The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-01-19
MEDICAL LEGISLATION AGAIN.

The Sentinel has published in full at least
Swo medical bills, both of which are now
befOre the Legislature for consideration.
che proclaimed purpose OF all the proposed
legislation upon this subject, so far as we are
advised, is for the general good through the
protection of the people from the evil of q
swarm of quacks who have crowded into the
medical profession.
While the Sentinel is in sympathy with
the declared purpose, we would suggest to
those having this matter in charge that
proper and needed legislation are often
ieopardized and the accomplishment of at
tainable good retarded by steps too far in
advance of the demands of public opinion
and we would respectfully caution our
friends against the possible mistake in this
Instance.
In this connection we print below an arti-
Gle contributed upon this subject by gen
tSeman known to US as being among the
first of the close, careful thinkers of the
State. The article is as follows
1t seems to be the opinion of few members OF
the Legislature that there is evil practieed
upon the community by the medical profession,
and that legislation is necessary TO its protection
The matter deserves more than the passing CON
sideration 1t receives. Why should the law re-
quire qualifications in doctor that are not re-
CURED in lawyer, teacher or PreacherY Bear in
are required, but why should the law require
then in one case and not the other. Any man OF
good moral character can practice law. Any
man of any sort of character can legally teach
school, unless he teaches In public school sup
ported by the State Any man OF any character
can legally preach, without authorization of any
capsbe Of selecting the remedial administrators OF
their bodily ills as their moral or intellectual or
pecuniary troubles?
The practice of medicine Is no science. 1t is
simply series of experiments. Ever since men
began TO help each other la sickness or suffering,
doctors have been cropping in the dark. expert
mentfng with every substance. known to man.
Sometimes the patients have been killed out
right sometimes left in lingering pain, and some
times nature has restored them an spite OF all that
was done. The doctors however. rarely failed to
claim the credit of ali that was good and wash
their hands OF all that was bad. Death has al
ways been ascrfbed TO the wal of Providence, and
recovery to the skill of the DOCTOR robbing the
Lord OF all credit for the blessings and charging
Him with all evils.
Blood-letting, salvation. blisters, the red-hot
iron, and similar "heroic remedies" were for a
long time the "sheet anchor of hope and safety.
But the common sense OF the people rebelled, and
rejected remedies at once cruel and useless;
nOihcOpdthSI MnS'nSi iiSh VI ivHe, .~o Ie.tNe
allOpathy to milder remedies and smaller doses.
Thompson, who imprisoned as medical
hereto by the regular school, did much to pro
long life and avert suffering by denouneing the
fpdiscriminate use of calomel and the lancet
Whisky and stimulation, the direct opposites of
blood-letting and salvation, have taken their
place Like the pendulum, the profession has
swung TO and fro ever since IL emerged from bar
barism. Contending sects. opposite creeds, quar-
reling doctors make up the profession; No won
der there has been little advance and no steadi-
ness.
We have three times as many doctors as we
have any use for, and four times as many as most
other enlightened countries, and this suggests
the pertineiit inquiry whether some of this su-
perduity are not seeking TO protect themselves
against others by legal exclusion and not to pro
tect the people against either. The pretext Is
that incompetent doctors are iniuring the people.
but il IL not the people but the doctors that are
urging this legislation The public are making
no more complaint Of bad doctors now. than they