Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-02-24

the fcliri u views Of % IL
majority of the Inhabitants Of
the Territory was q sentiment
which was opposed Il any a..
t mpt by the law-malsing power to
determine who should or should no,
be permitted to administor Lief to the
8 ob, or to restrain individuals In their
choice Of a physician.
But rs tue Territory grow m re
ropulous, meIica q lacks began to az.
pear ia rumb1rs taat demanIel re-
triclive mea.ure'. AMI then ensuei
ONE determined contests iu the Leslf-
laiurc. Oh tbs one hand wsre mem.
bvrs who were determined that tbo
quacka should be suppressed, and on
tue other nnnd were o.hprs equally de-
t TRIMMED that the llbsrtiel OF he people
should not be invaded. Al lasf, after
Tepeated conflicts between these two
forces, EACH made euch concessions 10
the other as rendered u possible to pass
d medical law; and out OF the mutual
iealUusies an yleldtngs was evolved o
statue which ID generally couceded 10
be Us cir to b,th sides as any enact.
mont upon tho subject could well be
made.
The NEWS does not deny having
iolt, Gu lnr the controversy about 8
medical law, somewhat solicitous in
behalf tf the very numerous class o,
people in this commonwealth who
rarely or never employ physician,
preferring household remedies RBd
practice, and the assistance OF some
experienced matron or neighbor,
naturally apt in caring for the sick;
ana this pspsr would have protested to
the last ngaiust law that would inter.
iere with the Iighta or preferences OF
such people.
But tue present medical law has
been 80 long In operation as to havs
received tolerably thorough trial;
oLd while there may have been cases
Of Injustice under 1t, we are Goa.
strained to believe, from such
information 40 has come to us
relative TO its operation and
effects, that such instances are very
few, while positive declarations are
mate, by persons in position to
Judge OF the facts. that 1t ia keeping the
State almost entirely free from quacks
and unscrupulons medical PRACTITIONERS
who would flock here from other states
whose laws prevent them from prey.
ing upon the public, were 1t not that
Utah has tuch a statute.
We have favored conservative
policy by the Legislature upon this
Aublect In the paSi, and are still in
ciined towarde conservatism. This
bent at this time causes us to look with
disfavor upon any attempt to revive
an acrimonious agitation OF the ques-
ton. Such an attempt Is now being
made, and bill is pending in the
Legislature to radically change the
existing statute.
The source from which the agItatlo Ii
| springs this time does not inspire con-
idepce In its beneficial effects, pre-.
vidsd IL shall succeed in its purpose;
ana 1t 10 no argument against the law
that it shout BIS opposed by at least
ajme of the medical men wac are try.
ing to secure its revision or repeal.
Rsserving the right to change its
position whenever facts are presented
10 justify such change, the NEWS
thinks the present medical law
mad better be let alone. 1t
is compromlse, and as such Is proba.
bly, As fair ae our lawmakero could
frame; 1t is almost unanimously en-.
dorsed by the medical faculty OF the
State, tho few exceptions, as above
intimaIed, being no argument against
II.
1t is being administered In mag.
unanimous spirit, anu 10 not giving rise
to my considerable amount OF com
plant among the people; while it IL
ur questionably extending valuable
protection over them. Better let II
alone ct least a while longer.