The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-19
DELUGE GOVERNOR
WITH INQUIRIES
PEOPLE INTERESTED IN CIIIRO-
PRACTICE KEEP EXECUTIVE
OFFICE BUSY.

Governor Mann has been deluged
with inquiries with regard to the re-
Gently enacted medical bill, at first
supposed to have q very serious effect
upon chiro-practice In Virginia.
This original measure Was somewhat
drastic. but the BIZ ~ Il passed finally
was In no way unfair to tho members
OF that branch Of the art OF hsallnx.-
IN order that the public might have
a correct idea or tho effect O. the law
the Governor requests that the follow
ing be published.
AS have received q gu5d many
letters about Senate bin No. 1911, !
have gotten q gentleman familiar with
1T to write a history OF the bill. which
IL as follows:
senate bill 1877 was prepared by a
committee Of the State Board OF Medl-
cal Examiners, and Its prime object
was to increase the standard of Ap-
vided for the registration OF all ply
s3cians SO that IL might he known
who IL practicing without Il license
lhere was nkewise an Increase In the
entrance fee. aud other consequential
changes in the law.
Tho last clause OF paragraph IL
provided an exemption from examina-
plicants belonging 10 the various sec
tartan schools such as osteopaths.
|t hirC-practiccx. and all others who do
not use drugs. There II no right gwen
10 one that Is not given TO all.
Paragraph u. which provides a
definition cf who shall be allowed to
practice medicine Is no broader than
'.ection 1850 OF the Cote. In fact 1t is
practically In the same language. III
there is anth!ng in the bill against
the interests OF the chiro-practors that
lis not In the present law. II IL also
aaginst the interests OF the osteo-
paths who are satisfied with the
law. When the bill was before the
committee OF the Senate. the question
was asked by a senator whether there
was any discrimination against the
o-practics. and = doctor present
said there was none. The bill was re-
ferred to a subcommittee composed
OF two senators who recommended the
hill and it was unanimously reported
So far as know or believe, there vas
no Intention in the original draft OF
the bill or in the amendments to dis
criminate against the chiro-practics.
The change in the latter part or
paragraph IL 20 as to make 1t apply
not alone TO osteopaths but to all
sectarian schools WAS suggested by the
physician who prepared the bill and
at whose instance II was originally In
troduced. All OF the changes. except
certain changes that were made in the
House and In which the chiro- practors
are not interested, We're made before
the bill was considered by the Senate
committee, and the bill al changed
Was referred 10 and reported by the
Senate Committee for Courts OF JUS
tiee as substitute for the original
Senate bill No. 1877.
Il have examined section 1850 or
IT,. Code hurriedly. of course. ana
think that the same prohibition
against the practice OF chiro- practors
under Senate bin 1877 has existed since
1904. the last amendment TO section
1850 OF the Code. Sec Acts. 1go2-3-a.
up. :45, EOS. II am right in this con-
ciusion, Senate bill 49,, permitting
ch.rcpractors TO practice on the same
examination as that required OF osteo-
paths. Is distinctly favorable 10 them
Very truly yours.
(sirned) WIN. HODGES MANN.
Governor"