Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-13
OUR MAIL POUCH.
Restrictive Medical LesisIation.
ne Editor orTha No..

Restrictive Medical Legislation.
To the Editor Of The Dispateh.
10 correct wrong Impressions and give legis-
lators and the public a proper understanding
OF the reasons put forth by the eclectics in op-
position to the passage Of the bill now before
tne Legislature, to create a State Board Of
Medical Examiners and Licensers, please pub
.sn tne IoioWing and oblige your readers who
desire fair play, that the httest NAV survive
and merit be recognized without class iistinc-
tion or sectarian bigotry.' Some time ago, at
the direction Of the President of the Eclectic
Medical Association Of Pennsylvania, the Sec
retary of that body addressed q letter to each
of the medical colleges in Philadelphia asking
If they would approve Of the diplomas of the
eclectic medical colleges In conformity with
the provisions of the registration act. The
dean of the Jeffersonian Medical College re-
piled: I'VE cannot indorse the diploma Of any
eclectic medical college" The dean of the
University OF Pennsylvania stated that the
faculty of that institution had made no pro-
vision for the Endorsement Of the diplo-
schools ct hoe genus oD1ne, and added:
while we can go no further than the indorse-
ment Of the diplomas of what we recognize as
regular medical schools; we regard the law as
an unfortunate one, which requires medical
colleges of one State to indorse the diplomas or
those of other States We think that the
diploma of lawful institution Of State
should be sufficient guarantee for the purpose
OF registration in other States"
The fourth section of the Registration Act
provides that any person desiring to practice
medicine or surgery in this State, having q
diploma issued by any institution in another
State, shall lay the same before the faculty Of
one OF the medical colleges or universities of
this Commonwealth for inspection, and the
faculty, being satisfied as to the qualifications
of the applicant and the genuineness of the
diploma. shall direct the dean of the faculty to
indorse the same, after which such person shall
be allowed to register.
Now, viewing the refusal of the University of
pennsylvania with all due candor it is certainly
plain that the law is evaded if not defied by its
decision. II may be that the University faculty
pathic college in the State, and that under the
act it could approve of diplomas as well as the
University. The homeopathic College on
being given list of the Eclectic schools, re-
piled through its secretary that the faculty
knew Of no reason why they should not indorse
the diplomas of several of the schools men
toned and possibly all. The writer added: II
snail write again. giving you list of colleges
dorse'
The schools afterward designated were the
Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. Ben
cal College New York; American Medical Col
lege, st. Louis, and the Eclectic Medical Col
lege of Georgia, Atlanta. The California
Medical College was left out for the reason, as
homeopaths in securing an appropriation from
State, not for want of merit. The homeupaths
stood by the eclectics for time, and indorsed
tne diplomas OF those schools, upon the pre-
sentation of the diploma with the affidavit of
the graduate and fee of S. But they also
proved recreant to liberty, and became as Sec
tartan as thier regular compeers. In a recent
letter from the Hahnemann College the dean
stated: While we have in the past Endorsed
diplomas Of several eclectic college, BY recent
action in the matter, 1t has been desided that
IN the future we can indorse for homeopathic
colleges only"
When this college was indorsing, one eclectic
graduate, desiring to place his position beyond
criticism, presented himself in person. The
1aculty gave him most searching examina-
tion and afterward informed his friends that
examination
The secretary of the Pittsburg college states
Inat Ibis college examines for Endorsement of
diplomas only such graduates as have received
their degrees in medicine from regular medical
colleges in good standing" The Medico-Chi-
nuiglcal CoLege. OF philadelphia, although
written to, made no reply.
Ihe Dill now before the Legislature provides
that the State Medical societies NAV each sub-
mt list OF IL names of registered physicians,
from which the Governor Is to select nine per,,
sons to constitute the board AS the sill now
reads ne may select all or majority of the
board from one school, and thus place the
other schools at disadvantage by sectarian
discrimination, as is now being done under the
registration act. The eclectfcs only ask for
fair play by amending the bill requiring the
Governor to appoint three from each list of
names presented and that should a vacancy
occur, 1t be filled from the same list or school.
This is certainly fair.
1t IS an American principle (not, however,
OF late oDserved) that no law should be en-
acted which robs the minority of the personal.
polltical or professional franchises, rights or
emoluments. the majority desire to enioy
several eclectic graduates. not being able to
secure Endorsement of their diplomas, are now
practicing under ban ShOuld thav he amou-
able to the law? What can they doe Must an
American citizen be deprived Of his rights in
1oloWlng his chosen profession, as his con-
science dictates as to methods. creeds or codes
OF ethics? Away with such European despot-
ism. Where has gone the spirit of American
federation? Its spirit pervades almost every
department of knowledge except that of med
icine. Does any except the regular physician
ask Tor such bill? Do the people desire to be
deprived of their right to choose their medical
advisers? No. indeed. As well might we have
a State board to examine preachers.
JOHN OF VENANGo.
FRANKLIN March II