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 / [John Stephen Bartlett].

  • Bartlett, John Stephen, 1812-1840.
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 / [John Stephen Bartlett]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    could. I had abundance of time allowed me for my defence. There is no rule of the society by which I could compel a Fellow to give his testimony. I think the tendency of the society’s operations unpropi- tious. In my opinion, its influence would have ruined any young man who should have aided me at my trial. The counsellors decided to submit the case to the society at large, which was done in May, 1836. A report of my trial is contained in the Boston Medical Journal, of June 8, 1836. This report I consider full and impartial. Question by Mr. Greene. Do you rely upon the language attributed to Dr. Peirson in that report as proof of the charge contained in the tenth allegation of your memorial ? Dr. Bartlett. I do. I consider the words used by Dr. Peirson as there reported, to contain substantially the meaning which I have at¬ tributed to them. The effects and influence of my expulsion have been highly injurious to my character and prospects. Medical gentlemen have refused to consult with me, and I have lost prospective practice. My degree from Harvard College has been of no service to me since my expulsion. I have now no right which any loafer may not enjoy. My diploma is of no use to me here. The influence of the Medical Society is to crush a man down, and render him worse than dead. Since my expulsion, I have received attentions from members of the Mass. Medical Society as a gentleman, but not as a professional man. I find no difference of deportment in the former case; in the latter, I do. I have had to struggle to sustain myself. I have had no wealthy friends upon whom I could lean. I received nothing as a compensation for my services as an editor of the Pilot. I rely upon my professional services for support. I find it necessary to follow other pursuits for a livelihood. No complaint of mal-practice was ever preferred against me; but I have received many second-hand compliments for professional skill. I know of none who ever impeached my medical practice. There is a by-law of the Mass. Medical Society which makes it un¬ lawful for a member to offer to cure disease by the use of a secret medicine. He is bound to make known all his discoveries in medical science for the general good. There is no division of fees among the members of the society. Each receives and enjoys his own. The fee-bill is local in its laws and operations. A young man must join the Mass. Medical Society to be received and enjoy consultation, unless he is a graduate of the Medical School of Harvard College. It is the same with any distinguished foreign