Report of the evidence in the case of John Stephen Bartlett, M.D. versus the Mass. Medical Society : as given before a committee of the legislature at the session of 1839.

Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the evidence in the case of John Stephen Bartlett, M.D. versus the Mass. Medical Society : as given before a committee of the legislature at the session of 1839. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    [The passage was read, which is as follows : But he his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high nvrds, that bore Semblance ofivorth, not substance, gently rais'd Their fainting courage, and dispelled their fears. Then strait commands that at the warlike sound Of trumpets loud and clarions he uprearcd His mighty standard ; that proud honor claimed Azazel as his right, a cherub tall: Who forthwith from the glittering staff unfurled The imperial ensign, which full high advanced, S hone like a meteor streaming to the wind, With gems and golden lustre rich emblazed, Seraphic arms and trophies: all the while Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds.] Dexter. What inference do you draw from the application of the term Azazel to yourself? Arts. That Milton did not understand Hebrew so well as myself; and that in making use of that word in my defence, (the word signify- ing the scape-goat upon whose head the high priest laid the sins of Israel, and sent him forth into the desert,) 1 meant to convey the idea, that I had no wish to bear off the accumulated sins of the Mass. Medi- cal Society upon my own solitary shoulders. I admit that the society acted in good faith in expelling me, under the by-laws. I told the society, I should persevere in violating the by- laws whenever I thought the good of mankind required. I would not violate my conscience or my religion. Dr. Shurtleff has given his sanction to quack medicine. I am not opposed to medical societies. I would not have quackery encouraged. I lost my practice among protestants in Boston, Salem and Marblehead, by my expulsion. I could not obtain a surgeon's post in the United States service, in con- sequence. Dr. Bartlett said he wished to lay before the Committee, the diplo- mas and other testimonials of Dr. Williams, but as they were in some confusion, to save time, he would, before another meeting, arrange therp in their proper order for presentation. Dr. Lewis asked permission to state, that he did not believe there was any connexion between his having taken an interest in Dr. Bart- lett at the time of his trial, and the loss of his office as demonstrator of anatomy at Harvard Medical College. Adjourned.