Page 3, Board of Directors Meeting, February 8, 1951.
Medical Society does approve this Bill, and that to our knowledge the representatives who have been actively opposing this Bill have been contacted. Motion was seconded by Dr. Farness and carried.
Letter from the Medical Advisory Board of Tucson Medical Center concerning the problem of an adequate supply of blood and suggesting possible remedies for the situation was read by the Secretary. Dr. Harry Thompson moved that this letter be sent to the Red Cross Blood Bank with our approval. Motion seconded. Motion withdrawn by Dr. Thompson and second. Dr. Hastings thought this letter to contain good suggestions, and moved that it be submitted to the other hospitals for their approval, and having gained such approval, it be given our approval and sent on to the Red Cross. Motion seconded by Dr. Farness and carried.
Dr. Farness felt that the subject of wasting of blood and injudicious use of blood should be brought up at next regular meeting. Dr. Hewitt remarked that no one can tell the Red Cross how to give out their blood, that there is no way of controlling them.
Mrs. Hanson's request for permission to contact doctors about their patients who have muscular dystrophy was discussed. Dr. Farness suggested that she might write a card to each doctor asking "Do you have a case of muscular dystrophy and would you care to give me the name of the individual?" Dr. Hastings remarked that he did not know whether this is a good idea; that every little group is being formed, and usually results in doctors having to do their work for nothing; suggested that we have no means of ascertaining how many such cases there are; suggested that the letter be answered stating that the Board of Directors feel friendly but there is no means by which this can be determined.
The President brought up a problem which has been presented to him in the last few days; i.e., that quite a number of doctors think the Medical Society should do something about mal-practice suits. He asked it there is anything which the County Society can do in the nature of publicity, public relations, etc., to prevent such suits. Dr. Hastings replied that nothing could be done except as individuals. Dr. Manning felt that in such cases there was always a hint dropped by competitors. Dr. Harry Thompson remarked that it is not good policy to testify against a colleague, and that there is one doctor who has appeared in the last two cases at a darn good fee. He did not believe the Board of Directors could take official action because all members are liable to make mistakes. He thought a policy should be adopted and that all doctors should be talked to, as next time they might be on the fence. Dr. Hastings inquired it was thought advisable for the Board of Censors to go on record as instructing our membership in proper deportment. Dr. Farness thought they might be reminded that the next person to be sued may be them. Dr. Hayden remarked that the whole Society is harmed when anyone member is sued. and suggested that it might be brought up at the next regular meeting. Dr. Beaton inquired if there is any law in the State whereby the Court can summon a doctor as a fried on the Court. Dr. Hewitt suggested that it could be announced in the Society and should be brought to the attention of the members; that the fact is that any little remark, though it may be innocent, may precipitate a suit. Dr. Rudolph suggested that this should come as an announcement of the Board of Directors. Dr. Harry Thompson inquired it would not be in order for the Public Relations Committee to draw up a resolution that could be read to the Society. Dr. Hastings stated that some action should be taken to remind members to be constantly vigilant about side remarks that my discredit a brother practitioner; that is the duty of the Board of Directors to bring this to the attention of the membership; that
