National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-19
DOCTORS AGREE AT LAST
CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE SO,
. 0LETY AND THE BOARD.

REG srRATloN AND Kindred TUPICs-
WHAT THE SOCIETY WANT AND WHY
THEY WANT TIA CoMPRoAIsE TO BE
THE RESULT.
A meeting of the. Board OF Health was held last
nighti all the Numbers present except Dr. Cox
DIR. Verdi, frffm the committee to whom was re-
fsrred the opinion OF the chemist to the board
(Dr. orRig,l already published, on the subject Of
''maximuIn fertilizer" submitted report urging
the condemnation Of the establishment Of Q. ].
ktnsolving, No. el2 Louisiana avenue, where the
ferhli1er fs manufactured. .....-...
Mn Marb1ry could see no reason for condemn.
ing the establishment, and opposed the adoption
of the report, and moved that the same be laid
on the table. $50.
DR.. Bliss favored laying the report o. the table
until tie matter could be further Investigated.
/ He took the same view as set forth in the re-
At this point the committee from the medical
society appointed to wait on the board was an
noaneed, and the business before the board was
| suspended. The committee consisted Of Drs.
| Elliott, LoTejoy, W. w. johnson, Busey and
| BElkley.
series Of resolutions adopted ey the society,
(alreAdy published.) First, oblecting to the
regulations of the Board Of Health to "secure &
full and correct record Of vital statistics, IN
Guiding the registration OF marriages. births and
deaths the iIterment, disinterInent and removal
of the dead in the District Of Columbia"
DR.. Elliott stated that the society had no nrau-
ment to make to the board, but would make few
statements OF their objection to the articles Of the
regulation. [The statements were the same as
set forth in the resolutions.
DR.. Bliss stated the exactness Of the regulations
was to prevent imposition from persons represent
ing themselves 10 be physicians, and to prevent
other than competent medical men. A medical
gentleman has been appointed by the board to at.
tend all cases where there is no physician. All
cases of suspicion are reported to the health on
GER and by him, in case OF death, to the coroner.
II evidences Of malpractice or murder are given,
the certificate 10 withheld.
DR.. Busey said all the society asked was that
the register Of the board contain legally qualified
physicians, and they not be allowed to register
until evidence is given OF their being Legitimate
physicians. Some legal difficulty is In tho way OF
inidEiVes, and II the physicians and the board
unite the community may get rid Of this class OF
Dr. Bliss said these people practice principally
among the colored people, and he appreciates the
Corning his class Of people. Many OF these mid
wives are unable to write their names. He want
ed the profession protected.
DR.. Verdi said this YVES q matter OF law, and
read act passed by the Legislature, in 1871, re-
latiTe to midwifery, In which It is set forth that
they shall report to the Board of Health. The
purposes Of obtaining the signatures Is to COM
pare them with those on the certificate He
thought every one registering should be COM
PEELED to shGT their licenses 70 practice. the
nize any physician who has not license.
DR.. Elliott said the objection would be that
many physicians, such as those attached to the
Mr. Langston read the law OF Congress giving
the board authority in reference to physicians,
accoucheurs and midUives, and said the language
used IN the regulations are the exact words Of the
The discussion next turned to births, when the
question was asked, How could the name Of the
father and mother Of an illegitlmate be given
when they were not known"
The conversation then became general, and
many subjects were talked over. After tho sub
feet had been generally sfted, Dr.. BussY said he,
as physician, was opposed to furnishing record
Of child BY which property could be recovered.
not to physicians. So far Is the clergy were con
cerned he did not know what they Intended do
ing. He did not object 70 recording births, but
SeRitS 81 the shId under certain circumstances.
Mr.. Lanyston thought physician in high |
standing will not stOop to making false report |
protect the community by making known all c, S |
Of children being born with disease. He thought |
in making laws Of this kind the leading physicians
should be consulted, and he would 90 IS far as
any other member OF the board to have 1t amend |
cd IN order TO suit the community, but as IL Is
law It must be obeyed.
found that It embarrasses the physicians, he fR-
Tored an alteration.
Mr.. LangstOn said the law was not PredIGated
for any other than married people; II was not
made on the assumption OF adultery or fornica- |
ton, and the regulations were made supposing |
that our people were all Virtuous. (Laugbter.l
The regulations were next read over, and sew |
eral alterations sug HeSted.
DR.. Verdi said that it was an old law modified. |
Regarding vital statistics. there were none who |
should desire q correct record more than phyE- |
clans.
DR.. Lovejoy said he would save the gentleman
the trouble OF proceeding further. There was no |
physician in the District who objected to correct
record Of vital stAtistics. |
DIR. Verdi res1ming, said 10 this great country |
there was nothing more important than correct /
vital statistics. II is Of vital Importance.
Mr.. Langston read tbs third and eighth sec |
lions, 70 which several amendments were suR- |
gested, and the committee were given to under |
stand that they would be SO altered as to please
the physicians OF the District.
The committee at this point retired, and the |
board resumed the regular order Of business.
DR.. Verdi made few remarks IN support OF the |
report, and, on motion Of Dr.. Bliss, the report |
was maze the special order for the next meeting.
Mr.. L9ngston, from the committee Of ordinance, |
several amendments TO the ordinances |
relating to what shall be declared nulsanees, |
which were approved and ordered to be published /
In the daily papers.
Or. Bliss inkmittad the weekly repnrt Of vital |
5tAtistics Tor the past week, Showing that the /
total deaths during that period was s7-Hh.te, IS;
eolored, ~ y
Several communications were read and properly
referred. The weekly report Of the health otHcer
was submitted and approved.
The health oficer was directed to drop one gar
oage collector from the rolls, that the number be
reduced TO twenty-five. Adjourned.