it is withholding approval at this time because it has been informed that the psychiatrists in this community do not approve of this report as it now stands, and recommending that the Association for Mental Health contact, as a group, the psychiatrists of this community and get their ideas; that we feel this Association is dealing with a problem involving medical care, and that, as such, it should be guided by medical
Dr. Kent so moved. Motion seconded by Dr. Bernstein, and carried.
This letter is to be signed by Dr. Manning.
Dr. Kent reported for the Public Relations Committee, that he had talked with Mrs. Jimmie Angel, whose letter to the editor of the STAR appeared on January 6th. Mrs. Angel said that she had called Dr. Van Ravenswaay at ten A.M., telling him that the boy had a cold, but that it was not an emergency at that time, and Dr. Van Ravenswaay said that he would be over to see him later. At about noon the child developed an obstruction, and she became panicky, but Dr. Van Ravenswaay had gone out to lunch. Someone called the Fire Department and they got there first, with the pulmotor squad, and the boy was completely all right. Her objection was that Dr. Van Ravenswaay came and did nothing but went up to the Firemen and asked how the boy was doing and then left. The questionable thing about this was that Dr. Von Dedenroth saw the boy that night at the hospital, and discussed this with the mother, making the remark that "this was why Dr. Van Ravenswaay was leaving their group." The woman objected to the fact that Dr. Van Ravenswaay did not examine the boy, did not say anything. She is carrying no chip on her shoulder and is not making an issue of it. Dr. Kent thought Dr. Von Dedenroth should be cautioned about making derogatory remarks about other physicians.
Discussion:
Dr. Harry Thompson--I think this should be referred of Censors, for their consideration.
Dr. Kent--It is just this kind of talking about other doctors which leads to suits.
Dr. Rudolph--The usual thing in referring matters to the Board of Censors is to have a complaint.
Dr. Bernstein--Apparently this is a very much more common practice than we know. I think that many times the man who does this is just not thinking--not aware of the complications. If offenders were picked up each time and reminded of what could happen, it would be weeded out.
Dr. Manning--I think all these things should go to the Board of Censors.
Dr. Hill--Why not let this Board recommend that the Public Relations Committee draft a letter as to what has happened, without censorship?
Dr. Harry Thompson--Our Board of Censors is set up for this thing. I am sure Dr. Von Dedenroth did not mean to make such a comment. Let us get him in through the proper committee, talk it over and say, "Let's see what we can do about it." This way we can stop this thing in the beginning, properly, in the hands of the Censors.
Dr. Rudolph--You have a very stuffy Board of Censors this year, and they won't do anything unless it is properly handled.
Dr. Hill--When it goes to the Censors committee, it carried a stigma of being censured.
Dr. Harry Thompson--They are entitled to act on anything that affects the Society. We feel that it is their job to pick up slack like this. It carries no more stigma than indicated by Dr. Kent, and we understand that if this had not been said it would not have gotten into the paper.
Dr. Beaton--I think another reason for referring it to the Board of Censors is that that Board does consist of some of the older, more mature and experienced men, and that would be much better than Dr. Von Dedenroth being called up before Dr. Kent and myself.
Dr. Rudolph--Mr. Chairman, I would suggest, if you turn this over to the
