The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-19
OSTEOPATHY IN WAR
DR.. E. Claude Smith Writes of Bill
Now in Congress.


Now in Congress.
Editor State Journal
Since the beginning of the war great
things have been accomplished in
medicine and surgery, and some of
the supposedly impossible things have
been accomplished. Surgeon General
Gorgas, at the head of the medical de-
partment of the United States army,
by his keen judgment and applied
knowledge. has given to Europe the
army of the world. These men have
gone on foreign soil in the prime of
physical condition because of the
strict enforcement of sanitary and
hygienic laws. both as regards the
camp or cantonment as a whole and
as regards the individual soldier
With all of this has all been done that
being of the soldier? Draw your own
conclusions from the following:
Following the declaration OF war
osteopathic physicians offered their
services to the proper authorities but
were rejected because they did not
have the NJ. D. degree. Refused by
local boards they applied directly to
the medical department at Washing
ton. Surgeon General Gorgas said.
NO one but those possessing the NJ.
D. degree need apply for service and
commission" Service was then
sought in the RediCross. You are not
an NJ. D. was the reply. Not eligible.
Drafted medical students are grant
ed furlos that they may complete their
| medical education. Students of the
osteopathic schools were denied this
right.
Osteopathic physicians have made
| it known that soldiers or sailors will
receive care and eatment-anywhere
free of charge during the period of
the war-but the men are denied TAX
| ing advantage of this offer.
| Hospitals equipped and maintained
by the profession have been offered to
| the government free of charge, but
were not accepted.
! Large units have been organized and
i offered to the government, but have
not been accepted.
i The following bill was introduced in
the house OF representatives June 90,
! 1917, and was referred to the military
affairs committee:
BE it enacted by the senate and
house of representatives of the United
States of America, in congress assem-
bled, that hereinafter osteopathic ply
s1c1ans who have been duly licensed by
the laws of the states in which such
physicians reside, and who have grad
! uated from a college of osteopathy
! duly authorized by law to confer the
degree OF Doctor of Osteopathy, shall
| be admitted to examination prescribed
by existing law to ascertain the physi-
cal and professional qualifications OF
applicants for the medical branch OF
| the army of the United States. and il
| found qualified shall be eligible to ap-
pointment therein: Provided, that
such appointees shall have the same
| OFFICIAL status. rank. pay and allow
ance of officers of CORRESPONDING
grades in the medical branch of the
| service"
Note that there is no special privi-
lege asked but the right to take the
same examination is asked.
A like bill has been introduced in
the senate. This bill is still in the
hands of the military affairs commit
tee. because one mantle surgeon
general, is opposed to it.
/ Is this in harmony with the prin-
ciple of democracy for which the Unit
ed States is fighting?
Is it just and right to the boys doing
the fighting?
i Is it in keeping with the selective
draft law?
1 Write to your representative, your
senators and President Wilson asking
favorable action on senate bill 4914
and house bill 5407.
II These are identical as quoted a.
above.
! E. CLAUDE SMITH. d. o.
Secretary Kansas state Roar'l Of
Oste o1:athic Examination and Regis
tration.