The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-10
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Attorneys Opinion on the
Licensing of Physicians.
The Law Exempts n Few Specified
Glasses of Practitioners Use of
Electricity Believed to he Part of
the Healing Art-The Health Office
Death Record for the Past Week.

Andrew B. Duvall, the Attorney of the
District, has submitted TO the Commission
ers an opinion upon the communication of
john G. Challlce, requesting TO be in
formed whether license is required to
practice as an electrical physician" in
this city Mr. Duvall says he understands
the word practice to mean the use Of
electrical treatment upon persons suffering
with rheumatism, stomach trouble, and
other similar diseases. He informs the
Commissioners that the act OF the late
Legislative Assembly OF the District Of
Columbia, which imposed a license tax
upon trades and professions, does not in
elude the profession of medicine. SO that
no license is required. But ne goes on to
show that the act Of Congress approved
June 3, 1896, ITO regulate the practice of
medicine and surgery and to license ply
sicians and surgeons" etc, requires:
Section 8. That from and after the pas
cage OF this act all persons desiring 10
practice medicine and surgery in any of
their branches in the District Of Colum-
bia shall apply to said Board of Medical
Supervisors for q license to do So
Medicine" the Attorney continues. "ac-
cording TO the Standard Dictionary, is the
healing art, the science OF the preserva-
ton Of health and Of treating disease fer
the purpose of cure According to the
same authority physician is one versed
in OF pracucing the art of medicine, or
healing bodily diseases by administration
OF remedies, specifically, one legally au-
1horized to treat diseases
An electrical physician, i assume, pro-
poses TO treat sick and injured human
beings for the purpose of curing or re-
lleNfuE their diseases M frf
necessarily involves, therefore, the de-
termination Of the character of the dis
ease or injury in each individual case and
the application of the proper remedy, and
II would appear to be one branch Of medi-
cine.
Section y OF the said act provides
That this act shall not apply to commits
stoned surgeons OF the United States Army.
Navy, or Marine Hospital Service nor to
regular physicians and surgeons in actual
consultation from other States or Terri
tories, nor TO regularly licensed physicians
and surgeons called from other States or
Territories to attend specified cases in The
District Of Columbia, nor to the treat
ment Of any case Of actual emergency. nor
TO the practice of massage or OF the So
called Swedish movement cure, nor to the
use Of ordinary domestic remedies without
fee. gift, or consideration of any kind
In consideration OF the above defini-
lions, and in view Of section u of the act
referred to. am Of the opinion that IN
less the practice Of an electrical ply
stefan is identical with the practice OF
massage or the so-called Swedish move
ment cure, or unless the applicant intends
TO use ordinary domestic renedies without
fee gift, or confederation Of any kind he
IS required to obtain a license IN accord
ance with the provisions OF the aforesaid
act Of Congress"
The deaths in the District decreased
from lis in the week ended December %
40 Va in the past week, giving a death rate
OF II per thousand, as compared with
22.Ol during the week previous. This i'm
proVement in the health conditions
amounted TO a fraction over 20 per cent.
The deaths from consumption fell from II
to TO- from apopleXy. from to 3: bron-
chitis. from to 9; typhoid fever. from 1
TO l, and suicides, from 10 none There
were 2 fatal cases OF diphthcria. Of
whOoping cough. ! Of cerebro-spiaal men
nights, and OF epidemic influenza
Oa grippe). One case Of violent death
occurred through fracture OF skull by
steam railway accident
At the close OF last report there were
81 cases Of diphtheria IN quarantine Dur
ing the week II new eases developed and
is we're discharged, leaving 80 eases in
isolation 10 q premises.
OF scarlet fever there were y cases in
quarantine at the close OF last report
During the week il new cases we're re-
ported and we're discharged leaving A
cases, with warning cards In 80 prem
ises
OF smallpox. there were II cases in hos
pital at the close OF last report During
the week new cases developed ar6
were discharged, leaving cases under
treatment In hospital
The mean weather conditions prevailing
AnrinR the week were: Temperature Of