The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1876-08-02

community more regular and efficient medical at
tendance than you suppose it has hitherto enjoyed
But we the Physicians of Honolulu believe that
your bill will fall of the purpose you intend for it
is, to begin with, impossible that it can be carried
into effect, while 1t proposes 10 infiict great in
justice and insult upon ourselves.
We desire In the most respectful aud friendly
manner to lay before you reasons for the above
statement, and shall Try to convince you that you
are about TO commit very hasty and illadv.sed
piece of legislation.
Your bill appears to us to be unconstitutional,
and so OF no value. In the most arbitrary manner
you propose to take our property, that's know
ledge aud skill, and place them at the disposal Of
everyone who chooses to take them, and this more
over without any adequate arrangement for rcmune-
rating
The bill seems to rs to partake of the nature of
class legislation, which are unItedly prepared
to resist 10y every lawful meaus in our power 1t is
not the details Of your bill that need to be amended
1t is the principle of the whole that we regard as
unjust
Further, you sre evidently unaware Of what Is
our professional standing. We hold Licenses TO
practice medicine In this Kingdom These licenses
do not make'us physicians; they are simply the
from Medical Colleges and Universities In other
countries. Our Diplomas and our Licenses are per-
petual being rrvukeable only under particular cir
cunstBuces, which are not such YOUR bill applies
10. Now you propose to alter the terms Of our
licenses, that your legislation is not only in uur
opinion uneunst utional, but also retrospective,
aud that Tact adds To the Justice OF our dsaPprOvH
Your bill conveys great indiguiiy to the pro-
fession represent In preparing the bill refe-
renee whatever made to the persons s. largely
concerned in it, aud who are called upon by il to
give up their time, rest, labor and Skill which are
their property, To uybOdy, and at any hour Of the
night day, under heavy legal penalties.
Now We believe that when bill is referred to a
committee, il is the duty OF that committee to con-
Ter with the persons chiefly concerned in its business
aud get Information aud advice from them. This
proceeding which is only just not say courteous
was entirely omitted in The present case.
We may add that the Legislatures aud Govern
meBis of France, England, Germany and America,
in which countries our profession is highly
spected, would never seek 10 put udignilies upon
ii such contemplated in the bill before us,
attempt to alter in any way its legal status without
asking its opinion seeking its concurrence.
We take leave to contend that We are the last
class Of persons in the community to whom SO
offensive law ought To have been applied.
We alone of the community, regularly and sys-
temutically, give our time aud skill and labor 10
many natives aud others, from whom we expect
no remuneration. People cannot 90 TO stores aud
get goods Tor nothing, but what We have done from
motives Of Kindness and humanity, seems TO be now
required Of us US a right, aud made the ground Of
further entertainments.
We have hitherto given such unpaid services
gladly aud cheerfully, hut If the present bill should
pass will give them no more, aud we cannot be
to do So
But yoI will say 1--WE have provided that the
Board of Health pay for the patients who cannot
pay for themselves, and We intend 10 make an
appropriation for the purpose" True, bul you
throw upon US the burden of proving that pat
ticular person cannot pay, thereby involving us in
perpetual, aud veXatuus lawsuits; IN fact you
s.au
we must altogether decline to undertake, and that
cannot be forced upon
We are gralifed That the native portion of your
Honorable body have suddenly become so eager
for our services. Many of them have not valued
hem much III past times. Every one of us who has
lived long in these Islands and pruclicrd among
Hawaiiaus can give numerous instances Of his
services when Offered being declined and where
apparently accepted, frustrated, ia obedience TO
The kahunas 90 whom the people, in spite OF their
ianced enlightenment, really rely.
IL has also to be remembered that the Board Of
Health has repeatedly brought to the notice of the
government cases of malpractice by quacks and
amateur doctors, but have received for reply that
lie law was unable 10 take bold Of them. Here is
surely good subject for beneicent legislation.
We might then gentlemen simply abstain from
my present action but let your bill be passed and
signed, without protest, satisfied that it canuo: be
,arried into effect without our voluntary concur
renee. But We think 1t better 10 act differently
We feel uu aloha Tor the natives aud desire to be
rend them We would gladly believe the iudig-
lity offered to us TO be tue result, not of malice
Jut OF want OF due consideration. the part at
east, of the native members, who voted the second
eadng of Tue bill
We therefore, while warning you that the present /
Measure is imprdciicdbr, desire TO iuiOrm you that
Nc very willing 10 euer Into any good plan to |
pcure 10 you. in luis town al least, more regular /
medical advice than hitherto, if you choose to avail
ourselves Of it.
We have an excellent plan which we are willing
o lay before you, If you desire it, aud We beg 10 /
ay IN conclusion tuat ready TO confer with
Ou, or with committee OF your number to pro-
lOse and discuss measures intended Tor the good
i the people, aud cOnsOnant with the diguily OF
ur profession, and justice to ourselves.
I'VE beg to subscribe ourselves, Mobiles and Rep
Yours most respectfully.
(Signed) E. HoFFMASN, VI. D.
G. THuUssEAU, VI. ID.
+. b HUTCHINSON, NJ. d.
X. MCkIBBIN, NJ. d.
s w. SHIPLEY, NJ. d.
G. b. RODGERS, NJ d.
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