Banner Graphic, Volume 12, Number 74, Greencastle, Putnam County, 3 December 1981 — Page 4

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The Putnam County Banner-Graphic, December 3,1981

Home birthing

Controversy stirs in medical profession leaving unanswered questions

c. 1981 N.Y. Times News Service NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - A disciplinary proceeding here against an upstate doctor has focused attention on a controversy over the practice of “home birthing," a relatively small but growing area of medical practice. The controversy involves expectant mothers, who want their children born at home, and physicians and hospital administrators who favor births in hospitals. Each side believes its way is safer. The mothers also say they want a maximum of emotionally satisfying family involvement and a minimum of "intervention” by medical professionals. The proceeding was brought against Dr George A Wootan of Kingston, who specializes in deliveries at home and whose license was temporarily suspended by the state following allegations of “deficiencies" in his practice.

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Several of Wootan's former patients have rallied to his defense against the action, which he describes as “harassment.” He also notes that home birthing costs result in a considerable loss of revenue for hospitals. The 45-year-old family practitioner, who has 10 children of his own, also treats illnesses and injuries. He is the only physician in Ulster County and one of the few in the state whose maternity practice takes him into the homes of his patients. Wootan contends that although home births account for only about 20 percent of his practice, all the allegations arise from that portion of his work. However, none of the 11 allegations, summaries of which were provided by the State Department of Health, referred specifically to home birthing; they accused Wootan of “failure to properly diagnose and treat” a number of conditions, including postpartum hemorrhage.

Dr. David Axelrod, the state health commissioner, suspended Wootan’s license for 60 days on the basis of allegations that “deficiencies” in his methods constituted an “imminent danger to the health of the people of New York state.” Among other “deficiencies,” Wootan was charged with contributing to the deaths of an unborn fetus and a three-day-old infant. “There’s not a shred of credibility to any of the charges,” he said. Suspension of his license means he cannot practice medicine in New York state. He said he had been attending about 50 women who will be having babies “in the next few months.” Wootan has also been stripped of his privileges at both Kingston hospitals Kingston and Benedictine. He and his lawyer went before a panel of the State Board of Professional Medical Conduct, meeting in a closed session here to answer the allegations.

Lesson on flowers given The Pleasant Gardens Extension Homemakers Club welcomed Peggy Allen back to Putnam County at their November meeting. Mrs. Allen conducted a lesson on “making and arranging flowers.” At the meeting, members were reminded that the Christmas pitch-in dinner will be held on Dec. 9 at Bonnie Shouse’s new home in Reelsvilleat6p.m. New officers for 1982 were welcomed. They are: Diana Hansel, president; Shirely Lundy, vice president; Betty Stitzle, secretary; Marlen Hutcheson, treasurer; Peggy Allen, news reporter; Garlinda Mathews, devotions; Bonnie Shouse, health and safety ; and, song leader, Odena Houk.

In support of Wootan, more than 100 mothers, most with infants and toddlers, staged a protest outside the sixth-floor hearing room at State Health Department offices here. “If I can’t get my license back,” Wootan told the young families in a nearby hotel meeting room, “I’ll come looking for work in your garden. I’ll paint your house.” His lawyer said the proceedings might take until April or May. He said Justice Constantine G. Cholakis f State Supreme Court had reserved decision Monday on Wootan’s motion to lift the suspension. The same five-member board had investigated the allegations and made the recommendations that led Axelrod to sign the suspension order on Nov. 18. Neither Wootan nor Frank E. laquinta, director of medicine at the New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center and the board’s chairman, would discuss the allegations. In the only case he

family

Avocado salad star of holiday meal

By CECILY BROWNSTONE Associated Press Food Editor A holiday garnish I devised years ago has stood the test of time. Cooks who use the garnish stars cut out of pimientos tell me they love these small scarlet decorations for giving a holiday dish a festive appearance. 'Hie stars are made with a canape cutter. Originally, I scattered the pimiento stars over marinated cucumbers to offer with a platter of cold turkey after Christmas. Antique buffs may be interested to know that the cucumbers, arranged in one of my shallow “flowing blue” bowls, and the turkey slices lined 14) on my mother’s “blue onion” platter, made a postholiday table look particularly attractive. This year we tried using the pimiento stars a different way: with an avocado salad accompanied by a chili dressing. The salad tastes exceptionally good

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would discuss, Wootan said, “Who wouldn’t recognize hemorrhage? She was a Jehovah’s Witness and wouldn’t go to the hospital because of her religious beliefs. I couldn't force her —she’s an adult.” Wootan says that his homebirth practice cost hospitals as much as $250,000 a year in lost revenues. An average stay for an expectant mother in a Kingston hospital, he said, in uncomplicated cases, totaled about $2,000 for delivery and “two or three days after birth. ” Wootan said he had helped mothers deliver 344 babies at home since he began the practice in “late 1977 or early 1978.” His fee for the service used to be S9OO, he said, but he increased it to SI,OOO when his legal problems began to mount last spring. Dr. Mary Louise Johnson, vice president for medical affairs at Benedictine Hospital, said Wootan’s privileges to practice at the hospital had been lifted “about a year ago”

with turkey hot or cold. It may be used as an hors d’oeuvre for the holiday dinner itself or served with turkey sandwiches or a turkey casserole after Christmas. AVOCADO STAR SALAD Salad greens 2 avocados 1 large tomato, thinly sliced 4-ounce jar whole pimientos, drained Chili Dressing, recipe follows Arrange salad greens on a serving platter. Halve avocados lengthwise or crosswise; remove pits; peel; slice into crescents or rings. Arrange avocado crescents or rings and tomato slices on salad greens. Flatten pimientos; with a small star-shaped canape cutter, cut out pimiento stars. (Reserve pimiento scraps for Chili Dressing.) Arrange stars on avocado rings. Pour Chili Dressing over the salad just before serving.

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in response to a “peer review of how he was handling patients.” “I can’t discuss particulars,” she said. She said hospital revenues had never entered the discussions about Wootan and that the removal of his privileges “had nothing to do with home birthing.” Wootan’s supporters say that for normal birth, the less medical care the better. “Having a normal birth does not mean you’re sick,” said Virginia Hayes of Mountainville, N.Y., whose child was delivered at home by Wootan. “If you’re not sick, you should stay out of hospitals.” “In a natural, normal birth, which happens 98 percent of the time,” she said, “there is no need for medical interference. The less interference, the better off the baby and mother will be.” Wootan views home birthing as an integral part of civil rights. “What happens to freedom,” he asked, “if the state can tell you where to have your baby?”

Makes 4 to 6 servings. Chili Dressing: In a small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar and V 2 teaspoon salt. Gradually whisk in y 4 cup vegetable oil. Stir in V 4 cup canned diced green chilies, 2 tablespoons chopped pimientos, 2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallion and 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved. Chill. Remove garlic and stir vigorously before serving. Makes about % cup. 20-CENT PART CAN DOWN COMPUTER PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) - There could be more than 1,000 20-cent parts in one $500,000 computer, says a spokesman for Pixley Richards, an elec-tronics-industry supplier. “It only takes one misaligned 20-cent part to down a computer,” he sid. “It could happen if the part is just .001 inch out of place. For comparison, a human hair is .003 inch wide.”

Calendar of events Friday Applegate Lodge No. 155 F & AM, Fillmore, will have a MM degree Friday, Dec. 4. Supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. and work begins at 7:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The Greencastle Barracks and Auxiliary, Veterans of World War I, will hold their regular monthly meeting on Friday, Dec. 4 at noon. A business meeting will follow a pitchin dinner at noon. The business of the day will be the 1982 convention and the issuing of lifetime membership cards to call members of the barracks. Members are urged to come and get their free cards. The auxiliary will have a grab-bag gift exchange. The second annual Crafter Christmas Fair will be held at the Parke County Fairgrounds north of Rockville, Ind. on U.S. 41 on Friday, Dec. 4 from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 6 from noon until 5 p.m. Food will be available and admission is free. A good place to finish your Christmas shopping. Saturday The Better Homes Extension Club will meet on Saturday. Dec. 5 at 6:10 p.m. at the corner of Jackson and W. Walnut Street to form a caravan to the Christmas party. Owen Lodge No. 655, Quincy, will hold a deer supper at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. After supper there will be work in the MM degree. There will be a euchre party at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Putnam County Senior Center, 9 W. Franklin St., Greencastle. All senior citizens are welcome There will be an old-fashioned square dance on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Lions Hall in Roachdale. The dance is sponsored by the Ch. 7 Travelers C.B. Club of Roachdale. The caller will be Horton Craig and music will be provided by “The Country Drop Outs.” The public is invited. The Putnam County Singles will meet on Saturday, Dec, 5 to leave by bus for a Christmas shopping trip from the First Baptist Church on Judson Drive at 2:30 p.m. This will be a family affair. For details, call Bill Gould at 653-9625. Bainbridge Chapter No. 440065 will honor Sister Betty McFarland with a reception 2:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5,. social at 3:30-5 and dinner at 5 p.m. at North Putnam Higfr School. The Church of God Ladies Auxiliary is sponsoring a bake sale and bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 5, starting at 9 a.m. at Schultz Family Store. Sunday Putnam County Singles will meet on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 9 a.m. at the 1-70 Truck Stop at Cloverdale for breakfast. After breakfast, they will travel to the New Providence Church for services. The Putnam County REACT meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 1 has been changed to Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall. ./* Monday ,i The Fortnightly Club will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. ?■ with hostess Grace Browning. Program will be presented byLouise Hubbard. Putnam County Singles will meet at the First Baptist Church on Judson Drive, Greencastle at 6:15 p.m. to board a bus to travel to area nursing homes and the Putnam County Hospital for the purpose of caroling. The DePauw Women’s Club will offer "A Tour of Historic European Organs” to members and spouse at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 in the Gobin Church Sanctuary. Members andtheir spouses are invited to come and enjoy Arthur Carkeek s presentation and join in the Christmas spirit. > * j The Monday Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 atthe Double Decker Restaurant. The Monday Book Club will meet with Myrtle Gass on Monday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring a gift for exchange. Tuesday r,Toastmasters will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairway Restaurant. If you have any questions, call A 1 Ellison at 653-5780 or 653-4126. The Tuesday Reading Circle will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 8 with Mrs. Joseph Midgett, 238 Hillsdale, at 2 p.m. Mrs. Paul Kissinger will have a program. The Happier Homes Extension Club will meet on Tuesday, * Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the home of Mrs. Martin Hough for the Christmas meeting. Members are asked to bring a covered ’ dish, a white elephant gift and remember the $3 gift exchange. The Four Leaf Clover Club will have its Christmas party on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Elliott. Members are asked to bring a men’s grab bag gift. Temple Lodge No. 47 F & AM will hold its called meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Work will be in the EA degree. Members are urged to attend and visitors are welcome. Refreshments will be served after the meeting.

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