The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-19
THE sENATE's SESSIONS.
Senator Woods Medical Bill Takes
Up Much Time.


The entire session of the Senate yester-
day afternoon was taken up with discus
sion of Senate bill No. 26S, introduced by
Senator Wood. which regulates the prac-
tice OF medicine in the State and provides
that all applicants for license shall first
pass an examination before the State Board
of Medical Registration and Examination
before they shall be entitled to practice
The committee on public health returned
divided report on the bill last Friday. and
owing to lack of time In which to discuss
its provisions Ii was made special order
of business for yesterday afternoon at 9
o'clock. The majority report, which was
signed by Senators Keyes, Gard and Og-
born, recommended the passage of the bill.
and a minority report, signed by Senators
Fortune and Fleming. recommended it's in
definite postponement
The bill as originally introduced required
all applicants for license to practice med
icine to pass a uniform examination, but
so much opposition was manifested towards
1t by the osteopaths, who maintained that
they did not prescribe medicine, and there
fore should not be required to pass an ex-
animation in materia medica, that the bill
was finally amended enabling the state
board to grant them limited certificates
authorizing them to practice osteopathy
only by passing a successful examination
on the subjects which they pursue at their
college. The bill has excited a great deal
of interest. and the Hobbies and galleries Of
the Senate were crowded yesterday after
noon in anticipation of the debate which
would ensue over the adoption of the COM
mittee report. eatrs fsts
SENATOR FORTUNE HEARD.
xxyt,a, the ouoctinp aroca on the adODtiOn
of the minority report Senator Fortune was
the first to obtain recognition from the
chair He stated that he had signed the
minority report, recommending that the
bill be postponed, because he believed that
ii sought TO interfere with religious liberty.
He said it would prevent the Christian Sci
entists and others from practicing the
things which they believed in, and though
he did not believe in the teachings of the
Christian Scientist of the osteopath. yet
he had no desire to interfere with their be-
liefs. 'If this bill passes, ne said, 1T will
not be long before this legislature III VIII In
ligiouS order, regardless or denomination,
i'm the United States.
Senator Gard said the bill dld not seek
to shut out any class of practitioners, but
had for its object the elevation OF the pres
ent standard of the medical fraternity. He
said there had been medical laws on the
much for the elevation of the physician.
but time had disclosed many weaknesses.
some of which il was the duty OF the pres
ent Legislature 10 correct.
Senator Kittinger was opposed TO the bill
because il sought to restrict human liberty.
He said IL a man wished 10 be rubbed In
stead of taking medicine he had the right
TO do as he pleased so long as he paid for
It. 1t was a God-gNen right. ne SAID, TO
have some one pray for him IL ne wanted
them to. Every move the doctors MAKE, ne
y IA
thermometer until he makes post-mortefn
examination is protected by some sort or
legislation, and he thought II was tine the
attention of the Legislature was ulrecteo 10
some other subjects. He designated the
bill as an attempt on the part OF the doc
tors to form trust.
SENATOR WOODS CLAIMS.
senator Wood declared there was nothing
IN the bill that limited, restricted or pro-
hibited the right of worship according TO
the dictates OF ones own conscience. The
only purpose of the bill. he said. was to
elevate the standard of the medical frater-
nifty. and It simply provided what should
constitute practicing physician. The law
yers. he said had sought to elevate the
standard OF their own profession by amend
ing the Constitution at the last election.
but had failed because OF the ignorance OF
the voters. They could not now consist
entity vote against a bill which sought 10
elevate another profession. He said the
osteopaths were well satisfied with the bill
and had so expressed themselves 10 the
committee and he saw no reason for any
one else to complain. IF you will exam
inc the BILL" he said in conclusion, with
the same care and attention that you have
listened TO some of the cranks that have
infested this house you will see that there
are no Objectionable features In it.
Senator Winfield also thought there was
an attempt being wade by the authors OF
the bill TO restrict religious worship and
he could not. therefore. vote for IL. The
doctors, he declared, were seeking to have
the bill PISSED In order 10 keep their pa
tents from getting away from them.
Senator johnson said the bill had been
so amended that the osteopafhs would not
be required to take an examination In ma
terra medica. but. nevertheless, they We're
in worse condition than ever. as they