The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-12-21
MEDICAL SOCIETY
CONDEMNS JONES'
SEXUAL EXAMINATIONS
Sioux Falls District Organization Declares This Is
Function That Belongs to Physicians. ---Spearhsh
Normal Head Defends Jones.

qualifications. . Sexual examinations,
lie declares, should be limited to
cases showing "positive indication
OF trouble. He asserts restrictions are
necessary to prevent unqualified per-
sons from assuming this work. DR..
Ashcrofts letter is as follows:
DIR. Ashcroft's opinion.
To the Editor of The Republican.
Your letter of the 5tn asks for
my opinion of Professor Jones ideas
and the work that he is doing: whe-
Their | approve OF it ana why. The
clipping from The Republican of the
4th stated that Professor Jones had
made thousands of physical cNamina-
tions, including examinations of the
organs of sex of pupils at the State
Normal School at Spearfish and else
where
] have positive assurance that no
examinations of the organs of sex,
or primitive operation We're done
there, hence l am not fully advised
as to the scope of the examination or
the nature OF the operation.
Having no definite knowledge Of
Professor Jones ideas, it follows that
! can have no opinion concerning
them
AS TO his work: have knowledge
in a general way, that he has improv-
ed, and in some cases originated.
methods and apparatus for the deter
mination of certain physical and men
tai processes in human beings.
| am assured by educators. whose
", I <e.f.
this work promises to be of great
value. Hence / approve this portion
of it because it may ultimate i'll good
to the race.
| approve of the physical and men
tai examination of school children
and other persons, under proper re-
strictions. by persons of special ed
ucationfi training and character, who
have been Officially tested as to these
special qualifications.
Inspection or even intimate exam
ination OF the genitals becomes a
proper part of physical examination,
when there is indication for it.
Examination of the genitals dur
should be limited to the cases show
ing positive indication, or exciting
strong suspicion. of necessity. 1t
should then be done by person of
like sex or under anaesthesia and
in the presence of parent or repre-
sentative of a parent.
Before the onset of sex conscious
ness or after It's subsistence, such ex-
aminations should still be limited
TO those actually necessary. and
might be done without anaesthesia.
II Professor Jones complies with
all of ,ne above conditions in his ply
steal examinations j can approve his
work, otherwise | cannot approve it.
For the reason: that physical eX-
aminations made by persons without
special training, are likely to be
without value. Restrictions are ne
ccssary to prevent unqualified persons
from assuming this work, which
would be contrary to public policy.
Yours truly,
f. f. Ashcroft,
President State Board of Healts
/ Deadwood, S. D.. Dec. 10, 1916
Deadwood Telegram Disapproves.
The Deadwood Telegram discusses
'il'rof. Jones work editorially as fol
lows:
The Telegram has received from
Pres Cook of the spearfsh Normal
a copy OF letter sent by MIN to the
Mitchell Republican, with request
that it be published in this paper. 1t
Win be found elsewhere on this page.
From this statement it ann, ars
that in his summary of the normal
school at Speartish. Prof Jones did
not deem it necessary to make sex
examinations; or if he did deem it
necessary ii was not done for some
reason not apparent.
1t appears from Pres. Cooks
statement that he has very high es-
( innate of Prof. Jones' ability and
services and that he is not dispos-
ed to criticize Prof Jones for the
extention of his work TO sex exam
llnatons. because he has Knowledge
in this direction far beyond that OF
the average physician
This may be all true, and if it is
Prof. Jones could qualify to make
such examinations under such re-
strictions as may seem advisable.
Pres. Cook would not approve Of
such examinations by superintendent
and principals, and believes that
'here is no danger that such prac-
tlcc viii ever be countenanced. This
is correct conclusion, and interpre-
tatioh of public sentiment. 1t is doubt
full whether ii will permit of such ex-
amlnations even by Prof. Jones here
after. unless it be under close limi-
tations to prevent possible i'll results.
But if Prof. Jones is permitted to
continue the practice others will
claim tho same privilege who lack
his ability and integrity"
DIR. Fiege Inclincs Toward Jones.
DR. r. w. Fiege of Huron, Nom
Der of the State Board of Health,
writes as follows:
To the Editor OF The Republican:
Your letter and the clipping from
the PAPER addressed to nae arriy Il
while | was absent from home and
have only now found time to write
you concerning the same.
] had read something about this
matter but could not learn any of
the facts concerning it, rather sus-
fl hot