The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-10-26
Editor Tho Star.

Editor Tho Star;
Tho 1871 Washington Legislature
was confronted by a series OF pro
posed bills relating to public health
especially tho health OF children In
public schools. These BILLS had the
backing and support OF an organixa'
ton known as THE League In Pro
mote Public Health. ana was intend
ed TO relieve parents OF the duty OF
caring for the health of their chill
drcn. transferring this privilege to
the state.
During tho hearings on one OF the
these bills. before the committee con-
Quoting tho Investigation. some In.
teresting and startling facts we're re.
vcaled. II these facts could be placed
before every father and mother IN
the state. as well an every taxpayer,
the majority In favor Of Initiative No.
IL would DO M overwhelming as II
was In tho Legislature. where only is
votes were cast agains, u.
II was discovered that this move
was being promulgated and urged
upon tho legislatures OF several
states. which were supposed 10 be
friendly 10 tho older and dominant
school OF therapy. hoping In time 20
invade all states with their secret.
subtitle. pernicious plan 20 establish
a system OF state medicine. with the
drug doctors In absolute control.
They proposed 10 turn all children
Of tho public schools over TO this one
system OF practice. with absolute All.
thority over all examination. and
treatment. Just as they enjoyed the
caro- OF soldiers IN tho army. Not.
wlthstandlng the terrible lesson We
learned no recently during tho infiu.
snxa epidemic In tho late war. when
tho death rate was ever four and z
half times greater among tho splsn-
did manhood In our army camps than
among tho crippled. weak and unfI,
who remained at home.
The only great advantage those II
homo possessed over our boys In
camp was the fact that their blood
was not contaminated BY serurns and
vaccines. and they had tho right 10
employ the kind OF treatment they
desired.
with these lessons fresh IN the
minds Of our lawmakers. n was an
inoppor,une time for tirv American
Medical association to ask thru its
puppet allied organization che
League 20 Preserve Public Heaith)
for tho right 10 examine ana treat
all children OF tho public schools
without tho consent OF parents, also
TO ask for twotcn,hs OF all state
funds appropriated for school pur.
poses and 20 establish a gigantic ma.
chine Of political doctors Of one
school Of therapy. In order 10 retain
by legal process hold upon the
public. which thwy are rapidly losing.
When tho legislature awoke 10 the
facS. there was a reaction against
establishing such a system OF sta,s
medicine In the state Of Washington.
and a bin was introduced amending
tho present law regulating public
health in our schools.
This amendment gives the parent,
the right 10 say whether their chfId
shall he examined and treated or not.
IL does not In tho least affect the
public school clinic. II does not pre-
ven, anyone from having ssrum..
vaecin-s or any other treatment he
desires. but tho school doctors can.
not force this treatment upon any
child without tho consent OF his
parcntn IL does not affect auaran.
tine OF the school or Of any child In
case Of an epidemic. IN tho school
nurse or physician finds any sign or
symptom Of oontarion or infection.
the child II requested 20 submit 20
an examination. II permission for
this In refused. no II sent homo and
kept there until tho school author.
tiles are satisfied all danger IL past.
What more could be asked and still
retain personal liberty7
| Any further control n unnecessary
for public protection a.,i has no
place In n free government. To com.
pei people to accept serums, nos.
trums and theories OF certain
school OF practice. TO the exclusion
Of all other schools. IL unwise and
contrary TO tho principles OF a
democracy. The practice OF medicine
has gone thru many changva. being
still In rapid transition: tho drugs
used 10 years ago are now in the
discard. and the serums OF today will
soon pass out. when tho light OF In.
telligence Ia turned upon them.
There has always been n treat
difference between medical theories
and scientific facts. II has been one
eternal struggle OF the medical pro.
fesslon 10 adjust itself TO its own
discoveries and the truths OF science.
until majority know not whers
they stand. About tho only thing
upon which they can agree ia 20 fight
and down all other systems save
their own. As n result. the public In
rightfully and thoroly Disguised with
the old theory OF drug medication
and II turning TO other systems. This
is the real reason for asking for laws
to compel people TO accept their sys.
tenn. whether It's wanted or not,
There are three distinct schools Of
therapeutics, all striving for tho
Same end--to free the human body
of ali disease and Ills 10 which II IN
heir. thereby establishing health and
happiness turnout the world. Their
differences lie in the methods they
employ 10 bring about these results
The drug school riarea thn cht.S