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

report.
| CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS.
Medical Bill No. "a was then take1
up. DR.. Hodgins was the first speaker
on the subject, saying that he wa:
| surprised to learn of the meeting the
night previously at which the Christian
Scientists largely predominated. "The
Christian Scientists said the doctor
ssc1aim that we are trying to shut them
out. Why shouldn't they be shut
| outs?
Following this the doctor proceeded
| to answer the question, adding that
members of the medical profession had
been obliged to spend thousands of
| dollars in learning their business and
| it was not right for them to be thrown
in contact with these people who are
not compelled to know how to dag
nose a case.
Replying to Senator Smith he said
he could not say how many States had
legislated on the Christian Scientists
treatment but thought DR.. Cooper
could supply the information.
DR.. Cooper read from pamphlet the
law of Kansas and stated, incident
ally, that he did not know of a single
State which allowed the practise of
medicine by the Christian Scientists.
Continuing his reading of the Kansas
law, he came to that section referring
to interference with religious beliefs
provided that quarantine regulations
are not infringed upon,
The doctor said the present bill was
gotten up by the society, not by any
one Individual This society is one of
progress and wanted to be in line with
those in other parts of the union. He
called upon the Senate to look care
fully into the matter. The present
law is as full of holes as sieve and
disgrace to the Territory. This has
been proven in the Supreme Court.
Senator Smith then read the amend
ment to the act suggested by repre-
sentatives of the Scientists the night
previous.
DIR. Cooper asked If the right of
Christian Scientist to pray at a bed
side had ever been questioned in the
Territory.
Senator Dowsett asked if the doctor
contended that praying or treatment
of persons through intangible means
is practising medicine,
Before answering the question Sem
ator Smith spoke of the laws in the
DR.. Hodgtns replied that
he did not know of State that per-
mitted the practise and did not be-
lieve there was one.
He presented authorities, a book con-
tanning the medical laws in the differ I
ant States.
Senator Smith read from this book |
he Act of Congress exempting Chris |
ian Scientists in the Indian Territory
md the law of Massachusetts to the |
same effect, both of which We're re-
TERED to by Mr.. Kinney the night be-
ore
Doctor WaysOn suggested that the |
senate inquire into Christian Science
md learn what it is. He went back
o the Bible and beyond in his re-
marks.
DR.. Brinckerhoff was called upon and
poke upon the bill and told the COM
nittee what he thought it should be.
The NATTER he said. lis that of safe
Guarding the headth of the commu-
ity. To protect the people, large
ufns of money are put in the hands
f the Board Of Health and those
cards must have the support of the
eople The great difficulty, he said. Is
I the danger through contagious dis
asses. IF, through 1axity, persons are
to visit those conta gious
lex the danger is great. The most
Important thing is to have persons ,
,ho visit the sick know infectious dis
asses and who will report such diseases
, the Board of Health. If the Chris
an Scientists are allowed to practise /
on will aggravate this danger. (
The doctor said he had spent years ,
/ the practise of medicine and had
zen much of conta gion
Senator Smith was impressed by this t
oeaker. He said the fact of persons
ithQut knowledge of medicine treat
g children or grown people is a mat |
II which he cannot understand, but j
; was not going to put himself j
sainst such men as Prof. James of
award and other eminent men who
elieve in it.
DR.. Sinclair spoke of the contention +
lat the society is going backward in .
1uttins the Christian Scientists out
ON practise. He said eliminate the u
angible and intangible from the bill a
ID the door is open to kahunaism. 4
The doctor then wandered off into :,
e subject of polygamy. as a religious
lief which has been legislated 0
;ainst and prophesied that the time e
i'll come when there will be the same f
gislation against this new cult. >;
DR.. Cooper said there is one phase y
hich seems TO have been overlooked L
While they have the l.
me text books, etc. he thought it o
ir that member of that school be
1t on the examining board for the +
lrpose of examining those physicians. 81
eferring to the question of examfn e.
g in English DR.. Cooper said the law u
Cuba required examinations in
'anish and as we are part of the %
1ited States the English language s
ould be used. DR.. Sinclair said if II
e matter of language was left to the !,
dgment of the Board of Examiners -
ere would be no objection to using II
e word may instead of must" in
There We're present Drs. Brinckerhoff, :,
id, Sinclair. Hodgins, Cooper, Pc