Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-30
Report of Legislative Committee.


The feature of the mornings ses-
sion was the report OF the committee
on public policy ana legislation which
was presented by DIR. Seth 9. Gordon
of Portland, chairman Of the commit
tee. DIR. Gordon said in opening.
Before the meeting of the Legislature
the majority Of the members Of the
association deemed ii best to ask for
some changes in the registration law,
the Cumberland society took the
initiative in the matter and appro-
prated $IJ5 to engage council to aid
in revising the old law and suggest
the legal tines in drafting d new or
revised law Hon. ii X. Virgin, for
merly president of the Senate. was
engaged as legal council for the com
mittee and after many meetings the
bill as finally passed by the Legisla
ture was agreed upon.
The important features of the bill
We're defining the term doctor and
fixing the penalties for practising
medicine or surgery under the Title OF
doctor, unless certificate or license is
obtained from the board of registra-
board and successfully passing such
examination as is prescribed by said
board. Several subjects have been
added To the list which the applicant
will be required to pass an examine
tion upon. The fees for The members
OF the board have been definitely fixed
in the new law, SO that each one shall
know just what the salary will be.
Heretofore per diem gave large
range in the matter oil fees. The Zee
Tor application for registration is
raised from $40 TO SIS III order To give
the board a larger time for eXamina-
tiOn and To take up the added sub
jects.
He reviewed in a picturesque man
ner the opposition which developed to
the bill and the fight that VAS made
by its proponents To secure its pas
sage in spite Of the opposition of the
osteopaths. who desired separate
board af registration. lie praised the
efforts Of Representatives Williamson
and Scates ana Drs. Sleeper, Anes
and Litfletield. who We're Also mem
bers OF the Legislature. in securing
its passage. Notwithstanding the adj
verse committee report. Ina couclu-
sion he said. 4 have vet ia Team of a
single dollar being paid 10 a member
of the profession for services rem
dered in connection of the Legislative
campaign. Your chairman gave free
~ many days and nights and paid his
own expenses. We believe the pro
fession of the State may we'll take
credit for ACCOMPLISHING what many
other states have failed To accom-
plfsh."
The paper upon Surgery of the
Appendix b, Or II. II. Crane of
Bangor. originally scheduled Tor the
Wednesday afternoon session was TAX
an up Thursday morning and after its
presentation quite generally discussed
Central Maine tuberculosis Work
The leading address of the forenoon
was by Or. A. A. Downs of Fairfield
upon the Organization and Work Of
an Anti tuberculosis Association in a
Small Community" Dr. Downs in
opening gave a description of the
work done in the Central Maine dis
trict in the care of the tubercular
poor. The association was started
by the Waterville Medical society and
turned over 10 the laiety for mafage-
ment. The association is composed
of people who pay Il minimum of 81
per year and who elect directors. The
fun government of the society is vest
ed in a board of directors consisting
of II prominent laymen and physi7.
clans
DIR. Downs advocated the raising of
the money fer the maintenance of
the organization by direct taxation,
but said that this probably could not
be done in Maine at Che present time.
The funds are now raised by yearly
dues and by team method which have
proved very successful. The care of
the patients is wholly i'm the hands Of
one person, the medical director,
three clinics a week are held and for
part of the time two other physicians
have been associated with the medical
director. Two nurses are employed
who visit patients ut their homes
This is probably the best method out
side of Sanatorillm care over p5O new