Report as to the practice of medicine and surgery by unqualified persons in the United Kingdom.

  • Great Britain. Local Government Board
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report as to the practice of medicine and surgery by unqualified persons in the United Kingdom. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    while in only 30 towns is it stated that unqualified practice is entirely non-existent. In regard to the three remaining towns no information is forthcoming. As regards London, the amount of unqualified practice does not appear to be so great as in provincial towns. In two metropolitan boroughs only is it stated to be increasing ; in five there is a large amount ; in 11 the practice exists to some extent ; while the practice is non-existent or very small in seven. As regards four metro- politan boroughs the extent of the practice is not stated. There is some evidence which appears to point to the conclusion that unqualified practice increases in large centres of population, attracting dwellers in the smaller urban and the rural districts. This is assisted by the ready means of access to the towns Avhich now exist, by the extensive advertising in newspa])ers and magazines which brings quackery of all kinds under the direct notice of all classes ; and by the facilities, extensively used, of obtaining advice and medicine through the post. Whether unqualified practitioners to-day represent themselves as being registered, or assume titles which would lead the public to believe that they are regular medical men, is a question which Medical Officers of Health have answered in different ways. While the educated classes, as a rule, are not deceived in this respect, it is probable that a large number of people among the more ignorant sections of the community are deceived into the belief that the person they consult is, in some way or other, qualified to give medical or surgical advice. The fact that many societies accept the certificates of unqualified persons, doubtless assists this belief, which is further strengthened by the practice of some Registrars of Deaths in accepting certificates of death granted by unqualified persons without further inquiry, and entering them up as uncertified deaths. This practice is adversely commented on by several Medical Officers of Health. It is perhaps hardly necessary to state that the Local Govern- ment Board accept no responsibility for the vicAvs expressed by the Medical Officers of Health or for the recommendations which have been made.