We see by the Buffalo Courier that a very lively session of a committee of the City Council of that city was recently held, the cause whereof was an effort on the part of the physicians and clergy of that city to have an ordinance passed of this somewhat startling nature: "Any minister, layman or any other person in attendance on the sick or injured, or who shall in any manner minister unto them in the absence of a legally qualified practitioner of medicine, immediately or within six hours from first being called to attend, shall report the case to the Health Department, stating the name and residence, and the reason for such attendance, provided the case has not previously been reported."
The paper states that it was interpreted as being a drive at the Christian Scientists, and they were on hand in force. On the other side were allopaths, homœopaths, and eclectics. Health Commissioner Wende denied that the charge emanated from the medical profession, but said that it emanated from the Health Department and was approved by the clergy.
Hon. Daniel H. McMillan, a leading attorney of that city, appeared in opposition to the proposed ordinance, and from his able and drastic remarks we take the liberty of quoting. He said he did not think they had received much enlightenment regarding the reasons for this change. It simmered down to the Health Department with the approval of the clergy and the recommendation of the coroners. What was the change proposed? He submitted that it was a serious thing to frame an ordinance with the penalty of misdemeanor tacked on to it. Substantially they were adding to the Criminal Code of the State. And what was the pretext? To prevent the spread of contagious disease.
