The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-08-10

OF DOCTORS
Matter Of Examinations
Put Before Medical
Association.

finish of the japanese newspaper Shin
pos contention that the requirement
of the English language exclusively
in examinations of physicians for Ii
cense is unconstitutional. The pres
ident of the Board of Health has re-
ferred the question to the Hawaiian
Medical Association in the following
letter:
Honolulu, Hawaii, August 2, 1905.
DR.. St D. G. Walters, Secretary of the
Hawaiian Medical Association, Ho-
nolulu, T. H.
Dear Sir: While the Board of
Health has no authority to prescribe
any rules under which the Board of
Medical Examiners shall conduct it's
examinations of applicants for IL
cense to practice medicine within the
Territory of Hawaii, such rules are
properly a matter for consideration
among the profession and among the
Board of Health authorities who are
charged with the enforcement of the
laws.
The Board of Medical Examiners
nave 6StdDiiSiSu tlle rune tiictL cili CA
aminations shall be conducted in the
English language.
My own knowledge covers but COM
paratively short period. Many of you
from long years of residence are faml-
lar with the subject.
japanese candidates for licenses to
practice medicine constitute the only
nationality that seeks an exception to
the rule, so far as my information can
be relied upon. This exception has
been granted until recently The Board
has been compelled to rely on Japa-
nese interpreters
While the Board has frequently re-
jected American applicants 1 know of
few instances where Japanese appli-
cants have failed.
The plea is put forth that japanese
physicians practice only among their
own countrymen. This plea is not sus-
tanned by the facts.
We recognize the skill of many Jap
anese physicians and their studious
ambition to reach the highest attain
ments in their profession. Their testi-
mony has been most respectfully re-
ceived in our highest court, and in a
case involving the determination of the
most vital right of the Territory to
guard public health.
This is an American country: it's
government is carried ON in the En-
glish language, and its officials rely
on the English language in carrying
out the laws of the Territory.
The question resolves itself into a
lcfa ,tr10 -l,,f
policy, and whether in matters OF
health and practice of medicine the
officers of the government shall be able
to supervise through their own direct
intelligence, or some Intermediary.
| doubt if the profession as a body,
or any board, or official. has any de-
sire to place a single improper obsta-
Gle in the way of alien physicians of
the requisite attachments. There ap-
pears, however, to be a lack of appre-
citation on the part of some applicants
OF what is due a government that is
American, and which must maintain,
in a reasonable degree. American con-
ditions of language and administra-
ton.
1 regret the facts compel me to
NSSA5 he1eC thC JopdiIcSS DIS Tie lQeStlOll
is a general one, but they are of the
nationality that raises the issue
l believe carefully considered opin-
ion by your organization would be Of
great value, and in the event opinions
vary, both sides should be presented.
beg to remain,
Very respectfully,
(Signed) L. E. PINKAM,
President, Board of Health.
President Pinkham also brought the
matter before the Board of Health
yesterday, in his message relative to
business of the meeting, thus:
At your last meeting / mentioned
the fact, certain Japanese We're prac-
ticing medicine without compliance
with the laws and regulations of the
Territory of Hawaii.
The Hawaii Shinpo in its issue of
July 31st states there are over eight
or ten japanese physicians practicing
without licenses. That paper, presum-
ably, would not make the statement
without accurate knowledge of the
facts, therefore | have requested the
publisher and editor to furnish the
Board with the names and location of |
the offending parties.
Within the past four and one-half
years we have admitted to practice
forty-one japanese physicians and if
ty-two white physicians.
Physicians, including the Japanese.
do not confine their service to their
own race. The Board of Health has
no authority to prescribe any rules for
the medical examiners and has not at
tempted to do SO.
Since the japanese alone defv the
law. and come into conflict with the
duties of the Board, it is proper the
Board secure all possible information
and advice. | have communicated with
the Hawaiian Medical Association. in
whose membership are several Japa-
nese and submit herewith a copy there
of.
1.-The prima facie evidence is that
the japanese are, if ANYTHING. more
fully represented in the medical pro-
fesslon and to a greater per cent. than
any other nationality.
This condition having come about
and having disclosed some weak spots
II tha