History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

58 History of Medical Practice in Illinoiscarried more weight before the House than any other two physicians inIllinois. They felt that the elevation of the standards of medical educationwas definitely a concern of the medical societies and that the facts presentedin the 1869 Preamble were "true to the fullest extent." They approved theefforts made at the national level to secure the cooperation of the state medicalsocieties, and stressed the fact that law and theology established courtsor tribunals before which men presented their qualifications prior toentering the practice of law or the ministry. It was pointed out that themedical profession, through its state and national organizations, could raisethe standard of "ethical practitioners." But "on the contrary, certain rulesof ethics, voluntarily adopted by our medical organizations, having nosanction of civil law, but distinctly indicating conditions of recognitionfor members of the profession, are very generally respected and obeyed. Soif every State Medical Society would appoint proper boards of censors who,after a given date, should be ready to thoroughly examine every candidatefor admission into the ranks of the profession, and the submission of everycandidate to such examination and the procurement of a license was madea positive requirement for eligibility to membership in the local, State orNational Medical Societies, and for recognition as a REGULAR practitioner,it would soon come to be as universally complied with as any otherwell established rule of the profession."Drs. Davis and Prince closed their report with a two-fold resolution:" (1) That the Society cordially approve the positions contained in theAmerican Medical Association resolution, and (2) that the Society approvethe standard of preliminary education agreed upon by the Convention ofdelegates from medical colleges in Cincinnati in1867; and that it shouldbe the duty of every local and state medical society to appoint annually aboard of censors whose duty it shall be to examine all persons who proposeto enter upon the study of medicine, and to give a certificate of qualifications.Futhermore, where such boards exist, it shall be considered a violationof the ethics of the profession for any practitioner to receive a studentinto his office before he has procured a satisfactory certificate from suchboard."The House approved a resolution stressing the fact that it was the dutyof the Legislature of the State of Illinois to make such legal provisions asto insure persons who have committed a capital crime and been cleared ofsame on account of the plea of insanity being sent to the lunatic asylum asbeing dangerous members of society. A committee was appointed to "procuresuch action."The Constitution and By-Laws and the Principles of Medical Ethicswere published with the transactions of the 1870 meeting. Under the heading"Of the Duties of the Profession to the Public, and of the Obligations of