Medicine: Ford’s Hospital

A luncheon and clinic at the Henry Ford Hospital was arranged for all members of the Detroit Academy of Surgery. Invitations were issued. A very few members accepted. The arrangements were cancelled.

The objections of the Detroit surgeons to the Ford institution were:

“Alleged application of factory methods to the handling of patients. . . “Elimination of the personal relationship between physician and patient. . . .

“Refusal to take charity patients. . . .

“Uniform fees, said to impose burdens upon the poor and to render difficult the collection by private physicians or surgeons, of adequate fees from the rich. . . .

“Refusal of the institution to permit physicians or surgeons, other than staff members, to treat patients. . . .

“Alleged unethical advertising by pamphlets.”