The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-13
SENATE COMMITTEE LISTENS TO SPEECHES
 FOR AND AGAINST PRACTICE OF OSTEOPATHY

osteopathy. representing a new truth, said she. could never lower . standard.
 Dr. Glenn Andrews. speaking for the oppo sition said the fegulars were not fighting the osteopaths, and had no disposition to fight them. The State Medical Board, he said knew no sect. no cult, and had no manner of prejudice against the osteopaths. All that was asked was that they come into the State in the regular way. as do all other medical practitioners. He recalled how the present medical system of the State had been built up in the last twenty five years, holding that at present Alabama has the best health laws in the Union. The Health Department. sad he. is constantly on the alert to protect the public health. and all that is asked is that this department be left alone in the perform ance of It's duty. He ridiculed the Kirksville, Mo-. school of osteopathy. Its founder and it's disciples.
 Dr. Gaston held that the passage of the bill now before the Legislature would result in the lowering of the standard of medical education in Alabama. The object of all legislation, said he. is to protect the people and their property against violence of the lawless. He main tained that the spirit of the medical profes- sion was catholic and not sectarian and that the regular school in opposing the proposed innovation was doing only for the welfare of the people. He did not deny that in some cases the osteopaths had effected cures. but held that this was not sufficient warrant for admitting them to general practice under the terms they demanded.
 Dr. Sanders contended that the present con- test was not between the osteopaths and the regulars, but between the osteopaths and their friends on the one side and the State of Ala bama the other. He declared that the sys- tenn in force in every way satisfac- tory and that 1t eminently desirable that 1t continue. The proposition to license without examination the osteopathic practitioners now within the State after Jan. lst, for which the bill provides he declared the equivalent of legalizing crime, He characterized the claims put forth generally by the osteopaths as "un- adulterated drive'
 Mrs. Ligon, in one of the most brilliant ad- dresses she has given here in the interests of the school she represents replied to all the charges and accusations that had been made. A system of medicine that does things" she claimed, deserved to be recognized. She re- counted what had been done for her and hun dreds of others by osteopaths things that the regulars had natly admitted they could not do, and held that this was of more consequence than talking.
 nizing the claims of osteopathy and admitting It's practitioners to practice in those States and rebutted the argument that ignorance was tho stock in trade of the osteopathic school by stating that seventeen States of the Union had adopted similar laws.
 'If 1t not for the failures of the regu- lars. there would not be o9teopath in the United States" she declared.
 Replying to what would be done by teopath in a certain emergency case, she sad : "I would without the of drugs stop the hemorrhage while the regular NJ. D. is corking his bottles"
 Mrs. Ligons address brought laughter and cheers at frequent intervals. It was thor oughly enjoyed by all present.