Editorial March 7, 1901 Issue

Medical Legislation in Texas

Editor

Correspondents from Texas send interesting accounts of the history of the proposed medical legislation in that state.

On the 19th of February, 1901, the legislature of Texas passed a bill regulating the practice of medicine and surgery. When the bill came up for discussion in the senate Senator Dibrell spoke in opposition to any bill which, while assuming to regulate the practice of medicine, should strike at those who do not use drugs. He cited instances where cures had been effected by the so-called "irregular" practitioners who used no drugs, after "regulars" had failed.

Finally he touched on Christian Science, and his eloquent appeal for the rights of its adherents commanded the attention of all who heard him. Among other things he said: "I do not profess the faith of the Christian Scientists, but I see no reason why any restraint should be imposed on their practice. A law which proposes to regulate the practice of medicine should not be made to apply to those who use no medicine. No harm can come from their practice of healing the sick through the exercise of faith and prayer, and I challenge any one to show where injury has been done through their practice in itself. I do not understand the mysterious power by which they heal, but they have the right that all American citizens have in the exercise of their religious faith. I may say I have no personal interest in this matter, and yet that is not exactly true. I hope I may be pardoned for referring to a matter here which closely concerns me. I well remember how my mother was afflicted with a growth on her face which physicians called a cancer. She suffered with this many years without being able to obtain relief, and it was a source of constant anxiety to me."

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