Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-18
MARYLAND Assembly
'ToAirMedica||ssue
McKeIdin Calls
Study Of Board
On Homeopathy

BALTIMORE, July 10 (R. =
The Maryland General Assembly
will meet in special session later
this month to decide what to do
about the controversial Homeo-
pathic Medical Society and
Board of Examiners.
Whether it will also consider
other matters is up to the Legis-
lature. There is no constitution.
al limitation on what subjects
the Assembly can take up in q
special session.
The Governor will meet with
legislative leaders tomorrow
morning in his Baltimore office
to set a definite date for the ses-
sion.
He announced the call after a
conference with Attorney Gen.
eral c. Ferdinand Sybert and his
deputy, Norman P. Ramsey.
Two Court Actions
"ThiS is a very serious mat
ter" the Governor said in COM
menting on the situation involv-
ing the homeopathy board,
which has been the subject of
two recent court actions, COM
plants by the American Medical
Association, and investigation by
the Legislative Council.
II feel" the Governor added.
that a special session of the
Legislature is necessary to correct
the situation"
The Homeopathic Board of
Examiners is one of two author
lied by Maryland law to give ex-
|aminations to applicants for
medical licenses. The other is
the Medical and Chirurgical
Faculty, to which most phys.
lcianS belong.
The law dates back to a period
when the medical profession was
divided among two theories Of
practice-homeopathy and allo- ,
pathy. The allopathic system
has since become predominant.
Board Revised
The homeopathic board at
one time disbanded, but was re.
vived two years ago by a grouu
which included DR.. Robert H.
Foeddick, psychiatrist at East
ern Shore State Hospital, who
was named secretary-treasurer.
Last May, however, four mem.
bers OF the board asked Dorches.
ter County Circuit Court for an
order requiring DR.. Reddick to
turn over all records, funds and
property of the board. 1t was
alleged at that hearing that DR..
Reddick had allowed unqualified
applicants to take examinations.
The order was never issued be-
cause before trial was completed
DR.. Reddick announced that he
was resigning and agreed to sur.
render the records.
Then the Legislative Council.
between-seSsionS screening board
OF the General Assembly, an
nounced it would investigate the
activities of the homeopathic
board. 1t started, then recessed
a hearing yesterday. =
Court Bars Exams
Meanwhile the attorney gen.
erals Office obtained a court or.
der last June % from Judge Reu-
ben Oppenheimer in Baltimore
Circuit Court prohibiting the
homeopathic board from con-
Quoting examinations.
DR.. Reddick appeared in court
Yesterday in, answer to that or
der. He contended that the at
torney general had taken sides
in a matter that concerns the
board only, and that board men,
bers who opposed him were not
qualified to serve on the board.
Trial Of the case will resume
Monday.
The Legislative Council start.
ed its Investigation Yesterday
but recessed it until court pro-
ceedings are completed. Before
recessing, however, the council
adopted a resolution calling for a
special session to deal with the
homeopathy board.
Says Curb Is Needed
Delegate Jerome Robinson.
Democrat of Baltimore, who in
troduced the resolution, said
something must be done to pre-
vent the licensing of unqualified
people to practice medicine" in
Maryland.
DR.. Reddick's attorney, LYMAN
Pressman, told the council that
the facts will show that no
emergency exists" with regard to
the homeopathic doctors activ-
tiles. He added that charges
against the board were based on
incomplete and distorted in
formation.
Among other subjects that may
be considered by the Legislature
at special session is the Cow
ernor's veto OF a bill passed in
the regular 1856 session that pro-
hibited CARING Brewing Co.
from building a $12 million brew
cry in Baltimore County.