Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-12
sIntclIixens Scrutiny
LAnrAsAs, TEX, May 9. 1885

LAhfASASs LEX, may " 1885.
To the Editor of the Gazette
An editorial In the Galveston News Of
Nay 8, deserves more than casual notice
by the reading public. Speaking OF the
efforts Of the State Medical Association
to secure the passage Of laws regulating
the practice OF medicine in Texas, the
editor fsya: 1.-THE theory that the state
csn do much to care for the health of the
people otherwise than by quarantine and
like preventive measures of sanitary
police is traughs with dangers" So,
also, the idea that the state can do m lch
to esre for the security of life
and property In Texas otherwise than
oy mesns Of ordinary state and
county officials is fraught with danger
to the outlaws who fall into the habds of
the rangers. Has the editor of the News
brother-In-lsw or cousin who is o
quack, that he thinks 1t would be
dangerous" for the state to prohibit
health and lives of Its citizens?
He also says: "The theory OF the
Texas Medical Association is highly
psternal. Its Developments will form an
interesting sueject OF Intelligent
sCi utluS. III view VI tue sOOu az
complished in other states by
legislative action on this subject
and in view Of the extreme ease
with which the public are imposed upon
by chaIlatsns, q little p.ternal legislation
would not seem out OF the way. How
ever, not 10 grant all that the News
claims on this head,tt seems to the writer
that legislation to protect inValids, Grip
pies and unoorn infants against fsnd5
who, for money, would offer ignorance
where knowledge and skill are demanded,
Is not more pasernsl In character than
that which aims to protect presumably
healthy, able-bodied men agaiost lot
teries, bunco steerers or three-card
monte men.
The medical profession is the
only one in which the honest,
intelligent members ere always striv-
log to bring ABOUT condition Of things
in which their services will be
no longer necessary. The true physician
seeks to prevent as we'll to cure disease,
and when he tries to induce the people in
general to aid him in preserving the gen.
ersl health by wise laws which shall pro-
hibit the use Of adulterated or spurious
drugs or the dispensing OF drugs or their
by incompetent persons, bis
efforts are rewarded, forsooth, by the
sneeriDg remark from those who should
be in position to have better sense, that
the development of their (the doctersD
theory "will form an interesting subjec.
Of intelligent scrutiny"
What would the editor Of the N,ws
havef Is 1t the principle of regulation in
legislation that ne oppo5es2 II so, it ap.
plies equally to railroads, rates OF inter-
est, tAe practice Of law, fees Of public
officials, qualifications Of public school
teachers, and many other things doubtless
better known to the editor Of the News
than to the writer. What does the News
say to abolisning the laws requiring
for certificates to teach IN
the public schOols2 Csrtsiniy the boards
Of school directors have ARBITRARY pow
er" as well as state boards of medical
examiners. Why does the News draw the
liae Of regulative legislation in front Of
the doctors Office and the druggists
counter? CHAs. NJ. RAMsDBLL,
A. M M. D.