MEDICAL LAWS AND INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. ALABAMA. Population, 1 262 505.* Number of physicians, 1552.* Number of inhabitants to each physician, 813. AN ACT to Regulate the Practice of Medicine in the State of Alabama. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Alabama: SECTION 1. That no person, except those proposing to practice some irregular system of medicine, shall be permitted to practice medicine in any of its branches or departments as a profession and means of livelihood in this State, without having obtained a certificate of qualification from some authorized board of medical examiners, as hereinafter provided. $ 2. That no person shall be permitted to practice any irregular system of medicine in any of its branches or departments as a profession or means of livelihood, in this State, without having obtained a diploma or certificate of qualification in anatomy, physiology. chemistry and the mechanism of labor from some authorized board of medical examiners, as hereinafter provided. $3. That the Board of Censors of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, organized according to the constitution of the said Medical Association of the State of Alabama, which was adopted at its annual meeting at the city of Tuscaloosa, in March, 1883, and the boards of censors of the several county medical societies which are in affiliation with the said Medical Association of the State of Alabama, and organized in accordance with the provisions of the constitution just mentioned, be and are hereby constituted the authorized Boards of Medical Examiners referred to in the first section of this act. § 4. That the standard of qualifications required of persons desiring to practice medicine in this State, together with the rules for the government of the authorized boards of medical examiners, shall be such as may be determined from time to time by the said Medical Association of the State of Alabama, in accordance with the provisions of its said constitution of 1873. § 5. That every diploma or certificate of qualification authorizing any person to practice medicine in this State, which shall be issued by any authorized board of medical examiners, shall be presented to the probate judge of the county in which said person resides, who shall officially endorse the same, and seal it with the seal of the county, and who shall also cause a full and fair copy of the same to be made in a well-bound book to be kept for that purpose, and called the register of licensed practitioners of medicine, and for this service he shall be entitled to a fee of one dollar: Provided, that said Medical Association, nor any board of censors in affiliation with it, shall be allowed to charge any fee for any diploma or certificate of qualification which may be granted by it. 6. That any person practicing medicine in this State in violation of any of the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof before any court having competent jurisdiction, shall be fined in the sum of not more than one hundred dollars for every such offense; and if the fine so imposed be not immediately paid, said person shall be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year for every such offense. 7. That all persons who shall be legally engaged in the practice of medicine in any county of this State, before the organization of the board of medical examiners of said county, all persons who at any time have been legally engaged in the practice of medicine in this State, and who are now authorized to practice medicine in this State, shall be entitled to the certificate of the board of medical examiners, and to be inscribed in the register of licensed practitioners of medicine without examination as to qualification. Where not otherwise specifled, the figures of population and number of physicians are those given in the U. S. Census, 1880. 88. That the provisions of this act shall take effect in any county of this State whenever the board of medical examiners for said county shall have been organized, as herein before provided, and the fact of such organization officially communicated to the probate judge of said county by the board of censors of the Medical Association of this State. § 9. That none of the provisions of this act shall apply to females who now or may hereafter be engaged in the practice of midwifery: Provided, said females practice no other branch or department of medicine. § 10. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of this act be, and the same are, hereby repealed, and this act shall be in force from and after its passage. Approved February 9, 1877. Official authority is vested in the Board of Censors of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. This board, elected by the Association, is composed of ten members, and controls the county boards of censors, which are elected by the county medical societies, and are composed of five members. JEROME COCHRAN, M. D., President State Board of Censors, writes: "The peculiarity of our system is that the diplomas of medical colleges confer no right to practice medicine in this State. Nothing does that except the certificate of one of our examining boards, based upon actual examination of the applicant. "We have forty-three county boards and one State Board. The county boards examine graduates of reputable medical colleges only, diplomas, however, serving only as a means for getting before the board. The State Board alone examines non-graduates. "A few years ago we used to have a good many non-graduate applicants, but, having learned that our examination means something, they have almost ceased to trouble us. "The examinations are always partly written, and the county boards send these written examination papers up to the State Board; not that the board can reverse the action of the county boards in any case, but if we find them doing their work in an unsatisfactory way, we do not hesitate to censure them and to publish the censure; and if any county board should continue refractory, we could and would dissolve such board. "The examination of graduates by our county boards is not a mere form. During the last year they reported 40 applicants examined, and six of this number rejected. But even so, five of them were censured for lax examinations. "Our State Association has been disciplined into the cohesiveness and efficiency of a regular army. With us the organized medical profession is on guard in every county to prevent violations of the law; while at the same time the constant supervision of the State Board holds the county boards up to a high standard. * "All persons legally engaged in the practice of medicine in Alabama at the time of the passage of this act are continued in the enjoyment of that right under certain regulations. * "All persons proposing to begin the study of medicine are examined by the county boards of censors in English grammar and literature, general and United States history, elements of arithmetic, geometry, inorganic chemistry and physics." MEDICAL COLLEGE OF ALABAMA. Mobile, Ala. (Pop. 29 132,) Organized in 1859. The college was closed during the war and re-opened in 1868* There were no graduates during the years 1862-3-4-5-6-7 and 8. The faculty embraces eight professors, three adjunct professors, three lecturers, and two demonstrators. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION: One course of twenty weeks' duration annually, Course extends over two years. Graded course of three years recommended but not required. Lectures embrace anatomy, physiology, chemistry, materia medica and general therapeutics, theory and practice of medicine, surgery, obstetrics and diseases of women and children, physical diagnosis and diseases of the chest, ophthalmology and otology, histology and microscopic examination of urine, hospital and out-door clinics, practical anatomy, one course. Weekly quizzes on anatomy and chemistry. REQUIREMENTS: For admission, none. For graduation: (1) age, twenty-one years, (2) good moral character. (3) three years' study, (4) attendance on two full courses of lectures, (5) pass before the members of the faculty a satisfactory examination, (6) a thesis on some medical subject. FEES Matriculation, $5.00. Lectures, including hospital, $75.00. Dissecting, $10.00. Graduation, $25.00. STUDENTS: No information received concerning the number of matriculates. Number of graduates, session of 1877-78, 18; 1878-79, 18; 1879-80, 20; 1880-81, 22; 1881-82, 21; 1882-83.16. REMARKS: The first four weeks of the lecture course are devoted to elementary topics, and attendance during this period is not compulsory. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. Greensboro, Ala. Organized in 1872. Extinct; last session closed in 1880. ARIZONA. Population 40 440. Number of physicians, 71. Number of inhabitants to each physician, 570. AN ACT to Regulate the Practice of Medicine in the Territory of Arizona. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Arizona: SECTION 1. It shall not be lawful for any person to practice medicine, surgery or obstetrics, in this Territory, unless such person shall have obtained a diploma regularly issued by a medical college properly and lawfully organized, and in good standing at the time of the issue of such diploma, or unless such persons shall have obtained a license from a board of medical examiners legally existing at the time, and properly qualified to issue such license under the laws of the State, Territory or country where such board of examiners then existed. Such diploma or license must state that such person is qualified in the branches of that medical profession named in said diploma or license; provided, however, that a diploma or license that has been or that may hereafter be granted for a moneyed consideration or other article of value alone; and provided, further, that no diploma or license regularly issued, as hereinbefore stated, and which has been revoked or cancelled by the medical college from which it was issued, or by the act of the Legislature of any State or Territory within which the same was granted, shall not be considered a sufficient qualification under this act. § 2. Every person engaged in the practice of medicine, surgery or obstetrics, shall register in the county recorder's office of the county where he is practicing or intends to practice, in a book to be kept by the county recorder, his name, residence and place of birth, together with a true and correct copy of his diploma or license, as required by section 1 of this act. The person so registering shall subscribe and verify by oath or affirmation, before a person duly qualified to administer oaths, that the copy so registered is a true and correct copy of the original diploma or license in his possession, and that he is the identical person named in the original diploma or license, and that he has attended at least one full course of lectures in the medical college from which such diploma or license was issued, which affidavit is to be reduced to writing, and annexed to the copy required to be registered under the provisions of this act. The county recorder is to receive a fee of five dollars for each and every registration under this act, to be paid by the person so registering. $3. Any person who has been in continuous practice of medicine, surgery or obstetries in this Territory for five years previous to the passage of this act, is hereby authorized to pursue the same without compliance with the above sections. § 4. The provisions of this act shall not apply to persons who shall prescribe for the sick, or practice obstetrics in any town, village or settlement in which there is no regularly educated and licensed physician practicing. § 5. Any person violating the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. § 6. * *All acts in conflict with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. § 7. This act shall take effect and be in force on and after May 1, 1881. ARKANSAS. Population, 802 525. Number of physicians, 1892. Number of inhabitants to each physician, 424. AN ACT to Regulate the Practice of Medicine and Surgery in the State of Arkansas. SECTION 1. That hereafter no person shall practice medicine and surgery, or medicine or surgery, as a profession, in this State, without first being registered as a physician or surgeon, in the office of the clerk of the county court of some county in this State. 12. Each county clerk in this State shall keep in his office a well bound book, in which he shall register the names of all such persons as shall be lawfully qualified, as hereinafter provided, and who shall apply for registration as physicians and surgeons, or physicians or surgeons, with the date of such registration. 3. That hereafter any person who may wish to practice as physician and surgeon, or either, in this State, shall be allowed to register as such, who shall file with the clerk of the county court of any county in this State a certificate of qualification signed by a majority of the county board of medical examiners of the county in which he or she offers to register: Provided. That no person shall be allowed to register as physician or surgeon until he or she shall have attained the age of twenty-one (1) years: Provided further, That any person living in a county in which no board is organized, may apply to a board of some other county, or to the State Board. 4. That immediately after the passage of this act, the county judge of each county in this State shall appoint for his county a board of medical examiners, consisting of three persons, who shall be citizens of such county and learned in the sciences of medicine and surgery, of good moral character, and duly registered under this act, who shall hold their offices until the first term of such county court, in the year 1882, at which time, and every four years thereafter, said board shall again be filled by appointment as above provided; and should a vacancy occur in said board at any time, the same shall be filled by appointment made by the county judge. $5. That the members of said board shall, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, take the official oath prescribed by the constitution of this State. That at the first meeting of the members of such board, after they shall have been appointed, preparatory to the transaction of the business assigned them under this act, they shall organize by electing one of their members as president and another as secretary. The regular meetings of such board shall be held quarterly, at the court house of the proper county, on the first Mondays in January, April, July and October in each year, and when so assembled, said board shall faithfully and impartially examine all such persons as shall appear before them for such purpose, touching their qualifications to practice medicine and surgery, or either; and all such persons as shall satisfy such board of examiners, or a majority of them, that he or she is twenty-one (21) years of age, of good moral character, and duly qualified, in knowledge and capacity, to practice medicine and surgery, or either, shall receive from such board a certificate of qualification as physician and surgeon, or either physician or surgeon, as the case may be; which certificate shall entitle such person to registration under the provisions of sections two (2) and three (3) of this act: Provided always, That such physician or surgeon shall be registered in the same county in which he or she was examined, except as provided in section ten (10) of this act: Provided, That any person desiring to be examined at any other than the time of the regular quarterly meeting, shall notify the president of the board of such desire, whose duty it shall be to assemble the board as soon as practicable, and examine such applicant. $ 6. That the county clerk shall give to every person registered under this act a certificate of registration, over his signature and official seal, and such certificate shall authorize any such person to practice as a physician or surgeon, or both, as the case may be, in any county in this State. That the clerk shall receive, as his fee for all services required of him under this act, in each case, the sum of one and a half dollars ($1 50.) § 7. Any two members of said Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, and each applicant for examination shall pay, in advance, to the Secretary. to be divided equally among the members of such board, the sum of six (6) dollars, which shall be their only compensation. § 8. Be it further enacted, That all physicians and surgeons, who have been continuously engaged in a reputable practice in this State for a period of five (5) years next before the passage of this act, shall not be required to undergo the examination herein provided for, but shall, upon satisfactory proof, before the county clerk, of such continuous practice, and the payment of the fee allowed that officer, be duly recognized. Females, who are now, or may hereafter, engage in the exclusive practice of midwifery, are exempted from the provisions of this act. $9. That any person who shall prescribe or administer medicine for, or who shall in any manner treat diseases or wounds for pay, shall be deemed physicians and surgeons under this act. § 10. That immediately after the passage of this act, the Governor shall appoint a State Board of Medical Examiners, consisting of five members, learned in the sciences of medicine and surgery, and of good moral character, and duly registered, who shall organize in the manner prescribed for county boards by this act, and shall hold their meetings at such times and places as the President may direct, for the purpose of the re-examination of any person, at his or her request, who has been refused registration by any county board; and if. upon such re-examination, such person shall be found qualified to practice medicine or surgery, said State Board shall grant to him or her a certificate accordingly, which certificate shall entitle the person so receiving it to be registered as provided in this act, in any county in this State. Such applicant shall pay the State Board a fee of five dollars; Provided, That no person desiring to practice medicine under this act shall be excluded therefrom on account of any particular system or school of medicine that he may desire to practice. § 11. Any person who shall hereafter engage in the practice of medicine and surgery, or either, in this State, without being registered under this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, in any court having jurisdiction under the laws of this State, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten nor mor than one hundred dollars. And each day said physician shall practice medicine, without being registered, as hereinbefore required, shall be deemed a separate offense." §. 12. That this act take effect and be in force from and after its passage, for the purpose of the appointment and organization of the boards herein provided for; but no physician or surgeon shall be in violation of this act if he or she shall comply with the provisions thereof at or before the regular meeting of the county board, in July of the year 1881. Approved March 9, 1881. J. A. DIBRELL, Jr., M. D., Little Rock, Secretary State Board of Health, writes: "In 1881 an act to regulate the practice of medicine was passed by the Legislature. It was thought if the act was made non-retroactive, that we could in the future secure the passage of a better act and with more strict requirements. The act, therefore, as it now exists, was regarded by its friends only as a basis for future legislation, and that after the status of non-graduates was established by law, there would be but little opposition to the passage of a new and better act. A bill of this kind passed the Senate but failed in the House this year. It provided that all practitioners should be graduates of reputable medical colleges. "In my judgment this is the only correct standard, and a competent board should also be appointed to pass upon the diplomas and determine whether or not they are from reputable schools. "The present act, imperfect as it is. has doubtless deterred many from practicing medicine, but I know of many instances where it has been evaded by applicants, who, having been rejected by their county board, instead of appealing to the State Board, as provided by law, for a re-examination, would travel around from one county to another until t: ey finally secured the necessary certificate. "Another very great defect is that the county boards are appointed by the county judges, who are not always competent to judge whether or not a physician is learned in the sciences of medicine and surgery, and hence these boards are, in very many instances-I can not tell how many-made up of the very kind of menthe law would exclude from practice." MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, ARKANSAS INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY. Little Rock, Ark. (Pop. 13 138.) Organized in 1879. First class graduated in 1880. Classes have graduated each subsequent year. The faculty embraces eight professors, one demonstrator and seven lecturers. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION: One graduating course of twenty weeks' duration annually. Lectures embrace practice of medicine, institutes and practice of surgery, obstetrics, diseases of women and children, general, descriptive and surgical anatomy, materia medica, therapeutics, hygiene, botany, institutes of medicine, clinical surgery, dermatology, medical chemistry, toxicology, ophthalmology, otology, genito-urinary diseases, physical diagnosis, oral surgery. REQUIREMENTS: For admission, none. For graduation: (1) age, twenty-one years; good moral character; (3) three years' study: (1) attendance on two full courses of lectures; (5) satisfactory examination; (6) thesis on some medical subject, or report of clinic. FEES Matriculation (paid once only,) $5.00. Annual fee, $50.00. Demonstrator, $5.00. Hospital, $5.00. Graduation, $25.00. STUDENTS: Number of matriculates and of graduates at each session reported, and percentages of graduates to matriculates Average percentage of graduates to matriculates during the past four years, seventeen. CALIFORNIA. Population, 864 694. Number of physicians, 1851. Number of inhabitants to each physician, 467. AN ACT to Regulate the Practice of Medicine in the State of California. (The following sections of two acts to regulate the practice of medicine-the original act, approved April 3, 1876; the act of amendment, approved April 1, 1878-are still in force.i [SECTION 1-Am ndatory Act. Every person in this State practicing medicine or surgery in any of its departments, shall possess the qualifications required by this act. Every such person shall present his diploma to one of the boards of examiners herein named, together with the affidavit mentioned in this act. If the board shall find all the facts required to be stated in said affidavit to be true, the board of examiners shall issue its certificate to that effect, signed by all the members thereof, and sealed with the seal of the board, and such certificate shall be conclusive as to the rights of the person named therein, to practice medicine and surgery in any part of this State. 182-Amendatory Act. The Medical Society of the State of California, the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of California, and the California State Homeopathic Medical Society, corporations organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of this State, and no other corporation, society, persons or person, shall appoint annually a board of examiners, consisting of seven members, who shall hold their office for one year, and until their successors shall be chosen. The examiners so appointed shall go before a district or county judge and make oath that they are regular graduates, and that they will faithfully perform the duties of their office. Vacancies occurring in a board of examiners shall be filled by the society appointing it, by the selection of alternates or |