The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-12
Letters to The Editor.
A Timely Appeal.


 Almost as far back as legislation be- gins in the history of Alabama laws have been enacted to regulate the practice or medicine. These laws have particularly hao as their object the determination or who shall be practitioners of that profess sion. They are based on the evident fact that certain qualifications are necessary, Tor the good of society. This principle mas been recognized not only in Alabama, but in all the States and largely In all the civilized world.
 There has grown up by graduaT accre- tons as experience has dictated them certain laws and rules in this State, for this object, that are as broad. generous, and practical as exist anywnere. h. oeed, the Alabama system Is commended, oy those engaged in such Legislation all over the country, as one exceptionaly good, liberal and legally right.
 There is no doubting the fact that coming down through the ages there has grown up gradually practice or medi- cine that Is today the most progressive or all the professions-the one showing most recent and rapid advances. oi course, where there Is change going on there are differences of opinion and of practice in many lines, and particularly IS this the case as regards the administra- ton Of remedies and of treatment. There are differences of opinion among doctors everywhere. just as there are in other professions. No two lawyers are alike In the practice of law; no two teachers con- duct public school alike; no two phar- macists compound medicines alike; no two dentists treat the teeth alike There are certain professions, those just men, toned for instance, in whose excellence the people. and through them the State, Is interested, for the public good. With that object in view and no other. the State has thrown safe guards around their practice so that the welfare of the public shall be conserved, and requires that certain amount of knowledge shall De exhibited before party shall be allowed to practice either of them.
 In medicine, there are, as l say, differ ences of opinion particularly as regards treatment, and. within the profession, abundant liberty Is allowed for such. The constitution recognizes this principle and prescribes that 1t shall be observed. and the State committee of medical examiners recognize and observe that provision. If they should not there is abundant room for direct legislation and statute to correct them and bring them within the law, even to prescribe curriculum for them.
 In making the rules which govern the examinations for qualification to practice medicine, the State Board of Medical Ex- aminers have recognized this principle fully and conscientiously. Required by the law to determine the grade of quail fcation to practice, they have, of course. been obliged to stipulate some kinds of questions.
 In doing this they have avoided the topics practice of medicine and ma teria medica" These are the ones in which the different schools cults. isms lads, classes and individuals differ. They have stipulated that the applicants for practice shall have a competent knowl- edge of chemistry; anatomy; physiology; the etiology, pathology, symtomatology. and diagnosis of diseases; physical and pathological diagnosis; surgery; gyneco- logy; obstetrics and obstetrical opera tions; hygiene, and medical jurisprudence. These are all fundamental clements of medicine, recognized, or which ought to
 be recognized, by all kinds of practition- CTS.
 The State Board can not observe the law without some curriculum and they have thought this the best. If they have made the requirements too high the Legislature can. If 1t sees fit. prescribe have no doubt the State Board would gladly observe 1t.
 Avording. as they do, questions on medicines and practice, the State Board tion:" The public is interested in the practice of medicine, in 1t doctors diff fer. on 1t the classes rest. In the prac- tice of medicine have arisen the diff
 ''pathy" has its pet method of treatment. In so-called regular medicine" within certain bounds perfect liberty in practice is allowed. Every doctor differs in his treatment from every other doctor. Ger tain ethical rules have been evolved to keep the regular profession free from humbuggery and quackery, 1t Is true, but these rules are not recognized in their examinations by the State Board. The State Board belongs to no 'pathy." To any quack or charlatan. or any practi- tioner of any kind of honest "pathy'' who comes before the Board and passes his examination, a license to practice is given. and he, the public, and courts for 1t afterwards.
 Every doctor who differs from another doctor in his practice, may be said to have his "pathy." The State and the State Board recognize this fact and allow for 1t. Ninety-five hundredths of the prac- utloners of medicine in this State belong to regular medicine;" there are about eighteen hundred of them. The State in finding examiners or body of expert men to turn the examinations for the practice of medicine over to would find 1t hard to ignore these practitioners. l don't suppose 1t wishes to. Nor can the Legislature constitutionally. recognize, favor and endorse any "pathy' in making an examining board.
 been introduced in the Legislature to go entirely outside of the established method and make an examining board for 1t recognize a ''pathy."
 This Is a narrow and exclusive "pathy"
 that claims to be able to cure all diseases by hand manipulations. This bill has very properly, after passing the House, been referred to the Constitutional Com mittee in the Senate, wnere, 1 presume, | It's constitutionality will be considered If certain people in the State wish to have their bodies manipulated to cure pneumonia, cataract, cases of labor, or | any sickness. to their satisfaction be it | stated that there have already been | licensed by the State Board number of the so-called "osteopaths" to supply the demand. About a dozen have been licensed In the State. and more can be supplied If the demand increases. But | for the great State of Alabama to go off | to one side and take up by special legs- latlon narrow ''pathy," recognize and endorse 1t and let 1t have the advanaage | Nor Is 1t fair to the homeopaths, the | eclectics, and the Christian Scientists; to l the voodoo doctors or the electropoise | people.
 Will not somebody come to their aid also and give them special endorsement | nize any "pathy." Why do it at all? can say. further, that the Medical Association of Alabama, the legalized body which elects the medical examiners, Is composed of all the licensed practi- tioners in the State. no matter what each no 'close corporation" It is a powerful advertisement to any "pathy' for a great State to take 1t up and endorse 1t, and go so far as to yoke 1t up alongside and | prominently against all the other 'pathies' of a whole profession. If 1t Is going to | separately endorse one doctors Tad why not endorse the other?" It will have to do 1t and where shall 1t stop? J. T. Searcy, M. D., One of the Board of State Medical Ex- aminers