Article November 9, 1912 Issue

From the communication published in a recent issue of...

George A. Law

New Haven (Conn.) Register

From the communication published in a recent issue of your paper Prof. Irving Fisher appears still to be concerned because Christian Scientists do not favor a national health bureau or department of health. Inasmuch as Christian Science has for its standard high ideals, and Christian Scientists thoroughly believe in pure food, pure air, pure water, etc., this critic attempts to show that they cannot consistently take an opposing position relative to this so-called health legislation. Furthermore, irrespective of the fact that much has already been said upon this subject, he seems to fail to appreciate the Christian Scientists' view-point, since he reiterates that Christian Scientists "attack health laws."

A Christian Scientist stands in the same relation to this proposed legislation that hundreds of thousands of believers in medical freedom do who may be of various other religious faiths. The basis for the opposition is entirely at variance with the representations of our critic. Those who are opposed to this legislation conscientiously believe that it would enable one school of medical practitioners to dominate and control other schools of healing, and result in forcing upon others the opinions and views of this one school. In opposing such a measure the Christian Scientist considers he is merely exercising that inherent right which he enjoys in common with all good citizens, to object to the passage of a law granting to one interest a special privilege, though it is claimed to be for the public good.

Those who are not in favor of extending the power of the health service claim that there is no good reason for so doing, that already there is sufficient authority to conduct the work, from the handling of the problem of polluted streams to the matter of teaching the screening of houses against flies and mosquitoes, with which Professor Fisher seems greatly concerned. The opponents of the proposed legislation point out that the treating of physical ills is still in its experimental stage, no system having as yet reached the point where it can consistently ask for governmental endorsement. The effect of health service would be to limit the experimental and research work to that which accords only with the school of medicine to which the doctors in authority belong. It can be at once appreciated that this would give to this school the benefit of the assistance of the public treasury and also a position of dominance which would act as a hindrance and obstruction to the progress and development of other systems of healing. If one school of medicine can ask for federal aid, why not others?

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