The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-11-07
THE DOCTORS AND THE PATIENT

fects of -four years of war. was
brought into Il hospital at the point
of death. First aid was given, a dag
noss of the case was made. and
the case. Unfortunately for the patti
ent, the surgeons belonged to differ
ent schools, and for two years was
compelled to lay in the hospital while
the doctors argued and argued on the
case. In the meantime, some of the
old wounds healed over and due to
the lack of proper treatment new
ones broke out, the system being
so weakened and poisoned that the
patient fingered along at the point
of death.
Unable to reach an agreement, due
to a large degree to stubborness and
green-eyed jealousy, ana anxious to
advertise and further the interests
of their own school, the doctors de-
termined to leave the question G,
treatment to be voted on by the
stockholders and employees of the in
stitution.
A large group of people in the
meantime anxously awaited the ac-
ton of the doctors. These people
had more than a passing interest in
the case. They were not only stock
holders in the institution and had
helped elect the doctors, but they
were among the survivors of the
rescue party, many of their number
having lost their lives in the attempt
to rescue the patient. Having per-
sonal knowledge of the wounds re-
ceived by the patient, some of them
had their opinions as to the method
of treatment, but felt that decision
should be left to the hired experts
to decide, as that was what they
had been educated and employed TO
do. Naturally, this group were jeal-
- Gus of the good name of the institu
ton and did not want to handicap
the work of the specialists, in fact,
they had been largely responsible for
the good name and high standing the
institution had attained among civil
lied peoples. You may imagine their
feelings when they learned of the
way the case was being handled by
the doctors.
The heads of the largest institu-
tions had agreed with one of the doc
tors, who had submitted an outline
Of his entire course of treatment to
be discussed by those Of the other
school. They in turn found fault
with the method of procedure. A
few were in favor of starting to apply
the remedy as outlined, making any
necessary changes as the operation
progressed. Some were in favor OF
adopting variations at once, while a
large number were in favor of shelv-
ing the outline submitted, claiming
that there was a better method but
not offering solution or alternate
plan, spending most Of their time
and energy in running down the plans
of the other school. Things became
so heated that .ae welfare of the
patient was forgotten by the major
ity. A sane, sober discussion turned
into contest of school against
school. The challenge to leave the
matter up to the stockholders and
employees was accepted, and an edu-
cational campaign was begun.
Do not judge the onlooker connect
ed with other institutions too harshly
for the viey they took of the matter
and place yourself in the position
of the rescuing party, in the position
of members who had risked their lives
on the mission they had set out to
perform. Imagine group of experts
who had spent the greater part OF
their lives in their profession, at.
tempting to educate a mass Of people
in a few short months so they would
have the decision - such an import
ant matter. and expect the patient
To get fair treatment And then the
lecturers they sent around to "edu.
cate" the people. Naturally the dis
cussion took on a different complex
ion as time passed, and as the sub
ject received treatment at different
hands. All kinds of arguments were
offered and all kinds of efforts wer,
made TO impugn the motives of the
other school. 1t was hinted tha
some of the doctors were in "cahoots'
with enemies Of the patient whC
We're anxious for the patients death
II was a well known fact that advan.
tage was being taken of the patients
condition by the one responsible fol
the fight, and while the patient was
lying In bed. the chief enemy was
waxing stronger and healthier ant
Weather each day; charges wer,
made that the other school adherents
were receiving benefits for keeping
the patient in this condition.
With one course of treatment, much
equipment would be scrapped ant
many employees discharged. 1t was
charged that manufacturers of equip
ment We're donating large sums tC
one school in order to perpetuate O
market for their product. II wa:
natural that much misinformatioT
would be given out and facts dis.
torted. the result being that insteht
Of concentrating on the main issue
the patients welfare was lost sigh
OF. and as short cut to attaining
their own ends, appeals were mad,
TO the adherents and admirers OF botl
schools to stick to the school, re-
gardless of right or wrong.
Can you imagine the effect on TN
members OF the rescue party. OF
those who had followed the matter