Gilpin observer., 1899-04-20
Tbs New Medical Law.

Public health and public safety us to
the treatment of individuals by prac-
ticing physicians and surgeons are SUBJ
1ects which received the effective at
tention of the recently adjourned Leg
islature. In that connection a bill in
tended to SO regulate the medical af-
fairs of the state as to virtually put n
stop to malpractice, H. B. No. 231
(Cannon), met with the approval of
both branches. 1t goes into the medical
and surgical question in a thorough
manner that promises to result bene-
ficially.
The first section of the bill creates n
board of seven members to be known
as the medical council of the state of
Colorado. 1t is to be composed of the
secretary of state, the attorney gen.
eral. the president of the Board of
Regents of the State University, the
state superintendent OF public instruc-
ton and three members of the board Of
medical examiners.
This council is to organize in Den
yer next September for the election of
officers. Meetings are to be held reg
ularly upon the third Tuesdays of Jan
uary, May and September of each year
following the organization of the coun-
ell next September. The council is
given direct supervision of all exam
nations of applicants for medical and
surgical certificates under the state
government, and to pass upon the fit
ness of these applicants to receive the
desired certificates or licenses. The
council issues these licenses and may
revoke any of them at the request of
seven members of the board of medi-
cal examiners for good cause.
Probably the most important provis-
ion of the BILL and the one that brought
forth the greatest amount of Opposi-
ton. is that relating to the appoint
ment of members of the board of eX
aminers. 1t is that they shall be
chosen, three from each of these So
cieties: The Colorado State Medical So
ciety. the Homeopathic Medical Socie-
ty and the Eclectic Medical Associa-
ton of the State of Colorado. OF the
members recommended by these socie-
ties one from each shall serve two
years, one four years and one six years.
Thereafter each governor will appoint
three members, one from each of the
enumerated societies, to serve six
years.
The opposition came from the follow
ers of new theories as to medical and
surgical treatment, who construed the
provisions of the bill as aimed mt them
and their schools. Nevertheless it
passed the House early in the session
and the Senate during the last twenty
four hours. Each of these societies is
to present to the governor. whenever
vacancy exists, n list of six names
from which the chief executive must
select one examiner.
The bill deals extensively in the ar
rangement of the duties and functions
of the board of examiners, and EN-
powers that body to incur expense, is
sue subpoenas and administer oaths,
thus enabling it to reach matters which
otherwise would be beyond its juris-
diction. Any testimony that may be
offered in behalf of or against appli-
cants for licenses will be received and
recorded as the board sees fit.
Henceforth all applicants for licenses
must submit with their applications
$15 each, that being the license fee
fixed by the bill. Fees so collected are
to be used first to defray the actual
expenses of the council and the board
of examiners. then to pay the salaries
of the secretary and treasurer of the
council as fixed by the council, and
any funds that may remain will be d.
vided between the members of the
board of examiners. The councilmen
receive no pay for their services.
Doctors already authorized to prac-
tice under the laws of the state are
not amenable to the provisions of the
Cannon act. All licenses granted must
be recorded by the recipient with the
county clerk of the county in which he
desires to practice, the clerk to pre-
serve them in book which shall be
open for public inspection. Revocation
of licenses may be made by the coun-
ell upon the recommendation of seven
nf tho hnur1 nf nynminarS
after the holders of such licenses shall
have been notified of the intention of
the board and shall have been given
each public hearing upon the charges
of fraud, felony or malpractice which
may have been brought against him.
All violations of the Cannon act are
punishable by heavy fines and impris-
onmeEs.