Article May 4, 1899 Issue

Fate of a Medical Bill in Illinois

Archibald McLellan

157-163 Lasalle Street, Chicago, April 17, 1899.

Dear Editor:—Early in the session of 1899, a bill was introduced in the Illinois Legislature seeking "to regulate the practice of medicine in the state of Illinois." It provided for the licensing of physicians by the State Board of Health, and defined the practice of medicine in such terms as would render any one without such license, who should assist another—except by the administration of family remedies in case of emergency—liable to fine or imprisonment or both. It provided that the fine and imprisonment should be doubled at each conviction. A person unfortunate enough to be convicted a number of times, would need a century or two to serve the term of his imprisonment and the fortune of a multi-millionaire with which to pay his fine.

The bill met with considerable opposition, the most potent being from a committee of five Christian Scientists appointed by the three Christian Science Churches in Chicago. We insisted that the section defining the practice of medicine should be stricken out or that it should be so modified by a proviso as to exempt those who minister to the sick by mental or spiritual means and without the use of drugs. It was finally agreed that a proviso should be prepared by Judge Ewing, who was one of the committee, and should be inserted in a bill which was substituted for the one originally introduced. The agreement was made with the representatives of the State Board of Health and the Judiciary Committee of the Senate.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
From the Klondike
May 4, 1899
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit