In the case of Dr. Pond, of Aurora, the Secretary was instructed to procure some of his circulars. The complaint and affidavit of Dr. Wilson, of Olathe, Kansas, against the Physio-Medical Institute of Cincinnati, was then taken up. Letters of Dr. Cook, the Dean of the Institute, were read also. On motion, further consideration of the case was postponed until eight o'clock in the evening. Nine candidates presented themselves for examination. TWO O'CLOCK P. M. At 2 P. M., the Board was called to order by the President, Dr. Wardner, with the same members present as at the morning session. The case of Dr. Joseph Schmidt, of St. Clair county, who has a diploma from the American Medical College, of St. Louis, was taken up. Messrs. Hay & Underwood, attorneys, were given an opportunity to speak in his (Schmidt's) defense, upon charges of unprofessional conduct. After considerable deliberation by the Board, it was Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to grant a certificate to practice medicine to Joseph A. Schmidt, of Belleville, as soon as he is convinced that there are no legal impediments. The case of the St. Louis Eclectic Medical College was then brought before the Board, and, On motion of Dr. Chambers, the communication of Dr. Field with regard to the same was laid upon the table. On motion of Dr. Chambers, the certificate of Dr. James C. Ozee was revoked, for unprofessional and dishonorable conduct, inasmuch as he had abandoned the practice of medicine and became a saloonkeeper. This information was filed by Dr. J. W. Dora, of Mattoon, Ill., who had recommended him to the consideration of the Board. Agreed to. On motion, adjourned to evening. EIGHT O'CLOCK P. M. The Board met at 8 P. M., and was called to order by the President, Dr. Wardner. Present-Drs. Chambers, Clark, Gregory and Rauch. The Physio-Medical Institute question was taken up and thoroughly discussed. On motion, no action was taken at present. The Secretary then presented to the Board a report on canal and river improvement, and on the subject of bogus diplomas.* On motion, the Secretary was directed by the Board to again urge upon the Mayor and Common Council of the city of Chicago the speedy construction of pumping works at Bridgeport as a sanitary necessity. *See next page for text of report. To the State Board of Health: GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to state that a copy of my report upon the pollution of the Chicago river, the Illinois and Michigan canal, and the Illinois river, by Chicago sewage, which was laid before you in January last, was, in pursuance of your instructions, transmitted to the Mayor and Council of the city of Chicago, and that special attention was called to the recommendations contained therein. In pursuance of that recommendation, an appropriation of $100,000 was made by the Common Council for the construction of pumping works at the head of the canal. Within the last week I have made a careful inspection of the Chicago river, and find it fouler and more offensive than it has been at any time since the deep cut was completed in 1871, and I only recollect of one other time (1869) when it was worse, and then only for a short time, as the pumping works were set in motion and soon improved its condition. In the main river the current was towards the lake, showing that but little change had taken place in the lake level. At Van Buren street the water was practically stagnant; at Eighteenth street there was no current, and at Halstead street, for the first time within my knowledge, I observed no current toward the canal. (This is unusual, except when a freshet occurs.) The South Fork of the South Branch was, comparatively speaking, in good condition, owing, no doubt, to the late rains. There was a decided current at the mouth of the canal, and upon further examination I found that the canal was taxed to its capacity by the water of the West Branch and the South Fork, thus causing the condition at Halsted street, and as far south as Van Buren street. The North Branch at Kinzie street was also very foul, with a slight current toward the lake. In fact, at no time since the deep cut was completed was the water of the entire river so sluggish. About two months ago I called upon the Mayor of Chicago, and had an interview with reference to the construction of pumping works. The effect of the Fullerton avenue pump has been just as predicted in my report written before the pumping commenced, and without the construction of the pumping works at Bridgeport it will only partially remedy the trouble. In view of all the facts, I think it is the duty of the Board to communicate with the Mayor and Common Council of Chicago, and again urge the speedy construction of the pumping works, as a sanitary necessity. Since the last meeting, complaints have been filed against three medical colleges we have heretofore recognized, for irregularities in granting diplomas. In this connection, I take great pleasure in calling attention to the exposure and arrest of some of the parties concerned in the issue and sale of diplomas in Philadelphia, mainly through the instrumentality of Mr. John Norris, of the Philadelphia Record. It is peculiarly gratifying that the action of the Board is sustained, as we have never recognized the diplomas of the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, the American University of Philadelphia, the New England University of Manchester, N. H., the Livingston University of Haddenfield, N. J., nor the late issues of the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania. The diplomas of the last four emanated mainly from Dr. John Buchanan, who was arrested, and is now under bonds in the sum of $11,000, to appear for trial. It may be that we have recognized diplomas of the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania that we should not, as some of them may have been dated back, as in the case of Mr. Norris, who was accommodated with regard to date. You will probably recollect that, for nine months after the organization of the Board, we refused to recognize any of the diplomas issued by that college, and they were afterwards recognized only after the parties had given additional evidence that they had attended lectures and had graduated in good faith. The Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, sometimes called the Paine School, has been managed mainly, since 1872, by the Rev. Messrs. Miller, Major, Orvis and Ingraham, all of whom have the degree of Doctor of Medicine from this school. Three of these belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one to the Unitarian Church. After the exposures made by Mr. Norris, during the past winter, they were subjected to discipline by the authorities of their respective churches, and were deposed from the ministry. One of the most notorious charlatans and quacks in this State holds a diploma from this University, and has made much complaint because the Board will not grant him a certificate. I am of the opinion that some of the diplomas signed by this school were obtained in good faith, but I have never felt warranted in recommending the issue of certificates based upon them, because of the uncertainty I have felt with regard to them. As nearly as I can ascertain, about two hundred and fifty diplomas from the schools named were held by persons practicing medicine in this State when the Medical Practice act went into effect. Of these, one hundred and fifty were presented, for certificates. It having been known that these diplomas would not be recognized, they have not lately been presented. Many of the parties who hold them left the State, while others went to reputable medical colleges and graduated. As a rule, they were held by most ignorant quacks. It will also be remembered, that in January last I called attention to the advertisement in the papers in this State under the caption "Know thyself," of the Peabody Medical Institute, managed by one calling himself Dr. W. H. Parker. He refers in his advertisement to the faculties of the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, and the American University of Philadelphia, and to the President of the National Medical Association. In reply to a letter written at my suggestion, he sent to the applicant a neatly engraved and illustrated pamphlet, containing what purports to be a copy of a laudatory resolution of thanks to Dr. A. H. Hays, of Boston, by the National Medical Association, conferring upon him a gold and jewelled medal for great discoveries in the treatment of nervous affections, said to have been made by him. This book contains, also, an advertisement of a book entitled "The Science of Life." Since the seizure of the effects of Dr. John Buchanan, in Philadelphia, it has been found that he and his confreres were the chief manipulators of the National Medical Association, and issued the certificates and medals advertised by Dr. W. H. Parker, alias Peabody Institute. After these disclosures were made, the references were omitted from the advertisements. Since the last meeting of the Board, my attention has also been called to a horrid case of malpractice by a pretending cancer curer. Upon calling this person to account, he stated that he only "used his remedy in the interests of humanity." Three weeks ago an overdose of Hamburg Drops, a patent medicine, was administered by an ignorant midwife to a patient who had been confined, causing peritonitis, and resulting in death. On the 22d of this month (June, 1880,) a Dr. Schultz was convicted of malpractice at Burlington, Iowa, and sentenced to one year's confinement in the penitentiary for causing the death of a patient by the use of what is called the Exanthematic Method of Cure, or Baunscheidtism. Several months ago my attention was called to this method of treatment in the hands of a man who, upon being written to upon the subject, replied in a very illiterate letter. On motion, Board adjourned to Friday morning. FRIDAY, June 25, 1880. The Board met, as per adjournment, and was called to order by the President, Dr. Wardner. Present-Drs. Chambers, Gregory and Rauch. Dr. Gregory offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That the quarterly meetings of this Board shall hereafter be held on the third Wednesday of the months in which such meetings occur, and that the by-laws be hereby changed to agree with this order. Dr. Gregory also offered the following resolution, which was adopted: WHEREAS, It is the legal duty of this Board to issue certificates to persons presenting diplomas from medical colleges in good standing; and WHEREAS, It becomes the duty of the Board to determine as to the good standing of such colleges; and WHEREAS, Complaints are frequently made to this Board as to the practice and standing of certain colleges: therefore, Resolved, That a committee of this Board be appointed to report at the next quarterly meeting the requirements and characteristics which shall, in the judgment of this Board, constitute good standing in a medical college, and also the conditions under which this Board will receive and hear complaints against the standing of any medical school or college. The Chair appointed Drs. J. M. Gregory, W. M. Chambers and J. H. Rauch the committee. Dr. Chambers offered the following resolution: Resolved. That a committee be appointed, of which the President shall be chairman, to make suggestions to the coming State Legislature touching amendments to the present law, as it may deem necessary. Dr. Rauch offered the following: Resolved, That in compliance with the request of the National Board of Health, this Board recommend the appointment of Dr. W. R. Smith, of Cairo, as Inspector at Inspection Station No. 3, below Cairo, and the National Board of Health be requested to place said station in commission on the first of July; also that after said inspection station has been put in commission, the Secretary of this Board be directed to notify the authorities of all ports in this State not to allow boats to land, from points below Cairo, unless upon presentation of a clean certificate of inspection as to cargo, officers and crew. Adopted. A number of bills were audited by the Board, and the examination of candidates concluded. The following passed the examination satisfactorily, out of a class of eleven, and were given certificates, viz: Horace M. Hall, Charleston, Coles county. A. H. Gideon, Walnut Prairie, Clark county. On motion, the Board adjourned, to meet on the third Wednesday in October. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, October 21, 1880. The Board met, pursuant to adjournment, at the Grand Pacific Hotel. On motion of Dr. Gregory, Dr. Chambers presided, in the absence of the President. Present-Drs. Chambers, Clark, Gregory, Ludlam, and Rauch, Secretary. On motion, the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Dr. Gregory, Chairman of Committee on Requirements and Characteristics of Good Standing of Medical Colleges, submitted the circular of the committee, which, after some discussion and changes, was approved. On motion of Dr. Ludlam, 1,000 copies of the circular on Medical Education and Colleges were ordered printed. James C. Ozee appeared before the Board, and asked to have his certificate returned, presented affidavits with regard to his character professionally, and urged that the action of the Board be revoked. Dr. Gregory offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Board of Health, after a full hearing of his case, recommend J. C. Ozee to enter himself as a student in the office of some experienced physician, as his preceptor, and practice only under the advice and direction of such preceptor, until he has completed his medical studies, and obtains a diploma from some Medical College in good standing, when this Board will restore his certificate, unless new complaints of nonprofessional conduct shall be made. Dr. Clark submitted a communication from Mr. Underwood, attorney for Dr. Joseph Schmidt, of West Belleville, urging the Board to grant him a certificate, as he (Schmidt) had complied with all the legal requirements. The Secretary asked for further time in this case, which was granted. The remainder of the time was occupied in auditing accounts, and other routine business. On motion, adjourned. |