(5) Report of the Treasurer, Dr. Phineas H. Ingalls (Hart ford): REPORT OF THE TREASURER. P. H. INGALLS, TREASURER, IN ACCOUNT WITH THE CONNECTICUT STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. $1,511.49 July I From O. C. Smith Fund, advance on bond 11.58 1917 Mar. 21 Rob't C. Knox, Treasurer's Bond 1917-1918 $ 5.00 May 16 Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Co., Proceed ings 18 M. M. Scarbrough, Salary and Expenses.. P. H. Ingalls, Salary 15.00 5.00 1,140.84 160.69 25.00 The Fund consists of: I $1,000.00 Ist Mortgage four per cent Bond, Hartford City Gas Light Co. Respectfully submitted, P. H. INGALLS, HARTFORD, CONN., May 23, 1917. This is to certify that we have this day examined the accounts of the Treasurer and find the same correct and the securities listed to be in his possession. T. F. ROCKWELL, Auditors. (6) Report of the Committee on Public Policy and Legislation, by Dr. Everett J. McKnight (Hartford): REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC POLICY AND LEGISLATION. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates: A special meeting of the Committee was held at the Hartford Club on January 20, 1917, six days before the date fixed by the Legislature as the last day for the introduction of new business. This meeting was called to act upon the reports of the special committees appointed by the chairman on March 9, 1916, and mentioned in the report of last year and to consider any other matters which might properly come up for action during the session of 1917. Dr. Paul Waterman, chairman of the sub-committee on Health Insurance, reported that it was the opinion of the committee that it was not advisable for the state of Connecticut to enact a compulsory health insurance law at the present time. Senate Bill No. 149, concerning Compulsory Health Insurance, introduced by the American Association for Labor Legislation, had several hearings before the Committee on Insurance and was finally continued until the next session of the General Assembly. This is a matter of great importance and unless there is objection the sub-committee consisting of Drs. Waterman, Foote and Blumer will be continued. Dr. W. H. Donaldson, chairman of the sub-committee on drug legislation, reported that there was nothing of importance to come up in that line. A communication from Dr. Barnum of Kent enclosing House Bill No. 367 providing for the treatment of narcotic drug addicts in Connecticut Hospitals for the Insane was referred to this committee. This bill was introduced and a substitute bill enacted. This provides that an addict may be committed to the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane at Norwich by the Probate Court. If the patient is found to be suffering from a curable disease or that the drug habit is curable he shall be confined in said hospital until cured. If he is suffering from an incurable disease and requires the administration of any narcotic drug he may be discharged and be given a certificate signed by the superintendent, stating that he is suffering from an incurable disease and requires the administration of a narcotic drug, which certificate shall be filed with a druggist approved by the State Board of Health and such druggist may fill the prescription of any skilled physician for such addict, which prescription may show an increased dosage of such drug. Drs. Hallock and Tuttle of the sub-committee on new examining boards reported that it was not advisable to urge any modification of the principles underlying the medical practice act but recommended that one year of hospital service be added as a qualification of license and that provisions be made for practical examination of applicants including the requirement of a fee of $25 instead of $15. There was introduced by Representative Healy of Waterbury a bill amending the medical practice act mainly in extending the time for the requirement of an extra nine months course in physics, chemistry and biology. Late in the session the physicians of the Public Health and Safety Committee felt that they would be able to secure the passage of a bill, making radical changes in our present act as a substitute to the Healy bill. The matter was considered at several meetings by a committee consisting of Drs. Hallock, J. C. Rowley, A. E. Austin, E. B. Hooker and E. J. McKnight and a preliminary draft made. On account of the lack of time it was impossible to get the bill into perfect shape and secure its approval by the different interests concerned and it was finally agreed that it should be left in the hands of a committee consisting in so far as the Connecticut State Medical Society is concerned of Drs. Hallock, J. C. Rowley and Austin to report a complete bill to the next annual meeting of the society. It is proposed that there be appointed by the Governor from a list of names submitted to him by the presidents of Yale, Wesleyan and Trinity, a board of Regents for Medical Licensure, five in number, none of whom shall be physicians. The Board of Regents will appoint a Board of Examiners consisting of nine physicians, the first appointees being taken from the present examining boards, at least one representative of each medical society being a member. The Board of Regents will pass upon the preliminary qualifications of all applicants and will have the power to regulate any new cults which may hereafter arise. The Board of Examiners will examine all applicants to practice medicine, osteopathy and chiropractics in the fundamental branches, the osteopaths and chiropractics to be further examined by committees appointed by the Board of Regents. It is the intention of those interested in the matter to bring dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, chiropodists and midwives under the supervision of the Board of Regents. A substitute for the Healy bill was passed. The date at which the course of at least nine months duration in chemistry, physics and general biology shall be required was changed from January 1, 1915, to January 1, 1919. It was understood by your chairman that the fee for examination should be changed from $15 to $25. It surely was the intention of the Committee on Public Health and Safety to make this change but in some way it was overlooked. The report of the Committee on Inflammation of the Eyes of the New Born in the form of a proposed bill was adopted. This bill, copied mainly from the Ohio law, was introduced and a |