Evening journal., 1905-02-27
pocroRs kNp cHARLATANs.

resistable fury2
DOCTORS AND cHARLATANs.
THE Sunday Star in an editorial
Il does wen in commencing the bin
before the Legislature which has for
its object-not so much the protection
Of the medical profession as the pro-
lection Of all the people of this State.
Doubtless there are many graduates
from reputable medical schools who
have passed a state examination who
are not ht to practice. but this is aside
from the question. The point is that
instead Of letting down the bars they
should be put up a notch higher.
1t is inconceivable that a people
through its chosen representatives will
permit any laxity in this particular out
of a little sentiment for the fellow who
Is not qualified and who pleads naught
but his personal interests. Are we
then 10 allow men who have failed to
spend the arduous years and to pursue
the line Of study necessary to UNDER
stand human ailments and their treat-
ment, to experiment with the health
and lives Of the people? That is what
it amounts to.
What this bill calls for is this; That
the word doctor" when used in the
sense Of treating people for physical
ills shall be employed only by those
who have passed the examination of
the state board Is anything fairer
than that?
At first there was some objection on
the part Of reputable opticians, but
since the real provisions Of the bin have
been explained most Of them approve.
Objection, however comes from one
or two persons calling themselves "Doc-
tors Of Refractlon," who before the pub
lie are known and choose to have them
selves known as doctors with the
word refraction omitted or obscured.
Now the word doctor" has a general
and a recognized meaning, and with the
average man it means one who has
graduated from reputable medical
school and has become duly qualified to
practice medicine. Any other use. un-
less qualified in every instance, is a
fraud and a deception, and for the
state to permit 1t is to participate in
the fraud.
Those who fit glasses--and many OF
them are indeed expert where the eye
Is not diseased-do not want the term
doctor" which is conferred by certain
schools with no equipment, no science
and no conscience. after a few weeks
attendance. NO; the reputable persons
who 1T glasses are satisfied with the
reputable name of Opticians" and
would not use the term Of Doctors OF
Refraction" If they had It.
Look through the reports Of the
Commissioner Of Education Of the
United States covering all the reput-
able institutions in the land and you
will look In vain to find the title DOC
tor OF Refraction." why. we had as
well have doctors OF chiropody," and
"TonsoriaI Doctors" And the Legisla-
ture by non-action is asked to iegalizs
such fraudsi
This bill is not aimed at any recog-
nlzed school Of medicine. II recognizes
allopaths, homeopaths and osteopaths
on condition OF passing the examina-
tion Of the State board Then they may
use the term doctor
Why there are little so-called col
leges that are mere diploma mills which
will grant anybody any degree for $40
And IL such diplomas are to be recog-
nized and their owners are TO he al.
lowed to naunt the name Of doctor
this state win be overrun with quacl1,
and Delaware doctors viii become
subject Of reproach in other states.
You and and the members Of tn,
Legislature may console ourselves tina
we can protect ourselves by selectin,
a physician IN whom we have con.
hdence, but how about the people VIII,
are not so well informedg
Set 1t down. that a man who wishe'
TO use the title doctor" when in thD
proper sense he is not a doctor an,
who couldn't pass state board ex
amination to save his life, has earne,
another title more appvopriate-"Char
latan.'