The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-25
WILL WATCH DOCTORS
STATE MEDICAL BOARD APPRAISED
OF FRAUDULENT PRACTICES.
Members Declare Legitimate Prac-
tices Are Growing Numerous and
the Law Must BE Invoked.

Indiana doctors who try to increase their
incomes by illegitimate practices will be
laid by the heel If the State Board of Med
ical Registration and Examination can get
at them by any means. The board held
meeting at the Hotel English last night
and consulted with Attorney Frank E.
Gavin as TO the best means of getting at
number of practitioners who are accused
of fraudulent practices. Mr.. Gavin gave
1t as his off-hand opinion that while no law
was violated, in all probability, by people
who offer spurious remedies and medicines
for sale to all who care to buy, yet it is
violation of law if they diagnose a case and
then attempt to prescribe treatment
Cases of fake diagnoses have been
brought to the attention of the board of
late, and while the names of the physicians
said to be guilty will not be given out, the
board announces that it purposes to take
summary action if the machinery Of the
law can be brought to bear on the offend
ers.
Not long ago, member Of the board said
last night, Indiana physician. who holds
a license under the board, came to Indian
apolis to see a man who thought he was in
danger of becoming very ILL., The mind of
the man was greatly wrought UP over the
possibility of illness, and the doctor at once
saw the chance of making big money out
of him. He made an examination going
into medical details and terms that sounded
ominous and about which the patient I'M
derstood nothing. and finally convinced the
man that he had dangerous malady. The
result of the whole business was that the
physician got $500 out of the deluded man.
who was free from all ailments, but who
was suffering from an overweight mag
ination.
The board informed recently that a
fellow, advertising himself as an "X-ray"
| specialist had obtained sums of money on
false pretenses from people about the State
His method of work was to get his X-ray
machine into action in an impressive fash
ION before a man who thought that some
thing ailed him, and then to announce that
| he could find out anything about the pa
| TENTS internal troubles by means Of his
| wonderful machine. He would then make
long examination and announce that the
| patient was suffering from so and So The
| patient could not resist the baleful in
| huence or the machine and would believe,
| before the quack got through with him.
! that he was suffering from a complicat ton
| of fatal diseases that could be cured only
| by the &-ray man.
| Other complaints have been received to
the effect that people of small means, who
| could III afford the loss of money. have
been yictimized by doctors claiming they
/ nave discovered sure and quick cure for
| consumption. II these doctors could not
| find real cases of tuberculosis. It is said.
| they would go TO work to convince people
consulting them that they were suffering
| from consumption and that they should
| take treatment at once. Usually the vic
| TINS had nothing whatever the matter with
| them, but were willing to believe the worst.
| Still other instances of fraud have come
to the notice OF the board. and the members
| say Things nave come to such a pass that
I something must be done to clear away the
| barnacles upon the practice of medicine in
| the State
| The board transacted a good deal of
| routine business, issuing temporary per
the last examination on account OF illness
| or other acceptable reasons. Licenses were
| issued also 20 doctors who passed the re-
| cent examination.
No action has been taken regarding the
| appointment Of a successor to the late DIR
| Curryer. The matter is in the hands of
governor Durbin, the members of the
| recommendation TO him vet