Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-03
SPIRiTUAlIST LEADER
Scores Physicians at Hearing Before
Judiciary Committee.

judiciary Committee.
Tie physicians of Maine having the
Nj. II. degree appeared before tie ju-
dietary committee Thursday afternoon
through representatives delegated for
the work. to emphasize the need OF
raising the standard of education ana
prepare ton for the profession. They
We're opposed in some respects by the
O.teopaths and the clairvoyantS, tho
hearing lasting nearly three hours.
Ile case OF the physicians WIS han
died by Dr.. Seth c. Gordon o' Port
land with the assistance of Harry Eir-
gin of Portland as counsel. Walter j.
Gilp1trick represented the Maine Os
t"oraths and the case of the ClairNoN
ants was handled chiefly by Mark a.
E.r...ise e Bangor, president Of tie
Maine State Spirtualist Association.
The principal contention OF the phy
siciaas was that such advances have
been made IN the medical profession IN
tie past 10 or II years that create
qualifications and better preparation
are now needed by the young men who
wish to practice. They claimed ais"
thai the people should be protected
against III sorts of quacks using the
tide DR. but that this title should
be made 10 mean something definite
which would he generally understood
by I'll people
Thu, Osteopaths supported the bill as
a whole but wished to have the right
to use the title DR.. provided they quail
flied ii with some Osteopatllic term.
The ,ldirVoyants objected To thai
feature Of the bill which forbids the
giving of medicines instead of poisonous
and injurious drugs as at present
TIE hearing was opened by DIR. Cor
don. who introduced Mr.. Virgin. Mr.
Virgin Went over the bill supported by
the physicians. explaining the changes
that have been made III the present
law. He said that the special purpose
was to raise the standard Of aPrl-
cants for practice in tn" state.
The fec for examination has been
raised from $40 to Sl5 to give the en-
aiming bonrd more funds for its
work, as all the fees go for this pur-
pose. With more demand of students
better examination would be necessary
and the cost Of this would be incrt ascd.
Students taking the examination ~
the state Board would be required to
be II years old and of good moral
standing and graduates of Il medical
school or college of certain fixed SIAN
dard. TIN" minimum of preliminary ed
ucation would be placed at that re-
quired by High schools having the usu-
al four wears course Of approved char
acter. IN other words the student MUS
spend four years in an approved pre-
paratory school and then graduate
from an approved medical college be
fore being allowed to take the Maine
Boards examination. :
The subjects of bacteriology sani-
tation and chemistry would he added t"
the present list Mr.. Virgin claimed
that this sort of an examination would
give Maine reciprocity with other
states so that students having PASSED
the Maine examination would be al
lowed to practice i'm most parts of the
Union instead OF in Il limited area as
at present because of the standard nov
established in Maint
The examining board would not only
be obliged to Investigate cause of al
Ii Sed iraud on complaint but would
have to take action in any case that
might come to its attention. A two
thilds vote Of the board instead Of a
unanimous vote as ut present would
be sufficient TO deprive "A convicted
physician OF his license to practice iii
the state.
The us" of the letters Or" the IL
tie doctor or the degree NJ. d. would
be forbidden to all persons now liaV-
ing passed the Maine Medical Board
examination. dentists and Osteopaths
and such other schools as are recos-
nized by the state in the way of eN
arining boards being excepted. Tie
penalty for the Illegal use of these ii
ties would be II fine OF not less than
800 or more than $500 or Imprisonment
for three months or both fine and inn
prisCnment. The use of the title wuuid
be prim,L facia evidence in proseeu-
tons Exceptions under this section
would he all United States army or
naval officers. physicians coming inc
the State from another state FOR sp"-
cial work in any particular case, era
tutious service emergency service
Clairvoyants, hypnotistS. Christian
Scientists. maSseurs. magnetic healerS
and Osteopaths are also exempted
when using no medicines or drugs. The
present law simply forbids the use OF
poisonous or dangerous drugs, tn"
amendment including all drugs. Mid
wives are not excepted in the new law
because Of the fact that 2J per cent. OF
blindness is now attributed to lack OF
proper care of newly born babies.
The compensation Of members OF the
examining board would be changed
from IS per day for time given to 500
per annum for five members of the
board and $500 for the sixth member
who. would serve as secretary, and ac-
tuaf expenses. Extra compensation
would also be provided for the inves-
tigation Of complaints.