Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-08
"snM1A s1MIL1BUs cURANrUR. y
The Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the
Maine Homeopathic Society.
FieesAnt and Profitable Catherine os
the Dtseiples Of Eseulapius,

e Hiuer"ehs room, Granite Hall block
yesterday morning after the arrival of the
eastern ana western trains. The profession
Drs. Charles II. Burr, Portland. w
thompson, Augusta; NJ S. Brirv R.th .
William Gallupe, Bangor; G. NJ. Foss Dex'
ter; d. {. Perkins, Fairfield: w. F. Sbcnard
bangor; Sllas F. Sylvester. Portland: F. r
Nose, Portland: l.. H. KimbaU. Bath. I II
hnox, Orono; II. NJ. Potter, Gardiner: w
5. THOMPSON, Augusta; w. T. Laird. An.
gusta; w. B. Whitney, Biddeford: Charles
A. Cochran, Winthrop; R. L. Dodge. port.
land.
j. ii. Knox of Orono, second vice presi-
dent, acted as chairman.
Prayer was offered by Rev. c. F. Penney
of Augusta
A letter of regret because of his Inability
to be present was read from the President of
the Association, N. G. II. Pulsifer. Nd.
Drs. Briery. Laird and Burr were appoint.
ed a Committee on Treasurer's account
1hey found the accounts correct
Dr. l.. IL. kimball, Treasurer submitted
his report which showed that the Association
was in fiourishing financial condition. Re-
port accepted.
The report of the Committee on Publica-
ton was next read r. L. Dodge, chairman
OF the committee, said that he hoped to have
the volume ready for distribution by next
year, and perhaps before. He gave some
practical advice to physicians reporting cases.
DIR. Sylvester of the same committee. said
that he hadwritten to publishers for estimates
as to the cost of printing reports, and gave
his figures to the convention. He thought
that there was difference of opinion about
publishing the transactions. Most of the
papers would have to be rewritten He
called upon DIR. Burr to express his opinion
DR.. Burr thought it better to postpone the
publication for the present. DIR. Dodge
agreed with DIR. Burr. DIR. Gallupe stated
that he had been an advocate of publishing,
and argued against ,oosehess in reporting
cases. He moved it be optional with the pub
fishing committee to reject any cases loose
ly reported, and moved to recommit the mat
ter to the consideration and judgment of the
committee. DIR. W. L. Thompson moved
also that they have power to correct any pal
pable errors. Passed.
Dr.W. T. Laird of Augusta, chairman of
the Committee on Legislation, read the fol-
lowing important report:
The report of the Committee on Legislation
must deal with errors of omission rather than
those of commission. During the past wear
no laws have been passed inmical to our
interests, but certain legislation is imperative
ly needed to protect both ourselves and the
public.
The laws of Maine. as they now stand,
virtually offer premium to quackery. Chap.
10, Sec. 3 of the Revised Statutes reads AS
follows: "No person except physician or
surgeon, who commenced practice prior to
February 10th, 1881, or has received a med
zeal degree at public medical institution in
the United States, or license from the
Maine Medical Association, shall recover
any compensation for medical or surgical
services, unless prior to such services he had
obtained a certificate of good moral character
from the municipal officers of the town when
he then resided"
That is to say, that morality is equivalent
to thorough medical education, and a
properly attested certificate of good moral
character has the same legal value as a
diploma or license to practice! The drug
gist who puts up prescription is compelled
to pass rigid examination, but in regard to
the physician who writes the prescription, the
law holds that his morality (properly certi-
fled by the municipal authorities) will enable
him to ihfallibly distinguish between a safe
and a poisonous dose.
An item is now going the rounds of the
medical press, to the effect that Maine
is paradise for quacks, as shown by
= recent decision of one of the courts, which
compelled the defendant to pay the bill of a
clairvoyant for medical services, although it
was not only proved but admitted that the
plaintiff had neither medical education nor
medical knowledge.
ANY broken down advsnturer by first secur-
ing this certificate of good moral character
ono very difficult task > can assume the title
of Doctor, and by liberal advertising and the
use of other unprofessional means which we
are forbidden to employ, can obtain more
patients, charge and collect larger fees, and
Al, tx,
educated, scientific physicians. Every per-
son present can testify that this is not an
imaginary picture. These things are of
daily occurrence.
In view of these facts the Committee would
earnestly recommend that the Society take
immediate and concerted action to secure
the passage of bill, by the next Legislature,
similar to the Registration Law of New York
and Pennsylvania. The principal features
of the proposed law are as follows:
L. No person shall practice medicine or
surgery in the State of Maine. or recover
any compensation for medical or surgical
services. except those physicians and sur
geon. who have received a diploma or license
to practice from some public medical IN
stitution or society, legally qualified to
grant the same.
IT. Within six months after the passage
of the bill, every person in the State, prac-
ticing medicine or surgery, IS required 10
fill out and register with the clerk OF courts
of the county in which he Cor shel resides,
a sworn statement of the following facts
|. When, where, how long. and under
what physician. he Cor she) pursued the
study of medicine and surgery.
.. When and where he Cor she) attended
medical lectures.
3. When and from what college or So
cietv. he Cor she) received diploma or IL
cense to practice.
4. If thought best, the person may also
be required to file a copy of the said dipio-
ma or license to practice
The Clerk of Courts shall furnish the nee
essarv blanks to applicants; shall register
the same when properly filled out, in a book
kent for that purpose, and snail receive from
each person thus registering the sum OF 90
cents. The register shall be open to pubic
inspection. ..u:.
III. Every person refusing or failing to
compIv with the requirements of this law
shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor'
and upon conviction shall he punished by
fine of $50 or one months Imprisonment IN
the county Jail for each offence Each DAY
nractice shall constitute separate offense.
r shall be the duty of the prosecuting ofncer
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