The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-02-23

papers Of the state. Criticism which
does nos touch one real provision al
the hili and reflects on she honesty
and purpose 81 the medical profef-
alon o. the state AZ q whole, and the
New Mexico Medical society In par-
tirnlar, | cannot. a. an official % that
bod. let pass without a statement OF
fact regarding is provisions and the
reasons for It's support by the medi-
cal profession Of the state.
An laws regulating the practice of
medicine and ali laws relating TO
QnarRniine. sanitation and The public
health are for the protection OF the
people OF the state and not, as some
seem 20 think, for the protection OF
the medical profession. Medical or
~ganizations necessarily take up these
questions AZ they pertain to matters
In which they are specially interested
and ave special training. They deem
Il part OF their duty as good. loyal
citizens 10 render this service 10 the
pubiic. The public man, whether ne
be editor or legislator. who favorA
tho abolition OF ali laws regulating
tho practice Of medicine, II 80 far be-
hind the trend OF modern thought
, and present day advancement in con-
serving the health and lives OF the
people that II would seem unneces-
sary 70 direct any argument 10 him.
as every state In the United States
and all civiiized countries require a
license TO practice medicine, such
license being issued after some test
OF the applicants ntness both mental
" and morally. IL Is the duty of the
state 10 protect the citizens from the
charlatan and pretender, the ignor-
ant and the unfit. Not only does this
apply TO the physician but TO all the
professions and some trades.
The physicians duty 10 the public
II perhaps the most important from
the fact hat the lives and health OF
whole communities depend frequently.
on his being able 20 diagnose correct
~ many contagious and Infectious
diseases, such as typhoid fever, small
pox, diphtheria, scarlet fever. tuber-
culnsis. cerebro-spinal meningitis,
cholera. yellow fever, bubonic plague.
etc, etc. The old. WORKOUT argu-
ment that "a mans lls are his own"
and he should be left free to employ
wha9eyer means he chooses, or nc
means al all. TO relieve them, cannot
hold good today. This argument
might ave held good nifty years ago,
but In the light OF modern discovery
as to the etiology. or c%ausation, OF
disease. We know that a vast major
ity Of the diseases with which We are
afflicted are communicable and pre-
~ventable, so the state cann0t AFFORD
10 permit the individual TO ieopardise
the lives and health OF the people as
a whole. That the Individual, In
many cases. would be unable TO judge
as to the competence OF their medi-
cal adviser, should the state permit
all who choose 10 practice medicine.
We know By past experiences. This
IL true in all the professions and
many Of the trades.
The average critic Of medical laws
seems to lay great stress on school
or system OF practice This bill has
no reference whatever TO school or So
called system OF practice: Il simply
fixes a minimum requirement for all
applicants that they should have a
fair academic education. be OF good
moral character and hpve an ele-
mentary knowledge, at least. OF an
atomy, physiology, chemistry, bac-
t%erioioEy. etc. necessary to enable
them e recognize disease and dag
nose the same. regardless OF school
or system OF practice; and. showing
these qualifications, they may prnc-
tice any means whatever In the treat
ment Of their patients hat they MAJ
choose. that being a matter between
the practitioner and his patient, sub
ject only 10 the laws bearing On NAL
practice with which this bill has
nothing TO do.
II IS stated that this Oili has been
before both former sessions OF the
legislature since statehood and failed
each time because OF popular objec-
ton 10 Il. This Is a misstatement or
facts, aud IL there Is nov "a popular
objection TO this bill. Il Is on account
OF such Measurements from sources
from which the people nave a right
10 expect fairness and accuracy OF
statement, At the first session OF the
state Legislature a complete medical
ia tnot an amendment a. the pres
ent BID was passed By both houses
and was vetoed by the governor after
adjournment OF the legislature; the
governors reasons for veto, as ] now
remember, being that he understood
The bin TO include midwives IN -
proN!s.Cns. which IA 90 ofFeight
on the part Of its frar1ers. ~ y wal
never so Intended. Al the scs5nd
session practically the same bill tina
is now before the legislature was
passed by the la and did not &c
To a vote in the house, principally,
am Informed. on account Of h op'
position OF a certain religious sect
whom IL doe not affect In the least
and does not change their standinl
under the law now In force. II thel
are affected By a medical law at all
the passase or rejection OF Senator
Doepp's bill VIII not AFFECT theit
standing under the law.
The statement that the bill would
, give autocratic powers. that mid.
wives could be hned and imprisoned
that "druggists who Administered Q
dose OF 'Squihbs' to a citizen could p'
soaked or jagged, that the board
would have the rigat 10 say h q
medicine and surgery and TO set up
rule as Co what IA right and wrong II
the practice OF medicine n what
2hpslcian should and what he shoul'
/ not give his patients and punish bl