The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-07-03

The medical members of the Board of
Health lost their nerve yesterday and
fell over each other running away from
a controversy that was theirs to main
tain. UP to yesterdays meeting they
have bravely fought against solitary
japanese physicians for the principle
of having medical examinations con-
Quoted in the English language. Yes
terday the japanese consul loomed up
in the character of representative of an
injured nation, and the doctors ran in
all directions to hide behind the three
other doctors who constitute the Board
of Medical Examiners. AS a sample
of cold feet" of crawling out of con-
troversy and Sinking responsibility,
the doctors took an action that is not
likely to be soon surpassed.
Yesterday the doctors constituting a
majority of the Board of Health had
nothing to do" with English medi-
cal examinations That was because
the Japanese consul had addressed a
protest to the Governor against rule
that acts to prevent men and women
of his race from being treated by Japa-
nese physicians. A few months ago the
same members of the Board were pass
ing resolutions declaring against even
a possibility that there ever could De
circumstances under which a physician
unable to speak English should get a
license to practice in Hawaii. That
was because the number of Japanese
physicians in the community was in
Creasing, and there was no one to fight
for them.
The old minutes of the Board of
Health show that the matter was first
brought up by DR.. c. B. Cooper, who
was one of those who declared yester-
dav that the board had nothing to do
with il. The approved minutes of the
meeting of November 20 last, say:
Moved by DR.. c. B. Cooper, seconded
by DR.. w. l.. Moore. that the secretary
be instructed to write the chairman of
the Board of Medical Examiners, re-
commencing that the Board of EXa-
miners in the future conduct their eXa-
limitations in the English language, and
if al times circumstances should re-
Guire that an examination be conduct
ed in another language that the Board
of Examiners have responsible person
as their official interpreter. Carried.
The last part referring to possible cir
cumstances under which another Ian
guage" might be used was added as an
amendment by E. P. Dole There was
good deal of discussion of this amend
ment, but it was finally carried by the
medical members.
The medical members of the Board
returned to the attack at the next meet
ing. They secured the passage of a
far stronger resolution than the one
originally offered The resolution didn't
recommend" that examinations be in
English, and it didn't provide for posi-
BILE exceptions, such as if n leading
physician of Germany or France, Ol
Japan should want to setrle ir Hawaii
and practice without first learning Eng
lish. The new resolution was mand4-
tory The minutes of this next meet
ing, November 27, say:
In re the matter of examinations by
the board of Medical Examiners it was
moved by Dr. w. l.. Moore, seconded by
DR. c. B. Cooper, to reconsider rne mo-
ton in regards the same made by DR.
Z. Z. Cooper at meeting held NoVem-
Der Goth. Carried.
"'rhe following resolution was moved
by DR.. w. L. Moore, sec coEded by Dr
c. B. Cooper
Resolved That the Board Of Medi-
cal Examiners. in the future, conduc!
the ir examinations in the English laH-
guage.' The question bang pu: the
the same carried, Mr.. e. A. MottSmitr
and Attorney General Dole dissenting
Even this was not enough for the doe
tors who now have mo hing to do
with the matter and prefer to leave the
med cal examiners to sustain their figni
alcnc. On February last, they beEar
holding up the favorable reports of the
examiners, on Japanese physicians tC
see il TIE rule they had been trying tc
force on the medical examiners was
being carried out. The minutes of tn,
rceeting of February say:
Favorable reports from the Board
bf Medical Examiners on the names OF
Drs. Y. Niyata, K. Sugaya, and K
Tafkuji were read.
After considerable discussion, it was