The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-02-23
Medical Association
J official GiOes Views LpOn
Proposed Medical Measure

T, Cd In the largest and one OF the most
progressive cities In the state makes
such statements.
section one CD Of Senator Doepp's
bill amends section tive (D Of the
present Jaw which relates 10 time and
| place OF regular meetings Of the
board OF examiners, the amendment
providing for only two regular meet
ings per year. whereas the present
law provides for four, which exper-
fence has shown Il often unnecessary
and involves unnecessary expense.
Section two ca of senator Doepp's
bill amends section three (2l OF the
present law. II IN this section that
marks the only important change IN
our present law. This change Is de-
signed TO ave the medical laws of
New Mexico conform. To some extent,
10 the medical laws OF the other
states Of the union. New Mexico Ia.
the only state Ia the union that
licenses physicians solely on a Dip
Iona from "A medical school. Every
other state Ions since adopted the re-
quirement OF evidence OF preliminary
education. good moral character and
an examination by a state board, ON
/, the elementary branches at least. de-
signed 10 discover the applicants ut
ness To diagnose disease. The exam
nation provided for IN senator
Doepp's bill u not rigid but the very
least that could be made and conform
10 the requirements In all The other
states. Under our present law the
state board Of health aud medical
examiners must issue license without
examination to all applicants holding
a diploma from a certain class Of.
medical schools; all Others must not
only hold a diploma from a reputable
medical school but must undergo an
examination more rigid than that
provided In Senator DOepp's bin. The
important and essential part Of this
bill Is that II places all applicants on
the same footing. requiring all to be
examined unless the Application holds
a license issued after examination by
u board In another state OF equal re-
quirements, which. II senator DoepD's
amendment Is adopted, would include
every state In the union, as no state
would then require less than New
Mexico, whereas. now. New Mexico
requires less To qualify 20 practice
medicine than any other state. the
passage OF this bill would place us on
a reciprocity basis with other states
and a license issued by New Mexico
would be recognized by almost every
state In the union. Under our pres
N law no license issued By the eN-
aiming board without examination,
which comprises the great majority
now issued. Is recognized Dy a single
state in the union. Under the amend
ment to The law. as proposed, our
state Is placed on an equality with
our sister states: without Il those who
fail In other states come 20 New
Mexico and register. thus making US
the dumping ground Tor the char
latan. the U~neducated and the unnt
who fail In other states.
Section three go OF the proposed
bill amends section pye CD OF tne.
present law by prqvidipg for a PEN
atty for failure 10 tregister license
with county clerks. section four ca
OF the DOepp bil amends section sir
CD Of the present law relating TO the
refusal and revocation OF licenses.
The present law provides that the
code OF ethics OF the American Ned
ical association shall be the nda
OF professibnai conduct and license
may be refused or revoked by the
board for "A violation Of this code. To
show how uufounded Is the assertion
that this bill Is designed 70 Increase
the power or influence of the New
Mexico Medical society and the
American Medical association 10y Legal
enactment" this section Of the
amended bIll repeals this reference
to tho code OF ethics and defines
clearly immoral, dishonOrable and
unprOfessional conduct In the mean
ing OF the law. and provides that
! licenses may be refused or revoked
after due trial for immoral, dishon-
| orabie or unprofessional conduct ana
then defines such conduct, To- the
meaning of the law, to De habitual
drunkenness, addiction To drug habits,
production Of criminal abortion or
other acts involving moral turpitude.
| DO the people OF New Mexico desire
"A lower standard Tor their medical
advisers?
SeCtoa hNt Aht % TAG iNNfb N'
adds section twelve d2J 10 the pres
ent law, which provides for compen-
sation Of tho members Of the board
while In attendance IN its meetings
The present law Is not clear ON TINS
point.
Section six CO., the last section oil
the Doepp bill. adds section thirteen
G3) 10 the old law simply repealing
conflicting laws.
The statement that this bill pro-
vides for an autocrutic board consist
ing OF members OF the New Mexico
Medical society" H. without any foun'
dalton whatever and shows a lack OF
information on the part Of the writer
The proposed amendment does moi
amend. alter or change In the least
section one ca OF tbs present la"
and its passage or rejection would
have absolutely no effect On the
membership OF the present board
section one U) OF the present law
provides for the appointment OF
board by the governor ~ seven mem
beers. and the only qualifications re-
quired are that they shall be rep
utable physicians Of known abilit'