The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-12
DEATH TO QUACKERY.
Important Action Of the AIedicO-Legal
Society.

Important Action Of the AIedico-Lega
Society.
stated meeting OF the Medico Legal Society OF
the city OF New YORK was held last evening at the
College Of Physicians and Surgeons At the last
meeting Of the society q committee had been ap-
pointed TO prepare report on the revision OF exist
ing laws relative to the medical profession and
also to prepare DRAFT OF o law for the
prevention Of unlicensed practice In the
State Of New York. Before calling
upon the chairman OF the committee for HIS report
Mr.. Rogers, President OF the society, briefly ex-
planned the reasons that necessitated the proposed
action TO improve and regulate the practice Of med
icine. He said that IL had long been apparent to
the members OF the medical profession that some
amendment was necessary In the statutes OF the
State that regulate and govern the incorporated
medical societies, which are becoming so nu-
merous. II is a cause Of great difficulty to
the members OF such societies to know
what powers tile law IL at present stands confers
upon hem and 10 remedy this evll Is the chief rea
son why the committee was appointed Further
more, the alarming increase OF what he would call
dangerous and criminal practice mperativcly called
and physicians With this brief explanation he would
call upon Mr. Deany, the chairman OF the commit
tee to read The proposed draft OF the bill which
to be submitted to the Legislature. The bill IS
a lengthy one and recites in the preamble that the
great increase OF unlicensed practice BY ignorant
that some action must be taken 10 put stop TO, or,
at least regulate, such practice Thousands OF lives
are sacrificed yearly through the agency OF this dan
gerous class both In surgery and midwifery, and,
as the law stands at present, IT Is poweress 10 reach
the parties guilty OF the PRACTICES though there
laws on the statute book which expressly provide Tor
their punishment. The bill proposes TO create
medical society IN each county OF the State, which
is to be Incorporated under certain laws usual in
such cases. To this society all those In the county
who profess to practice medicine must belong and
be regularly enrolled after an examination as TO
their qualifications and attainments by q board OF
experienced practitioners. All who fail TO comply
with the law after lapse o. sixty days will be sub
ect usual penalties provided for In the laws OF
the state Tor such persons as obtain money under
false pretences In each district the society to be
empowered TO appoint board OF five censors. who
shall ascertain whether any person or persons are
practising In said district without having complied
with the requirements Of the statute. All such per.
to be given an opportunity OF setting them
selves right by proving their capabty In medicine,
but If they fan to do so, and continue their business
by card or advertisement, the cens0rs are required
to take such legal proceedings against them as may
be deemed necessary.
the report Of the committee was unanimously
adopted by the McdlcO-Legal Society last even
ing after an interesting discussion as to Its prov
bi0hs and Merits.