The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-09-19
DUTIES OF OPTOMETRY BOARDS
AND OPTOMETRISTS UNDER
THE LAW

(Address by DR.. d. NJ. Boney, Before
the Florida State Optical Society.
In regard to the optometry board
wrong impression exists. 1t seems
that a large number think it the duty
Of the board to look up and prosecute
violators Of the optometry law. The
president and secretary of the board
have issued circular letter giving
advice on the steps to take in getting
the cases before the proper courts.
There is no provision in the law max
ing it a duty Of the board to prosecute
the cases, but the board will assist in
every way possible. 1t is the duty of
every citizen of the state to report
violators of the law. I find a number
of violators of the optometry law, or
rather a number reported to the board,
but they fail to give evidence in the
cases that would justify the board in
trying to make a case, and in several
towns where we have evidence the
matter being turned over to the Of
ficers. they failed to investigate.
Brother optometrists, the reason why
such conditions exist is on account of
your neglect of duty in trying to edu-
cate the people of our state up to the
danger of allowing people to treat so
delicate an organ as the eye without
knowing anything about it. These
itinerant fakirs go over the various
states, from place to place, singing
their song and making false state
ments about those that have register
ed. 1t is a duty you owe to the peO-
pie OF your state as we'll as to your
selves to show them the necessity Of
such practices being stopped.
Who has derived the greatest ben
eft from the optometry law? 1t is the
dealer in optical goods who sells his
glasses as merchandise who does try
to violate the lay by pretending to ex-
anime the eye. The jewelers. say they
are doing much better since the travel
| ing fakir has been suppressed. There
! fore the optOmetrists are the losers at
/ the present. as they do not have the
large number Of fakirs travelling thru
the country telling people they will
go blind or something that is unreas-
iona BILE to get fee Of $40 or SIS, thus
getting the people uneasy and causing
them to visit the home optometrist fol
examination. Registered optometrists
will reap their reward when they
show the people the danger of trust
ing to fakirs who know nothing abou
for your work: show them the neces.
lsity of proper examination and tht
good to be derived from the proper
adjustment Of lenses, then they will
render you all the assistance in thei1
power to bring violators before thu
bar OF the law.
Let us all help to elevate our pro
fession. I want to see you join thu
army of optometrists who are trying
to raise the profession Of optometr!
to higher level, and to do this it be
hooves you to study each day. Neve
let up: read all the standard work
and journals during your spare time
That will increase your knowledg
and will pay you we'll. There is room
for all Of us. Let US pull together
help our weak brothers, show then
We are ready to help them in ever.
way possible. The other profession
had to pass through what we are nov
Ipassng through.
. Brother optometrists. 1t has bee
. reported to your president that ther
are wholesale houses in other state
that are aiding the violators Of the op
tometry law in this state in every pos
} sible way. Your president recommend
that this association pass resolution
condemning them in so doing. and
Ithey continue so to do I ask this as
q sociation to pass resolutions askin
: the State Board Of Optometry to max
Z said houses a party in the case as ae
& cessories before the fact and as vic
2 lators Of the state laws.