The Feilding Star. THURSDAY ,AMY 15,1884. A Medical Court

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 57, 15 May 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY ,AMY 15,1884. A Medical Court

« Concerning the establishment of a Medical Court, our contemporary the Post says that in one singular respect the medical profession here differs from all others. Once provided with a " license to kill," in the shape of a diploma, they appear free from all control, are entirely irresponsible to any authority, and so long as they can keep clear of the criminal law, may disgrace themselves and their profession as much as they like without sacrificing their right to practice. If a lawyer grossly misconducts himself, the Law Society pull him up, and the Judge can strike him off the roll. If a clergyman misbehaves, bishops, synods, and presbyteries are always at hand to exercise jurisdiction, If a captain of a ship neglects his duty, there is a Court able to punish him, by deprivation of certificate ; but it is not so with the doctor. Even in the rare cases where a regularly qualified practitioner, who has been guilty of malpractice amounting to manslaughter, is brought to justice, the sentence does not carry with it any disability to practise again as soon as he gets beyond the gaol doors after doing his sentence. There is a somewhat prevalent impression abroad that drunken doctors are generally the cleverest. Every person acquainted with the country districts knows how general a vice intemperance seems to be amongst medical men, who find a precarious practice in those districts. We observe that there is a pretty general opinion expressed that it is time some authority was invested with the power of striking off the register and cancelling the diplomas of medical men proved guilty of habitual drunkenness. It ought not to be difficult to establish such a tribunal, and we are sorry to think that, if it were established, a good many cases might be brought before it with great advantage to the people of New Zealand and credit to the profession.