Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JAN. 4, 1900. Doctors.
How many doctors are there in New Zealand ? That's the question which is most necessary to get settled before the real grievance the colonists at present labour under can be removed. Over two hundred and thirty-six years ago it was written " I do not love thee, Doctor Fell, The reason why I cannot.tell ; But this alone I know full well, I do not love thee, Doctor Fell." We have arrived at a further stage, not in liking a doctor any more but in diagnosing the real reason for the dislike. When we are ill a doctor is most necessary, and is generally very helpful towards one's recovery, but, though it has been laughingly said, one almost suffers a greater shock than ever experienced during sickness when the account from the body-mender is received. It, in thi colony, has become much more than a joke, as the charges made are tar beyond the means of the colonists and are in no comparison to the charges made at Home, taking the question of income of both sides into consideration. Why should the colonist suffer by such a huge monopoly, for that is the real state of the medical profession. It is asserted that the Medical Council control their members for the benefit of the public, and in doing so object to the reduction of tees being charged unde a scale which appears to be founded upon the experience of how high a fee the public in a district will stand. Whatever might be said in favour oi members of the medical body having control of men who they take upon themselves to introduce to the public by certifying to their being tb/ possessors of certain certificates an" diplomas, which a^e only of vesmall value, as they only mak known that the holders did, at on: time in their early life, pass aexamination, but beyond this tb-^ public get no real benefit. A G - v«rnraent department can do just as much ana leave the Voider of a diploma free .to*ct as he best please:! , On the other hand we have very seldom noticed 4&e associated body of doctors tajpng any action to stay an inten>perate member from acting, or ftctwally of ascertaining whether a member is of any use in the profession beyond his having in his possession certain parchment documents. Wo have thus nothing to find of the likelihood of loss if free trade in the medical line was not thrown open to all who are the possessors of diplomas. It may be claimed that this ie the actual position, but we shall try to show that it does not exist. In country places it is possible the income, at reasonable fees, would hardly be sufficient to provide a fair income for a doctor, and it has been suggested that he should act, as doctors very often have to do in London, and combine a chemist's business with his profession. Whether the reply be true or not, we have been informed by many doctors that they cannot do this as the Medical Association would not allow them. This is one point which needs clearing up, as it necessitatea doctor handicapping himself and the residents of a district. The only other profession that attempts to influence their members in a somewhat similar manner are the lawyers, though lately they have become commission and insurance agents in a way. All this monopoly is in a course of being broken down and the present Government have in many ways chipped off some of the rough edges of the law obstacle and thus given every one a chance of helping himself, or of being able to make terms with a solicitor. What the people want is some assistance from the Government in securing to them suitable medical advice at a reasonable cost, and we think it is possible to attain such an end. The claim the medical and legal professions make foe charging so high, is tfiaj
she outlay in securing such an education has been high and thus they r ire entitled io consideration. But * should it be so ? Every man who ; enters 'into business stakes his all, iad tne majority has to battle his < vay in the midst of keen competi- f i tion, why shsuld not these other t I uen be placed in a similar position ? 1 vVe then arrive at the question as to he large sum necessary to give a s nan the education to become a 1 lawyer or a doctor. Who finds this 1 noney? In most oases it will be J ■ihe fathers of the young men, and ] in most cases the sum invested will lot have reached £1000. It must be < remembered that such a sum has J >ften been paid for the education of , 1 man who has become a farmer, ; torekeeper, or sailor, and nothing is t rged about security for him. There ! ii?e also plenty of people who have ' much more than £1000 in idu3trie3 which are not considered 1 13 of value by the professional men, : )ut are of as much consequence to : hose who have embarked their noney in them, and of great value 0 the colony, perhaps to the world. Under these circumstances we cannot see .where the two professions we have alluded to have any special slaim upon the colonists, and we shall in future articles endeavour to show, in regard to doctors, how a much better condition of existence could be formed for the majority of them, and the whole of the colonists, by a different mode of procedure and practice.
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Manawatu Herald, 4 January 1900, Page 2
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940Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JAN. 4, 1900. Doctors. Manawatu Herald, 4 January 1900, Page 2
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