The Washington herald., 1913-05-13
DISTRICT HEADS OPPOSE
FRIEDMAN LICENSE
Commissioners Report to Congress Un-
favorable to the German
Doctor.
PHYSICIANS ARE CONSULTED

Gu the ground that nothing has been
established by tests Of the Friedman
cure for tuberculosis to warrant the
granting of license without examina-
ton to the young German doctor to prac-
tice medicine and surgery in the District
or Columbia. the Commissioners report
ed to Congress yesterday that they op-
posed the bill Of Senator Hughes of New
Jersey. which provides for the .bestowaI
OF this special privilege upon DR.. r. F.
friedman
The Commissioners called upon various
members of the Washington medical pro-
fession for opinions before submitting
their report. They found that tn. physi-
clans Of this city feel that DIR. Friedman
snould qualify, the same as any other
reputable physician, to practice here.
Doctors at the George Washington Uni
versity Hospital, at which institution Dr.
Friedman conducted a tuberculosis clinic
ana administered his turtle ssrum' to
twelve patients. reported yesterday that
the patients so treated have shown no
signs of Improvement. although nearly
four weeks have passed since the injec-
tons In the case of one patient only.
is slight increase in weight noted They
further stated that the patients them
selves, not experiencing relief, have lost
faith IN the efficacy of the turtle vac
cine, and no longer report for the regular
weekly examination at the hospital.
DR.. Randolph Conservative.
DIR. B. NJ. Randolph. to whom the pa
tients have regularly reported, was more
conservative in his statement He said,
however. that he thoroughly approved
of the action of the Commissioners.
Il think the position of the District
Commissioners is the only proper one."
DR.. Randolph said. "Dr. Friedman
should comply with the same Laws and
regulations as the other physicians who
wish to practice in Washington.
"As to the patients treated here b.
DIR. Friedmann,' Dr. Randolph continued.
Il can say that absolutely nothing has
been noted in their conditions to war
rant the claims made for the cure in
the press"
DIR. friedman planned to return to
this city six weeks after his clinic and
give the patients further treatment. The
doctors here say that they have heard
nothing from Friedman since he left
town.
The report sent by the District Com
missioners to Congress reads as follows:
Realizing that they are not qualified
by training or experience to venture an
independent opinion on the medical as
pect of the proposed legislation, the Com
missioners have sought the advice of
those professionally familiar with the
treatment of diseases, but have failed t.
find such consensus of opinion as would
justify them in making a definite recon-
mendation upon the merits of the bill
from that standpoint. The efficiency of
the system of practice Of the proposed
licensee does not appear to be sufficient
ly established to Justify a recommenda-
ton that he be accorded the special ex-
emption sought in his behalf
But. regardless of these considera-
tions, the Commissioners are appre-
hensive that If the bill should become
law it would establish a precedent that
might seriously impair the administra-
ton Of the present excellent statute un-
der which physicians are now licensed to
practice medicine in the District of Co
lumbia."