Henry Baird Favill, AB, MD, LL.D., 1860-1916, a ... - University Library

:
MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 327
of permanent and well constructed society, however, that
custom which rests upon widespread intelligence is the onlycustom
which can be expected to endure.
The merits of the suggestion which I make are simply
three
1. The highest degree of individual freedom.
2. The highest standard of classification as a guide to
public judgment.
3. Limitation of the stamp of approval or employment
by the State to individuals whose qualifications have been
actually determined.
I revert now to the subject of this paper, "The Attitude
of the Medical Profession Regarding Medical Practice
Laws." Does the matter as I have stated it represent the
personal attitude of the profession? I think I may safely
say that it does not. Ought the medical profession to assume
this attitude in the matter? It seems to me that it ought.
Again I repeat the principle which seems to me to underlie
medical practice legislation from the standpoint of the
medical profession. I believe there is but one ground upon
which to justify, interest and agitation in that matter on the
part of the profession. That ground is protection of public
interest. If the principle here set forth is sound, and the
proposition founded upon it can be regarded as finally and
deeply contributing to public welfare in medical affairs,
rights and purposes of the medical profession are adequately
secured. How much of an effort will be required to eliminate
the idea of self-protection and self-interest, one can not
know. How long it will take to swing away from the simple
and obvious plan of restriction through license, to the
the
broader and more indirect plan of influencing and educating
by a process of accrediting, no one can tell. The longer
the time in prospect necessary to effect this change in
sentiment, the sooner we should be at it. A'ly own feeling
about it is distinctly in favor of the plan which I have
superficially sketched.