The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-04-01

TO ABOLISH QUACKS.
What Jersey City Doctors
Say of Mr.. Kalisch's
Medical Board
Bill.
EVEN HOMEOPATHS AGREE.
A Slight Amendment Satisfies Dr.
Clark---Dr. McGill Says There
is Little Difference in
Treatments.

- f.
Several physicians in this city were IN
terviewed by a reporter of The JERSEY
CITY NEWS last evening concerning the
bill introduced in the Legislature by Mr..
Kalisch to establish a State Board of Med
ical Examiners. The bill, it is said, will
become a law, although it is vigorously
opposed by Mr.. Potts. of this city.
The reporters inquiries showed that
the regular physicians or allopaths
were unanimously in favor of the bill,
and said it was intended to prevent
quackery and would benefit the public.
homeopathic appear to suspect a "nigger
in the fence"
DR.. M'GILL PRAISES 1T.
DR.. John d. McGill was one Of the first
of the regulars whom | saw. He said:
THE bill is one that will protect the pub
lie from unprincipled scoundrels who
deal with life and death in an exceed
ingly -presumptuous way. 1t will I'LL a
long-felt want in the medical profession.
1t is not designed to favor any class or
school of physicians, and is not, as some
people think, intended TO prevent opposi-
tion to any class of physicians, or, in
other words, to check competition. A
physician in good standing does not
fear quacks. He has his regular
practice. built up after years of work.
This bill is purely in the interest of the
public, who need protection. 1t des-
cribes nat no person can practice medl-
cine in this State unless he appears be-
fore the State Board of Examiners and
passes a thorough examination. Why,
just think what the word quackery inn
plies. There is no auackery in law. A
lawyer before being admitted to the bar
has to undergo O strict examination. So
it is in trade and other professions; but
lately any one can practice medicine. |
see MI. Potts is opposing the bill. This
will not do him any good"
THE State Board" the doctor con-
tinued, sswill consist of five regular
physicians of the Allopathic school, three
from the Homeopathic school and one
from the Eclectic. This, / think, is q
very fair appointment. 1t is estimated
that there are 400 regular physicians in
the State, $50 Homeopathic doctors and
about SO practicing the electric treatment.
So you see they are very well provided
for"
The Doctor further remarked that now
treatments. "Ot late,n said he, 'tthe
Homeopathic are gradually taking up the
regular course of medicine, and some of
them have taken.the signs of Homeopathic
treatment from their residences. The
ECdSOu I'll Wills ID U6CEuSC 1lOultOUdbuV III
not bear education. IL you educate 9
practitioner OF Homeopathy he will in
stantly see the fallacy of his treatment.
AS for the electic treatment we allow it in
one profession but do not attempt to prac-
tice it exclusively. do not think there
are any physicians exclusively practising
this treatment in this city,
The doctor summed up his remarks by
saying that the bill was designed to pro-
tect the public from ~unprincipled men,
who took life in their hands for mere
gain, without regard to consequences.
He said an effort was being made to re-
establish he New Jersey Academy of
Medicine, a step which would tend to
elevate the profession.
A HOMEOPATHIC VIEW.
DIR. S. w. Clark, the well-known homeo-
pathic physician, was next seen. He
said:-"The bill appears to be all right on
its face, and a most praiseworthy one,
but / thought at first it harbored some
Interior motive. You see, the Board will
be composed of nine members, five of
whom will be allopathys. Thus, they
will have a majority. The bill was intro
duced at the instance OF the National In
stitution, simultaneously in several
States, and is now pending in several.
Moreover, it has become a law. | find
that it has practically been Instrumental
in exterminating the homeopathic treat
ment. However, in looking over the bill
yesterday, / noticed thai q proviso had
been added to it which l think makes it
a good bill, and to all appearances, Of
good intent, and that is the clause which
provides for q Board of Appeals, to be
composed of one member from each
school. This was added to the original
bill, and as it is now amended I am heart
lily in favor of it.
DR.. Ii. Bower, another Homeopathic
physician, said:-"I think the bill a
praise'worthy one. Apparently it has
been drafted with the best OF intentions.
1t will prove a check to quackery. The
only fault / have to find with it is that it
provides for the future and not for the
present. Why not examine every physic-
ian now practising. Then the present
generation woula reap ~thesbenefits, as it
would weed out all the q~uacks.'i
DR.. Wilkinson, one of the leading Allo-
paths on the Hill, explained himself as
favorable to the bill, as did several other
physicians who were seen. They said 1t
was a most desirable one. 1t appears to
nave no opposition among the medical
profession, at least in this county.