New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-09
Ex Governor Hodges
Speaks Plainly Before
Medical Congress.
FAKE CANCER CURES
ALSO DENOUNCED
Providence Delegate Declares
Politics the Bane of Public
Health Work.

Chicago. Feb. S.-Former Governor
George II. Hodges, Of Kansas, spoke
here to-day before the Congress on
Medical Education. as q guest OF the
congress. An attack on fake" cancer
cure concerns and "quack" doctors was
the keynote OF Mr.. Hodges's talk. "Con-
scienceless monsters fattening on the
pain -racked bodies of their stricken
victims il the way he characterized
such persons.
Mr.. Hodges Landed the initiatory
steps taken by county, state and ma
tional medical organizations toward the
betterment OF medical science and said
lie saw new era of medicine in a COM
paratively few years because Of these
efforts.
How Tennessee, formerly admitted to
be one of the most backward states as
regards medical legislation. has taken
a lorg step toward correcting condi-
tions there, was told TO the congress
to-day by Professor Irby r. Hudson,
secretary of the Tennessee Board Of
Preliminary Examination. One year
ago, said Professor Hudson. almost any
one could appear before the State
Board of Examiners for the medical ex-
animation, regardless Of previous edu-
cation.
AT the instance Of the Tennessee
Medical Society, the Legislature" said
Professor Hudson. last -pring pro-
vided for an examining board Of
academic men. body composed Of in
structors and business men, which
board examines all applicants in rela-
ton TO their education only, and II the
applicant fails in this test he is barred
from taking the medical examination"
Discussing state public health organi-
cations, DR.. Charles v Chaplin, Com
missioner of Health OF Providence,
said the two great difficulties in pro-
tecting the health of the people were
politics in the Health Department and
an inefficient executive" The former,
ne said, was the chief cause of the lat
ter. 80 that politics is the real bane OF
public health work in this country"
lie advocated state board Of six or
seven, one appointed each year, with
all executive power lodged In com
missioner chosen by this board, the
board itself, however, TO prescribe sani-
tary regulations, with broad powers in
that direction.
DR.. Francis c. McCrudden, Of the
Medical School of Tufts College, as
serted that instruction in therapeutics
in American medical colleges IL incom-
plete and inefficient. HI suggested that
the gap between pharmacology and
clinical medicine ought 20 be bridged
by an independent course.
The American Medical Associations
efforts for more accurate and system
attic methods Of registration OF births
and deaths were praised by DR.. J. NJ.
Kerr, assistant surgeon general OF the
United States Public Health Service.
DR.. Kerr mentioned a number OF states
which he said have amended their laws
in this respect for the better.
An illustrated lecture on vital stats
tics By DR.. Cressy l.. Wilbur, special
agent FOR the Census Bureau, before a
Joint meeting Of the Federation Of
State Medical Boards and the Council
on Health ended the conference pro-
gramme.
The congress closed without definite
action by the delegates on the ques-
ton of q national beard of medical
examiners. The question, it was said,
will be feature OF next years meet
ing.