Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-16

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He said the osteopath has claimed he
has learned a new anatomy and it re-
minded him of a story wherein pro-
fessor once told his student in medi-
cine there haven't been any new bones
in the human body in great many
years."
DIR. Robinson said the State had es-
tablished a board to pass upon the ad-
instability of the candidate and If they
were honest they would pass honestly
and he didn't believe the Governor ana
Council would appoint a board that
was otherwise but now the osteopath
wants a special board and II they kne"
as much about medicine as did the
regular profession why not let them
come before the regular board-there
wouldn't be any harm III 1t.
He said all laws for the safeguard
ling of the public health was at the IN
stigation of the medical profession ana
ALWAYS had been. The board of exam
liners had been established to SAFE
guard the people and give the physl-
clan the right to practice medicine
and to keep up the standards OF the
medical profession.
Mrs. l.. NJ. Binford of Saco, the next
speaker, said when later asked by re-
porter for the exact spelling OF her
name: NOW, young man, l want TINS
distinctly understood-lm not looking
for any newspaper notoriety whatever.
However, Mrs. Binford talked force
fully and interestingly. She told how,
after twice submitting to an operation.
with the prospect of a third, she finally
| oyercame an inherent prejudice and
sought an osteopathic practitioner. And
this practitioners specialist in anat-
ony, as all qualified osteopaths are
located the underlying cause of her dis
temper.
A lady who fell from a step-ladder
and sustained an injury to her wrist
had much the same experience she
sent for the family physician, who
made a diagnosis and wrote out pre-
scription for pills. Her husband read
the prescription. was disguised. and sent
for an oSteopathic practitioner, VINO eA-
amined the wrst and found there
certain strain: an int1iction of kind
which no medicine could reach She
was we'll in short time; no pills were
taken, and the family doctor was bah
ished.
Continuing. Mrs. Binford pointed out
the Justice of protecting competent and
tition of the incompetent and the UNI
recognized She emphasized, also, the
Justice of protecting the layman, who
now has no means of distinguishing be-
tween the two.
FRANKLY" said she, those who OPP
pose this act are either ignorant or in
competent"
Charles +. IIitchborn. of Augusta,
said: This is not a testimonial meet
ing to the excellence of osteopathy. If
it was, this whole building would be fill
ed to overlooking, and with some of the
best people of Augusta. He spoke
briefly but very earnestly, pointing out
what he believed would be the folly of
having osteopathc candidates examined
by composite board.
Under the law as framed, declared
DR. Leighton, the osteopaths would be
permitted to administer medicine,
through external application, injection
and in case Of emergency, 50 that they
could practice medicine just the same
as the regular physicians. His decla
ration that the osteOpathS wanted to
and as a matter of fact do at times
practice medicine and that the counsel
for the osteopaths knew better when
passage at arms between counsel
for the osteopa tbs and DR.. Leighton.
at the conclusion of which DR.. Leigh
ton apologized for his statement re-
fleeing on counsel and rejecting on
osteopaths as q whole, but maintaining
that they want to and as a matter of
fact some of them do practice medi-
cine. Asked to define osteopathy he
~ l,o or
stood it. was that all ills arose from
some maladiustment of the vertebrae
of the spinal column and could be
cured by adjusting them.
I'VE have nothing against osteopaths
e they would practice osteopathy." he
said. what these gentlemen want is
to practice medicine" He Advocated
their being allowed an osteopathic
member on the beard Of medical exam
iDer3, WHO should give the examina-
tons for osteopaths
you are a member Of tho board OF
medical examiners, and you say you
know of eases where osteopaths nave
practiced medicine?" queried Mr.. Dut-
ton.
Yes, sir"
Doesn't the law under which you
serve make it your duty TO prosecute
such vioIations?" asked Mr.. button.
"Yes. sir it does" replied Dr. Lelght-
ton. land I did and got indictments IN
four cases. One of them is right here,
and he's a good fellow and means
we'll"
Mr. Leigh wanted to know if he had
also secured convictions, but the com
mittee refused to go into that ques-
ton.
DIR. w. L. Cousins of Portland spoke
briefly on the bill, saying he desired TO
see the right thing done and harmony
achieved.
NJ. A. Floyd Of Portland spoke for
the chiropractiticners, claiming that the
bill covering all creation would he
unconstitutional if it created special
board of osteopaths. graduates of
special school, to be "censors" of Chi
ropra cttioners.
Henry O. Cakes of Auburn spoke for
the exclusion from the operations of the
bill of those practcing massaging, but
otherwise had no objection to the pass