Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-13
Less Fortunate Persons.

But the situation Of others would be less
fortunate. Even though, the. result of
erroneous diagnoses, communicable diseases
might be introduced into other herds or
kennels from the herd or kennel with ref
erence to which the original error was
made, the owners Of the animals affected
would generally be unable to procure evil
dence necessary to fix liability on the sur
geon whose incompetence gave rise to the
outbreak of the disease. and 1t is, moreover,
doubtful, to say the least, whether they
would have any legal relation to such sur
geon which would enable them to- maintain
suit against him, even though they pos
sessed sufficient evidence Of his incompe
tence. In cases, however. involving failure
to diagnose CHAMBERS or rabies. both Of
which diseases are communicable to man,
the results OF Incompetence may be the
death Of human beings The same Is true,
Of course, with reference to failure to dag
nose various other diseases which are liable
to affect cattle, sheep and hogs, as through
the sale Of milk from diseased cattle and
of meat from any Of the animals mentioned,
IL in a diseased condition, sickness and
death among human beings may occur
There Is another reason for restricting
the right to practice veterinary medfcin to
those who are known to be competent SO to
do differing somewhat from those already
mentioned. In SO far as the diagnosis and
treatment of any injury or disease from
which an animal Is suffering Is erroneous
just so far is the suffering OF that animal
improvement delayed or possibly prevented.
The exclusion. therefore, OF Incompetent
practitioners of veterinary, medicine from
any jurisdiction Is an essential step toward
the prevention Of unnecessary suffering On
the part of domestic animals living therein.
Imperatively Necessary.
I'm my judgment the enactment Of suita-
BILE legislation for the regulation of the prac-
tice of veterinary medicine is not only JUS
tifiable but is imperatively required, and 1t
becomes necessary to consider the suita-
bility of the particular legislation repre-
scented in embryo by the bill now under
consideration. The provisions of this bill
are more or less similar to those regulating
the practice Of dentistry and Of pharmacy
in this District. They authorize the Com
missioners of the District to appoint a
board of veterinary surgeons to pa upon
the qualifications Of would-be practitioners
OF veterinary medicine and to license such
as may be found qualified. Ths -ighta Of
those already engaged in such practice are
duly protected and provision Is made fer
the recognition of licenses issued by state
and territorial boards of examiners in vet
Urinary medicine. Suitable penalties are
provided for the violation Of the law. Cen
orally speaking the bill may be said to be
satisfactory. 1t might be hoped, however,
that in view Of the fact that such legislation
is in the interests Of the public ana not de-
signed to further in any way the interests
of veterinary surgeons as a class, provision
has been made for the presence on the IL
censing board Of one or more persons not
themselves veterinary surgeons. just as in
the pharmacy board two physicians are as
ISOLATED with the pharmacists and in the
board Of medical supervisors two laymen
are associated with the physicians.
Health Officer Ex-Oh1icio Secretary.
LAS step in the same direction, 1 have
to recommend that the health officer be
made ex-officio secretary Of the proposed
board. Not only will this have the effect
of keeping the board In closer touch with
the local government than would otherwise
be the case, and in touch especially with
that department of the local government
which has Jurisdiction over communicable
diseases among domestic animals and hui
man beings and over the food supply de-
rived from such animals, but 1t will also
insure the keeping Of the records Of the
board in a systematic manner and their
preservation in a place as safe as is pro-
vided for other records of the District gov
eminent. 1t will. moreover. result in tho
establishment of fixed place where, dur
ing certain definite hours, persons desiring
to secure information relative to the prac-
tice of veterinary medicine In the District
Of Columbia relative to the work Of the
examining board can be accommodated For
the purpose Of effecting this change in the
pending bill respectfully recommend that