The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-14
A THREE-YEARS COURSE
MUST. ALSO STAND THE LICENSE
EXAMINATION.
LvlLY DEsATE IN HOUSE LAST NIGHT
Are the Old pcc'ors Tryirg to Keep Out tn
Ycurg 0oes. Say They ar lying
to Rase the Siasdard of
IN. Prof ssiOn.
III Prof, Ssion.

ih- Prot SsOn.
Though the night session of the House
was poorly attended the number of
members present being smaller even than
mt the morning sesion-a good bit OF
business was transacted
The House was in session for three
hours, from 7:30 to 1890. Two of these
hours were devoted to the passage Of
local bills and one hour to debate on a
bill amending the law regulating the
practice Of medicine in the State.
This bill. so amends the Code and the
law of 1889, as to require applicants for
license to practice medicine, after Jan
uary 1st, 1900. to show q diploma from
"A reputable college having a three-years
course. \ license to practice in another
State may be accepted in lieu of the
diploma.
The bni passed it's second reading
without objection. On its third reading
Mr. Williams, (Rep.), of Yadkin, said
he'd like to have some explanation of the
bill.
DR.. Reeves, of Ashe, explained
The explanation was not satisfactory
to Mr.. Williams. He denounced the
bin as q blow aimed at the poor young
men of the State who were striving to
become physicians.
1t is an effort of the State Medical
Association, and of the older physicians
of the State to hedge themselves about
with great difficulties and thus scour-
age young men from becoming ply
sicians."
He criticised the State Board, calling
il n flake" and its methods which he
said were not fair and honest. The
purpose of the creation of the board hf
thought a good one. bat this purpose
he declared, had not been carried out
He said he knew some men who had fail
cd before the board simply because they
were too honest to cheat. while others
much less learned in medicine went
smoothly through,
IF the bill would recognize n diploma
for a three-years' course in lieu of al
examination. I'd he for it,
DIR. Reeves-''If you were sick which
would YOU prefer, an educated physician
or a uuack!"
Mr.. Willams-'Td take the best
could get. They're all quacks."
He thought there should be no restric-
lions, in the way of diplomas or course o
study that the boards examination
should settle the uestion. He said manH
of the best Informed men were mer
who had studied at home. and to such
this bill worked a hardship.
Mr.. Carroll, Of Alamance. likewist
thought there was bad feature in the
bill.
There are q large per cent Of the
physicians in North Carolina practicin"
medicine who never stood an examine
ton. Now these very men come here
and want us to pass law reqnirin"
what? That Young man, after he get
his education, shall attend medicn
college three years and then go befor'
a State Board OF Examiners and stand
another examination.
This, it seems to me. is an effort f.
form trust among physicians and max
it hard for young men to enter the pro
fession."
DIR Reeves defended the hill by say
ing that every man who could stand Z
good examination would not make .
good practitioner. and it was the inten
ton of this bill to compel those who
would be physicians to well grounG
themselves in both the theory and the
practice of medicine.
Mr.. Johnson, of Sampson-"Did yor
attend college three years?"
DIR. Reeves-"No, sir; went only tive
years"
Mr.. Carroll-"I'd like to know if this
bill wasn't gotten up by DIR. Lewis il
the interest of the doctors of Nortl
CarolinaY'
DR.. Reeves-"Yes. If was drawn h.
DIR. Lewis. but il is in the interest of tn
reople of North Carolina There's moth
ing more dangerous than a quack physi
clan"
Mr.. Clarkson-''Youve just said very
few Of the physicians of North Caro-
lima had taken three years course
Are those we now have dangerous?"
DR. Reeves-'I don't think so; but w
want to improve the service"
Mr.. Davis. Of Haywood-'Don't yor
think some of the lawyers that came il
under the S20-lawyer act are prett,
1 good lawyer?"
pr Reeves-Oh. ! reckon So"
Mr. Carroll-"Won't it be against tn
fellow that reads medicine privately un
der some physician?'
DR. Reeyes-"It will
Mr.. Council amended to leave ont tn
three years course requirement. but lef
the requirement to show a diploma fror
some medical COLLEGE
Mr.. Ransom, of Mecklenburg. wanted
| TO know If it would not be sufficient f
! REQUIRE them TO stand an examination
without recurring diploma.
Mr.. Council said the diploma was nc
cessary to show that the applicant hac
had training and had not been coachet
simnly for an examination
Mr.. Holman. of Iredell. favored tn
bill. Doctors. he said, buried their mis-
takes and seldom did the world know
of them. The lawyer only touches on
rocket hook The doctor deals with life
| He spoke in appreciative terms of tn
medical profession and the men engaged
in Il. The physicians asked this law. h
said and they were the folks to know
what was necessary for the proper pro
| lection of their profession.
Mr. Justice smoke at length in srpDor