MISCELLANY
MISCELLANY
To the Physicians of the State of Minnesota:
To the Physicians of the State of Minnesota:
The Committee on Public Policy and Legislation most earnestly asks the co-operation of every physician in the State of Minnesota in procuring the passage of the several bills that have been decided upon, and either have been or will be introduced into the legislature during this session. It is believed that there is not a man upon the roster of the State Medical Society, or indeed any physician in Minnesota, who does not see the necessity of certain legislation for the protection of the physicians in the State, and also that the common weal will be advanced by the passage of the telephone bill introduced by Senator Andrews, of Blue Earth, and by the passage of the bill relative to trachoma, which is a constant menace to the public health, and several other bills that are in course of preparation, but which await certain developments before their presentation. The committee earnestly begs of all the physicians in the State that they will write to their representatives and senators from time to time urging with great earnestness their support for the several measures advanced by the Committee on Public Policy and Legislation. It is believed that every physician can influence at least from 10 to 100 votes at a general election, and this fact, of itself, makes the physician a factor in the election of any candidate. It is believed by this committee that the medical men of the State, if they will but unite and act in concert, can measurably influence legislation. The time has come for the physician to take his place in the political system of the State, both as an active agent and, indirectly, through his influence of others.
The telephone bill provides for physical connection between all telephone companies in the State without extra charge, except a small toll. It provides that telephone companies shall be placed under the direction of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission. It provides that no greater net income than 5 per cent shall be allowed upon the capital actually used in the operation of the telephone companies. It provides for intercity telephone service in the cities whose city limits adjoin without extra charge.
The trachoma bill provides for the segregation of trachomats, and, under certain circumstances, for the maintenance by the State of special schools for their education in school districts having as many as 20 trachomats.
There is also drafted and ready for introduction a bill requiring all persons who seek to practice medicine in any form whatever to pass the regular examination before the State Board of Medical Examiners.
There is in contemplation a bill for the purpose of procuring certain lands for the building of cottages thereupon and establishing farms to be worked by lepers who may be or shall have been committed to the leprosarium farm, the intention being that those lepers in the State that are able to work shall have an opportunity to do so, and that the said lepers should care for lepers who are unable to work or earn a living. It is also proposed to purchase a small tract of land not far from the State University for the purpose of allowing an exhaustive study of certain forms of leprosy with the aid of the State University Medical Staff. The leprosarium farm would be under the direction of the State Agricultural School.
The Chairman of this Committee will be very glad to receive advice and suggestions from the physicians in the State.
Cornelius Williams, M. D.,Chairman of theCommittee on Public Policy and Legislation.St. Paul, Minn., February 3, 1915.