The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-24
.CH|ROP FACTORS To
RENE W STRUGGLE.
FOR RECOGNITION
Less Stringent Measures Be-
lieved Favorable To Cause
Of Spine ManipuIators
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU !
THE AGE-HERALD
Montgomery. Ala. June %

Chiropractors are coming back to
Montgomery when the legislature
meets July 10. They are coming
state board of chiropractic examin-
ers which they lost during the short
session early in"tbe year, according
to information which has come to
the capitol from many sources.
Those who believe in a system of
healing which does not contemplate
or permit the use of drugs made a
fight in the few days of the early
session but lost in the house, where
their bill was defeated by large
vote. However, several things have
happened since the short session adj
journed. The state board of health,
controlled by medical men. has
given some recognition to the ehiro-
practors, osteopaths, etc. by amend
ing the rules under which applica-
tions may be made for certificates
to practice medicine. This amend
ment will be used as one of the
forces in support of the contention
of the chiropractors that they should
be accorded legal status In Ala
bama
Claims Merit In Code.
f. e. st. John of Cullman, repre-
sentative of Cullman county, and a
member of the recess code commit
tee, introduced the bill in the house
for the establishment of a state
board of chiropractic examiners. He
made the fight on the floor of the
house but lost. He contended that
there Is merit In the art of chiro-
practic and that Alabama should fol-
low other states which have created
boards for the examination of those
VINO desire to practice chiropractic.
The state board of health opposed
the bill at the short session. DR.. s. w.
WEIGH. state health officer, appeared
before the committee in opposition
and contended that chiropractic
as would come with the creation of
separate board. Tie insisted that
the examination Of all persons who
desired to practice the art of heal
Ing should be conducted by the same
board.
Given Some Recognition.
Since the bill was defeated the
state board of health has given some
recognition to those who practice
without the use of drugs by giving
them the right to take the examina-
tons prepared by the board of health.
Those who do not desire to use drugs
Will not be examined on some of the
subjects which medicinal practition-
ers are required to know.
i VI Instance. those who would
practice chiropractic would not be
forced to show their knowledge of
major surgery because they would
not be called upon to perform major
surgical operations. Nor would they
be forced to show that they are
graduates of medical colleges be-
cause many of the subjects taught
In medical colleges are not used by
chlropractors in their profession.
However, chiropractors have indf-
Gated that they are not satisfied
with the concessions made by the
state board of health. They contend
that they should not be forced to
go before the state board of medi-
cal examiners for a certificate which
would legalize their work for the
reason that the board of medical ex-
amtners is composed wholly of med
ical men who are interested in the
advancement of the medical profess
sion and who have no knowledge Of
the science of chiropractic, if such
be science. In other words, their
argument is that those who would
practice chiropractic should be re-
CURED to obtain their licenses from
those who have proven themselves
proficient In the art and who are in
terested in the establishment of high
standards in the profession.
The fight for the establishment of
separate board will bring on an
interesting contest.