Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-05-28
|NDEPENCE Of BOARD
MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND
The BOARD OF HEALTH
Controversy Over English Speaking
hySiciauS Brings Out a Letter
Are Appointed By the
Treasurer.

me controversy In the Board OF
Health over the examination OF physi-
clans seeking licenses to practice has
called forth the following letter In
which the Board OF examiners declare
their independence Of Health Beard
rulings and state the reasons for the
policy they have framed:
ohce of the Board OF Medical Ex-
aminers, Honolulu, r. H., May q,
1909.
To the Honorable Board Of Health
Gentlemen:-As there seems to be
an impression that the Board of Health
exercises mVe or less control over the
Board of Medical Examiners. and in
some of its recent meetings desolu-
tons and inquiries have been made as
TO the methods Of the examinations by
the Board OF Medical Examiners. and
also statements that the Board OF
Health had made a rule that all of
these examinations should be conduct
ed in the English language; and in one
instance. a physician. who was recon-
mended by us for license. was held
over. for one week until a member OF
the Board of Health had satisfied him.
nself that the Board of Medical Ex-
aminers had complied with it's rule.
We desire to state most positively that
the Board of Health has nothing what
ever to do with the Board of Medical
Examiners and has no control or super
vision over its proceedings. II does
not appoint the members. They are
appointed by the Treasurer. not by and
with the advice and consent of the
Board of Health. but. entirely in the |
discretion of the Treasurer who can |
appoint or dismiss them without ref
one else.
In July. 1901. the Board of Medical |
Examiners, for good and sufficient rea-
sons, made rule, that on and after |
September |, 1901. all examinations |
for license to practice medicine and |
surgery in this Territory should be con |
Quoted in the English language. By |
some oversight, the foreign connsuls
were not notified and when this was
brought to our notice. an extension
was made until April /. 1902. in order
TO give the Consuls ample time to no.
tify their countries of this ruling. This
resolution has the written approval OF
the Treasurer. All applicants for Ii.
censes to practice medicine and sur
gerry in this Territory bring TO us Il
request from the Board of Health to
them and II might be in or
der II the Board of Health Is so par
ticular about their knowledge of the
English language. to ascertain II they
come up to their ideas on this subject.
before referring them to us for exami.
nation
The law requires that Such license
shall only be granted upon the written
of the Board of
Health" And further NO person shall
be recommended by the Board of
Health to practice medicine or surgery
except upon the written report of the
Board OF Medical Examiners, to be APP
pointed and constituted as hereinafter
provided, setting forth that the appli.
cant named therein has been duly eX-
amined. and found to be possessed OF
the necessary qualifiCationsn."
We presume that the Board OF Health
can decline to recommend an applicant
who has passed the Board of Medical
Examiners, but such declination must
be based upon other reasons than those
to our methods ofeXamina-
to our methods of eXamina-
tlon-for our powers are absolute and
legally so
Therefore We believe. and shall act
upon such belief. that the Board OF
Medical Examiners is separate and dis.
tinct from the Board of Health. Is
not appointed by the Board of Health:
Is not in any sense under its control
We are entirely independent of ii. and {
have the right to conduct the examine
ton, as may in our Judgment. best ac-
complish the end in view
The functions OF the Board of Health
are simply to recommend for a license
thosne who pass the examination of the
Board of Medical Examiners. and be.
yond this they have nothing whatever
TO do with said examination.
Respectfully,
GEO. p. ANDREWS. VI. D.
w. +. TAYLOR, VI. d.