Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-08
Irregularities in Treatment of
Friend and Girl at Hospital
Are Referred To:
WOMAN HELD ABUSED
AND DENIED FREEDOM
Legal Blood TRANSMISSION Alleged
by Magistrate of D. C.
Juvenile Court.

Irregularities in the treatment of an
intimate friend of Judge Kathryn Sell
lers and a young girl when they were
confined to Gallinger Hospital. were
charged today by the magistrate Of Jul
venile Court, who said that the lack of
proper medical attention afforded them
further exemplified the need of an in
vestigation of the municipal institution.
Because OF the death of woman who
had been sent to the institution for an
operation which ended fatally, Judge
Sellers last Friday declared she would
not consent to have wards of Juvenile
Court sent to Gallinger for treatment.
The woman, Mrs. Charlotte Nettie
Thompson, had consented to being sent
to the institution for physical exam
ination, only at the request of Judge
Sellers. While confined to the hospital
she was given the operation which re-
suited in her death
Judge Sellers declined to disclose the
name of her friend, but said the woman.
who was active in welfare work, was
a probation officer and had special
police authority in Detroit. Before
leaving Detroit on a journey to Rich
mond the woman informed her per-
sonal physician that she dreaded the
on train and because of nauseating
headache. Following his advice she
purchased box of tablets, obtainable
at all pharmacies without prescription,
and at his direction took one of them
when boarding the train. Reaching her
berth she Immediately slept.
Dazed by Striking Head.
Arriving in Washington. she was
awakened by the porter and quickly
arose, striking her head against the
ceiling Of the berth, which dazed her.
AT the porter's suggestion she allowed
him to help her to the station. but
when they reached the waiting room he
summoned policewoman.
Her marks of identity, such as her
police badge and other means of iden-
tif1cation, Judge Sellers said, were taken
from her, and she was sent to Gallinger
Hospital by the policewoman. who
promised it would be only for first-aid
treatment.
The box of tablets we're found in her
possession. and at Gallinger. Judge
Sellers declared. she was pronounced
drug addict. Her possessions were re-
moved and she was made to don the
garb of hospital inmates. She was
then confined to ward in which were
persons suffering from contagious dis
ease and mental disorders. At her re-
quest that she be allowed to communi-
cate with Judge Sellers, she was told
that every one who enters this place Is
friend of Judge Sellers and wants to
communicate with her. Judge Sellers
continued. The woman was held at the
institution three days until word finally
reached Judge Sellers, who secured her
release by posting bond.
Despite the provision of the law that
IN 70 froY
should not be taken from minor chill
dren without the consent of their par
ents, such an operation was performed
at Gallinger. Judge Sellers also charged.
The instance cited by the magistrate
was that Of Regina Perks, girl under
the age limit, who was being treated for
anemia at the institution.
Two Cases Reviewed.
Reviewing the two cases, Judge Sellers
declared that in the first instance the
woman should not have been turned
over to police and should not have
been taken to Gallinger. At the hos
pital competent physicians should not
have diagnosed her case as that of
drug addict. In addition. Judge Sellers
said. patients at the institution. II they
believe she may aid them. should be
allowed to communicate with her. She
is a public official. and it is her duty
to do all in her power to benefit them.
she declared.
The blood TRANSMISSION operation was
simple case Of assault according to the
magistrate.
Dr. Edgar A. Bocock. superintendent
of Gallinger Hospital. denied that there
were any irregularities in the treat
ment of the two patients.
The woman. he said. according to the
report. had been brought to the hospital,
suffering from the effects Of the drug,
and had been treated accordingly.
Judge Sellers criticism of the refusal
of hospital authorities to allow the
woman to communicate with her was
not warranted, he said. She was de-
tanned only as long as was necessary.
according to DR.. Bocock, and released
in the custody of Judge Sellers, when
cured
In the Perks case it was a necessary
action, the superintendent declared.
While it is customary to secure the con-
sent of parents, in this instance 1t was
extremely urgent that blood be given
Immediately and the Perks girl volun-
teered. There was no misunderstanding
on her part, as she realized she would
receive no compensation. and, in addi-
ton, her physical condition was not in
jured by the operation, Bocock said.