The Secretary read a letter from Dr. Louis W. Breck, Managing Editor of the journal "Southwestern Medicine, inviting the members of this Society to submit papers for publication.
Excerpts from correspondence of H.S. Mikesell, of the Pan-American Clinical Institute, were read by the Secretary, to acquainting the Society with the kind of service this individual is rendering the community.
The President declared the meeting in closed session, requesting those who were not members to leave the room. Report of the Censor's Committee regarding the case of N_____ vs. Lieberman was read by the secretary. The President called for a reading of the By-Laws pertaining to suspension or expulsion of a member, and this was done by the Secretary. Dr. Lieberman, who was present, stated--
"I did not know this particular action was coming. I appeared before the Board of Censors and stated what happened. I had always considered Mr. Joseph N_____ one of my closest personal friends. He went to one of the other doctors because I had not wanted to take care of him because of the personal element. He was extremely wealthy, several times a millionaire. When he became ill this last time he was at my home, a private party. I again asked him to go to another doctor. He insisted on my taking care of him. When he developed this extremely severe paid [i.e., pain ] I was called to see him three, four, five and six times a day and three or four times at night. He wanted me to take care of him solely, and give up the rest of my practice. The fee was set by Mr. N_____. I called every good man in town in the particular specialty that I could think of. I think there were at least eight or nine who saw him. All agreed that he had a malignancy, all agreed on the type of treatment. I told him privately I could see no reason for his collecting anything from the insurance company for anything except the injury from the accident itself. His son came and wanted me to sign some papers about this. I told him I could not put my name to anything more than the facts of the case. Of course I never made any derogatory remarks about the consultants. He became extremely hostile at this time because of the insurance company. I at no time billed him in any other way except at Mr. N_____' request, and when he did give me the check I said "Let us wait until you are better" and he said "No". I parted with Mr. N_____ in perfect amity and when I refused to write the kind of letters the son Gene wanted me to. I said "If your father feels he gave me a check under any kind of false pretenses I will give it back to him", but he would not let me see him. I can only state the facts of the case. I think it would be better if I walked out."
The President invited comments.
Dr. Harry Thompson moved that the recommendations of the Board of Censors be accepted. Motion was seconded by Dr. Stephens and carried.
Attention was drawn to the fact that the wording of these recommendations, in which the word "suspended" was used, would conflict with the By-Laws in that the member concerned would be eligible for reinstatement without reapplication for membership. Dr. Hayden spoke for the Board of Censors, saying "Unfortunately we did not read that particular sentence. It was our intention that he lose his membership for a period of two years at which time he could re-apply".
Dr. Shultz--"We are voting on whether we accept these recommendations, and if it carries 'Yes' or 'No', then he has to re-apply. Does he have to re-apply or automatically become a member again?"
