MEDICAL LEGISLATION.
On motion by Mr. YAANCEY, the House substitute for his bill [S. 74--see pages 208, 212, 216 and 259 of these Reports] to regulate the practice of medicine, was taken up.
Mr. YANCEY moved that the Senate refuse to concur in the House amendments to his bill; and he made the motion on the principal of honor. The bill that passed the Senate had for its purpose the enlightenment of the medical profession of this State. It was submitted by men engaged in the practice who thought it necessary that physicians should possess an education; that they should have some knowledge of anatomy, physiology, therapeautics, chemistry and other things that go to constitute a knowledge of disease and the application of remedies therefor. It is well known by men who are observing that one-fifth, yes three-fourths of the men and women who practice medicine in Indian are incompetent, and ought not to be allowed to practice. A bill passed the Senate requiring all persons entering into the practice of medicine to undergo an examination before those experienced and competent to examine them. That bill went into the House of Representatives, where there are aa number of gentlemen who, at home, are physicians, so called, each man of whom presumed to be most enlightened on the subject, and because thirteen doctors' bills couldn't pass all at once they got up a conglomeration of bills which simply mean nothing. It proposes that the County Clerk (who perhaps may know about as much concerning medicine as the gentlemen who formed the Committee reporting this bill to the House) shall issue a certificate of qualification to any one simply upon the exhibition of a diploma and swearing to a good moral page: 92[View Page 92] character. The practice of medicine is not like the pracice of the law; it is not a question of good moral charater; it is simply a question of nothing. We don't want any legislation unless we can get a better bill than this.
Mr. BELL did not know what the provisions of this bill are, and was free to confess he did not know very well what the provisions of the bill which passed the Senate were, but thought it well to give an opportunity for the Senate to inform itself what is in this bill before voting on concurrence in the House amendments. He was informed, among other things, that it has less machinery and is less expensive than the bill which passed the Senate, and that it does not create a medical aristocracy called a State Board. We all understand what little knowledge is gleaned of a bill from hearing bills read at the Clerk's table. There must be somthing to be said against the bill which passed the Senate, or the fourteen doctors in the House would not have agreed upon this substituted bill.
Mr. WILSON some time ago had brought himself to the conclusion that something would be done this session in the way of medical legislation; but when doctors disagree, what shall members do who are not versed in medicine?
Mr. VAN VORHIS--There is nothing in this bill worthy of consideration: it does not correct the evils desired to be reached as much as the dog law corrects dogs--except that one wears a tag and the other don't. Under this bill a forged diploma, or one of Buchanan's medical diplomas will be good evidence of qualification. If the yeas and nays are to be called upon this motion it had better be withdrawn, and let it come up at some other time when there are more Senators present. If any legislation is needed at all it is for the benefit of the people, and the question is how are we to benefit the people unless the standard of medical education is increased, and men put in the field qualified to practice medicine; and that class taken out who are not qualified. No rule can be made too stringent for the good of the people. Either apply the rule directly to every man who practices now, or make it apply at some definite time in the future.
Mr. SHAFFER--Thought the House substitute should be given respectful consideration by the Senate. He hoped it would go to a Conference Committee which might agree on some bill that would pass this General Assembly. It is well not to be too hasty in this matter.
Mr. BELL--Fourteen physicians in the other House agreed on this bill, while there are but four in this branch. He did not think the author of this bill was justified in saying the only reputable physicians in the State Assembly are in this branch.
A VOICE--"Yeas and nays."
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR--Suppose you let it stand over till 2 o'clock and take a vote then, without any further discussion.
Mr. YANCEY--Gentlemen having the love of their profession properly at heart, would not consent to such a bastard bill as the one sent here from the House. There are more than 20,000 bastard medical diplomas in the United States. Men not qualified to go through the simplest form of examination have purchased diplomas for $5 The House bill is a meaningless nothing, and if that is a reflection on the medical men of the House, he had nothing to take back. He withdrew his motion to non-concur, at the suggestion of those around him, and moved to make this bill the special order for 10:30 o'clock to-morrow.
The motion was agreed to.
