
in the future and that such pro-
cedure would soon pauperize the
township.
We were then advised that such spe-
ciaI cases came under the jurisdiction
OF the city board OF health office and
for US to go there for the required
assistance. Not being able TO read the
minds OF the officials and TO know that
an we had TO do was 10 apply again
for assistance and they would readily
grant it, We felt and justly SO. We be-
Neve. that the Office of township trus-
tee had washed its hands IF all respOn-
sibihty in the case aud tnat there was
nothing else 10 do but 10 go on as We
had.
We also felt that inasmuch as the
trustees Office could or would not aid
us that there was no reason for turn
ing the case TO the township.
We take exception TO Mr. Witwer's
last statement that Or. Cooper would
allow him 10 do more than he did for
the case which was acknowledgements
ing. He was given every opportunity
such as supplying the serum and con-
sultation of the township physician
with the attending physician, etc.
Respectfully.
D. +. HUGHES.
OTTO j MATS.