The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-10
TO COMMENCE 4 CRUSADE
Bogus Doctors and Dentists Posing
as American Graduates.
steps 10 BE Taken by New York Col
IeEes Aga INST the Medical and
Dental '1MIIIs7 Furnishing For
eign Persons With Certificates.

NEW YORK, June 16--Steps are about
to be taken by some well known dental
colleges in this city and State to have
imprisoned or fined persons practicins in
foreign countries with forged American
diplomas. IN the last four OF five years
certain medical and dental mills in this
country by their course have lowered to
a considerable degree the reputation
abroad of American educational institu-
tons. and the situation. in the opinion Of
those who have Investigated it, calls for
quick and drastic measures
James H Norman, United States Con
sui at Munich has taken deep interest
in the subject, and has sent a letter to
David J. bill, Assistant Secretary of
State, calling attention to the 'gradu-
ates" Of the bogus institutions in this
country who are practicing in Germany.
IN the letter he asserts that if these
mills are not quickly suppressed there
is every reason TO believe that no Ameri-
can diplomas VIII be recognized IN Ger
many He says:
ITO what low estate American univers-
ity training and h0nOrs have fallen II
Germany on account Of this disgraceful
traffic IS perhaps better apparent from
:he technical journals than from the man
ncr in which the subject IS treated by the
secular press and even by the comic jour
nails. Can any American of spirit sit idly
by and see such disgraceful caricatures
launched against educational enterprises,
and that with justification by reason Of
such want of supervision on the part Of
so great and cultivated a State as Illinois,
whose chief city where the nefariOus traf-
re centres has j reputation To lose as well
a. to make, second only to the metropolis
Of our great country This publicity has
not always treated of the swindling in
stitutions alone, but has very often gener-
allied the whole subject. not only for
American dental degrees, but all Alneri-
can educational honors, and has created
in the minds of even educated Germans 4
prejudice against our institutions Of
learning. which is as unfortunate as IN
Just. and is proving and viii prove still
more in the future detrimental to Ameri-
can practitioners in Germany and prob
ably lead ultimately to the exclusion of
American degrees in South Germany, as
In the north where their holders are prac-
ticaHy denied the right to use them or
practice under them
The courts of North Germany have
had until recently much more TO q" with
the question than those of the Southland
and the manner in which they have com
nented on our educational institutions
though largely due to want Of under
standing of the organization of the
schools. has nevertheless reflected the
general uafavorable opinion entertained
here
1T is simply a question of time. and
that no so far away when the courts OF
the Southland viii Te-echO these same IN
lust sentiments, if the flood tide of public
opinion is not promptly stcmmed by dis
Criminate and effective legislation at
home 1t viii not do for the Legislature
OF the State that has brought such dis
grace upon our common country and good
name. TO plead impairment Of interests
which have become incidentally vested I'M
der vicious legislation, as Il reason why
no more effective measures have prevail
Cd against the nefariOuS traffic and its
diSETaCefeul results.
According TO dentists and physicians mi
this city, the effect products abroad by
the fake medical and mental schools in
this country, especially in Illinois. is
growing more and more harmful For
eigneTs have been led to believe that the
securing Of a diploma in medicine or dem
| tistry here is merely question Of money.
This belief, said a practitioner yesteT-
day, has resulted IN bringing to these
shores hundreds Of persons in quest of
such diplomas. These persons have re
turned TO their homes with the desired di-
piomaS Of fake schools. after a little more
than months stay here, and on their
return have begun the practice of either
dentistry or medicine Their work in most
cases has not only helped to lower the
reputation of American educational iuSti-
tutions abroad but has caused many 9th
er INSCRIPTIONS persons to manufacture
bogus medical or dental diplomas bear
ing the seal of reputable American
schools These latter persons are work
ing with the idea that if they can get a
medical or dental diploma by merely WIS.,
! iting this country and paying small sum
for the sheepSkIn, no one VII care II they