Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-16

Regulating the Practice of medi-
cine I'm Georgia.

As of general interest we present here
with copy Of the bill TO regulate the prae-
tice of medicine in the State of Georgia, as
passed by the Legislature. DIR. 7. s. Pow
ell, member of the old board, issued cir
cular addressed to the members of the Gen.
eral Assembly, opposing the passage OF the
bill on the following grounds:
1t appears to be actuated by the same
determination that characterized its prede-
cessors, and that is the disposition OF the
members of the present board.
1t discriminates against the graduates out
side of the State. In other words gradu-
ate of any medical institution in the State
of Georgia who registers may practice medi-
cine, independent Of the board, whether he
be man of good or bad character; but
graduate of another State must not only pay
fee of $40, but is subject to the judgment
of the board in respect to his moral charac-
ter, and "such other of his qualifications as
said board may require" (See sections
and 16.)
Again, there is doubt as to whether or
not physicians of long practice and high
professional standing, may not be liable to
pay fee of $50 to secure the endorsement
of their diplomas, the section on this point
being In uncertain language, or admitting,
J
Finally beg to state as my firm convic
ton, having studied the subject and long
acted as member under the old law, that
1t is a good one, and IL it had the following
amendments Qong desired by the old board)
1t would be the best law in the United
States:
1. To add section making the Ordinary
of the county the prosecutor.
2. To require the registration Of every
practicing physician Of their authority to
practice.
g. To make it the duty of the Judges of
the Superior Courts to give the law in spe-
cial charge to the grand juries of each
county.
II this were done the present law would
be perfect, and not a qUack could remain
In the State. This is what the old board has
been vsinly asking for the last ten years,
and these are the only valuable points in
the new bill.
A BILL to regulate the practice of medicine
in the State Of Georgia.
SECTION l. The General Assembly of the
State of Georgia do enact, That no person
shall practice medicine within this State
unless he has been heretofore legally au-
thorized SO to do, or shall be hereafter au-
thorized so to do by diploma from an in
corporated medical college, medical school
or university, and by compliance with sub
sequent sections of this act.
Sec. 2. Be 1t further enacted, That for
the purposes of this act, the words "prac-
tice medicine" shall mean to suggest, re-
commend, prescribe or direct for the use of
any person any drug, medicine, appliance,
apparatus or other agency, whether mate
rial or not material, for the cure, relief or
palliatiOn of any aiment or disease of the
mind or body, or for the cure or relief of
any wound, fracture or other bodily injury,
or any deformity, after having received or
with the intent Of receiving therefor, either
directly or indirectly, any bonus, gift or COM
pensation.
Sec g. Be 1t further enacted, That every
person now lawfully engaged in the practice
of medicine within this State shall, on or
before the 1st day OF December, 1881, and
every person hereafter duly qualified to
practice medicine, shall, before commencing
to practice, register in the office of the Clerk
of the Superior Court of the county wherein
he resides and is practicing, or intends to
commence the practice of medicine, in
book to be kept for the purpose by said
clerk, his name, residence and place of
birth, together with his authority for
practicing medicine as prescribed in
this act. The persons so registering shall
subscribe or verify, by oath or affirmation,
before person duly qualified to administer
oaths under the laws of this State, an affi-
davit containing such facts, and whether
such authority is by diploma or license, and
the date of the same and by whom granted,
which shall be exhibited to the County Clerk
before the applicant shall be allowed TO reg
lister, and which, If Wlllfully false, shall
subject the affiant to conviction and punish
ment for false swearing. The County Clerk
to receive fee Of fifty cents for each regis
tration, to be paid by the person so register
ing.
Sec. f. Be 1t further enacted, That every
registered physician in this State, who may
change his residence from one county into
another county within this State, shall reg
lister in the Clerks Office of the county to
which he removes, and wherein he intends
to reside and to practice medicine, as pro-
vided in section tn, ee Of this act.
Sec. 5. Be 1t further enacted, That any
person who violates either of the four pre-
ceding sections of this act, or who shall
practice or offer to practice medicine, with
out lawful authority, or under cover of
diploma or license illegally obtained, shall
be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and, on
conviction, shall be punished by fine of
not less than one hundred dollars, or more
than five hundred dollars, or by imprison-
ment for not less than thirty or more than
ninety days, or both. The fine, when col
lected, shall be paid, the one half to the
person, or persons, or corporation making
the complaint, the other half into the coun-
ty treasury.
Sec. g. Be It further enacted, That moth
ing In this act shall apply to commissioned
medical officers of the United States army
or navy, or to the United States marine hos
pital service, or to legally qualified dentists
in the practice of their profession, or to any
woman practicing only midwifery.
Sec. z. Be 1t further enacted, That all
provisions of law providing for the organt-
cation, qualification and duties of any and
all Boards of Physicians Of any school what
ever, be and the same are hereby repealed,
and there shall henceforth exist in this
State No Board of Physicians, but the only
requisite qualifications of practitioners of
medicine shall be those hereinbefore set
forth.
Sec s. Be 1t further enacted, That all
laws or parts of laws in conflict with this
act be and the same are hereby repealed.
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