Doctors prevented practicing in the State, who could not comply with the law. 127 Midwives prevented practicing in the State, who could not comply with the law.. 22 Total.... 149 Practitioners in the State when the law regulating the practice of medicine went into effect, July 1, 1877: Graduates and licentiates-about. 3,600 3,800 Total. 7,400 Graduates and licentiates in State December 31, 1880-about.. 4,950 1,100 Less number of practitioners in State than when law went into effect-about.. 6,050 1,350 7,400 Less number of unqualified practitioners in State than when law went into effect-about 1,950 425 Registered practitioners to whom no certificates have been issued.. Certificates issued to practitioners in adjoining States whose practice extends into this State.. 156 In the foregoing figures it must be recollected that they include the doctors from 42 counties in the adjoining States, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin, whose practice extends into this State, and who numbered about 500 on July 1, 1877. At that time there was about one so-called physician to 450 of population, while, as near as can be ascertained, there is now only one to 560; and it is probable that within the next year the number will be reduced to one in 600. Of course in this estimate allowance is made proportionately for the population outside of the State. By July 1, 1881, the revision of the register will be finished, and more accurate data will then be obtained. The diplomas of thirteen medical colleges are not recognized, and during the past year one of the diplomas of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Iowa, three of the American Medical College of St. Louis, and three of the Missouri Homeopathic Medical College, were refused recognition, because they had been granted contrary to the regulations of this Board. Some of the diplomas of several other schools were suspected, but no evidence sufficient to warrant their rejection can be obtained. Public opinion and the general desire of the profession indicate that the day is not far distant when no diplomas will be recognized, and all who commence practice in the State from that time will be subjected to an examination before they obtain a license to practice. Although decided progress has been made by the medical colleges in elevating the standard of requirements within the last few years, still there is much room for improvement. An independent examining board in this State would bring about this result much sooner. From this cause, and our geographical position, at least fifteen medical colleges, whose diplomas we must now recognize, would become extinct. In other words, there are too many medical schools, and the rivalry and pecuniary needs incident to this great number result in the graduation of too many who are not qualified. When it is borne in mind that Ohio has ten medical colleges, Indiana five, Illinois six, Kentucky four, Tennessee five, Missouri twelve, Michigan four and Iowa three, or forty-nine medical colleges for eight States, the foregoing remarks will be appreciated. The fifteen colleges alluded to are not, however, confined to the States enumerated, as there are several in the older States which would no doubt succumb. Decided progress has been made during the past year in ridding the State of "ignorant and pretentious specialists," and it is hoped that this class of charlatans and imposters will soon disappear. During the past three months the Board received $400 for itinerant licenses, in accordance with section 12 of the "Act to regulate the practice of medicine." Two of these presented diplomas of reputable institutions, and, instead of pursuing a general practice, were in reality the agents of a "patent medicine" manufacturer. In my opinion the granting of these licenses is in opposition to the spirit, although not to the letter, of the law. The itinerant is generally the worst of quacks, ready to do anything in the way of humbugging to make money. Flaming cards and circulars with regard to their wonderful healing powers are not enough, but temperance lectures and even prayer-meetings have been made the means of advertising and imposing upon a credulous public. In one instance where objected with some warmth to granting a license, the party said that a writ of mandamus would compel the Board to grant it. To which I promptly replied that nothing would please me more, as an apportunity would then be afforded to thoroughly expose this class of impostors. Chartered by the State of Illinois. Soon after the organization of the Board my attention was called. to a number of so-called universities, medical institutes and private dispensaries, chartered under "An act concerning corporations," approved April 18, 1872. An examination of the records in the office of the Secretary of State satisfied me that many of these corporations were fraudulent, and that it was an imposition upon the people of the State to grant them. I protested against granting any more, but was informed that according to the law there was no remedy. Two of these fraudulent institutions (?), situated in Chicago, could not be reached, because they were fathered by parties who took advantage of the ten-year exemption clause in the act under which. we are working. They are the James Medical Institute and the Chicago Medical and Surgical Institute. Amid the multiplicity of other duties, no special attention was paid to this subject until the following letter was received: J. H. Rauch, M. D., Secretary State Board of Health, Chicago, Illinois: November 9, 1880. DEAR SIR: I received the enclosed circular to-day through the mail addressed to my daughter, a young girl, and upon inquiry at the postoffice I find that a large number of the same were received addressed to the young girls of this place, and are being held, at my request, at the office. Now, I ask, in God's name, is there no way to reach this party? Must our girls be debauched by such devils in human form, and under a charter from the State? Yours truly, The following is the circular: "JAMES' WINE OF HOPS-The best known remedy in the world for nervous debility, lost energy, lost hopes, imprudence of youth, lost vigor and ambition. $1.00 per quart bottle, six for $5.00. "DR. JAMES' LOCK HOSPITAL-204 Washington st., cor. Franklin. Chartered by the State of Illinois for the express purpose of giving immediate relief in all cases of private, chronic and urinary diseases in all their complicated forms. It is well known Dr. James has stood at the head of the profession for the past thirty years. Age and experience are all important. Seminal weakness, night losses by dreams, pimples on the face, lost manhood, can positively be cured. Ladies wanting the most delicate attention, call or write. Pleasant home for patients always ready. "NERVINE PILLS-After 40 years' practice I am satisfied nine-tenths of the troubles and trials in life has grown out of a latent sexual feeling on the part of ladies and gentlemen. Thousands, without knowing the real cause, have made life a weary waste for the want of proper means to make it bright and happy. Nervine pills, compounded of roots and herbs, will make the weak and debilitated strong. That which you have lost or never had will come to make home happy. Life is too short to waste away in a dull, torpid home when $1 box will please you and six will cure you for five dollars. Sent by mail on receipt of price. No marks on package to indicate the sender or its contents. Nervine pills a positive cure for leucorrhoea or whites, nervous headache, nervous debility, night sweats, melancholy feeling and general weakness. "BOOK FOR THE MILLION-Marriage Guide-Which tells you all about these diseases, who should marry, why not; 10 cents to pay postage, or large revised work 25 cents. Dr. James has 50 rooms and parlors. You see no one but the doctor. Office hours, 9 A. M. to 7 P. M. Sunday 10 to 12, Dr. James is 60 years of age. "Gentlemen's rubber goods, 2 for $1. or $4 per dozen. Ladies', $5 each. Ladies fountain syringe with silver points, $2. Sent by mail, sealed. Female pills, $1 per box, 6 for $5. extra strength. "TO THE AFFLICTED-Permit me to say to all parties receiving my book, that, when it is convenient, it would be far better to make me a personal visit. The human economy, with its intricate functions, is so complicated that a physician might, and in fact is, liable to make a mistake by correspondence. After forty years of my life spent among the afflicted, in all their varied and complicated forms, I am fully satisfied the more I know the better it will be for those placing themselves under my care and treatment. One visit is all that any patient need make for me to acquire a full knowledge of their requirements. Consequently avoid mistakes. Life and health are too valuable to trifle with, and age and experience are all-important in forming correct ideas. Of course many times it is not necessary to make me a personal visit. Those that do, and after looking over the case and I find it a curable one, I will in all such instances guarantee a cure, or no pay. If I am not able, or I do not see my way clear to make a permanent cure, I will so state, and give you the advantage of my vast experience for one dollar. To those who can't make it convenient to call personally, I will send a printed list of questions to answer before sending medicine. "Three cents to pay postage. DR. J. R. JAMES. "Chicago, Illinois." This circular was prepared with a view to escape the U. S. postal laws, and is not as "broad" or vile as those that are forwarded by express, and is usually sent as an avant coureur. The party writing for the articles advertised, is informed that they cannot be sent by mail, but will reach them by express; also, the more flagrant publications, giving specific directions how and for what purpose they are intended. In this connection attention is called to the United States law concerning the carrying of obscene and improper literature and articles through the government mails: SECTION NO. 3,893. U. S. Revised Statutes. No obscene. lewd or lascivious book, pamphlet, picture, paper, print, or other publication of an indecent character, or article or thing designed or intended for the prevention of conception or procuring of abortion, nor any article or thing intended or adapted for any indecent or immoral use or nature, nor any written or printed card, circular, book, pamphlet, advertisement or notice of any kind giving information, directly or indirectly, where, or how, or of whom, or by what means either of the things before mentioned may be obtained or made, nor any letter upon the envelope of which, or postal card upon which indecent or scurrilous epithets may be written or printed, shall be carried in the mail, and any person who shall knowingly deposit, or cause to be deposited, for mailing or delivering, any of the hereinbefore mentioned articles or things, or any article or paper containing any advertisement relating to the aforesaid articles or things, and any person who, in pursuance of any plan or scheme for disposing of any of the hereinbefore mentioned articles or things, shall take, or cause to be taken from the mail, any such letter or package, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall for every offence be fined not less than $100, nor more than $500, or imprisonment at hard labor not less than one year, nor more than ten years. Immediately after the reception of the foregoing letter and circular, I telegraphed and wrote the writer for more details, but upon reflection took the first train for the place. Found that between fifty and sixty of the circulars had been sent, nearly all of them to school girls, and to two of the female teachers of the public schools. Upon my return to Chicago, I called the attention of the special agents of the post-office department to the fact, at the same time suggesting that they be on the watch for the circular, as I was satisfied they had been sent to other schools, and the probability was that more would be thus disposed of. I was aware of the fact that similar outrages had already been perpetrated upon the pupils of female seminaries, in fact to such an extent as to debar the publication of catalogues, but until now I had never heard that the public schools had been tampered with. With as little delay as possible, I submitted the facts in my possession to Hon. J. K. Edsall, Attorney-General, who promptly informed me that a case could be made, and should be, under the laws of the State, at the same time calling my attention to the following, from Hurd's Revised Statutes, pages 382-83: $223. Whoever brings, or causes to be brought, into this State, for sale or exhibition, or shall sell or offer to sell, or shall give away or offer to give away, or have in his possession, with or without intent to sell or give away, any obscene and indecent book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, lithograph, engraving, daguerreotype, photograph, stereoscopic picture, model, cast, instrument or article of indecent or immoral use, or shall advertise the same for sale, or write or cause to be written, or print or cause to be printed, any circular, handbill, card, book, pamphlet, advertisement or notice of any kind, or shall give information orally, stating when, how or of whom. or by what means, any of the indecent and obscene articles and things hereinbefore mentioned can be purchased or otherwise obtained, or shall manufacture, draw and expose or draw, with intent to sell or to have sold, or print any such articles, shall be confined in the county jail not more than six months, or be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each offense, one-half of said fine to be paid to the informer upon whose evidence the person so offending shall be convicted, and one-half to the school fund of the county in which the said conviction is obtained. $224. If any person shall deposit or cause to be deposited in any postoffice within this State, or place in charge of any express company, or person connected therewith, or of any common carrier or other person, any of the obscene and indecent articles and things mentioned in the preceding section, or any circular, handbill, card, advertisement, book, pamphlet or notice of any kind, or shall give oral information stating where, how, and of whom such indecent and obscene articles or things can be purchased or otherwise obtained in any manner, with the intent of having the same conveyed by mail or express, or in any other manner, or if any person shall knowingly or wilfully receive the same with intent to carry or convey the same by express or in any other manner (except in the United States mail), he shall be subject, for each offense, to the same fines and penalties as are prescribed in the preceding section, and said fine shall be divided and paid in the same manner as therein provided. Upon my return to Springfield, a few days after, Prof. Slade, Superintendent of Public Instruction, called my attention to the following letter: State Superintendent of Schools, Springfield, Ill.: November 16, 1880. DEAR SIR-The enclosed circular was sent through the mail to one of my daughters (who is a school teacher). There is a leak in your office or that of the superintendents of Peoria or Stark counties. My reason for believing the leak is at your office is that my daughter receives circulars, prospectuses and catalogues of the various educational institutions within the State. I do not wish you to understand that I charge you with furnishing the names of teachers to this class of villains, but am inclined to believe some one having access to the books in your office is guilty of the theft. Respectfully yours, The circular was the same that has already been alluded to, thus confirming my suspicions with regard to other schools. A copy of the letter was made and sent to J. E. Stuart, Special Agent P. O. Department, Chicago. Superintendent Slade replied to the letter, of course denying that his office was responsible for the names of the teachers, at the same time requesting the writer to obtain all the information he could with regard to the circular, and to how many others it had been sent, to which he received the appended reply: James P. Slade, Springfield, Ill.: DEAR SIR-Your letter received, and also one of former date. December 3, 1880. Whether any other person received the circular sent out by the so-called or styled Dr. James, I am unable to state, as I did not like to make specific inquiries of the families having daughters. The envelope in which they were sent to my daughter, undoubtedly had been lost or destroyed before the nature of the contents was fully understood, as we are unable to find it. I will try and induce Dr. to look the matter up. He has no daughters of any age, and will not be suspicioned. Families are more free to communicate things of this character to their family physician than others. I will do the best that I can for the matter. I look upon men of this character as more deserving of hemp than the red-handed murderer. Respectfully yours, Accompanied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, I called upon the Governor, to whom the case was stated, and who promptly replied that the party should be punished; that the nefarious practice must be stopped, and that, if necessary for the prosecution, he would draw on his contingent fund for the same. Since that time much other evidence has been obtained, and Smith Whittier, alias Dr. James, is now under bonds in the sum of $2,000 for violating the postal laws of the United States, and his mail matter has been refused transmission, it having been ascertained that thousands of these circulars (and other objectionable matter) have been sent to persons of both sexes from twelve years of age and upwards, throughout the country. To a better understanding of the chartering business, I herewith submit a copy from the Secretary of State's office: This is to certify that the following named persons: Smith Whittier, John W. McLean and John F. McCormick, desire to form a corporation under the provisions of the Revised Statutes of Illinois providing for the formation of profitable corporations. Said above named persons ask to be appointed commissioners to open books for sub. scription to the capital stock of said corporation. The name of said corporation shall be the "James Medical Institute." The object of said corporation shall be to cure the chronic diseases which flesh is heir to. |