The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-30

uLysrfA. Jan -, 1s90
To 4f5z faJyozs n medical bill eizlrns
. vide range Of 6sssuetcn than IL has ne
cesxes.taosa sae srre@s'' abieh shonld be,
sna generally Il. vigifsnt and stEorous
In tFrsrztug sfrtosIs ard oppressive
5cxfssssssu fl eserT phase. There exits no
necss<sy tov q hoard of '~'rnesiicsi exsminers' IN
sny 50 ! ard especially tsss in this new and
tpzrsely popsissei esith, where new
fields are presented f0r ambitious men. and I'm
migration frpn sbf1Ad 4 - mach desired
Fifty years ago, when medical colleges were
few fu aubssxr. when expenses tnclaest 70 travel
and attending hectares cost moro than the
ssaaent ecu 4 wt:s afford, he eutetsd the once
Of D pgtvsts yfseepfos. stteudsd bss one course
Of lectures. AMI applied for license 10 practice
10 xtate beard OF mecisai censefs, which vas
appointed b. state medical E~oefstses for Inst
purpose pnfznsnt 70 law. and q proper cersincate
from these boars3s entitled him 10 the privilege
Of pf1ctieitg. Tafse IiecntIaies rarely obtained
the degree Of doctor Of medicine. which &c
quIssd attendance upon two courses Of Lectures
aud . xucce<xful examination By the college
faculty. New the entire farce al medical sstu-
cation IL radically changed. Colleges are num-
erous ard easily Aetezsibic to all students, and
20 physician rxstenas 70 30 forth without an en-
during parchment diploma, certifying under cor
posase seal 10 hts moral fitness and professional
accomplishments. aftcr solemn celebration BY
= corps of professors who have been selected
for their responsible positions By boards Of IL.
deyeadest trustees appointed by virtue OF state
authority, uader charters carefully guarded IN
phrtzeology. invoiviag the responsibility Of the
people of : sfAfe 30 the adaptation OF the
holder Of the diploma 10 practice medicine and
surgery. To ignore such credentials Ii TO rcpu-
diate and Insult the anthoyities. State aud col
leee by which these visitors are commissioned
~ ~ persons to administer the healing art. A
diploma Is anal authority ~ 10 the fitness Of the
holder to perform his responsible dustes. No
board selected BY political powers can possibly
be 10 competent to decide npon medical qusiin-
cations - the stndioua. investigating and
learned psotessors-experts In examinations
even Of the most unpretsnding colleges OF this
country, and this class Of men II excluded BY
the bill from becomipg members Of the board
The bill IL tssed upon the offensive trust prin-
cip'e, creates ana fosters . monopoly, or
star chamber combination, makes Il
bio for nix dsrtors TO st in Judgment
over Ill others and 10 drive them from their bus
tness occupations and win virtually exclude
physicians from abroad. who might desire to To-
cate In this state. who would not consent to the
indiGnity Of N examination. being already Pos
sssssd u ample indonsmsnts.
The hill creates unjustiAabie expehse-not
only the so lee 70 the hoard. but tp6velfuG ex-
pensss from near or remote points cat and In, 10
The extent II may be OF hundreos OF daliars and
weeka Of ttme. IL violates this f~nsjority principle
Of our government. re0uifing nx Affirmative
votes 70 license. Of thE ntnc-two Thirds. and
q the ssme timsa1hsnrdly provides that I'VE
members shall 6bnsfstutc Z quorum for business.
Provisiao u male that an appeal may be made
from - adverse decisions Of the board 70 the
poyves which sppotntcd-thc covesnor-but does
nd vest that ofhcsf with authority to annui
6ach decisions except perhaps By duplication.
which, II we'll founded. would empower the
chief cxscusive. who might not be, and who IL
not likely b b., Z medical man. 70 license per
scns Ia practice mcd,clss, . subject upon
which be may ho profoundly ignorant
The bill gives authority to revoke licenses for
s'unpro' essional conduct understood TO pre-
vent aavestssinv. 4 ktep further would require
4 Doctor 10 take down his sshingie." or prevent
him from arpeuafag IN his card his well earned
and honorable symtoi, NJ. D.. Is IA evidence OF
bis occupation ami proper desire for public
recognition a. a member Of . learned profession.
The main question IN. the right of the citizen to
advertise aud follow his calling under proper
necessary restrictions, and OF the people 10 EN-
pioy whoiasoever they may prefer sn any bust
ness capacity whatever. All that Is required ta
prevent impasifisAs upon the people from med
icai quackers IL. thai the diploma presented by
the applicant shall have issued from q reputable
medical college. be free from all taint OF perjury
OF forgery. and be properly recorded under AM
dayit N.