The Midwest pioneer, his ills, cures, & doctors - University Library ...

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forming to the procedure specified for licensing, a physician
could not receive the benefit of the law for debt
for each offense.
collecting and was subject to a fine of $ 1
After five medical conventions were held the legislature
gave up; in 1833, largely as the result of the Botanic lobby,
it repealed all laws for the regulation of physicians and
surgeons.^^
Some carping criticism had, from the beginning, questioned
the right of the legislature to regulate medical practice,
but the regular faculty argued that that body had the
same right to govern medical procedure, as to regulate
marriage/*^ Such a right meant little, since irregular practice
continued to thrive. In 1868 medical regulation by
law was again attempted, but it was not until 1896 that
anything like effective laws were enacted.
The law having failed to effect medical organizations,
it was left to the doctors to take action. Frequently they
disagreed when they tried to do so. For instance, when in
the summer of 1821 proposals were made for a Cincinnati
Medical Association which might determine a scale of fees
and establish professional standards, a member of the
faculty of the Ohio Medical College argued against it.
"Justice" in a letter to the Liberty Hall and Cincinnati
Gazette particularly attacked the proposal that members
of the Association not consult with doctors who were not.
Other criticisms followed. Similar arguments and differences
were encountered in most of the early attempts at
forming medical societies.
From 1835 to 1851 the "Medical Conventions of Ohio"
were open to all regular physicians; membership was individual
and voluntary. Notice of the first triennial meeting
"To be holden . . . January 1, 1838" appeared in the
Columbus Daily Journal and Register. The object was
"organization, advancement and elevation of the Medical
Profession as well as the promotion of objects of general
benevolence." All "Scientific Practitioners of Medicine and
Surgery" of Ohio were invited, also "Brethren from the
sister States who can make it convenient." In 1846 the