Semi-weekly herald., 1916-11-06
H. s. DEAN, D, o.


In order that the discerning voter
may vote intenigently on house bill,
No. 17s, an act relating to the prae-
tice OF medicine ia Colorado, which
has been referred to thd people for
their vote in the November election,
the following explanation of its his
tory and purpose is presented, Colo
RADIO passed it's first law on medicaI
iiceusure m the spring of 1881, near
ly thrty-six years ago. This law
provided that all persons who wished
to practice medicine must first OBJ
tain a license so to do; the license
being granted on educational creden-
aalF where these met the standards
established, and by examination
whore the credentials were not suffi-
eient. No one OF good moral eharac-
ter was refused examination; the ex-
animation wu8 confined TO subjects
having to do with the recognition Of
disease and no questions ON treat
rlent were permitted.
To Avoid Fayoritinm.
This was in order that no one sys-
tom of treatment should be given
preference over another; that the
public health should be sa5egunrded
TO the extent that the applicant
should show knowledge of the dis
cases he would treat and yet that
no one school should be given pref
erence over another.
This law with its equitable provi-
sions was in effect until 1905, when
the legislature amended the statute
providing the exemption Of osteo-
paths. There was no definition in
the law governing the practice Of os-
teopathy except that its practitioners
should not use drugs or medicines.
AS a result OF this loose and indefi-
mite exemption clause, osteopathy in
Che course Of time came to be re-
enrded - any mechanical or manip-
Iuative treatment 1r disease.
Charges Distinction Was Made
We thus find the state saying to
one class Of Individuals "You can
not practice the healing art unless
you first prove to the state that you
au diagnose disease; no questions
asked as to your method Of treat
| ling" To another class, who treat the
same diseases, the state again says:
"You can practice medicine without
showing any knowledge Of disease;
you are exempt from all provisions
on lieensurc and may practice with
out a license"
In the belief that every one who
bases his treatment upon the phyHi-
cal condition Of his patient should
show knowledge Of disease ilrespec-
tive Of the method employed Ia ita
treatment, house bill No. 1873 was
drawn and presented to the legisla-
ture. 1t was passed and signed by
the Governor. The bill takes care Of
the drugless healer in the state by
licensing all who can qualify on rea-
sonably educational standards and
establishes a single standard for all
who come into the state in the future
irrespective OF method Of treatment
to be used by the applicant.
Applicants are Numbered
The bill provides (seetion 81 that
no person who possesses a good NOR
al character shall be denied Tho
right 20 take an examination and
further that "every applicant for a
license shall be designated by mum.
her instead Of by name, so that hi.
identity shall not be disclosed tc
members Of the board until after
the examination papers are gradec
and every applicant whose examina
ton papers grade at least rs per ceni
on an average shall be granted :
license"
This is the broadest and most lib
aral hill in tha intaraat NJ nuhit.