The Hawaiian gazette., 1875-09-08
CORRESPONDENCE

Mn. EDITOR II am constrained to write a
few words in behalf of a stranger in our CON-
munity, who has been somewhat harshly dealt
with by our Board of Health. A few months
since an East Indian arrived here, reputed to
be physician, by name DR.. Mohabeer.
The Doctor applied to the Board of Health
for a license to practice medicine, which, for
supposed good reasons, was refused him. 1t
is said that the Doctor could not satisfy the
professional gentlemen on the Board that he
knew anything of the practice of medicine, as
they understand it, in fact, to their minds, was
quack. do not know how the examining
committee of the Board could grant license
to one of the Homeopathic school of Physicians,
for they certainly believe the theory of 4" like
cures like to be "bosh !" A license has
been granted to a Homeopathic practitioner,
perhaps because of a wholesome regard for
public opinion; several Chinese gentlemen are
but the gentleman from India has been refused,
and has been repeatedly summoned before the
Police Magistrate and fined for practicing
without license, until the aggregate of the
fines is so large that he has been sent to prison
because of inability to pay. L am also in
formed that lie has been sent out to work with
the chain gang.
The Advertiser of April 10th, 1875, &C
knowledges receipt of letter from Samuel
Charlesworth, Rector of Limehouse, whom the
aditor apdorsas o., +b;, o~+o,4. e6TI,o ...-:..-
of the letter is evidently person of position
and consideration, his name appearing promi-
nently as a speaker in the published account
of the annual banquet of the Tower Hamlets
Constitutional Association. The Rector says:
was distressed to observe how my esteemed
friend Dr. Mohabeer had been treated, fined
800, for practicing medicine without license
If the inhabitants of Honolulu knew how emf
nent man, both as physician and a christian
gentleman they have among them, they would
not seek to drive him away by persecution.
His merits in medical science are as great as the
good qualities Of his heart. begin to wish that
had not advised him, when In my London Parish,
to visit the Western Hemisphere. Had he remainea
in London, his talents would soon have earned him
wide spread reputation, such he bad in India and
the Mauritius." No one has questioned the authen-
ITCHY of this letter the identity of Dr. Mohabeer
1t appears to me that the experience Of the Doctor
should enlist the sympathes Of those who love their
fellowman Had the Doctor been prosecuted for NAL
practice, and case made, would cheerfuuy en-
dorse and applaud the diligence and zeal of the
Board Of Health; but when the only charge is prac-
tieing without license, made by the agent of the
very gentlemen who refuse to grant license, it
does seem little arbitrary I am told that there
are several persons in community who will tes-
tity to the relief afforded them by DR.. MOhabeer;
one in particular, who says that he had tried the
allopathic practitioners without relief, and that
MOhabeer put him on his feet again"
1t strikes me that to demand of persons desiring
to practice medicine in this community, that they
shall pass an examination by Board constituted as
ours is, with two aOpathic practitioners, the only
professional men on the Board, both interested in
drug stores and both enjoying growing practice, is
something like asking the applicant to run the
gauntlet am afraid that there is more purse than
heart in this work. but if the professional gentle
men on the Board really desire to engage in a work
for the good of the public of Hawailans partcu-
larry, work that will give fine opportunity for
the display of zeal, pluck and endurance let them
investigate aud lay bare the thing known as
licensed Kahuna." JOG