Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-12-26
Doctors Go On a Strike

The Joyous celebration OF the triumph OF eugenlCs
in Wisconsin seems to have been premature. The
reform requiring a medical examination as a pre-
requisite to a marriage certificate was adopted by
the Wisconsin legislature, long and widely renowned
for it's acceptance of novel proposals. In fact, Wis
consin has rejoiced in its distinction Of being the
experimental station Of this country, or the labora.
tory, as it has sometimes been called. 1t is the one
place where the human victims of vi~visection cheer
fully submit to operations. But the law is INSTRUCTED
by the action of the physicians Of the state, who in.
sist that the statutory compensation of So is grossly
inadequate, as the services required under the act
would be worth at least $50 under the union scale.
The doctors have consequently gone on a strike. the
action being taken by the Milwaukee Medical Society.
Unless "unethical" physicians are drafted into service
even the most eugenie couples will have to go to an
other state after January l to be united in marrias sc,
even as the less eugenic couples would, regardless
of the attitude of the physicians.
Advocates of the law to compel Aesculapius to re-
wise the work of Cupid had every hope that the ply
sicians would cordially support it, si9ce, it provided
an unusual source of revenue. But sa we'll known
Milwaukee physician says that an examination by
application of recognized clinical and laboratory tests
of scientific research would require four months
time and at least four Wassermann tests, each Of
which would be worth from $40 to SIS. Then a Nogu.
Cut . " u Y ieVulleu. III III Jesus we're lOulu
negative it would, in his opinion, be necessary to
puncture the spinal cord, draw out some of the fluid
and make a test of the same. He even intimates
that it might be necessary to remove a portion Of
the bridegroom's brain and examine it microscopic
ally. Spinal ~refexes would necessarily have to be
tested and all the bones and joints examined with
close scrutiny. During this period the patient would
be under quarantine, so his freedom from diseases
whose germs require length of time for incubation
could. be determined without extra expense Of time
or money.
The decrease of marriages, even where it costs
but a trifie to get in and but a little more to get out,
has already caused more people with an Atlantean
sense Of responsibility grave concern. With such
discouragements as those found in the new law of
Wisconsin the institution might gradually pass away,
even as 1t has done in Buda.Pesth, where over cne-
fourth of the births are illegitimate. Herbert Spen-
Ger showed where similar results followed drastic
restrictions. on marriage in certain parts of Europe
early In the nineteenth century. There are certain
phases Of life where natural laws show their strength
over statutes every time they come in conflict. Wis
consin may revise its law SO as to require but a
superficial examination, but even that will not cure
the evils reformers seek to eradicate.
N$#&&@&
william Allen White has doubtless cabled to South
America the news that an Emporia woman who is
only 10 years old has given Sbitrh to her t~wenty4ist
child.
AsThs charge Of Mr.. MCGUIRE Of New York that his
prosecution Is q "frameupr has q familiar sound. 1t
= IN old fayorite Of individuals who would fain ex-
pleial away the. presence ~ the goods: