The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-05
MONTANA DOCTORS meet.
The Annual Convention Of the Mon
tana Medical Association
Convened Yesterday.
Proceedings Of the First Session
Mostly q Discussion on
Membership.
A Resolution Adopted Declaring Practi-
TONERS With Temper ary Certificates
Eligible After Much Debate.

TONERS With Temper ~ Certificates
Eligible After Much Debate.
The regular annual meeting of the Medi-
cal Association of Montana was called to
order in the city hall last evening by Presi-
dent J. B. Atchison. who made q short ad-
dress of welcome. The attendance was
smaller than usual, owing to some mistake
In the announcement of the date of the
meeting. He said the time had arrived
when Montana needed good medical or
oanizstion, and he was glad to see that each
year added to the interest manifested in the
proceedings of the association, and bid the
members welcome.
Secretary Gum read the minutes Of the
last meeting, held at Butte, which were ap-
proved.
Applications for membership were re
ceived from o. H. Dogge and Edgar
Brooke, of Helena; 8. w. Minchell and DR..
Douglas, of Deer Lodge. and DR.. A. K.
Duncan, of Glendive. These were referred
to the committee on credentials.
In the absence OF the judiciary committee,
Drs. Treacy, Murray and King were ap-
pointed. with instructions to report today.
A telegram from DR.. Leavltt announcing
that he could not attend the meeting was
read.
A recess was taken to give the credentials
committee an opportunity to report. After,
resuming the applications of Drs. DoRRe-
Brooke and Douglas were reported favor
applications of Drs. Duncan and Minchell.
They submitted a resolution suggesting that
hereafter q person to become eligible to
membership in the association should have
permanent certificate of membership
from the state medical board. The report
vas received and balloting proceeded on
the candidates who were reported upon
favorably and they were elected, while fur
Their time was granted the committee on
the applications of Drs. Minchell and
Duncan.
In support of the suggestion offered by
the credentials committee, relative to eli
gibility for membership, DIR. Hammond
stated that to be consistent with the pur-
pose of the medical law, which had its
origin in the association. he could not see
that the members could do otherwise than
adopt it.
DR.. Steele suggested an amendment that
army surgeons and physicians, who are not
board, be excepted. He said he was heartily
in favor of the suggestion of the commit
tee with that exception.
As it was thought that such army physi-
clans or visiting members through cour-
tesy would be at all times welcome to the
debates, but would not desire to become
members. DR.. Steele's amendment was
considered hardly necessary and he with
drew it.
DIR. g. X. Cole, then, as a substitute for
the committee suggestion. offered resolu-
H. Il AlzA 80
practitioner who may have obtained from a
member of the medical board a temporary
certificate to practice shall be eligible to q
temporary membership in the association.
And in the failure of such applicant to re-
new his certificate, or let it expire by de-
fault, his temporary membership in the So
ciety shall become nulled.
This proved the forerunner Of lengthy
discussion, participated in freely by all
present. DR.. Owings, of Deer Lodge, was
opposed to the substitute, as he could not
see. what benefit would be derived from
membership up to a high standard and to
have certificates from the medical
board. DR.. T. J. Murray. of Butte, was
also opposed to it.. He said it just left a
loop hole for quacks, who by such tempo
the name of the association and the medi-
cal board, to the detriment of honest, up
right, worthy and capable men. He said
that DR.. Leavitt last week issued tempo
rary certificate to man who, while he
might be reputable physician, resorted
to the quack method of doing business.
While he believed DIR. Leavitt to be consci-
entious in everything he did, and that the
medical fraternity had no more ardent snip
porter, still he was liable to mistakes; and
felt positive that if such a man as he re-
ferred to obtained even temporary mem
bership he would come out in the papers
with big display saying he was recognized
and received by the state medical board
and the state medical association.
DR.. Carmichael was also opposed to the
substitute, SO was DIR. Hammond.
At this juncture DR.. Parsons, who was
present, asked and was granted the privi-
lege of the floor. He held temporary GER
titicate and surmised that all the discussion
was directed at him. He said he was not
aware of the rules of the association or he
would not have been present. He had new
er undergone an examination from the
medical board, and stated he held the prop
or diplomas to entitle him to a certificate
from the medical board; He said further
that he was ready and willing to undergo
an examination, even now, but under ex-
listing circumstances he said he did not de-
sire membership in the association, and
added that by its own constitution it had
no legal right to keep him out, though it
nlRuI 10 so Oy DallOC. ana ne added that
the state medical board had been forced by
mandamus proceedings to issue certificates
to several practitioners.
DR.. Atchison denied that the beard had
ever been mandamused and said that DR..
Parsons, though notified had failed to APP
pear before the board for examination Dr.
Parsons said that possessing the proper
diplomas he did not have to. and DIR. Atchi-
son said it was discretionary with the board
of examiners.
This little scene brought several members
to their feet assuring the meeting that no
reflection was intended by them upon DIR.
Parsons. DR.. Cole said it had no reference
to him and stopped the talk by calling a
point of order. He again read his substi-
tute and said the adoption of this measure
would not give any one permanent mem
bershlp. While the medical law, which is a
good one, he said, was Gathered by this as
ISOLATION, and while it had no more ardent
supporter than he. he did not pro-
pose to SEQ any competent man possessing
all the legal and professional requirements,
deprived of at least temporary member
ship and said the adoption of the resolu-
tion would not work a hardship on any
man, and he hoped it would be adopted.
Or. Coles substitute was then put to a
vote and was adopted by vote of nine to