REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON A SANATORIUM FOR THE NERVOUS POOR. DR. FRANK K. HALLOCK, Cromwell, Chairman. About a month ago this Committee expected to have the pleasure and satisfaction of reporting that a State Sanatorium for the Nervous Poor was in process of becoming a reality. The Bill to establish a State Infirmary had been approved by the Committee on Humane Institutions and was known to have the support of Governor Lake, but the State Finance Commission reported that this year state funds will not be available for the project and the matter will unquestionably be referred to the next session of the Legislature. Assurances have been given your Committee that in case a State Infirmary is established a department for nervous cases will be organized. Your Committee therefore would suggest that it be continued in force with full expectation that two years from now its work will have been successfully accomplished. Respectfully submitted, FRANK K. HALLOCK, Voted, to accept the report and place it on file. Chairman. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH DR. EDWARD W. GOODENOUGH, Waterbury, Chairman. Dr. Goodenough made an oral report, that the Committee was at work, cooperating with the Council on Health and Public Instruction of the American Medical Association; that the results. accomplished did not warrant a complete report at this time; and requested that the Committee in its present or altered form be continued. Voted, to accept the report and place it on file. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION. DR. D. CHESTER BROWN, Danbury. Dr. Brown not present; report postponed until the next session. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL DR. WILLIAM H. DONALDSON, M.D., Fairfield, Chairman. To the Members of the Connecticut State Medical Society: Your Committee appointed to investigate the advisability of adopting medical defense for its members as an integral part of this Society beg to report as follows: The Committee has fully and carefully investigated the experience of the twenty-six or more states that have had medical defense for periods of five to fifteen years with universal satisfaction, none having repealed their action, and from the information obtained are unanimously of the opinion that it is highly advisable that this Society should provide for the defense of its members. against criminal suits for malpractice. First, because it tends to unify the profession and affords almost absolute protection against such claims. Second, because of the great benefit at a low cost. Third, because it will greatly strengthen the membership. Massachusetts provided defense for 3600 members for the first ten years at an average cost of fourteen cents per capita. Other states have had a similar experience. A few have found it more expensive. In a large majority of the states a tax of one dollar per capita has been found to be sufficient to meet all costs. With our small membership it may require an additional grant from the treasury for the first year or two if there should be several suits defended. Our strongest factor of defense will be that we are united for protection. Therefore we herewith offer a proposed amendment to the By-Laws. CHAPTER 8, Section 1.-Add after the words "A committee on honorary members and degrees" the following: "A Committee on Medical Defense." CHAPTER 8, Section 7.-The Committee on Medical Defense shall consist of three members, to be chosen by the House of Delegates at its annual meeting in 1921; one to be elected for one year, one to be elected for two years, and one to be elected for three years; and thereafter one member shall annually be elected for a term of three years. The Secretary of the Society shall be ex-officio a member of this committee and shall act as secretary of the committee on medical defense. It shall be the duty of the members of the committee on medical defense to investigate all claims for malpractice made against members; to take full charge of all cases which after investigation they have decided to be proper cases for defense, and prosecute such cases to the end, pay all costs of such defense, but they shall not pay nor obligate the Connecticut Medical Society to pay any judgment rendered against any member upon the final determination of any such case. They shall be empowered to contract with such agents or attorneys as they deem necessary. First. Members shall not be entitled to malpractice defense if the acts in the suit for which they make application for defense were committed prior to their admission to membership in this Society, or before enactment of this by-law. Second. A member in arrears with annual dues shall not be entitled to medical defense by the committee. Third. Members who have been dropped for non-payment of dues, if reinstated, shall not be entitled to malpractice defense for acts committed during the time they were not members of this Society. Fourth. Active members of the Society desiring to avail. themselves of the privileges of this act, shall make application therefor in writing to the Secretary of the Society with satisfactory proof of their membership in good standing. They shall also furnish the Secretary a complete and accurate statement of their connection with, and treatment of, the case upon which the charge of malpractice is based, giving dates of attendance, names and residence of nurses and other persons cognizant of facts and circumstances necessary to a clear and definite understanding of all matters in question and shall furnish such other relevant information and execute such papers as may be required of them by the Secretary or the attorney of the Society. Fifth. A member shall agree not to compromise any claim. against him, nor to make settlement in any manner without the advice or consent of the Society given through its attorney. Sixth. In the event that a member sued or threatened with suit shall without the advice or consent of the attorney of the Society, determine to settle or compromise any claim against him, he shall reimburse the Society for the expenses incurred in undertaking his defense and in default therefor, he shall be deprived of further privileges under this by-law. ALSO AMEND CHAPTER X, by adding in the third line after the words "House of Delegates" the following:-One dollar per capita shall be set aside and held by the Treasurer of the Society as a medical defense fund which may be drawn upon by vouchers from the Secretary of the Society, after being approved by the Chairman of the Committee on Medical Defense. WILLIAM H. DONALDSON, Chairman, ALFRED G. NADLER, Committee. Discussion regarding the use of the word "prosecute" (4th line, 2d paragraph, proposed section 7). Suggested to substitute the word "defend." Discussion regarding proposed amendment to Chapter X; opposition to further increase in the levied assessment was voiced; infrequency of malpractice suits in the State was emphasized; moral effect of the proposed activity of the Society in this respect was considered detrimental to the entering of malpractice suits. against members; provisions of present By-Laws were considered sufficient to defray any expenditures necessitated at present; advantages of a duly authorized attorney for the Society, as provided in this amendment, were emphasized. Voted, to accept the report; that the Secretary re-draft the proposed amendment to embody the suggestions offered, and that the re-drafted amendment be laid on the table for one day. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOSPITALS. DR. PHILIP W. BILL, Bridgeport, Chairman. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates: There have been no requests for information or help received by the Committee on Hospitals during the year and no meetings have been held. Respectfully submitted, PHILIP W. BILL, Voted, to accept the report and place it on file. Chairman. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF CONNECTICUT IN THE WORLD WAR. DR. FRANK H. WHEELER, New Haven, Chairman. Dr. Wheeler not present; report postponed until the next session. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH INSURANCE. DR. CHARLES J. FOOTE, New Haven, Chairman. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates: Your special committee on Health Insurance has held no meeting the past year. Inasmuch as the members of the committee have to come from considerable distances to attend the meeting, it was planned to hold only one meeting of the committee, and that to be called |