TIBBITS (Herbert) d. 1907: Correspondence, minutes, pamphlets etc. re Dr. Herbert...

RCP-LEGAC/2411/93. Notes on reports on Electropathic Belt, in publications The Hawk 9 Aug. 1892 and Chemist & Druggist 23 July 1892.

94. Pamphlet: The treatment of disease by the prolonged application of currents of electricity of low power, by Herbert Tibbits M.D.etc. Together with a report by Arthur Harries M.D. etc. Aug.- Sept. 1892.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/95. "The treatment of disease by the application of currents of electricity of low power for lengthened periods". Reprinted from the last edition of Dr. Tibbits's work on "Massage, Electricity, and allied methods of Treatment," 1892. (34 pp.)

RCP-LEGAC/2411/96. Dr. James Cagney. Manuscript letter to Sir Andrew Clark stating that a prosecution was being brought against C.B. Harness on the part of the Electrical Review; that it had the support of Lord Kelvin and Sir David Salomons; that if Harness were to be cross-examined as to his whole system, much money would be required for the conduct of the trial and a fund had been started; that the medical profession was being criticised for doing nothing; and that he had been asked to be Secretary of the fund and wanted advice whether as a Member of the College he ought to accept. 16 Jan. 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/97. Edward Liveing. Copy of letter to Herbert Tibbits stating that the attention of the Censors had been called to Mr. Harness' advertisements and those of the Medical Harness Company, in some of which his name was used; stating that he was contravening Resolution of the College in giving such Testimonials; that he had been misrepresented as a Fellow of the College; and asking for an explanation. 2 Feb. 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/98. Copy of Manuscript letter from Herbert Tibbits to Dr. Liveing expressing surprise at the attitude of the Censors Board; stating that as author of standard work on medical electricity it was his duty to investigate claims advanced by any inventor; that Mr. Harness had published his report on his experiments and the College had no right to interfere; that Mr. Harness would be prepared for the College to do their own investigation of his experiments; that he was not responsible for a newspaper describing him as Fellow; and that the College had been misled by busybodies and should consult his one time colleague at the West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Dr. Heron.

4 Feb. 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/99. Original of above.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/100. Dr. Liveing. Letter to Censors of R.C.P. enclosing copy of letter he wrote to Herbert Tibbits by the direction of the Board, and his reply; and copy of the advertisements referred to and copy of Resolution of the College. 7 Feb. 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/101. William Howship Dickinson. Manuscript letter to ... ? stating that Dr. Tibbits's letter was that of an angry man with other quarrels on his hands; that Mr. Harness' apparatus might be excellent, but the point was whether Dr. Tibbits had given him a laudatory certificate. 8 Feb. 1893

RCP-LEGAC/2411/102. George Buchanan. Manuscript letter to Dr. Liveing returning papers re Dr. Tibbits, and stating Dr. Tibbits seemed not to understand that it was his duty to defer to the judgement of the College. 10 Feb. 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/103. Dr. Walter Cheadle. Manuscript letter to George Buchanan transmitting documents re Dr. Herbert Tibbits. 11 Feb. 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/104. Copy of correspondence with Dr. Tibbits. Including:- Manuscript letter from Dr. Liveing to Dr. Tibbits informing him his reply had not been satisfactory, and requiring him to attend Meeting of Censors' Board. 18 Feb. 1893.

Dr. Tibbits. Manuscript letter to Dr. Liveing objecting to being asked for a certificate of Receipt of his letter; asking for copy of Laws or Regulations entitling him to write to him as he had done; and stating he considered his letter a great impertinence. 20 Feb. 1893.

Dr. Liveing. Manuscript letter to Dr. Tibbits enclosing copy of Charter of Incorporation of the College and of Bye-Laws and Regulations relating to Licentiates; regretting he thought the signing of the receipt as a sign of distrust of himself, and assuring him that the President and Censors also had to sign similar receipts of summonses to attend Censors' Board. 21 Feb. 1893.

Dr. Tibbits. Manuscript letter to Dr. Liveing stating that he could not consent to be bound by any Bye-Laws after August 1865 when he obtained his Licence; that his Report to Mr. Harness was not "laudatory" in any unworthy sense, nor misleading; that he adhered to every word of the Report; and that he would attend the Censors' Meeting, although being extremely deaf he might not profit from it. 22 Feb. 1893. Dr. Tibbits to Dr. Liveing, informing him that Messrs. Pulvermacher, manufacturers of "Electro-Curative Bands, Belts, and Pocket batteries were advertising that they had received testimonials from three Physicians to the Queen and more than fifty members of the College, and asking whether the President and Censors had summoned them as they had summoned him. 24 Feb. 1893.

Dr. Liveing. Manuscript letter to Dr. Tibbits stating that he knew of no testimonial by any Fellow of the College published by Mr. Pulvermacher, and asking him to submit any Fellow or Member published by him and praising his appliances; that the College would take similar action as in his case, and that normally the Fellow or Member would plead ignorance of the Resolution and try to obtain a withdrawal; that in his case he had adopted a different tone and hence his summons before the Board; and that he had written to Mr. Pulvermacher and received an apology. 24 Feb. 1893

Dr. Tibbits to Dr. Liveing. Manuscript letter enclosing cuttings from Messrs. Pulvermacher's publications, and declining to investigate them; stating that if they were true they were analagous to his Report published by Mr. Harness; & stating that he was in no way bound by the Resolution which might have been passed after the Testimonials given to Messrs. Pulvermacher, and was only passed by a mere percentage of the College. 25 Feb. 1893.

Advertisement for Pulvermacher's World Famid Galvanic Appliances giving names of those from whom Testimonials had been received. With note that acknowledgement was sent to the above, and the following letter; and that Dr. Liveing had called on Dr. Tibbits to say the summons was cancelled for that day to give President and Censors opportunity to consider the numerous letters following his original reply.

Dr. Tibbits to Dr. Liveing. Manuscript letter enclosing letter he wrote to The Lancet; and stating Mr. Harness paid him a fee to experiment with and report upon his electrical appliances; that his report was a true one, and Mr. Harness was within his legal rights in publishing it. 27 Feb. 1893.

N'paper cutting from Lancet: Letter to Editors of the Lancet to Dr. Tibbits stating that as the author of a standard work on electricity it had been his duty to investigate Mr. Harness' appliances; that he had investigated and reported on the apparatus but not attempted to express an opinion on their therapeutic value; challenging them to find other such perfect machines as Mr. Harness possessed; and repudiating suggestions he was insensible to the honour of the profession. 11 Oct. 1892.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/105. Draft Manuscript letter from Dr. Liveing to Mr. Roscoe asking his advice with respect to the validity of the pleas put forward by Dr. Tibbits; stating that Dr. Tibbits had connected himself with Mr. Harness of Electropathic Belt notoriety and put his name to his advertisements; that Mr. Tibbits reply to his letter on behalf of the Censors had not been satisfactory; that he had been summoned to a Meeting of the Censors' Board; that both letter and spirit of the Resolution passed by the College had been infringed; and requesting his advice on the correspondence and papers relating to the case. 23 Feb. 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/106. Copy of letter, unsigned, from Sir George Buchanan to Dr. Liveing stating that though the College did not have statute or Bye-Law to meet Dr. Tibbit's case, they should do something in the way of a rebuke; and setting out several admonitary Resolutions. 5 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/107. George Buchanan. Original of above letter.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/108. Opinion of W.H. Dickinson that Dr. Tibbits should be judged solely by the Resolution of July 1882; that the Resolution was not penal but only an expressin of disapproval on the part of the College; that Dr. Tibbits had brought himself within the scope of the Resolution by his conduct; that his claim to be exempt from resolutions passed since the date of his Diploma was not valid; and that it seemed to him Dr. Tibbits should be summoned and told authoratively that the college disapproved of his conduct. March 1893. With note by George Buchanan that he was of Dr. Dickinsons opinion as to the proper course for the Censors' Board to take; only he would prefer not to communicate to the journals the information he would give to the College. 6 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/109. George Buchanan. Manuscript letter to ... stating he was inclined to ignore [Dr. Tibbit's] subsequent letters since they were written in an hysterical fashion and repeating what he thought the best course. 6 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/110. George Buchanan. Manuscript letter to Dr. Liveing pointing out that Bye-Law 49 which contemplated "misconduct" other than infringement of Bye-Laws and enquiry by the Censors into such conduct; that "admonition" would follow; that no Bye-Laws and Regulations could be carried into effect since these were concerned with infringement, and infringement was in question; and urging that the Censors in the exercise of their corrective powers should "admonish, rebuke and reprimand", which was enough on that occasion. 7 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/111. Opinion of Sir Henry Pitman re case of Dr. Tibbits. 8 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/112. Another copy of above.

2411/113. Statement of Claim by Dr. Herbert Tibbits plaintiff, against Messrs. Woolf and Hayman, Proprietors of newspaper "Siftings", Defendants, in the High Court of Justice, Queens' Bench Division. 8 March 1893. (Printed).

RCP-LEGAC/2411/114. Notes of Consultation with Mr. Roscoe, 10 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/115. Another copy of above.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/115a. Dr. Liveing. Manuscript letter to Sir George Buchanan stating that he had been uneasy about censuring Dr. Tibbits under the present charge and had written to Sir Henry Pitman who then discussed the matter with him; and enclosing opinion which he had submitted to the President and Censors, all of whom, apart from Dr. Dickinson, agreed to act as Sir Henry suggested. 9 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/116. Sir Andrew Clark. Manuscript letter to Senior Censor enclosing further opinion of College Solicitor on case of Dr. Tibbits, and asking him to forward it to second Censor. 18 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/117. William Howship Dickinson. Manuscript letter to Dr. Priestley enclosing Lawyer's advise with regards to Dr. Tibbits and expressing opinion they ought to act on it. 19 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/118. Copy of letter from Edward Liveing to Dr. Tibbits stating he had called on him to cancel the summons to the Censors' meeting because of the numerous letters received from him since the issue of the Summons; that the Censors had since had an opportunity to consider them; and that he was instructed to summon him to attend a meeting on 7 April. 25 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/119. Dr. Priestley. Opinion of Dr. Priestley stating that the Resolutions adopted by the College should be regarded as illustrations or amplifications of the Bye-Laws; that if any Fellow or Member or Licentiate of the College acted in an unprofessional way and disregarded the Resolutions this could be considered a breach of the Bye-Law with reference to proper Social conduct; that Dr. Tibbits had violated the resolutions of July 1882 and broken Bye-Law CLXXXVIII; that the legal opinion should be communicated to him by the President; and that he could not escape the penalties of violating the Bye-Laws or Resolutions passed by the College. March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/120. Dr. Cheadle. Dr. Cheadle's Opinion that Dr. Tibbits had acted in a manner contrary to the Resolution of 27 July 1882; that though the Resolution was not binding, such expression of opinion by the College condemned his conduct as unprofessional; that the case was within the scope of Bye-Law 188, and that Dr. Tibbits should be summoned before the Censors. [March 1893].

RCP-LEGAC/2411/121. Portion of printed circular re case pending between respective proprietors of the Medical Review and Science Siftings on the one hand and Medical Battery Company on the other; with names of those forming [a Committee to investigate the Case]. Spring 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/122. Statement of position of the Censors' Board in relation to charge against Dr. Tibbits. 7 April 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/123. Portion of above.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/124. Copy of Manuscript letter from Dr. Liveing to Dr. Tibbits stating he had been summoned before Censors' Board on charge of giving laudatory certificates in favour of the Electropathic appliances of the Medical Battery Company Ltd; that the Censors' Board more particularly rested its charge on extract from letter to Mr. Harness printed on wrapper of pamphlet circulated by the Medical Battery Co.; that the Censors' Board had concluded he had acted in unprofessional manner in giving certificate to Mr. Harness; that delay had been given him to make his submission to the Board; that in default of a submission the College would deal with him as it thought fit; that he had protested against the decision; that the Censors' Board was the Court duly appointed to hear and decide such cases, and the case would not be reheard before the College. 10 April 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/125. Dr. Tibbits. Manuscript letter to Dr. Liveing enclosing Statement of Claim. 21 April 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/126. Portion of printed letter from C.B. Harness, President, Medical Battery Co. Ltd. to President and Council of the Royal Society, hoping to engage the interest of the Society in the Electropathic Belt. [1893 ?].

RCP-LEGAC/2411/127. William Howship Dickinson. Manuscript letter to Dr. Liveing stating the President's address to Dr. Tibbits would have rested on firmer ground if he had accused him of acting in a manner of which the College disapproved, rather than in an "unprofessional manner" since to say that the giving of laudatory certificates was unprofessional was a wide statement; asking what the Surgeons and Apothecaries said on the matter; drawing a distinction between acting contrary to their practices, and acting contrary to the resolutions and practice of R.C.P.; and stating that the accusation of being "unprofessional" was the weak part of their attack, though its use had been needed to bring Dr. Tibbits under the Bye-Law. 15 May 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/128. Statement by Dr. Tibbits - 16 May [1893].

RCP-LEGAC/2411/129. Dr. Liveing. Manuscript letter to William Howship Dickinson, agreeing with his objection to the term "unprofessional" but stating it was necessary to bring Dr. Tibbits under terms of Bye-Law 188; stating Dr. Tibbits had First been charged with violating a Resolution of the College against giving laudatory certificates but his plea against that was thought to be valid and therefore he had to be charged with acting in unprofessional manner; that he had consulted with Henry Pitman who took the same view; that a summons was issued to Dr. Tibbits reciting the charge in its new form; and that the words "acting in an unprofessional manner" were a technical expression conveniently inclusive; and that he did not think there could be any reference to the Surgeons and Apothecaries. 18 May 1893

(Remainder of letter missing).

RCP-LEGAC/2411/130. William Howship Dickinson. Manuscript letter to Dr. Liveing stating that he recollected the original charge being taken away from the Resolutions and placed under the Bye-Law; that the College must be guided by the Resolutions though they did not have the effect of a Bye-Law; that Dr. Tibbits had done what the College disapproved of, if not prohibited, that Dr. Tibbits disputed the authority of the Censors' Board and the College could not fail to deal with him, either by extracting an absolute submission or by turning him out, otherwise the objection to laudatory certificates would fall to the ground. 20 May 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/131. H.C.R. Sharman, Secretary, The Medical Battery Co. Ltd. Manuscript letter [to Dr. Liveing ?] stating that Dr. Tibbits' relations with them had been purely those of client and expert; that he had been paid a fee for examining their appliances; that he had been the victim of an attack intended for them; that beyond loaning Dr. Tibbits a certain sum in connection with his law suit he had received no benefit from them; and that they regretted bringing him into collision with the College. 21 June 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/132. Statement by Dr. Tibbits, Founder of, and for 14 years Senior Physician to the West End Hospital, Welbeck St. London, to the Patrons, Patronesses and Governors. [Post June 1893]. (Printed).

RCP-LEGAC/2411/133. Portion of minutes of meeting of Censors' Board, signed by Sir Andrew Clark. 7 July 1893. (Printed)

RCP-LEGAC/2411/134. Dr. Priestley (2nd censor) statement that he concurred in thinking they should take the advice of their solicitor and summon Dr. Tibbits before the Censors' Board with note by 3rd and 4th Censors, George Buchanan and Dr Cheadle that they concurred. 20 March 1893

RCP-LEGAC/2411/135. Dr. Edward Liveing. Portion of the letter stating that if Stock Exchane could make a load that no member should advertise, then surely the College could decree that anyone using their Licence to promote the trade of a scoundrel like Harness was guilty of conduct unworthy of their profession; and adding that he had propsed to the President to have Mr. Roscoe at next Censors' Board Meeting. [1893]

RCP-LEGAC/2411/136. Resolutions of the Censors' Board, judging that Dr. Tibbits in giving a laudatory certificate had offended against the resolution of the College; and admonishing Dr. Tibbits and directing the Registrar to report to the College Dr. Tibbits' offence.

In hand of George Buchanan. [1893]

RCP-LEGAC/2411/137. Notes on procedure to be taken by Censors' Board in case of Dr. Tibbits. [1893]

RCP-LEGAC/2411/138. Portion of printed circular letter signed by C.B. Harness, President of Medical Battery co. Ltd, stating that a Court of Law was not a Fair arena for a scientific conflict; that electrical or medical experts could be briefed for either side, or be biased in support of their own paper; that medical men were difficult about appearing in a Court of Law in support of any new method of treatment; and that no curative process was universally successful and patients could be produced in support of either view. 6 March 1893.

RCP-LEGAC/2411/139. Suggestions by Registrar (Dr. Liveing) & Dr. Tibbits. [1893]