An examination of the diploma showed it to be a genuine document, duly signed and sealed; but the atmosphere of doubt which had gradually enveloped the case, caused the Secretary to reply that he had no authority to issue a certificate until the letters of recommendation were received: that if the applicant knew no professional men in the United States, it would be necessary to wait until he could obtain letters from Germany, adding that the BOARD had been already imposed upon by men who were graduates, but who turned out to be professional scoundrels." To this letter no reply was received, and nothing more was heard of “Dr. Lüders," until October, 1881, when he wrote (on the 15th,) from Collinsville, in Madison county, inclosing letters of recommendation purporting to be from reputable practitioners, and asking that the certificate be sent to him at once, as he proposed to practice in Collinsville. A certificate was finally issued to him on November 1, 1981-over two years after his first application-but even now with some hesitation, notwithstanding the presentation of a genuine diploma from "a medical institution in good standing," a certificate of attendance upon lectures, and endorsem nts as to moral and professional character. The certificate of the BOARD and his unscrupulous methods enabled Lüders to obtain considerable practice in Collin-ville; but his steady avoidance of the medical men of the place, together with the stories which were circulated concerning his practice, aroused Suspicion, which was further strengthened by the discovery that he was receiving letters under another name. This suspicion was finally proved well-founded by the receipt of a letter by Charles P. Ochsner, of Collinsville, who had written to the dean of the medical faculty of the University at Göttingen, inquiring concerning the diploma of Dr. Luders. Prof. Leber, the dean, replied that Heinrich Andreas Lūders, of Riffenbrück, in the Duchy of Braunschweig, after completing his literary studies at the University of Erlangen, was graduated in medicine from the University of Göttingen, on the 15th of May, 1866: that he returned to his native place, Riffenbrück, where he practiced his profession until his death, in November, 1878, being then about 39 years old; and that the diploma presented to the ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF HEALTHI must have been fraudulently obtained, and the possessor was undoubtedly an imposter. Meanwhile occasion had been found to caution some of the correspondents of the BOARD concerning the fellow, and when the statements of Prof. Leber were communicated to the Secretary, it was determined to make an example of him. It was decided to proseente him for felony under the 13th section of the Medical Practice Act; but in order to do this successfully it was deemed advisable to secure the diploma as evidence. Unfortupately, before this could be done, the sham doctor took the alarm and left for puits unknown two days before the Secretary's arrival in Collinsville. It has since been learned that his proper name is Lambrecht, and that he is a barber by trade; but how he became possessed of the real Dr. Lūders' diploma and other papers has not yet been ascertained. The letters of recommendation which he finally forward ed are pronounced forgeries. He appeared at one of the colleges in Cincinnati during the session of 1882-3; but, upon publication of the above facts and of the BOARD'S action in revoking his certificate, he was identified, and soon thereafter disappeared. Report of Committee on Secretary's Recommendations: The committee to which was referred the Secretary's quarterly report submitted the following: MR. CHARMAN: The committee appointed to consider the various subjects discussed, and suggestions and recommendations made in the quarterly report of the Secretary, beg leave to state that, having duly considered the same, they regard the several suggestions therein contained as timely and wise, and recommend their approval and adoption by the BOARD. A. L. CLARK, The following committees were then appointed in accordance with the Secretary's recommendations, on the subjects mentioned: On Prevalent Preventable Diseases-John H. Rauch, John McLean, R. Ludlam, A. L. Clark, W. A. Haskell. On Sanitary Code-Newton Bateman, John M. Gregory, John H. Rauch. The communication to county commissioners and the circular on vaccination suggested in the Secretary's report were also authorized. At 4:30 P. M. the BOARD adjourned to pay its respects to the Governor, meeting again at 7 P. M. for the informal consideration of sundry matters connected with the Medical Practice Act and with the current sanitary work. At 10 P. M. the auditing committee reported that it had examined the various accounts submitted, and had found the same to be correct. Adjourned. ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1982. To State Treasurer: STATE BOARd of Health, Dr. Amount of regular appropriation. July 1, 1881 Amount of special appropriation (contingent epidemie fund).. To Treasurer of the Board: Unexpended balance on hand October 1, 1881*. ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED At the date of the Treasurer's last report (see page xxxii, Fourth Annual Report,) the balance on hand was $457.51; but out of this there was subsequently pald $285.00 for indebtedness incurred in the fiscal year ended September 30, 181-as shown in the Treasurer's report hereto appended. This left $172.51 the net balance in the Treasurer's hands, available for the fiscal year 1881-82. Including amounts paid for postage express charges, railroad fares, hotel bills, and all other expenses incidental to the meetings of the BOARD. REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE ILLINOS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED Sep TEMBER 20, 1883. To the President and Members of the Illinois State Board of Health: GENTLEMEN:-Your treasurer begs leave to present the following report of the receipts and expenditures of his office for the period commencing with the date of his last annual report, October 1, 1881, and ended September 30, 1882. GENERAL ACCOUNT-DR. Balance on hand to credit of general account, Sept. 30, 1881...... $457 51 1881 April 1882 Sept. 1881 Oct. 1882 Paid by order of the BOARD...... 15 F. E. Taliafero, clerical services, July, August.. September, 1881. $215 60 April 14 Dr. J. H. Rauch, office expenses, for October, 1881.. November, 188!. 25 00 11 50 7 60 $834 GO February, 1882. 33 45 Isham & Prentice, rent, Chicago office, March, April, May, 1882. Balance in my hands, September 30, 1882. 22 25 56 85 August, 1882. 95 55 84 36 |