Article August 1, 1903 Issue

Legislation in Florida

with contributions from Emerson

Correspondence

It may be interesting to other fields to know that a medical bill, introduced in the recently adjourned legislature of Florida, was defeated. As early as last July, the Medical Association drafted a bill designed to prohibit the practice of Christian Science, which they proposed to have introduced at the 1903 session of the legislature. A copy of this bill, with request for an expression of opinion regarding its passage, was sent to each of the candidates for the legislature. Section 5 of said bill read as follows:—

"For the purposes of this Act, the words 'practice of medicine' shall mean to suggest, recommend, prescribe, or direct, for the use of any person, any drug, medicine, appliance, apparatus, or other agency, whether material or not material, for the cure, relief, or palliation of any ailment or disease of the mind or body, or for the cure or relief of any wound, fracture, or other bodily injury or any deformity, after having received, or with the intent of receiving, therefrom, whether directly or indirectly, any bonus, gift, or compensation."

The bill was introduced, with the wording of Section 5 slightly altered, but its meaning practically unchanged. The bill was quickly and favorably reported from the Committee on Public Health. At this point First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Jacksonville, sent a representative to Tallahassee, and with the assistance of the Scientists there some effectual work was done. Copies of the Sentinel, containing an account of the defeat of medical legislation in Texas and North Carolina were placed on the desk of each senator and representative. The bill was on the calendar for Wednesday morning at ten o'clock. Our committee had waited on Dr. De Witt Webb, the author of the bill, requesting him to allow an amendment exempting the practice of Christian Science, which he declined, but agreed to strike out the words "or any other remedy." It was decided, however, that this would not cover the ground sufficiently, so Hon. Ben Hopkins of Leon County said he would offer the following amendment: "Provided that nothing in this act shall be construed as affecting the practice of Christian Science."

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