w\42)5 \h~b\ m wwmmmm ■'i'/'j':'-'-. . J * ITS'*?* keport' ° *'i"'N°i' OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY, OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE THE SUBJECT OF A SECRET MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. NEW YORK. 1831. V4 lA4^3r This Secret Socitty Kappa Lambda^ with additional members, is still in active operation in this City, and continues to make the effort to control the Medical Institutions, and has become bold enough, by its success, to send in 1858 a delegate to the National Medical Association at Washington City. REPORT. The committee appointed to investigate the subject of the existence of a secret as- sociation of medical men in the city of New York, said to be for purposes derogatory to the profession, and injurious to the public, Report. That in undertaking the task assigned them, by the anthority of the Medical Society, they supposed it not improbable, that they would be subjected, to the secret enmity of some who might consider their interests affected by an investigation of the subject of this report. They were not prepared however for gross, and unprovoked insult, from any member of the secret association. They confess their mistake, and acknowledge that although moderate in their calculation, they had attributed too much, to the prudence and sense of decorum of certain of the profession. The committee have examined the subject committed to their investigation with caution and deliberation. Whilst under the influence of a desire to protect from un- just obloquy, they have been actuated by a paramount sense of duty to the Medical Society, and the profession, to state truth, derived from authentic sources of infor- mation, and to express opinions deemed fairly inferable from sure premises. It is to be understood. that an association of medical practioners was formed in this city about twelve years ago. Who may be strictly called the founders of it, we have been unable to learn. The number of the original members was but small; Doctors, Thomas Cock, Alex- ander H. Stevens, John C. Cheeseman, and some others belonged to it, at an early date. New members have since been carefully selected, and gradually introduced, according as they were found to be suitable in any way to promote the objects of the association. The following physicians are now members, viz : Doctors Thomas Cock. Alexander H. Stevens, John C. Cheeseman, Fraud? U. Johnson, Stephen Brown, Ansel W. Ives, D. Atkins. Benjamin Mc Vickar, Josiah 1). Harris, Peter C. Tappan, John K. Rodgers, Mar- 1yn Paine, M. Willet, J. L. Phelps, Stephen Hasbrouck, John Conger, S. W. Moore, J. W. Weed, A. Smith, G. Smith, J. M. Smith, I). 11'. Kissam, R. K. Hoffman, J. C. Bliss, N. II. Bering, John Torrey. There are a few more whose names were not suggested to the memory of our informant, one of the members of the association. Another member of the society, has insisted very strongly upon the circumstance that the institution is not "called Secret Association, but Kappa. Lambda, a branch of the Parent Society." The committee do not know whether there is any cabalistic meaning in this designation. If any gentleman shall feel curious on this part of the subject, we can only inform them, that it is composed of two letters of the Greek Alphabet, answering to k, and I, in English, and for further instruction, refer them to those members of the Association, who have been sufficiently educated, to know their name, and to explain its import. With, " Parent Society" or any other Societies external of New York—the plan upon which they may be conducted—the characters of their members—the principles upon which they are founded—or the abuses that have grown out of them, we claim no right to interfere. The independent establish- ment of New York, is amenable to the Medical Society of the city and county, and to it alone the committee shall conline its attention. The avowed objects of this Association, are the promotion of good fellowship among the members, and the advancement of medical science. The first may be readily al- lowed, and the means used for securing it. be lauded for ingenuity and aptness. In- deed never has the physiological fact, of the existence of a dose sympathy between the heart and stomach, been more experimentally proved. With regard to the sec- ond object we remark, that it cannot be s»> readily admitted. The members when questioned <>n this particular have hesitated, and have not given direct answers.— t Moos^lo 4 Moreover, besides that the evidence in Hb favor is deficient, your committee cannot be so uncharitable, or so unjust to the literary character of the gentlemen, as to sup- pose it possible that after having combined their wit for twelve years, at this day when the inquiry is made : What have you done as an Assocition for the cause ol science, and the honor of the profession ? Echo alone should be heard to answer. what ? Among other regulations of this association there exist the following prominent requirements, viz. Secrecy and Exdumveness. The former extending to the fact of the existence of the Institution, and to its proceedings ; whilst the latter is carried so far, as to exclude any candidate proposed who does not receive an unanimous vote, said vote being taken by ballot. Here it is evident.' that the honor of every medical gentleman in the city, is deeply concerned. If the persons composing this secret body, repose confidence in the integrity and judgment of each other, then every man who may be proposed a candidate, either with or without his consent, may have bis reputation marred in the opinion of the whole fraternity ; his rejection implying that something discreditable is known of him, by one or more of the members of the as- sociation. The Committee have been informed by the best authority, that fancy alone regulates the choice. No explanation is called for. or assigned for black-balling ;» candidate. Although it would seem from their own account, that the persons composing this association are not bound by oaths, to aid each other in their professional pursuits. yet it doth appear that the same purpose is answered by a combination based upon the principles that have been mentioned, and is fully secured by the following solemn pledge, which is acknowledged as part of their compact. " I------------do solemnly promise, that by all proper means, I will promote the professional respectability and welfare of the members of this association, and vindicate tlmr character! when unjustly apsail«d. and that I will not demand any pecuniary acknowl- edgment for such instruction as it may be convenient for me to afford to the son of any indigent member, as may be in the opinion of the society qualified by his previous education, and talents, and moral character, to become a respectable and useful mem- ber of the profession, but that / will afford such instruction gratuitously, in conjunction with the members of the society. We have thus an acknowledgment on the part of the association, that its member* are obligated to promote the professional respectability and welfare—to vindicate the character, and provide for the medical education of the posterity of each other. It is here to be remembered that the above extract is taken from an exparte communica- tion that was attempted to be introduced at the anniversary meeting of the medical society, but which was very properly rejected, ample opportunity having been af- forded to make explanations, before the appointment of the committee of investiga- tion. This has never been attempted by the members of the association, although the professional and private character of many of them had been assailad in a periodical publication called the Lancet, which terminated in a libel suit, brought by two physi- cians who had been wrongfully accused of belonging to a secret association of a dis- honorable character, but which the other gentlemen named in said publication, hav« never publicly noticed. It became therefore necessary that the medical society, the organ of the profession, and the guardian of itg honor and interests, should investi gate this matter. The committee cannot inform the society, whether the communication above' allu- ded to, contains the truth or the whole truth. Composed as it is of a quantity of use- lees and irrelative matter, that could not have been introduced for any other purpose than to blind and mislead, the pledge that has been extracted is the only portion ol it which is peculiar to the association as a distinct oody, and is sufficient to show the insidious character of the institution. This quality whilst it increases the injurious influence upon the interests of the profession, renders the liabilities of the members of the association upon exposure loss important and dangerous to them, than if they were bound by unlawful oaths to accomplish the same designs. Your Committee would observe that they respect some of the gentlemen belonging to the secret society, and can only account for the circumstance of their connection with it, by the fact that their unsuspecting integrity has led them to confide too im plicitly in the avowal of their more artful associates, or has blinded them as to the natural tendencies of an association like that under consideration. Yet it must he admitted that there are men of policy belonging to it. whose minds are not ol «... high an order ;•* to overlook the monopolizing effect* of their arrangements and 5 whose morals are not so high toned, as to prevent them from using a machinery of the kind to the disadvantage of their professional brethren, and their own personal aggrandizement. And we would here remark that this association is devoid of any quality, redeeming it from the opprobrium that has been attached to secret societies. The masonic institution, venerable for its antiquity, whose foundation is laid in a tublime and universal charity, recognizing as brethren, all classes, religions, and condi- tions of men—extending to them the right hand of fellowship, and aiding and com- forting them in their necessities, distresses and extremities—even this society has met with opposition, because in order to accomplish a great good, it has bees, undei the necessity of adopting a requirement, considered by some an imperfectiou of the system, and rendering it obnoxious to public censure. What then must every intel- ligent and generous-minded man, think of an association for which no such ennobling apology can be made, but which adding the odious feature of delusiveness, to the suspicious characteristic of secrecy, offers nothing satisfactory in extenuation, and for which no spirit of allowance can offer any other explanation than this, viz :— That it originated in selfishness, and has been continued, for the purpose of advancing the pecuniary interests of and making professional reputation for, its members, with- out submitting t > fair and open competition, which decided talents and honorable minds never wish to avoid. As your Committee has thus candidly expressed an opinion on the subject, it will be proper to enter more into detail, and to show how it has arrived at its conclusions, and would commence by stating that no other explanations are in accordance v. irli the modes of this Association. It is true, that since the discovery of its existence, an attempt has been made by persons implicated, to represent it as solely devoted to professional improvement, and as a club of individuals associated for the encourage- ment of the amiable feelings of our nature, to be secured by intimacy. But it is im- possible for a mind of ordinary perception, at all acquainted with the world, and accustomed to reflection, to be satisfied with an explanation so deficient and inade- quate. Were the objects such as have been alleged, why have gentlemen been exclu- ded, whose known reputation for practical skill, and scientific research, was a suffi- cient guarantee to the members of the club, that by a communion with thejM they might have acquired useful knowledge, and furthered their honorable design of improving the profession? And how has it happened, that the Association has not called to its aid many physicians much respected in this community for their gentle- manlike manners, their irreproachable and unsuspected professional and private character, and who might have furnished a good example of religious and moral virtue, and materially contributed to the promotion of the other laudable, amiable and generous purpose ? The Committee find these questions more difficult to answer, when they consider the difference in the ages, education, associations, morals and manners of the persons composing the Secret Club. Tt may perhaps be urged that as its members are of one way of thinking on the subject of the present policy in relation to medical education, in order to continue its harmony, it could not admit gentlemen whose sentiments were not fully understood to be in accordance with the unanimous feeling of the Association It is sufficient to reply, that several physicians, distinguished for their professional attainments, and particularly remarkable for their devotion to that policy which has resulted in the establishment of the present system of medical education, and moreover whose active exertions and extensive influence, was greatly instrumental in accomplishing the present order of things, have not been deemed fit characters to be introduced into this good society. In endeavoring to account for this slight of these personal and po- litical friends, your Committee cannot but conclude, that the superior talents, and independence of character which would have led these gentlemen to take rank ac- cording to their supportable pretensions, rendered their admission dangerous to the factitiously important, though intrinsically insignificant power controlling the insti- tution, and dispensing its benefits. Having thus attempted to solve the mystery of the formation of the secret ami exclusive association, it remains to investigate its tendencies, and to point out the evils resulting to the profession and the public from its existence in the community : and these the Committee consider of so grievous a character, as to call for the ani- madversion of the Medical Society. By its influence in curtailing a free intercourse with the profession at large, it pro- duces in the minds of its members, a false estimate of tbeir own characters, and an erroneous impression of the characters of those who are uninitiated into their myste- ries. This is not only a natural consequence, but may be directly effected by iiiibiep- 6 leaentations made at their meetings, by some evil-minded member, whose mean spirit, shielded bv the security of secrecy) does not hesitate to make statements unli- able to disproof," and for which he is not responsible. An impression can thus be made on the minds of those present, which may remain ever afterwards, unfavorable to the partv thus basely slandered. The injurious effects thus produced are recipro- cal. For when men of weak minds have been rendered vain and arrogant, unless 1 Ley have great power of concealment, they are apt to carry out their feelings in an *ssuming and contemptuous behavior, towards their equals and superiors. Now with a body of men so skilled in human nature as the medical profession, and !so much governed by common sense, we venture to assert that nothing renders a man more justlv contemptible and entirely ridiculous. The disrespect thus engendered and mutually felt may be transferred from the profession to the public, and may finally eventuate in degrading the profession so low as almost to preclude the possibility of its ever regaining its pristine rank and respectability. An association like the one under consideration, is also to be reprobated, inasmuch as it tends to an unjust monopoly of the emoluments and honors of the profession : the more advanced and powerful appropriating the consultations and wealthy prac- tice, whilst to the juniors and less influential is granted that which is less lucrative, and to which the former cannot attend. Advantages like these can be easily secured by an association of men practising an art which is a mystery to the public, without supposing them individually to be possessed of more than ordinary capacity.' We observe that even instinct has taught certain animals of comparative weakness and stupidity, the necessity of combination in warding off the attacks of the more power- ful. Hence by putting their heads together, and keeping close and compact, they secure themselves against encroachment, and chew the cud in safety. There are oth- ers of a more offensive nature, who range in squads, and who sometimes succeed by an united attack in dragging down noble game. They are however particularly fond of a certain kind of flesh. To the profession the Committee would give warning, by reminding them of the Spanish proverb: "If you make sheep of yourselves the wolves will eat you up." But to be more serious; your Committee do consider a combination of men so well calculated to create a monopoly in the profession, as op- posed to the spirit of the excellent code of medical ethics adopted by the Medical Society, and destructive to the etiquette, which in a refined community has ever governed the physician and gentleman. An association of the magnitude of the club under consideration, by acting in con- cei t, by accepting favors from other physicians, who act in good faith, and not recip- rocating them, can collect a much larger portion' of public patronage, and wield a much greater influence than they are justly entitled to by their real merit. The extent of the effect produced in this way in the case, before us, the profession alone can judge of, and fully appreciate, llie following fact being palpable is suffi- cient to produce the conviction that there is truth and not suspicion in what has been alleged. It is this—Almost all the professional offices in the city of New York, lead- ing to practice and conferring reputation are monopolized by the Secret Association, For example. In the New York Hospital, the attending physicians and surgeons are Drs. Thomas Cock, John C. Cheesemun, Prune is U. Johnson, Alexander II. Stevens, John K. Rodgers, J. M. Smith, and Valentine Mott. Dr. Mott was appointed a surgeon of the Hospital befora the formation of the Secret Club, of which we are happy to state he is not a member. In the New York City Dispensary, we have as consulting phy- sicians, Drs. John C. Cheesenum, Francis P. Johnson, A/c:under H. Stevens, S. W. Moon, and John A. Smith. This last gentleman, we have been told, was formerly a member of the Secret Association, but lately retired from it. The physicians of the l.ying-in Kstablishment are, with two exceptions, members of the New York Kappa Lambda. 1 he following are their names, Drs Thomas Cock. Fntnris P. Johnson, Peter C. Tappan, J. ('. Bliss. A. W. Ices. Benjamin McVickar. (i. Smith, IJersey Bailies. C. Wilkes 'The last two are not members. One of the physicians of the Magdalen Asylum, (Stephen Brown,) is a member of the Secret Club. He has also within a few years past enjoyed the important situations of physician to the Alms House, and attending physician to the New York Hospital. In the Medical College in Barclav street, before the demise *.t the Ute President, at one time the Secret Club had in possession four professorships and the presidency of the institution. Of the medical trustees two thirds are members of i he Secret Association. * It is bui ^oper to remark that, the offices of Resident Physician and Health Com- missioner ai- mt held by members of the Association. But it must be recollected that ihev?jtiwtiojW'^/W/./Mtf*aivc.»Iil«.rretl upon those medical gentlemen who have political claims upon the dominant party of the !■ jtate, which makes ments The circumstance of the Association misf jng those offices is ,neRe appoint- derstood and explained. . ^ence easily un- The Committee are of opinion that the pub ric good is very with by the existence of secret, exclusive, and m Mtuaj benefit me<' materially interfered munity Not to mention the useless consuWtf ms withe up ,xlcal clubs in the com- them both of which effects the disposition ot- --fcue Uiem' ^necessary numbers invited to and patronize each other, is calculated to produce, it ->&r\ of tht*e c]ubs to oblige who fall into their hands, may be reduce-'^ Xf, such ? "^ happen that the patients tation necessary. If your Committee a^erstar ' t fv extremity as to render a consul- not intended to be merely the asse «' %( f the nature of a consultation, it ,s order to avoid responsibility, and ' J?*^ti +f ether of men, who see eye to eye, in ■ wmild rather iudge, that their v * mPr( ^ the expenses ot medical attendance, but I free ™ terchangV of the op ^*? » reference- to patients, mainly depends upon would not be so much imp.- ..*n«>ns of my of skill, and independent minds, who w, fl, to forget the most ' jSsed Wlth a deference for each other, or their own inter- enmstahces a consultat; important concern, the patient's safety. Under other cir- T eases reauiring s L°n 1S a mere farc e> lf nothing worse. A frit It often -drgical operations, the evils of these Associations may be seri- ,ousiyie ; t .happens that gentlemen of the profession are asked.to recom- m vv Wh "° decide UP011 the propriety of an operation, and to perform it if necessaiy. an W(i leam thkt a j^ti^g,,! 0f our citjv celebrated at home and abroad, wi u A correct judgment in surgery—for the boldness and safety of his opera- VODfv. Tr "*0t belonS to the Secret Association of New York, how can we account tor the cir rumstance, unless by supposing that he is either not properly appreciated by the men ^bers, or else that envy at his distinguished reputation has excluded him'! In -either e*s ig apt to be most predominant. It is not only the duty of individuals, to strive as much as possible, against the absorbing influence of this passion, but it par- ticularly becomes the duty of communities to prevent this debasing propensity of our nature, from interfering too much with their interests, and the public good. Your Committee would therefore recommend to the Medical Society the publication of this report, in order to neutralize the effects of the Secret Association, by informing the public of its existence and tendencies. At the same time, they would recommend to the members of the profession, a close observation of the traits of character, and the conduct of the members of the Secret Club, so that, if possible, to distinguish the man who has been imposed upon, from him of mean and selfish views, and artful character. The former the Committee would advise to leave the Association as soon as possible. Of the latter they would say to the profession : " Hie nujer est hutic hi covet o.'' PHILIP E. MILLEDOLER, M. D. FELIX PASCALIS, M. D. ABRAHAM D. WILSON, M. D HANS R. GRAM, M. D. Published by order of the Medical Society, F. WINTHROP WALSH, M. D. Recording Secretary. This Report was approved by the Medical Society almost unanimously, which consisted of 290 Physicians. I I