The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-24

Phvsicians VIII Leave OsteOpathy
business to That Body.

huslneSs 10 AhttN bOuEs
# seems that the physicians will not
s5opt aggressive measures against DR.. c.
" 1Iayhugh, the only osteopath pracuc-
,ng in Savannah. The veto of the bill
14ealizing the practice of osteopathy, by
Gov. Gambler leaves DR.. Mayhugh and his
associates in this state in rather an
anomalous position. The practice or their
pr5cession is not legalized and at the same
lime there is no law prohibiting the prac-
tioe of osteopathy. The question seems
- be whether the osteopaths can be
brought under the law regulating the
praetice of medicine.
DIT. w. W. Owens, president of the
Georgia Medical Society, when seen yes.
t4rday, said that he did not think the
rhysicians would take any further steps
in the matter. THE question is now one
for the solicitor general" said DIR. Ow-
ems. IF Mr.. Mayhugh is acting in viola
lion of the laws regulating the practice
of medicine in this state the solicitor gem
eral will doubtless obtain an Indictment
against him and the matter can then be
settled in the courts.
Dr owens said that as there is no law
prohibiing the practice of osteopathy in
5his state the question of whether or not
an Osteopath can be reached under the
existing laws viii have to be determined
in the courts
DR.. st. J. B. Graham of the Savannah
Medical Society is of the opinion that DR..
NIavhugh can be reached through the
courts. Under the laws of Georgia"
he said "a physician is required not only
10 be a graduate of some recognized med
zeal institution but he must undergo an
examination and obtain certificate before
being allowed to practice. In addition
10 this he must register his diploma ana
nav the professional license. AS 1 am
informed the osteopath here has done none
of these things, and in consequence I
think that he can be reached by the
courts The question is now one for the
courts and not for the physicians"
Dr. Mayhugh, when seen about the mat
Ter. said that he, had been regularly en-
gagged in practice here since last July
and that he would continue practicing
"While Gov. Gambler has vetoed the bill
legalizing the practice of osteoppthy, :"
said DR.. Mayhugh, 'there is nothing in
The laws of the state to prevent it's prac-
tce l am perfectly willing to face an IN
dictment of this score and am satisfied
that the Supreme Court viii decide, as
the Supreme Courts of a number of other
states have done, in our favor. The laws
OF the state apply only to medical practi-
toners The osteopaths do not use med
icine, and laws regulating the practice
of medicine cannot apply to them. This
question has been brought up a number
of times In several states the decision
of the Supreme Courts has been in our
favor In twelve of the states of this
country there is no legal objection to the
practice of osteopathy. In several of the
states, where no laws have been passed on
the subject the Supreme Courts have de-
cided that there was no legal reason for
interfering with or forbidding the prac-
of this country there are now practicing
osteopaths, with the possible exception of
South Carolina. In This state there are
two, myself and one at Atlanta. We are
willing to have legal proceedings against
us taken at any time. The only laws in
this state bearing on this subject are those
relating to medical. practitioners, and as
the Osteopaths do not use medicine and
abhor its use these laws cannot apply TO
them"
Osteopathy, as explained by DR. May
hugh, is the cure of diseases by the treat
ment of the bones and of the muscles.
nerves and tendons of the body, going di-
rectly to the seat of Inc disease instead
Of attacking 1t with medicines Drs Owens
and Graham did not hesitate to class os-
teopathy along with faith cures Christian
Scientists end other fakes calculated 10
deceive the unwary and hoodwink the sim
pie 1t is true that there are faxirs who
comply with the laws regulating the prac-
ice OF medicine, they said, but this was no
reason why any new scheme intended to
gun the public should not be condemned.