THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE is not responsible for the sentiments expressed in any paper or address published in the BULLETIN. EXAMINATIONS FOR MEDICAL LICENSURE IN 1901.1 CHARLES MCINTIRE, A.M., M.D., Secretary of the Academy. For several years past, the tabulation of the results of the examinations conducted by the various state boards of examiners, has been published in the Bulletin a month or more before the annual meeting, because of the necessity of providing material for issuing that journal. This year other conditions prevailed and your secretary is able to present it in the to-be-desired manner, as a report to the Academy at its annual meeting. The great variety of laws, and differences in the methods of procedure in the various states, together with the changes constantly taking place in one state or another make it desirable to accompany the report with a brief statement regarding the procedure in each state. The great majority of the applicants for examination come directly from the medical schools. Hence, it is desirable to include an account of these schools. It would be better to give a somewhat full abstract of the catalogue of each college, including a full list of the faculty to make this report of the highest value for reference. This involves so much clerical work, that it was not attempted, especially as it could not be read to 1 A condensation of a report presented to the American Academy of Medicine at its meeting at Saratoga Springs, June 7, 1902. profit. If it is thought to be desirable it could be added later.' It is to be regretted that the returns are not complete. Except in the few instances where it is especially noted, this is due to the failure to receive replies to the letters of inquiry. A great difficulty is keeping a correct list of the secretaries of the boards; they are changed, our correspondence is sent to the old address, only to find out the change incidentally in the process of time. In some states the blame of no returns cannot be put upon the present secretary, as his name was learned too late to make another inquiry. In every case, where no reply was received, a second or even a third letter has been sent. ALABAMA. Alabama requires an examination of every one who desires to open an office to practise medicine in the state. This examination is under the supervision of the state medical society. Practically the entire profession in Alabama is organized first into county societies and through them into the state society. The law of the state entrusts to the state society the oversight of the public health and the licensing to practise medicine. The board of censors of the state society is ex-officio the state board of health and also the board of medical examiners. In the same way each county has its county board of health and board of medical examiners. Any one desiring to practise medicine in any county in Alabama may come up before the county board of examiners and passing its examination may be licensed to practise in that county. Should he fail, he has the right to appeal to the state board of examiners. If he wishes he may appear for examination before the state board without first appearing before a county board. Only graduates in medicine are entitled to an examination before the county board but a non-graduate may obtain license from the state board after satisfying it of his knowledge of medicine. The examinations of the county board are forwarded to the state board for filing. Dr. W. S. Sanders, of Montgomery, is the secretary. The fee for the examination is $10. There is no provision for accepting the license of another state. 1 This report was projected on the plan of the article of the year previous. So many of the medical schools failed to supply the information sought, that it was decided by the Council not to publish that part of the report, but only the results of the examinations as furnished by the various boards of examiners. Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons... I Georgia College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery I о I I 2 I I I There is no provision in the laws of Alaska regulating the practice of medicine, except an annual license fee of $50.00 for itinerant physicians. ARIZONA. Arizona requires an examination. The applicant must have graduated from a medical school; the law does not specify the length of the course. The examinations are held at Phoenix on the first Monday of January, April, July, and October, and include nine subjects: Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, obstetrics, surgery, practice of medicine, materia medica, gynecology, and neurology. An average of 75 per cent. at least on 7 of these is required for a satisfactory examination. The fee is $15.00. Dr. William Duffield, Phoenix, is the secretary of the board. (No report of the examination has been received.) ARKANSAS. I. Two classes of practitioners are recognized in Arkansas. Those who hold a diploma from a reputable medical school that requires not less than two courses of lectures in separate years. All such can secure the right to practise by exhibiting the diploma to the county clerk, and being registered in his office; the fee for registration is $1.50. 2. Those who do not possess the diploma required by the law. All those must pass an examination before a county board of examiners (for which he pays a fee of $6.00) and then register upon the certificate granted by this board. The judge of the court in each county appoints the board of examiners. They must hold at least two meetings a year. 1 One each of classes 1878, 1887, 1900. 2 Class of 1900. CALIFORNIA. An examination must be passed before the State Board of Medical Examiners. The board is a mixed one, the members being elected by the various state medical societies: five by the Society of the State of California, two by the California State Homeopathic Medical Society, and two by the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of California. The regular meetings of the board are held in San Francisco on the first Tuesday of April, August and December. The applicant for examination must have a diploma of some legally chartered medical school, complying with the requirements of the Association of American Medical Colleges at the time of graduation, or a license to practise from some examining board legally constituted to grant a license. The fee for the examination is $20 and the certificate must be registered in the office of the county clerk in which the holder intends to practise. The law went into effect last year, superceding a practice act, which requires merely the registration of a diploma. The members of the board are: Dr. Cephas L. Bard, Venture. Dr. E. C. Buell, President, Los Angeles. Dr. George G. Gere, Treasurer, San Francisco. Dr. D. E. Osborne, St. Helena. Dr. Lewis A. Perce, Long Beach. Dr. David Powell, Marysville. Dr. C. L. Tisdale, Alamede. Dr. Charles C. Wadsworth, Secretary, San Francisco. |