The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-19
"oPToMgTRv HuMsuRes.p

entltled "Optometry HumDugS. Fur
nished by the learned DR.. ]. ]. Stew
ems, from a copy of the Journal of the
American Medical Society.
feel confident that your readers
desire to hear both sides of this ques-
ton. and in consequence venture to
reply to the aforementioned article.
First as regards the word "optomerty."
On page Aba of the Century Diction-
amy and Cyclopedia is given the defii-
milton of the word "optometry," also
in Webster's Imperial Dictionary of
the English language, page 1143. In
the thirteen states where laws are
now in force they are called ,"opto-
metry laws" Arizona, California, Ida
no, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, Ne
braska, New Mexico, New York North
Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah. And
if the people and the medical fratern-
ity thoroughly understand the law Mis-
sissippi will be next. 1t is our desire
to make this word signify a high
standard in optometry, and I know of
no way to bring this about except
by our present effort. We desire to
call your attention further to the fact
that in the article the authors de-
pdore existing conditions as a result
of which anyone can practice OPTIC
fry
with them that this is undesirable and
unwise. We desire to limit the prac-
tice of optometry to capable men. We
do not desire to encroch upon the do
main of the medical practitioner This
bill will eliminate that class of ire
sponsible men. Why not inform the
public at once why the bill should be
defeated? If the argument can be so
easily answered. surely the authors
of the article has nothing to fear
by answering them now.
The difference between the OPTIC
metrists who are endeavoring to Sc
cure enactment of legislation and the
of the article is, that they
suggest no remedy for existing con.
which they state to be bad"
and by advising the defeat of the bill
by the optometrists allows
to remain as they are,
while the optometrists are endeavor-
ing to secure legislation that will in
a large measure eliminate these ad-
mitted evils, and which will result
through the work of the proposed
board of registration in elevating the
requirements imposed upon those who
desire to practice optometry. There is
no limit to the standard or qualifica-
lions that this board may impose, and
is it not reasonable to believe that
when the practice of correcting i'm
PROJECTIONS in eyesight is regulated
by law that the commonwealth will
adopt policy that will insist on a
higher order of ability on the part
of those DESTROYS of entering this
practice as their life work? Thus the
public will be benefited and protected
and that protection is what this bill !
endeavors TO insure.
Another point of vost importance is |
worthy of a moments consideration: |
rhe reports from the secretaries Of |
lie examining boards in the thirteen |
states where laws are now in force
how that that class of INSCRIPTIONS
opticians who trade upon the credulity
If the innocent public, and who sell
medicated lenses, ETC." at fabulous
PRICES, are fast leaving the states, aE
ire locating in states where there
re no optometry laws and no OPTIC
etry boards 10 keep an eye on them.
The people of Mississippi are known
ar and wide as people who wear
classes. These men, driven out of
'ther states, will not be slow in COM
ng to our commonwealth If the legis-
allure refuses to enact this meritori-
JUS legislation. A law of this kind
s bound to come, and the longer we
lelay the longer we expose our citi-
ems to the mercy of this class of
men.
Medicine started off under their law
many years ago much more poorly
equipped as a class than we do, as in
heir first law all it was necessary if
hey made cup of herb tea was TO
wear 10 the fact before the county |
Jerk. Dentistry had as difficult
ask as we to convince the legislature
hat they were entitled to regulation
lnder the law, yet consider where
Medicine and dentistry stand today.
1t is a peculiar thing, that today
he doctor, the dentist, the lawyer, the
Engineer, the plumber, and even the