The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-01-25
A MIssIs
Jan. 18th, 1882.
To His Excellency, Robt. Lowry.
Governor, the Honorable Legisla'
ture, and to the Medical Profes'
zion IN Mississippi.

The Constitution of the State of Mississippi
and of the United States applies and guaran
tees It's provisions alike for the protection and
preservation of the rights and interests o.
every citizen.
! 1t does not enjoin moral restraints and
conditions on one class and confer fragrant
license on another class
Recognizing no distinction, then, as to what
the profession or calling of its benefeiaries
may be, the organic law of the land assures
no special license in privileges of one class
over another, but asserts, or implies, that even
| the governing obtain their just powers from
the consent of the governed. Both rules and
subjects are equal, each having rights that
neither can encroaeh upon.
Contemplating the grandeur and business
of this law, in its bearing upon human so
! ciety, how is il that profession, sovereign in
! its attitude among the v0eations of men,
should be so abject as to merit or receive no
/ protection from the laws of the State while
/ every other profession aud calling has the
strong arm of tie law and strict judicial cog
nizance thrown around them-sustained by
i class legislation.
! The mechanic, artizan, merchant, Iaborer
| landlord tenant, lawyer, tradesman, etc.. ETC.
have each and all protection for value r.
mediate. Yet the law makes apology thai
! the taborer is leoTthy Of his hire for us who
WELD the pill and sealpel.
There is probably no array of evdepce so IN
controvertiblc, as statistics, and the sad
hill bit of mortality which can be adduced by the
brotherhood throughout the State we dare say
would be startling in the aggregate were they
but h number the instances only where they
have been called to see cases either dead
in dying condition when they arrived, and
the sender, mayhap father would apologize
for not sending earlier, that he owed an old
BILL and being unable to pay because Of liens
mortga ges, deeds of trust or some other clap
trap OF the tw for the benefit and protection
of some other calling, he could not have US in
eur any more toll anu expense in his behalf
hence the delay and result.
ad eulogy upon the laws of Miss s-ippi,
indeed but an ''0er true one, aud we think
the walls of grief that have arisen around
many mounds IN every graveyard III the
State mingles III one general condemnation OF
the law which dooms large percentage vi our
population to the grave annually.
We have studied the healing art for many
years OF our life, and confess our inability to
formulate remedy for this evil in our laws,
1ut m1 Ike some suggestions and hope through
them, to evoke q system of relief perfect in its
workings; and first let us impiore eur Legisla-
ture 20 enact law organizing medical
amiuinE board to be composed of three or
more physicians appointed by the Board OF
Supervisors OF each county, and before this
board LET every practitioner Of medicine APP
pear for examinat on. aud file his certificate
of proficiency in the Clerks office :or record.
Secondly, let as ask The Legislature to pass
an acj setting apart as exempt from execution
to salts any lien mortgage, deed of trust or
any other legal process, except for medical
bills, part Of the wages, rental proceeds 0
crop or iu2o ne at the rate of five dollars for
each single nan, and frgm twenty to thirty
dollars for each head Of fumily, the same to
constitute a residual fund to be used 10 defray
expenses incurred by sickness, but should there
be no necessity for the use of the residual fund
rs herein described 10 defraying medical bills
let the provision of the law be, tina: this fund
be made subject to the satisfying of any debt
or obligation the same Us any other effects its
possessor may have under legitimate bonds
for his or her liabilities.
Now law embodying these provisions it
appears to US would not prescribe the rights
Of any one nor anlagoniSe any principle in our
organic law with the best rules established
for the government OF we'll regulated society, |
but would promote the mutual benefit of the |
two nlasses forming the sum totuns of our popu- |
iatiop, the people and the physicians.
In ordsr 10 reach the sars Of the physicians |
in the State, that they may give an expression |
of their views to their Senators and Repre- |
sentatiyes new in jackson at once 10 facilitate |
the work, We call upon the press to please
publish, and apoogizing for thus trespassing, |
we are with respect,
JoHS {. CARoTHERs, Physician.
SHANNON, LEE Co., Miss, Jan. Il, 1882.