In the field of history a statement that must be proven with evidence throughout an essay or book is known as a

Thesis

A thesis sets forth a proposition that then must be defended.  The thesis may state something about the cause or causes of a particular historical event, or about effects or ramifications of historical events.  Or it may be about motivating factors within a historical figure -- why someone acted the way they acted in their role in history.   A thesis is not simply a statement of a fact that everyone agrees on.  A thesis is an arguable claim, and the defense with evidence given for a thesis will want to address counter-claims (any counter-thesis) that someone else might argue.

Do you have more info about it ? i doubt this is the answer because i don't have all the information but if trouble was brewing in a clinic maybe it was an argument as to which clinic was better or smth of that nature