The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-04-05
THE LEGISLATURE
AND SCIENTISTS

There was a 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. Il. Pinkham, DR.. Peterson
and L. A. Dickey were present.
Mr.. Kinney was asked II he believed
1t right to allow 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 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
ical 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, q practise
of religion. Some authorities he had
sought are of the belief that no Gov
ernment has the right to say how
man or his child shall be treated In
Illness 1t 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 shall be
free? 1t is with medicine as it is with
religion. No unauthorized person
should handle dangerous drugs and all
drugs are dangerous, but beyond that
point the law should not go. No one
school of medicine can say it has
learned everything and the other
school nothing. In answer to Mr.
Pinkham, Judge Dole said he believed
all contagious diseases are under po-
lice control. Speaking of legislating on
this subject he said the danger Of
ruling out all other practises of med
icine than that ordained by the old
school are eloquently referred to by
men who opposed a law in Massachu-
setts, not so drastic as this, in 1898.
To do this means an attempt at stop
ing development.
He said further, 81 have been here
some time listening to the arguments
presented by Mr.. Smith and by Mr..
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 it was not nee
essary to repeal all of the law but to
apply it to those who practise by the
use of drugs. He was not here to give
a judicial opinion but he believed such
a law as is proposed would be shown
to be unconstitutional. He read opin-
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 IL an amend
ment striking out portion of the bill
so that it would read For the purpose
Of this chapter the practise of med
cine shall be held to include the use
Of drugs, medicines and remedies, wa
ter, electricity, hypnotism and any
means or methods for the
treatment of disease" would answer,
and Mr.. Kinney replied that it would.
Judge Dole suggested that that part
Of the Kansas law relating to the OBJ
of quarantine laws in the
treatment of contagious disease should |
De inserted.
Col. Hawes was present, not as a |
Scientist but to say that he |
lad witnessed the wonderful effects OF |
he treatment in his own home and he |
the passage of the law would |
De an interference with the religious |
liberty of the people who believe in the |
doctrine.
Senator Dowsett said that under this |
aw Bishop Restarick could not pray |
FOR the health of the royal family.
The committee was composed of Sem
4 tE,t. oil