The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-09
WHEN DOCTORS DISAGREE
STATE SENATE WILL TRY TO DE-
eide THE FATE OF MED
ICAL PRACTICE
Jepsen Medical Bill Was the Sub
ject of Hard Fight Before the
Senate judiciary Committee
A miscellaneous Opposition.

So intense is the interest IN the proposed
legislation affecting the medical fraternity,
! that, in spite OF the severe weather the SEN
ate chamber was crowded last night at rhs
! hearing granted the Christian Scientists by
the judiciary committee, before which IS
now pending the bill OF Senator Jepson Clep.),
OF Hennepin. to which the Christian Scientists
are opposed
Their contentious were set forth formally
by W. j. Hahn, of Minneapolis who said
that the Christian Scientists had illustrious
preceeents. Jesus and His early followers
had healed the sick for 800 years. Their be-
the proposed bill, therefore, infringe,
ment Of the religious liberty which the con-
stitutions of the state and nation tried to
insure to every oce.
Christian Scientists, he thought they shouid
be expressly exeeoted in the title.
A. E. Merrill also Of Minneapolis. said
within his personal observation. Christian
Science had worked cure of a malady pro>
nounced incurable by many distinguished
physicians. He thought. therefore, the Eler.
attempt to cure an ailment pronounced in
durable should not be denounced as unpfo-
fessionalism, as the bill provides. Other
states had refused 10 pass similar legislation.
A E. Smith said Christian Science was the
primitive Christianity The achievements OF
modern Christian Science were not special
providences, nor were the so-called miracles
Of Jesus and his apostles, but the workings
of natural laws, not as Yet fully understood.
DIR. Arthur Sweeney, called on in behalf of
the bill, said 1t did not require any examina-
ten as to methods Of treatment. 1t did re-
Quire knowl dge Ct diseases, then character
istics and diagnosis. The advocates of the
bill believed that it was the duty of the
state to regulate those who professed to heal
the sick. The state was founded on the l1ml-
tatien of the liberty of the individual for the
general good Of the state. Should the man
who did net know diphtheria from broken
leg be allowed to heal the sick? No, the
state should protect ignorance against char
latanry. The Christian scientist drew no line
between smallpox and numps.
Dr. A. J. Stone said he came not as
general practitioner. but as health commits
sioner. The welfare of the community de-
these diseases, smallpox exceedingly
difficult of diagnosis
Dr.. Bemis, representing the osteoraths, OPP
posed the bill He said the diagnosis was
only one thing; the method was what killed.
1t was the practice against which the people
should be protected.
DR.. W. A. Jones, OF Minneapolis, said the
old school practice was a Christian science.
He thought Of the osteopaths were advanced
as they claimed, they should not object to
taking the examination.
o. J. Snyder said there were fourteen
schools represented N the state.
Chairman Young wanted to know what they
were
The test caused a laugh 1t Included mas
sagists. masseurs and psycho-medi cists
H H. Wadsworth of Minneapolis. read an
article by Minneapolis homeopath, oppos--
ing the Jepson bill.
DR.. Ogden, a homeopath favored the bill
DR.. R. O. Beard said the bill would only
interfere with those who practiced healing
for a compensation professionally.
Senator Du Toit, by request, introduced an
osteopathy bill, calculated to meet the oppo-
sition OF osteopaths from schools other Than
the Northwestern to the first bill introduced
Instead Of state board OF examiners, con-
sisting of three osteopaths, the board is to
consist Of nine members, six ozteopaths end
three physicians, thus giving the osteopaths
control OF the board, but not all the mem,
bers. Three of the osteopaths are to be the
presidents Of the three schools of osteopathy
The other members are to be appointed by
the governor
The Du Toit bill provides that all meetings
shall be held at the capitol. and that nctc-
be given of all special meetings.
The Grindeland bill prohibits regular rhy-
scians from practicing osteopathy without
licenses from the board of osteopathy. rh-
Du Toit bill exempts legally qualified physl-
clans.
The Du Toft bill adds to the list of sub
jects in which osteopaths must qualify,
diagnosis. prophylaxis. medical Jurisprudence
and osteopathic therapeutics. The terms are
heightened from twenty to twenty SIX weeks
each. and the bin omits the exemption clause
for practice of two years outside the state