The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-01-13
FORUM OF THE PEOPLE.
Editor Hattiesburg News;

Editor Hattiesburg News:
Honoring your suggestion of eluci-
dating, the 14th of the twenty nine
measures enumerated in your issue of
January LIST proposed for considera-
ton at the present session of the
state legislature reads: Revision of
code chapter on medical practice
adoption of higher standard for pro
fession, and larger appropriation to
carry on campaign of education on
sanitation and hygiene"
/ That reads well. casually read. and
seems as innocent of Interior design
as did the kiss of Judas to those who.
without shadow Of suspicion, saw
him bestow it. Not since the careful.
ly phrased demonstration act which
run the gauntlet Of adroit discussion
without exciting suspicion of IFS
momentous meaning until after if had
passed its final reading and been en-
crossed, has subtle scheme been hid.
den in the folds of pleasing phrase
ology with which it is clothed with
more astuteness than is possible
one that may be lurking in tbis nro.
posed measure what could sound more
plausible or less sinister than pro-
posing the adoption of higher stand
ard for the medical profession. and
larger appropriation to carry on cam
pa1gn of education on sanitation and
hygiene? OF the necessity for higher
standard for the medical profession
or more thorough education on sani-
tation and hygiene, no grounds exist
for doubt. But, why, if all is implied
that is expressed in the verblage of
that measure, is legislation invoked
to elevate the standard that has been
erected by the medical profession. for
the medical profession. If higher
standard for itself is alone what is
really sought?
Is state legislature. composed of
a body of men of widely divergent
views, better equipped to erect a
higher standard for the medical pro-
fession than the state board of health
possessing as 1t does the most abso-
lutte and irresponsible power in all
matters relating to the practice and
procession OF medicine In the state?
Are there any existing statutes in
conflict with action of the medical
profession in adopting a higher stand.
ard for itself, that must be repealed
Or amended to make clear the inno-
cent and inoffensive right of the pro-
fession to elevate it's own standard
Or, is there not something else alto
gether different in the pretended Dur.
pose expressed from the intended one
not disclosed?
There are many schools of medi. ,
cine, or rather, many methods of heal. ,
ng. Designated as allopathic, home ,
'pathic, naturopathic autopathic. ;
osteopathic, oxypathic, etc. Only ,
'ne of which is active ir ,
politics. It's activities in the ,
game of politics is consistently and ;
directed at having its :
powers and prerogatives enlarged bv ,
with the thinly disguised .
Iesire and intent to build I'm an ;
with itself at its head, and =
MESS some restraint is placed upon o
rs methods it will in many of the
tates soon come into a full realiza- r
ION OF its coveted powers. =
vi all the unchristian attributes of @
ne human or carnal mind. intoler =
nee Is probably the greatest obstruc- n
on to progress. Conceived in self .,
'nness and born of arrogance, It de- -
les the right of existence to all that :,
lffers from itself. =,
There are many kinds of intoIer.
1ce' but the species that is perhaps =,
le most offensive, tenacious and in
meal to human progress, is that A.,
hich pertains to medicine. 1t is -
ost unfortunate that this Is so. for
other fields of human endeayor "
II for more freedom of thought and
search, no other departments of -
man life are SO important since =
edicine has to do with the bodies Il
mankind.
Whenever an Idea is evolved that H
lterially upsets the cherished ideals II
medicine, a storm of protest i'm
'diately arises and the old idea -
eks to extinguish the new through
resolution and repression. uy,r..otbo
, to progress this attitude is. How r.
ly and useless it is. 1ntoleran~ :, m,
S kind will, if allowed its OWN 49, mr.
solutely stagnatA Il