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

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not professing to prescribe or practice medicine, from selling
medicine and recovering payment therefor." This last
section had the effect of leaving the state wide open to
whosoever wished to engage in medical practice. Farmers,
blacksmiths, and others frequently tried their hands at it.
Local medical societies continued to exist, but though
notices of their meetings appeared in the newspapers, one
surmises from the frequent "reorganizations" that attendance
was small and interest languishing. The Indiana State
Medical Society was revived in 1849 and its continued
existence dates from that year.
Illinois, too, started off with an impressive paper effort.
In 1817, since "well regulated medical societies have been
found to contribute to the diffusion of true science and
particularly to the knowledge of the healing art," the
territory was divided into two medical districts by a
meridian running north from the mouth of the Ohio. The
medical society of each was empowered to examine students
and grant diplomas. After organization of the societies no
one was to practice physic or surgery without a diploma;
the penalty was disqualification "Jforever after" for use of
the law for collecting any debts incurred by such unauthorized
practice. Practicing rights of those who came into
Illinois territory with licenses from their former states were
recognized. Assessments of $ 1 each upon members of the
societies were authorized "for the purpose of procuring a
medical library and apparatus, and for the encouragement
of useful discoveries in chemistry, botany, and such other
improvements as the majority of the society shall think
proper."
In 1819 the first General Assembly divided Illinois into
four medical districts, in each of which was to be "held a
board of physicians." These boards or societies when organized
were to examine students and present diplomas. Persons
who did not have a diploma from a medical school or
who had not previously practiced in the state had either to
pass an examination before a society or be disqualified from
collecting any fees by use of the courts. All physicians were