Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-04-20
Tho New aIea,ca, Law.

Public health and public safety as to
the treatment of individuals by prac-
tlcing physicians and surgeons are SUBJ
5ects 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 u
stop to malpractice, II. b. No. 23l
Cannon, met with the approval of
both branches. 1t goes into the medical
and surgical question in n thorough
manner that promises to result benc-
ticially.
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
cral. the president of the Board of
Regents OF the State University, the
state superintendent OF public instruc-
tlon 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-
eli next September. The council Is
given direct supervision Of nll exam
nations Of applicants for medical and
surgical certificates under the state
government, and to pass upon the ilt-
ness Of these applicants to receive the
desired certificates or licenses. The
council issues these licenses and may
revoke any OF them ut the request of
seven members Of the board OF medl-
cal examiners for good cause.
Probably the most important provis-
Ion Of the bill. and the one that brought
Il forth the greatest amount of opposi-
tiOn. Is thnt relating to the appoint
y mcnt of members Of the board OF ex-
4 nminers. II Is that they shall be
Fchoscn. three from each OF these So
cieties: The Colorado State Medical So
ricty. the Homeopathic Medical Socie-
ty and the Eclectic Medical Associn-
tion OF the State OF Colorado. or the
ties one from each shall serve two
years. one four years aud 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
/ crs OF new theories ns TO medical ana
Surgical treatment. who construed the
provisions OF the hill rs aimed at them
Z md their schools. Nevertheless II
passed the House early In the session
md the Senate during the last twenty
four hours. Each of these societies IL
TO present to the governor. whenever n
vacancy exists. u list OF six names
from which the chief executive must
select one examiner.
The bill lcnls extensively In the mr.
rangcment OF the duties and functions
OF the bonrd OF examiners. and EN-
powers that body to incur expense. is-
sue subpocnns md administer onths.
,t,,y al Ina . In rs,ft rlt nntfprs which
otherwise would he beyond Its juris.
,liction. Any testimony that may be
offered In behalf Of or against nppli-
cnnts for licenses will be received and
recorded ns the board secs 1T.
Hcnceforth all applicants for licenses
must submit with their applications
SIS each. that bein: the license fec
fixed by the bill. Fees SO collected are
to be used first to dcfray the actual
expenses OF the council and the board
OF examiners. then 10 pay the salaries
4 OF the secretary and treasurer OF the
council MS fixed by the council. and
d nny funds that may remain will be d.
vidcd between the members OF the
bonrl Of examiners. The councilmen
receive no pny for their services.
Doctors already authorized to prnc-
ticc under the laws of the stntc are
not amcnnblc to the provisions OF the
Cannon net. 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 n book which shall be
open for public inspection. Revocation
Of licenses may he made by the couti-
eli upon the recommendation of seven
members Of the board of examiners.
after the holders of such licenses shall
have been notified Of the intention OF
the board and shall have been given
each a public hearing upon the charges
of fraud. felony or malpractice which
may hnvc been brought against him.
All violations of the Cannon act nre
punishable by heavy fines and impris-
onmcnt.