The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-08-11

OF. DOCTORS

I
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. 1906
DR.. st. d. @. walters, Secretary OF the
Hawaiian Medical Assoc. alton, Ho-
nolulu, 4. H.
Dear Sir: While the Board of
Health has no authority to prescribe
any rules under which the Board of
Medical Examiners shall conduct its
examinations of applicants for Ii
cense to practice medicine within the
Territory or 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
have established the rule that all ex-
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-
tained 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
case involving the determination of the
! most vital right of the Territory to
guard public health.
| This is an American country: its
| 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
determination of what is sound public
! 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 single improper obsta-
Gle in the way Of alien physicians of
the requisite attainments. There ap-
pears, however, to be a lack of appre-
citation on the part of some applicants
OF what is due government that is
American, and which must maintain,
in reasonable degree, American con-
ditions of language and administra-
| ton.
| l regret the facts compel me to
designate the Japanese as the question
is general one, but they are of the
nationality that raises the issue.
| l believe a carefully considered opin-
ion by your organization would be of
| great value, and in the event opinions
vary, both sides should be presented.
l beg to remain,
Very respectfully.
| (SigneO 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:
SAT your last meeting mentioned
the fact, certain japanese were prac-
ticing medicine without compliance
with the laws and regulations of the
Territory of Hawaii.
"The Hawaii Shinpo in its issue of
July S1st 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 1 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 ff-
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 defy the
law, and come into conflict with the
duties of the Board, it is proper the
Board secure all possible information
and advice. l have communicated with
the Hawaiian Medical Association, il
whose membership are several Japa
nese and submit herewith copy there
of.
"The prima facie evidence is thai
the japanese are, if anything, more
I E..l