The Washington times., 1895-02-04
MEDICAL MONOPOLY LAWS.
Dr. Damon's Views on the AIIopathic and
Homeopathic Combination TO Pro.
tect the Dear People

Dr. Ia mons views on the AiIOpaIhiS anu
Homeopathic Combination TO Pro.
tect the Dear People"
EDITOR TIMES: Much has been said in the
daily press OF late of the merits and demerits OF
the medical monopoly bill now before Con-
gress. The people at large, however, know but
little of the strong effort being put forth by the
sci styled regulars to secure the passage
of the bill and their reasons for wanting il.
Not person as far as l can learn outside of
the medical schools, has asked for any legis-
IatInn on the subject. And when it Is under
stood that it is the doctors atone who want
such Law It can easily be seen that they, in
some way are TO be benefited. The real
reason why certain of these regulars are
coaxiny Congress TO take away every cl izen' 5
right freely to choose his own medical ad-
visor is that those physicians want a monOp-
oily of the business OF healing the sick. But
the pretext which they oller for the public TO
swallow is that the monopoly is necessary for
the protection of the dear people.
Let US see il this bill is sincere. The bill is
in the interest. aud is supported by, c lali
ton Of allopaths and homeopaths. These
two schools have momentariiy forgotten
their enmlty. and joined hands to secure the
passage OF this law. Each would keep the
other out, brt neither feels strong enough to
disp nse with The others aid.
Let II not De ltltl-,tutI lOE u utOLltHL- utM-
ever. that allOpath!c physicians and hOmeO-
pathic physicians have any confidence in
each other They Will not even meet each
other and act together at the bedside of u
dying atient.
"Ho neopathy is the worst form OF quaek-
cry, is a common remark OF alIopathic
physicians Here Is a fair sample of aiio-
pathic compliments 10 the homeopathist5,
taken from an address to aiiopathic doctors
by DIR. o. D. Todd, as reported by the u edi-
cal Record:
II think they Homeopathic physicians)
are murderers. and more than murderers.
The murderer is honest in his profession and
does not pretend 10 be a doctor, ana is liable
for consequences"
The homeopathic physician are no less Sc
we're in their Remuneration OF the allorathists.
II have studied and graduated in both
Schools said one of them re emily, and for
the first few years of my professional life I
practiced the allopathic system, but now 1
would rather shovel gravel for a living than
go back 10 allopathy. l could shovel gravel
/ with clear conscience, but as an allOpathic
/ physician | should feel little better than
murderer" Any one who knows the bitter
| hostility existing between these two schools
/ of medicine knows that these two examples
/ of their language concerning each other are
/ exaggerated.
/ Yet these two kinds of physicians, looking
upon each other as "murderers," and freely
saying so, have joined hands to protect the
/ public by creating a medical monopoly which
each is willing to share with the 'murderers''
of the other school.
| 1t is like partnership OF wolves and foxes
! for the protection Of henroosts. We're the
allopaths honest and sincere in their pro-
I fessed desire to protect the public they
would exclude those ''murderers. the homeo-
pathists, whom they regard as the worst OF
| quacks. That the two schools have Joined
| together proves that there is no sincerity in
/ this any more than in the tariff variety of the
| protective idea" 1t is simply combine"
of powerful interests to set up monopoly to
impose upon the many for the benefit of the
! few.
t The allopathists say the homeopathists are
unfit to practice medicine. The homeopa-
thists say the same of the allopathists. No
Congress had better so far take them at their
own word as to give to either or TO both
combined any monopoly of the benefcent
work of healing the sick. The noblest OF
arts should remain as it is-free
S. J. DAMON NJ d.