Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-05-04
MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARDS.
rom Every EyeuinE yesterday.

Editor Of Every Evening: My atten-
tion has been called to u recent issue
Of your paper in which there is an
article from Lewes, signed Justice,
in which the writer makes much com
plaint Of tho laws which regulate the
practice Of medicine in this State and
that he is under tho impression that
the fault lies at the door of the Medi-
cal Society Of Delaware.
If "Justicen will call on DIR. Burton
or DR.. Orr, eithor Of these gentlemen
will be pleased to show him a copy of
the constitution and by laws of that
society, and on reading them he will
find that the Medical Society of Della
ware is an organization for the adj
vancement. and the good, and the wei
| fare of the profession, and to help its
members in the discharge of their duty
| to the people of the Commonwealth
Of Delaware.
The State Examining Board is ap.
pointed by the State executive and TO
| the honor of our governors, the best
| qualified men in tho State have always
| been appointed.
| 1t 'passeth all understanding how
an intelligent and enlightened people,
whose capacity for dealing with the
complex and trying questions which
| confront nations has won the respect
and admiration Of the world, could so
| long commit the lives and health OF
| those dear to them to the care of n
class of people whose legal requirement
for fitness TO practice the healing art
was the possession OF sufficient money
to pay the license tax, and even this
has not always been requisite So
great was the popular indifference, and
in many cases prejudices, against rpgu-
| lating the practice Of medicine by law
lit being regarded as u scheme for the
formation of a combine of doctors.
that the legislative work was taken up
with laws for the protection Of inubk
| rats, &c., but with no act to project
the people against that iliterate
ignorant or inscriptions class which,
under the title Of doctor Of medicine,
in some cases self designated and in
others lawfully acquired by the sojourn
of few weeks at and by the payment
OF n small amount of money to some OF
the numerous medical colleges, as the
purchase money for "a diploma. 1t has
been ever thus in tho worlds history
that mankind would reject the kind
offices of those laboring unsetishly
for mankind's good.
The position of member of an OK
amining board is responsible and
trying ono The member is an officer
Tor the faithful execution OF the law,
and at the same time he is called on
to obey the unwritten law of dis
cretion, which is as strong Though
frequently somewhat confiictinel as
the written one. The good work of
tho examining board, like the scrip
tural grain of mustard seed, has grown
and extended. until it has reached the
colleges, which have taken advantage of
the experience gained and now req uiro
a college education or an entrance OK
animation on the academic branches.
And while so much has been accom-.
plished, it is to be acknowledged that
there ie much yet to be done ere our
board reaches that state OF perfection
for which we all most deyoutiy wish.
Ono evil that cries out for remedy is
the want of uniformity in the laws OF
the different States regulating the
practice of medicine. Unfortunately
the various State codes have been
formulated to remedy certain evils and
objectionable conditions existing in
their respective localities, and hence
contain provisions that would have no
application IN other States 1t is very
true that laws that are enacted for the
few are of necessity unjust, and the
physician has Just right to complain Of
undue restrictions and severe penalties
to which for the need of this remedy,
he is often liable to be subjected. For
example, the regularly educated phys-
clan Of Brandywine hundred should
have the right to practice 10 Chester
county land wee versal, and any law
which prevents him from ATTENDING
cases which happen to be Just beyond
the border of Delaware is mauifestly
oppressive and believe our friends oi
the legal profession would declare Il
unconstitutional.
| Would il not be well to have a con
ference of State boards, having for irs
object the proper legislation to secure
modification and uni6cation of existing
medical laws and regulations? ,g,tl
William NJ. Ogle.
Delaware City, May LIST, 1893.
|