Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-12
SMYTH TO PROBE
DEATH Of CHILD
Possible Prosecution OF Dr.. G.
n. Thaoher Put Up to
City Solicitor ..

Further inveStisation is being made
today into the case of Alexis du Pont,
twelve years old, 1494 Spruce street,
who died of diphtheria on April ? at
the Philadelphia Hospital for Conta.
gious Diseases. The boy was first at.
tended by Christian Science prnctition.
ers and later. by DR., G. H. Thacher,
zoos Chestnut street. The latter was
censured by the Board Of Health yes.
terday for failing to report the case
promptly.
Dr.. Thacher refused comment today.
can can say" he declared. ''is
that / reported the case within twenty.
four hours of the time ] made q dag.
nosis. do not care to make any state
ment. In view Of the attitude Of the
Board of Health I have placed every
thing in the hands of John Weaver, my
attorney. 1t seems to me that some OF
the reports Of the case have been exag'
gerated unduly, but I realize this Is be.
cause of the prominence OF the du
Points"
Doctor Won't Be Arrested
Director Furbush explained that DR..
Thacher would not be put under arrest
formally. but would be summoned. to
appear before a magistrate: There
will be nothing spectacular. he said.
The Director of Health explained that
the next step would be for the clerk OF
the Board Of Health to send him the
certified recommendation Of the board
that DR.. Thacher be prosecuted. He
then would take the recommendation. he
said. to City Solicitor Smyth.
II expect to confer with Mr.. Smytb
this afternoon. said DR.. Furbush. IL
feel great sympathy for the Du Pont
family. The boy who died had every.
thing to live for. yet he received worse
medical treatment than wou I'D have been
given the poorest child of the Sums
DR.. Furbush was asked IL the matter
might be looked on with more severity
because Dr.. Thacher is a homcopath.
Denies II Flatiy
by no MEANS" said DIR. Furbush.
There are homcopaths on the staff Of
the Hospital for Contagious Diseases
and numbered among the city's medical
inspectors
While there is possibility of the State
Board Of Health taking action in the
matter. DR.. William NJ Hillegas.
a member of the State body. said It
would not step into the case unless
definite action is taken by the local
board. .
1.-THE State board never initiates ac.
ton" said DR.. Hillegas. until after
the city has done so. Sometimes the
States board works in conjunction with
the medical society II urged to do so.
While the responsibility appears to de.
volve upon the physician who delayed
in reporting the case, nevertheless 1t is
difficult at any time to place RESPONSE.
bility in cases in which Christian
Scientists have figured"
For the first time today Mr.. and
Mrs. dm Pont told the story Of their
sons illness and sudden death.
There has been lot said in this
case that is not. true" Mr.. du Pont
said. "Here is the true story:
II fear very much that my boy was
beyond saving when he reached Phila-
delphia. He was taken .tck while he
was in the country. Lur We did not
think 1t was very serious. Thursday
night. March 90, We brought him to
Philadelphia he was very III then.
No Diphtheris Diagnosis
at was not diagnosed as diphtheria
Friday night, ms they say. We engaged