The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-04-03
THE LEGISLATURE
AND SCIENTISTS

There was meeting of the Health
committee of the Senate last night for
the purpose of hearing objections TO
the proposed medical law. The Chris
tian Scientists feel that a clause in
the bill will interfere with their reli-
gious liberty and in order to defend,
what they consider their rights, have
employed w. A. Kinney to present
their case. Judge Dole, Mrs. Ranney
Scott, A r. Gurrey Jr., Col. A g.
Hawes. L. E. Pinkham, DR.. Peterson
and l.. A. Dickey We're present
Mr.. Kinney was asked if he believed
it right to allow a person to practise
medicine who was not familiar with
anatomy, pathology, etc. He replied
that he did not think drugs should be
handled by anyone who was ignorant
of their use but in Christian Science
drugs were not used, the practitioner
depending upon prayer. The attorney
cited the decisions of a number of
courts in states throughout the Union
where the practise by Christian
Science was declared legal.
Mrs. Scott asked permission to speak
and she explained some OF the tenets
of her church belief adding that no
Christian Scientist would attempt TO
violate the law. A. r Gurrey Jr. also
spoke on the subject
Judge Dole who is not believer
nor an unbeliever, in Christian Science,
was asked to express his views. He
did not understand that at this meet
ing either religious belief or the med
icaI profession was on trial. 1t is
question of religious liberty. Some
States have decided that to deprive
Christian Scientists of their right to
pray over their sick is an interference
with their religious liberty. 1t is not
a demonstration of scientific principle
but of a belief in prayer, practise
of religion. Some authorities he had
sought are of the belief that no Gov
ernment has the right to say how a
man or his child shall be treated in
illness. It is wrong to confuse CHRIS
tian Science with kahunaism or witch
craft. If a large part of a community
wants to be treated by osteopathy
methods who shall say they shall not!
Who shall say which school snail be
free? IT is with medicine as il is with
religion No unauthorized person
should handle dangerous drugs and all
drugs are dangerous, but beyond tnat
point the law should not go. No one
school of medicine can say 1t mas
learned everything and the other
school nothing. In answer TO MI.
Pinkham, Judge Dole said ne oeheVeo
all contagious diseases are under po-
lice. control. Speaking of legislating on
this subject he said the danger or
ruling out all other practises OF med
icine than that ordained by the OLD
school are e1oquently referred TO py
men who opposed a law in Massacnu-
setts, not so drastic as this, in 1893.
To do this means an attempt at stop
ing development.
He said further, Il have been mere
some time listening to the arguments
presented by Mr.. Smith and by MI
Kinney Neither could convince the
other but who is to say which is
right?" Christian Science is not pro-
fessedly hypnotic.
In reply TO a question by senator
Smith. Judge Dole said il was not nee
SSSaEy 10 TtpEd4 dll VI t1AN ASN' ~N~
applv If 70 those who practise by the
use of drugs. He was not here to give
a judicial opinion bat he believed such
a law as is proposed would be shown
to be unconstitutional. He read opln-
ions in support of this statement he
said the demand for such law had /
never come from the public; always
from the physicians who might wish to
control the practise.
Senator Smith asked if an amend
nent striking out a portion Of the bill
so that it would read For the purpose
of this chapter the practise Of med
icine shall be held to include the use
of drugs medicines and remedies, wa
ter, electricity, hypnotism and any
material means or methods for the
treatment of disease" would answer.
CONTINUED on Page Four.)