Evening star., 1908-01-29
PROFESSION OF CH|ROPRACTIC
HEARING TODAY ON BILL TO
LICENSE PRACTITIONERS.
Representative Livingstone an Ad-
vocate OF the Measure-Discussed
Before the Commissioners.

by Representative Livingstone of Georgia.
providing for the authorization and 1fceus-
| ing OF the practice of chiropractie in the
| District Of Columbia. which has been
referred to the Commissioners for report
upon its merits was the subject of d
hearing before the Commissioners in the
board room at the District building this
morning. Nearly two hundred persons
were present. and many arguments were
advanced for and against the licensing of
this form of disease treatment.
Representative Livingstone appeared in
person to advocate his measure. and de-
scribcd the purpose of the legislatio and
the methods of treatment used by the
chiropractcs lie said this treatment is
a manual manipulation of the muscles OF
the body and of the joints OF bones. He
said it has no risks; no drugs are used,
and il does not compete with the regular
medical profession He declared as did a
number Of other persons vino spoke In
advocacy of the proposed measure. that
the objection OH the part of the medical
profession is based upon the fear that
this practice may detract from their
business and hurt them financially
Both of the recognized medical societies
of Washington are opposed to the Dill ana
''''
hearing and spoke against it. They con-
tended that the persons practicing chiro-
practic lay claim 10 being able to treat
any disease. They assured the Commits
sioners that the opposition of tine medical
profession is not because of any merce-
nary reason but because the members
think that If chiropractors are to be IL
censed they should be made to answer the
same preliminary requirements as do the
regular physicians or at least appear oe-
.A -
is required of all medical practitioners
to determine their responsibility and
ability to practice.
A resolution adopted by the Medical AS
sociation of Washington disapproving this
bill and asking the Commissioners to re-
port adversely upon 1t was presented at
the hearing by DR.. Louis Mackall, presi-
dent Of that association.
President MackaIl's Argument.
ers President Mackall said that he had
made a thorough investigation and study
of this peculiar treatment" and. al
though he did not care to speak disparag-
ingly Of it. he offered refutation of many
of the claims made by those practicing
it. The claim made by chiropractics
that diseases and disorders in general
are caused by pressure on the spinal
lating the spine so as to relieve the pres
sure, cannot be accepted as universal
or even frequent cause for disease or a
universal therapy is illogical. He said:
III two or three individuals are to be
authorized to practice medicine under the
guise Of chiropractic in this city, there
will be no consistent reason to refuse the
same to any other individuals who may
desire to practice upon any theory which
their mind may evolve or which they
choose to profess"
The claim made by DR." Alma c.
Arnold, the chiropractor, who is responsi-
Bile for this bill being introduced, and
who has been conducting sanitarium at
years. that she is qualified to treat any
disease. contagious or otherwise. and that
she can drive out the disease before 1t
fully develops for recognition. called
for the statement from DR.. Mackall that
she places herself on record as being
greater than any of the greatest medical
authorities that ever lived.
r. v. Powderly. who Is one OF the offl-
GERS Of DR.. Arnold's sanitarium, speaking
In advocacy of the. measure, repeated the
charge that the doctors Of this city fear
the legislation because they know they
will lose money, through it. He presented
several hundred letters from persons who
have been treated by Mrs. Arnold and
whom, he alleged. were cured Ihey Will
he read by the Commissioners later. AS
further testimony of Mrs. Arnold's skill
he produced little girl about six years
old who, he claimed. was unable to walk
for more than two years and could get no
relief: but after a very short treatment at
the hands of Mrs. Arnold was able TO
walk.
Mrs. Arnold was anxious to demonstrate
before the Commissioners how she oper-
ated upon the spine Of this girl in BRING
ing about her recovery. but was not per-
mitted.
Others who spoke in opposition to the
bill we're Drs j. b. G. Gusts, presi-
dent Of the board of medical supervisors
c. A. Davis l.. A. Johnson. j. b. Morgan
and Ira W. Dennson. Among those who
spoke in favor of the bill were Mrs E. G.
Allen. A. S. Trundle II. Is. Willard and
j. E. Powell.
The Commissioners will take the mat
ter under advisement before making their
decision known.