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 •^tJl . /lor-^ 
 
 uUA/ 
 
 Medical Legislation 
 IN Ontario 
 
 THE ANNUAL ADDR 
 
 AT THE MEETING OF THE 
 
 CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF HOMEOPATHY 
 
 HAMILTOiy, JUNE 14, 18«a 
 
 ) • 
 
 By the Prbsidbnt 
 
 Ci. T. CAMPBELL, M.D. 
 
 London, Ont. 
 
 TORONTO 
 PRINTED BY C. BLACKETT ROBINSON 
 
 189a 
 
 'Mk.:^; 
 
 *iaiJtji.lln- ~» • 
 
Medical Legislation 
 IN Ontario 
 
 THE ANNUAL ADDRESS 
 
 AT THE MEETING OF THE 
 
 CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF HOMCEOPATHY 
 
 HAMILTON, JUNE 14, 18^3 
 
 By the President 
 Cl. T. CAMPBELL, M.D, 
 
 London, O.nt. 
 
 TORONTO 
 
 PRINTED BY C. BLACKETT ROBINSON 
 
 1892 
 
 ; .' \ 
 
'■W 
 
MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 It has become the recognized duty of the President of the 
 Canadian Institute of Homoeopathy, at each annual meeting, to give 
 an address, in which he shall bring before you such matters of 
 interest to the profession, or of importance to our school, as the 
 record of the year may have developed. So far as we are concerned, 
 the past year has been uneventful ; and the only matter of special 
 interest which has occupied the attention of our physicians has been 
 the discussion of certain legislation enacted in 1891, and the action of 
 the Medical Council consequent thereon. As my predecessors, for 
 some years past, have not called your attention to any such, subject, 1 
 have thought that it might be of interest, and possibly not unprofitable, 
 if I occupied the time at my disposal in giving you a resuinS of the 
 legislation affecting the profession in Ontario, with, of course, special 
 reference to its bearing on ourselves. 
 
 But, before entering upon that subject, it is only proper that I 
 should take the earliest possible opportunity of referring to the loss 
 this Institute, and the profession, has sustained during the past year 
 in the death of two of our most esteemed members, both of whom 
 have taken an active part in the work of the Institute, and both of whom 
 were connected with the government of the profession and of the 
 Homoeopathic School in Ontario — Dr. Wm. Springer, of Woodstock, 
 and Dr. W. H. Oliphant, of Toronto. 
 
 Dr. Springer was one of our oldest practitioners, having graduated 
 at the Cleveland Homoeopathic College in 1856. He first practised 
 in Hamilton, near which city he was born ; but his high professional 
 reputation was gained in Ingersoll, where he was for twenty years the 
 most popular and successful of physicians. In 1881 he removed to 
 Woodstock. During the last three years of his life he was incapaci- 
 tated for work from the effects of a cerebral hemorrhage ; and died 
 on the 2nd April, 1892, at the age of sixty-two. He served for several 
 years on the old Homoeopathic Board of Examiners ; and was one of 
 our first representatives in the Medical Council. 
 
 Dr. Oliphant was one of the younger generation, and was born in 
 New Orleans, Louisiana, Dec. 21st, 1858. He came to Toronto with 
 his father, our esteemed colleague. Dr. D. S. Oliphant, in 1864. He 
 graduated with honors in Toronto School of Medicine ; then went to 
 Dublin, where he took the degree of M.B. (Class A), and registered 
 
4 MEDICAL I.KGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 in Ontario in 1884. During the few years of life allotted to him he 
 succeeded in obtaining a large practice in Toronto, where he died — a 
 martyr to professional work — on the nth February, 1892. He had 
 served our Institute zealously, both as a private member and an 
 officer ; and at the last general election for the Medical Council he 
 was chosen one of our representatives. 
 
 Dr. Springer died after many years of active work ; Dr. Oliphant 
 passed away in the bloom of his young life, while a brilliant future 
 seemed to wait him. Yet both of our lamented colleagues had much 
 in common. Both were men of energy and vigor, thoroughly imbued 
 with a love for their profession. Both were well versed in medical 
 science, and were specially endowed with that common sense which 
 enables a physician to grasp the practical and apply it with the best 
 results. Both were popular and successful in their practice ; and 
 both had the esteem of the profession to a high degree, as was shown 
 in their repeated election to places of honor and responsibility. In 
 their death we and the public have alike suffered serious loss ; they 
 have met no loss, but gain. May the earth rest lightly on them ! 
 
 In reviewing the history of medicine in this country, we find that, 
 prior to 1815, there was no legislation specially affecting the medical 
 profession in what is now known by the name of Ontario. The 
 province may be said to have been first opened for settlement with 
 the arrival of some 10,000 U. E. Loyalists in 1784, for, previous to 
 that date, it was wholly unoccupied. It was separated from the rest 
 of the British North American possessions, and declared a distinct 
 province, under the name of Upper Canada, on December 26th, 1791, 
 with Col. Simcoe as its first Lieutenant-Governor. He called his 
 parliament to meet for the first time in the little village of 
 Newark, on the Niagara River, September 17th, 1792, and among its 
 first Acts was one formally introducing and establishing English law 
 in the province. In the absence of special legislation, the profession 
 would be governed by the laws of the mother country ; and so, for the 
 following twenty-four years, the only persons legally qualified to 
 practise medicine in this province were those duly licensed by English 
 authority. As a matter of fact, I believe, the practising physicians 
 of that period were mainly of this class — a large proportion being 
 army and navy surgeons. And as the population was scattered over 
 the province, and the profession not over-crowded, the presence of 
 those who were not English licentiates was no grievance to anyone, 
 and in many cases a great convenience to the public. 
 
 As the country became better settled, however, it was deemed 
 advisable to take some legislative action in the matter of ensuring the 
 public qualified medical practitioners. At the close of the American 
 war the population of Upper Canada had reached 95,000, a number 
 sufficiently large to justify some regulation of the medical profession. 
 
 The first "fhedical Act of which I can find trace was passed on the 
 t4th March, 1815.* It stands on the old statute book, imperfectly 
 
 55 Geo. III., Chap. 10. 
 
MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARI{3. 5 
 
 printed, and containing clerical errors and oinissi*.ns ; but in substance 
 it is to the following effect : — 
 
 Alter reciting in the preamble the fact that " many inconveniences 
 have arisen to his Majesty's subjects in this province from unskilful 
 persons practising physic and surgery," it proceeds to enact that " no 
 person who shall, or may have, come into the province since the 
 passing of the above mentioned Act" (/.^., the Constitutional Act of 
 1791, quoted in the preamble as the authority for passing this Act), 
 " and before the passing of this Act, nor any person who shall or may 
 hereafter come into this province, shall be permitted to prescribe for 
 sick persons, or practise physic, surgery, or midwifery, within the 
 province for profit, until such person or persons shall be duly exam- 
 ined and approved of by a Board of Surgeons, who shall be consti- 
 tuted and appointed as hereinafter mentioned, with full powers to 
 grant licences for the practice of physic, surgery and midwifery, 
 within the province, and has received a license under the hand and 
 seal of the president of the said Board, and countersigned by the 
 clerk of said Board, which clerk the president of said Board shall and 
 may nominate and appoint." 
 
 The second clause provides for the appointment of this Board by 
 the Governor. It was to consist of the senior medical officer in the 
 army resident in the province ; all regimental and navy surgeons, and 
 all staff surgeons doing duty in the province ; and all other surgeons 
 and practitioners resident within the province, and authorized to 
 practise by some lawfully constituted authority in His Majesty's 
 dominions — the senior medical officer being the president. 
 
 It was the duty of this Board, " from time to time, and as often 
 as occasion may require, to hear and examine " all applicants ; and 
 if they approved, to grant a license, for which a fee of £1 was payable. 
 Bp.l it was provided that this Act should not apply to any female 
 practising midwifery, nor to any one having taken a degree in any 
 university in His Majesty's Dominions,* nor to any commissioned 
 medical officer in the army or navy, nor to any one who may have 
 practised in the province before the passing of the Constitutional 
 Act of 1 79 1 — all of which parties were free to practise without any 
 license. With these exceptions, no one could practise without the 
 authority of this Board, under a penalty of ;^ioo. 
 
 A few years' experience made it evident that this Act was imprac- 
 ticable. The Board was too cumbersome ; possibly there was too 
 much militaryism about it to suit the tastes of the people. At all 
 events, it was found necessary to amend it ; which was done in 1818, 1 
 The amended Act authorized the Governor-in-Council to appoint a 
 Board of five or more (three to form a quorum), who should examine 
 applicants, and on its certificate, the Governor, being satisfied of the 
 loyalty and good morals of the party, granted a license. The fee was 
 raised to £if 105., of which one pound went to the Government, and 
 the remainder to the Board. The exceptions to the operation of the 
 
 * Presumably a Degree in Medicine, though the Act does not say so. 
 t 55 Geo. III., Chap. 13. 
 
6 
 
 MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 old Act were continued, with this difference, that the (hitc beyond 
 which tiie law would not be retroactive was brought down from 1791, 
 and fixed at Jan. ist, 1812. 
 
 For nearly fifty years this Act formed the basis of all medical 
 legislation in Upper Canada, or Canada West. Amended Acts were 
 past in 1827'" and 1H59I, but these simply modified some of the 
 <1etails, and provided for their more effectual enforcement. After the 
 union of the two provinces, provision was made that all practitioners 
 duly licensed in Lower Canada should have equal privileges in this 
 province ; and vice versa. After Canadian medical colleges were 
 established, their graduates were in the same position as graduates of 
 all British Universities, and on presentation of their diploma', they 
 received the license to practise Persons attempting to practise with- 
 out a license were liable to a fine of not more thai $200 ; but prosecu- 
 tions were not very frequent. 
 
 On one occasion an effort was made to alter the status of the pro- 
 fession, and that was in 1839]:, when a bill was passed to incorporate 
 the then existing Board of Examiners, togetiier with all licensed 
 physicians, as the " College of Physicians and Surgeons of Upper 
 Canada," with general powers to regulate all matters connected with 
 the profession, fixing a curriculum, granting licenses, etc. ; and also 
 to regulate the sale of drugs. This Act, however, was disallowed ; 
 and matters remained as they were before. 
 
 In the meantime, practitioners of Homeopathy were making their 
 appearance in the province. I believe the first to introduce that 
 system into Upper Canada was my preceptor, the lale Dr. J. J. Lan- 
 caster, of London, who commenced practising 111 1846. Others fol- 
 lowed in due time. Some of these, like the late Dr. D. Campbell, of 
 Toronto, were British graduates, and therefore duly licensed. But 
 others, sucii as Drs. Lancaster, Adams, Greenleaf, Bull, Hall, etc., 
 were graduates of foreign colleges, and could only receive a license 
 through the Provincial Board of Examiners. Owing to professional 
 })rejudices then existing, this was an impossibility ; and, as a conse 
 quence, they were submitted to annoyance and persecution. But the 
 number of their friends and supporters among the laity increased 
 rapidly ; and in 1859 Parliament found a remedy for their grievances 
 by passing a bill entitled " An Ac*^ respecting Homoeopathy," j which 
 placed physicians of that school in a position to become licensed, and 
 to stand on a legal equality with other medical men. 
 
 By this measure, Drs. Campbell, of Toronto, Lancaster, of Gait. 
 Greenleaf, of Hamilton, Bull, of London, and Hall, of Toronto, were 
 appointed the first members of a Board of Examiners for those who 
 might desire to be licensed as Homoeopathic physicians. The term 
 of office of th^ Board was two years ; three members to retire the first 
 year. The successors to the members first appointed were to be 
 elected by such Homoeopathic physicians as might be present in 
 Toronto, and cast their votes, at the January meeting of the Board 
 
 
 • 8 Geo. IV., Chap. 3. 
 I 2 Vic, Chap. 36. 
 
 t 22 Vic, Chap. 40. 
 § 22 Vic, Chap. 41. 
 
i 
 
 <i ; 
 
 MEDICAt- LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 7 
 
 each year. By the Act a curricuhim was fixed which required all 
 applicants for a license to attend two winter sessions of six montiis 
 each at a medical college, and pursue the study of medicine in some 
 licensed practitioner's office for four years. 
 
 It will be noticed that this was the first medical Act in this 
 province which laid down a curriculum for students. In all previous 
 legislation, this matter was left solely to the discretion of the Board 
 of Examiners : and it had been the cusiom of the Board to follow the 
 curriculum of the Canadian colleges, with the exception that it was 
 content witii three years' study instead of four. The college curri- 
 culum was the same as that adopted by our Board. It will thus be 
 seen that from the first day the Homoeopathic physicians began 
 to exert any influence on medical legislation, they adopted the 
 highest standard of education attainable. And this course has been 
 consistently followed up to the present time. 
 
 Two years later, in i86i, a similar Act passed in the interest of 
 practitioners of the Eclectic system. 
 
 As the number of physicians in the province increased with notice- 
 able rapidity— a natural result of the competition of local medical col- 
 leges — it became apparent that in the interests of the profession, as 
 well as of the public, some steps should be taken to secure a uniform 
 standard of education, and one of a higher character than that which 
 was accepted as sufficient, either by colleges or boards. With this end 
 in view a bill was introduced into the Canadian Parliament in 1866 b\' 
 Dr. Parker, M.P., to establish a Council of Education and Registra- 
 tion for the province.* This council consisted of twelve members, to 
 be elected by the licensed physicians resident in the twelve territorial 
 divisions into which the province was divided ; one each from Toronto 
 University, Queen's College, Victoria College, Trinity College, Toronto 
 School of Medicine, and from ** every other body authorized, or to be 
 authorized, to grant degrees in medicine or certificates of qualification 
 to practise." All persons licensed under previous Acts, either in 
 Upper or Lower Canada, were entitled to register. The Council had 
 power to fix a c'.:rriculum for Canadian colleges, which should be 
 obligatory on them as soon as approved by the Governor-in-Council ; 
 and as a quid pro quo, all graduates of these colleges would be entitled 
 to register. Applicants who had not attended a Canadian school had 
 to submit to a similar course and an examination. Among the pro- 
 visions of the Act W3s one to the effect that no college should impose 
 upon its graduates an obligation to adopt or to refrain from adopting 
 the practice of any particular theory in medicine, under penalty of 
 losing its privileges as to registration. 
 
 Soon after the passing of this Act it became evident that there was 
 a difference of opinion as to the relation the Homoeopaths and Eclec- 
 tics were to bear to it. One clause declared that it was not to repeal 
 or in any way affect the Homoeopathic and Eclectic Acts ; and the 
 inference was reasonable, therefore, that the law was not to apply to 
 physicians of these schools. But the clause defining the membership 
 
 * 29 Vic, Chap. 34. 
 
8 
 
 MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 ol the Council as plainly gave representation to every body authorized 
 to grant certificates of qualification to practise medicine, which clas- 
 sification would include the Homoeopathic and Eclectic Boards. To 
 test the question, Dr. D.Campbell appeared at thefirst meeting of the 
 Council, as the representative of the Homceopathic Board. But the 
 Council declined to receive him ; arguing, not unreasonably, that as 
 his Board was left untrammelled by the Act, and its former powers in 
 no way curtailed, it had no right to representation. Logically the 
 Council was correct ; legally, it is possible it was wrong. 
 
 Jt soon became apparent that this Act could not be worked satis- 
 factorily. It was evident that if there were to be three authorities in 
 the profession — the Council and the Homceopathic and Eclectic 
 Boards — each supreme in so far as concerned the class it might 
 register — one of the main objects sought, and the most desirable one 
 — that of having a uniform standard of education — would be defeated, 
 and the situation would be very little different from what it was before. 
 Meantime, Confederation having been accomplished — under which 
 all matters of education came within the control of the provinces — it 
 was necessary for the Ontario legislature to take some action. And 
 after considerable discussion and negotiation with all parties interested, 
 a measure of compromise was effected, and the Ontario Medical Act 
 passed at the session of 1869.* 
 
 This Act incorporated the entire medical profession of the pro- 
 vince as " The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario," with 
 a representative governing body— the Medical Council. Of this 
 Council, twelve were elected by the profession in the same manner as 
 under the Parker Act ; the various universities and medical schools 
 were given one each, and the Homoeopaths and Eclectics five each. 
 It was not, of course, assumed that this proportionate representation 
 was in accordance with the actual numbers of the respective classes. 
 The Homoeopaths did not claim that they constituted one-sixth of the 
 entire profession. But we did claim that we should not give up our 
 autonomy without a representation in the Council large enough to 
 afford some guarantee that our rights would be respected, and that 
 no rank injustice would be done our students. Five representatives 
 in the Council were too few to control that body ; but they were 
 enough, especially with an equal number of Eclectics, to give some 
 weight to their arguments. The various colleges were in a somewhat 
 similar position. They surrendered the rights formerly possessed in 
 consideration of the representation allowed them in the Council. 
 And this fact must always have weight in deciding any proposition to 
 change the basis of representation in that body. As now constituted, 
 it is the result of a compromise, and any attempt to reduce the pro- 
 portionate number of Homoeopathic representatives, or to deprive the 
 colleges of theirs, would be a violation of the original terms of agree- 
 ment under which these bodies surrendered the powers enjoyed by 
 them. 
 
 The new Council, which was the legal successor of that consti- 
 
 * 32 Vic, Chap. 45. ' 
 
MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 ( 
 
 tuted under the Parker Act, came into existence on the second Tues- 
 day in June, 1869, the date of the first election. The College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons, of which the Council was the governing 
 body, by the terms of the Act was to consist of all those registered 
 under the Act of 1866, and of such as might in future be registered 
 under the new law. And it was made the duty of the Council to 
 enter on its register the names of all who complied with the require- 
 ments of the Medical Act, " and with the rules and regulations made, 
 or to be made, by the Council respecting the qualifications to be 
 required from practitioners of medicine, surgery and midwifery, in 
 the province." And only those whose names were so entered were 
 licensed to practise, or to exercise any of the privileges of medical 
 men, or to be considered members of the College. 
 
 The Council of the new corporation was not allowed to interfere 
 with or fix the curriculum of the colleges ; and, on the other hand, 
 the diploma of the colleges no longer entitled the bearer to registra- 
 tion. All matters connected with medical education were now vested 
 in the Council, which had power to appoint its Board of Examiners, 
 before whom all applicants for a license should appear. But to pre- 
 vent any fear that the dominant section of the Council would use its 
 power to the injury of minorities, it was provided that a person wish- 
 ing to be registered as a Homoeopath or an Eclectic should not be 
 required to pass an examination in Materia Medica or Therapeutics, 
 or Practice of Physic, or in Surgery or Midwifery (except the opera- 
 tive parts) before any examiner other than such as might be approved 
 by the representatives of that body in the Council. 
 
 The first meeting of the Council was held in Toronto on the second 
 Wednesday in July, 1869. The following gentlemen constituted the 
 body : 
 
 Territorial Representatives — E. G. Edwards, John H. Hyde, W. 
 Clarke, C. W. Covernton, Thos. Pyne, Jas. Hamilton, J. N. Agnew, 
 Wm. McGill, J. F. Dewar, H. W. Day, Wm.' Mostyn, Wm. H. 
 Brouse. 
 
 College Representatives — Wm. Oldwright, C. V. Berryman, Alex. 
 Bethune, C. B. Hail, W. T. Aikens, M. Lavell, Jas. Grant. 
 
 Homoeopathic Representatives — D. Campbell, G. C Field, H. C. 
 Allen, J. Adams, Wm Springer. 
 
 Eclectic Representatives — N. Hopkins, S. S. Cornell, G. A. Cat son, 
 J. J. Hall, R. H. Clark. 
 
 The officers elected were : Wm. Clarke, Guelph, President ; Wm. 
 H. Brouse, Prescott, Vice-President ; Henry Strange, Hamilton, 
 Registrar ; W. T. Aikens, Toronto, Treasurer. The Registrar was 
 not a member of the Council. Of all the gentlemen then in attend- 
 ance only two are still members, Drs. Day and Grant. Dr. Aikens, 
 who ceased to represent his college after some years, has continued to 
 hold the office of Treasurer up to the present. 
 
 The proceedings of the Council for the first few years showed 
 quite clearly that the harmonizing of heterogeneous and discordant 
 elements was no easy matter. The attempt to unite Homoeopaths 
 and Allopaths for legislative purposes was an experiment in medicine, 
 
10 
 
 MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 and for a time it seemed that tlie attempt would be a failure. Some 
 of the old school physicians c bjected strongly to the enforced associa- 
 tion with those they had rdways regarded as medical heretics, and 
 wanted the Act repealed. Others openly declared that their only 
 reason for consenting to the arrangement was the hope and expr^c- 
 tation that by its operation Homoeopaths and Eclectics would be 
 exterminated within ten years. Only a few had reached a moral 
 plane high enough to be in a position to treat us with fairness and 
 justice, and to recognize that, whatever difference of opinion there 
 might be in regard to Therapeutics, Homoeopaths were as well 
 educated and as honorable as they claimed to be themselves. Stormy 
 debates, ctimulated by professional prejudices, and emphasized by 
 angrj' invective and paltry insinuation, were of frequent occurrence. 
 But our representatives were among the ablest men in our school, in 
 every respect the peers of their associates in the Council, and quite 
 competent to hold their own in any contest. 
 
 It was hardly to be expected that under these circumstances we 
 should always meet with fair play. Complaints of injustice were fre- 
 quent, and the grievances of which we complained were not always 
 remedied. Probably the worst feature in the arrangement was the 
 policy of protection for Canadian colleges adopted, under which no 
 one was admitted to the examination for registration until he had 
 attended two sessions in Ontario. Of course, as we had no college in 
 the province, this simply meant that our students had to attend an 
 Allopathic college before they could get a license. 
 
 The second general election was held in 1872, all our represen- 
 tatives being returned to the Council, with the exception of Dr. Allen, 
 whose place was taken by Dr, Vernon, of Hamilton. One of our 
 number, Dr. Campbell, was elected Vice-President. The proceedings 
 of the Council not having been satisfactory to us in the redressing of 
 grievances, the subject was discussed at a meeting of this Institute, 
 held in London prior to the session of 1873, ^^^ ^^ was unanimously 
 decided that, if the dominant section of the Council persisted in its 
 course of injustice, we should appeal to the Legislature for a re-enact 
 ment of the old law of 1859. The redress sought was not obtained ; 
 on the contrary, the evils of the situation were intensified by the 
 refusal of the Council to advance Vice-President Campbell to the 
 position of President, as was the usual custom. It was felt that this 
 was a direct insult to our school, and though some of the old school 
 representatives declared that their objection to Dr. Campbell was 
 purely personal, there were sufficient indications that the main objec- 
 tion was the fact of his being a Homoeopath, and that professional 
 prejudice would not submit to the induction of one of that class into 
 the highest office in the Council. Our members declined to be 
 snubbed or slighted, and walked out of the Council. 
 
 It now became a question as to the proper course to be pursued. 
 A committee had been appointed by the Institute to seek redress 
 through the Legislature in the event of the Council proving intractable. 
 It is not known to me whether the committee ever met ; but without 
 any consultation with the rest of the profession, its chairman, Dr. 
 
MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 11 
 
 M 
 
 1 
 
 Campbell, prepared a bill, which was submitted at the next session of 
 the Legislative Assembly, asking, not for a law similar to the 
 Homoeopathic Act of 1859, as was expected, but for the incorpora- 
 tion of a Homoeopathic Council and College. The measure proposed 
 was to many of us more than unsatisfactory ; it seemed calculated to 
 work only injury. The machinery provided was clumsy and expensive, 
 and evidently prepared for the purpose of conferring arbitrary and 
 extravagant powers on the Council which it established, and more 
 particularly on its president ; while the college on paper which 
 formed part of the scheme was to be protected in the same manner as 
 other Canadian colleges, by the enforced attendance of all Homoeo- 
 pathic students upon the lectures of the one or more professors who 
 might constitute its faculty. Those of us opposed to the bill were in 
 a dilemma. Though more than six months had elapsed between the 
 appointment of the committee and the meeting of Parliament, no one 
 had received any intimation of the peculiar features of the bill until it 
 was printed for presentation to that body. It was too late for any 
 conference on the subject, or any private remonstrance. And, for 
 one, I felt myself compelled to choose what seemed to me the lesser 
 of two evils, and to declare through the public press my opposition to 
 the measure, and my individual preference for the amended Act 
 which had been introduced by the Council, provided they would 
 insert a clause giving our students the privilege of completing the 
 curriculum by attendance at Homoeopathic colleges outside the 
 Dominion, at their option. 
 
 The result may be briefl}' stated. Dr. Campbell's bill was 
 dropped ; and the amendments to the Act (embraced in what was 
 known as The Ontario Medical Act of 1874) were adopted by the 
 Legislature. The new features of the Act were chiefly the following : 
 ist. Extending the term of the Council from three to five years. 
 2nd. Merging the Eclectics into the general profession, and 
 eliminating them from the Council at the end of hve years ; which 
 was done by the consent of the Eclectic representatives themselves— - 
 a sort of felo-de-se on the part of that school. 
 
 3rd. Providing for the authorization of a tariff of fees in the several 
 divisions. 
 
 4th. Fixing a fee to be paid annually to the Council by the 
 registered physicians. 
 
 5th. Providing for the better enforcement of penalties against 
 unregistered practitioners. 
 
 6th. Allowing Homoeopathic students to put in their full time at 
 colleges outside the Dominion. 
 
 Some of our physicians were not satisfied ; and demanded separa- 
 tion'pure and simple. But it was held by the majority that inasmuch 
 as the main grievance had been redressed, and our students placed 
 in even a better position than those of Allopathic physicians, we 
 would have no reasonable ground on which to stand before the Legis- 
 lature in seeking the repeal of the Medical Act ; and that it would be 
 wiser policy to give the new law and the new Council a fair trial. 
 Such was the opinion expressed at a meeting of the Institute in 
 
if- 
 
 la 
 
 MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 Hamilton, in 1874 — being the first opportunity we had for a conferc nee 
 on this matter. 
 
 The election of 1875 sent to the Council, as our representatives, 
 Drs. Campbell, Henderson, Logan, Morden and Vernon. Under the 
 amended Act, and as the fruit of past experience, there was soon 
 a visible improvement in the proceedings of the Council and in the 
 treatment of Homoeopathists. It had become apparent to the 
 representatives of the dominant section that not only the interests of 
 the profession, but the very existence of the Council, required that 
 the Homceopathists should be treated with on terms of equality. They 
 saw that while our representatives were prepared to assist in every 
 way possible, even to their own hurt if need be, in maintaining a 
 high standard of medical education, they would accept no position of 
 interiority for their school, and would insist on ample justice and the 
 full recognition ot all reasonable claims. 
 
 It took some time for the old fires to die out ; for old passions to 
 be calmed ; for peace and harmony to prevail. But, as wiser coun- 
 sels gained the ascendancy, as the more combative elements were 
 eliminated from the body ; as the members allowed their common 
 sense to over-ride their prejudices ; each party began to see the better 
 side of their opponents, and to give them credit for sincerity and 
 honesty. And there came at last a realization of the fact that only 
 by harmonious co-opjration, by mutual forbearance, and by united 
 etfort, could the profession be elevated in the public esteem, and its 
 individual interests subserved. 
 
 This desirable result is, I believe, in process of attainment. 
 Though originally opposed to the surrender of our rights and our 
 amalgamation with the old school in the Council, I have long since 
 recognized that this plan could be operated to the benefit of the 
 medical profession as a body, in a manner that no former legislation 
 in this or any other country could equal. The disagreements and 
 disputes of doctors have become proverbial in all countries. By these, 
 we only hold ourselves up to public ridicule ; and the laity are inclined 
 to accept us only at our mutual estimate of each other. What our 
 profession has needed at all times has been to cultivate an esprit de 
 corps which would aid us in sustaining and defending each other ; in 
 elevating and in magnifying our calling. 
 
 It is true that we will have our citterences of opinion in matters 
 of therapeutics. That is unavoidable. These are questions arising 
 out oi the operations ol unseen vital forces, on which thinking men may 
 well be pardoned tor diliering. Our difierences are the result of con- 
 scientious conviction on matters open to dispute ; and are not, as with 
 some others, solely dependent on retainers and fees. But with it all 
 we can have a basis ol union. Let us simply give each other credit 
 for the same honesty, sincerity and good taith that we claim for 
 ourselves. We need not demand that our neighbors should all think 
 as we do ; that would be foolish to ask or expect. But we may 
 demand that all physicians should be cultured and honorable men, 
 striving to do the work of their profession to the best of their know- 
 ledge, with the utmost of their skill, in accordance with the direction 
 
 i 
 
MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 J3 
 
 1 
 
 
 of their own experience and study. There will be plenty of room for 
 all of us on a platform of toleration based on the " Golden Rule " ; 
 and the bonds of union on such a platform can be made strong enough 
 to sustain the dignity of the profession and advance the interests of 
 its members. 
 
 Since the passage of the Act of 1874, the law has been amended in 
 several important particulars. It was first supposed that we had 
 control of all matters medical in the province. But we found that 
 under terms of the British Medical Act, a person registered in Great 
 Britain could demand registration in any part of the Empire. This 
 was a grievance — political as well as medical. In the one case, 
 because it interfered with the po'.v^rs of self-government belonging to 
 the people of this country ; in the other, because students who failed 
 to pass our examinations could go to England, be registered there, and 
 then come home and compel us to give them a license ; and, further, 
 because while British licentiates could come into Ontario without 
 examination, we were not allowed to enter England on similar condi- 
 tions. It required some time and labor to impress this idea on our 
 friends in the motherland ; but by persistent agitation this was accom- 
 plished, and an Act of the Imperial Parliament repealed the obnoxious 
 law. All who desire to practise in Ontario, whether they be from 
 Canada, Great Britain, or some foreign land, must now loUow the 
 same road. 
 
 One of the evils sought to be 
 evil which affected the public 
 
 as 
 
 remedied by the Medical Act — an 
 much as the profession — was the 
 prevalence of uneducated, incompetent and dishonest persons, who 
 preyed on the misfortunes of the sick and distressed — parasites on the 
 profession and plunderers of the people. The amendments in 1874 
 enabled the Council more effectually to prosecute this class of charla- 
 tans ; and with such success that there are probably fewer of them in 
 Ontario than in any other country. But there was another class that 
 could not be reached — the licensed quacks ; men who had been regis- 
 tered, but who were disgracing the profession by using the methods of 
 the quack, advertising themselves as possessed of skill and knowledge 
 such as the best physician could not have, and which no honest man 
 would claim. Then there were the men who sold their names and 
 the privileges their registration gave them to contraband associations, 
 and travelled around the country as the screen behind which 
 unscrupulous medical freebooters could operate. 
 
 To bring these parties under discipline, amendments were secured 
 in 1887 by which the Council obtained authority to try registered 
 physicians charged with such unprofessional conduct, and on convic- 
 tion to erase their names. To put this law in operation it is neces- 
 sary for four licensed physicians to bring formal charges against the 
 party, before the Council can take action. Six persons have been so 
 charged ; one fled the country ; two were struck off the register ; in 
 one case action was deferred for satisfactory reasons, and the remain- 
 ing two are still sub jitUice. 11 there are others in the country 
 offending in this particular, the Council will act as soon as charges 
 are preferred. But in view of the fact that a person so punished has 
 
14 
 
 MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 the right of apper^l to the civil courts, it has been deemed wise for the 
 Council to proceed cautiously, and not endanger its position by doing 
 anything that would savor of persecution. 
 
 Still another class required attention. The Council, in accordance 
 with the Act, levies an annual assessment on all the members of the 
 College of Physicians and Surgeons. Usually this fee has been $i ; 
 some years $2. While the majority have cheerfully paid this trifling 
 amount, there have been some who persistently refused — being quite 
 willing to enjoy all the benefits of the law while evading the duties it 
 imposed. The fee could, of course, be collected by Division Court 
 suit ; but the expenses of collecting absorb nearly the full amount 
 collected, thus rendering that mode of redress practically valueless to 
 the Council. To meet these cases amendments were secured in 1891 
 giving the Council power to strike from the register the names of 
 those who refused or neglected to pay their assessments for a year — 
 due notice being first given them by registered letter. Of course, on 
 payment of arrears the name erased is restored. 
 
 To this law decided objection has been made by some of our prac- 
 titioners. That those who are habitual defaulters in the matter of 
 asses....ients should object was only natural. But the objections of 
 those who always pay their assessments, and to whom the law does 
 not therefore apply, deserve respectful consideration. 
 
 The first objection is that the assessment is unnecessary ; or, at 
 all events, would have been unnecessary, if the Council had not 
 incurred the expense of erecting a large building in Toronto. To this 
 the answer of the Council is in brief that the revenue from students' 
 fees is not sufficient to meet the annual expenditure of the Council, 
 and that the assessments are therefore required ; but that the College 
 building, when paid for, will provide a sufficient revenue to enable the 
 Council to dispense with the assessments now collected. Accommo- 
 dations of some kind were necessary, not only for the offices of the 
 Registrar, but for examination purposes ; and it was deemed better to 
 erect a building which would meet all requirements, provide a 
 revenue and be a credit to the profession, rather than to put up with 
 inferior accommodations, for which an annual rental would have to 
 be paid. 
 
 It is further objected that the power granted the Council in this 
 matter is unprecedented, and beyond the functions of any such body; 
 — ultra vires. The fact is, however, that it is nothing more than the 
 usual power exercised by all corporations. Every association has the 
 right to fix fees to be collected from its members for necessary 
 expenses, and to suspend from membership those who do not pay. 
 For example, the Law Association taxes every lawyer in Ontario $17 
 per annum, part of which is returned to him in printed matter ; and 
 the non-payment of this assessment results in his suspension, and the 
 loss of his privileges as a member of his profession, besides subjeciing 
 him to the penalty of a heavy fine. The druggists are required to 
 pay $4 per year, and the delinquent becomes liable to all the penalties 
 incurred by one who sells drugs without a license. 
 
 In the Province of New Brunswick, sec. 5 of the Medical Act of 
 
MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 »5 
 
 1882 requires each registered practitioner to pay an annual fee of not 
 less than one nor more than two dollars ; and sec. 2 of the Act of 
 1884 erases from the register the name of every one not paying his 
 annual fee, being, in fact, the very same law that we have in Ontario. 
 In Quebec, clause 3,986 of sec. 2, chap. 4, revised statutes, says that 
 every licensed physician of that province " shall pay the sum of two 
 dollars a year " ; and by clause 3,994, unless he has so paid, no per- 
 son can collect an account for medical attendance, nor be entitled to 
 any of the rights or privileges conferred by the Medical Act. The 
 Manitoba Medical Act, sec. 15, calls for a fee of not less than one nor 
 more than five dollars a year, recoverable with costs of suit in any 
 county court ; and sec. 22 of the amended Act of 1888 debars the 
 delinquent from voting at election for the Medical Council. Sec. 35 
 of the North-West Territories' Act requires a similar fee. In British 
 Columbia, by sec. 53, chap. 81, "every legally qualified medical prac- 
 titioner shall pay annually to the Medical Council of British Columbia, 
 on or before the ist day of March in each year, the sum of ten dollars, 
 and shall obtain from the registrar of the Council a certificate under 
 the seal of the said Council of the payment of the same." So it is 
 evident the idea of an annual assessment, enforced by serious pen- 
 alties, even to the loss of license, is not such an unheard-of regulation 
 as some people have supposed. 
 
 It has been claimed by some that not even the Legislature can 
 give the Council power to erase a physician's name from the register, 
 and thus deprive him of his license, for the non-payment of an annual 
 assessment ; that having once received a license to practise medicine, 
 it cannot be taken away from him ; that he has a vested interest 
 which cannot be successfully attacked except through felony on his 
 part. This arises evidently from a confusion of ideas as to the respec- 
 tive rights accruing from a diploma and a license. A man may be 
 said to have a vested interest in his diploma, which is simply a cer- 
 tificate of scholarship and nothing more. But no man can claim to 
 have or to hold a license to carry on any business in a community, 
 no matter how laudable that business may be, except on such reason- 
 able terms as the community may impose In this province, the 
 people, acting through their representatives in the Legislature, con- 
 stitute the only power that can authorize a man to practise medicine. 
 They have exercised that power by the enactment of certain laws ; 
 and only by obedience to the laws enacted, whether by the Legis- 
 lature, or by the Council to which it has delegated its powers in the 
 premises, can any person secure or retain a license. And the same 
 power which grants a. license may for good cause, such as the refusal 
 to obey its requirements, suspend or revoke that license. 
 
 It has been said that while the enactments of the Medical Council 
 may be obligatory on those who receive a license from that body, 
 they cannot be enforced against those who were licensed by the 
 Government of Canada before the Council came into existence. But 
 the fact is that all practitioners m Ontario are practising under per- 
 mission granted by the Council ; not only those who have been 
 licensed since 1869, but those who were in practice prioi to that date. 
 
 ^iKf^N 
 
i6 
 
 MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 These latter acknowledged the authority of the Council by applying 
 to it for registration, paying the fees demanded, and receiving its 
 license. They have availed themselves of the privileges granted by 
 that license — not onl)' of practising medicine, but, writh very few 
 exceptions, of acting as members of the College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons in the management of its domestic affairs, and voting at the 
 elections for the Council. Is it not too late now to repudiate the 
 authority which they have hitherto acknowledged ? and is it fair to 
 attempt the evasion of duties imposed by that authority, while, at the 
 same time, availing themselves of the privileges it bestows ? 
 
 But, while the legal right to collect the annual assessment in the 
 manner indicated cannot be successfully questioned, there may 
 reasonably be a difference of opinion as to the expediency of the law. 
 As to that, it need only be said that the Council acts for the profession, 
 and endeavors to carry out in good faith what it believes to be the 
 desire of the profession. Its action in this matter has been based on 
 the belief that the great majority of the profession are quite willing to 
 pay the trifling asscssmcint called for ; and, being willing to pay it 
 themselves, would approve of any method which would enforce its 
 collection from those who were wilfully delinquent. If that is not the 
 case ; if the profession is opposed to the assessment, or opposed to the 
 plan adopted for its collection, it has only to express its wish, and the 
 Council will not object. Hitherto the profession has not given any 
 adverse opinion ; only some individual members have objected. The 
 territorial representatives in the Council, who are supposed to express 
 the view of the profession at large, are unanimous in support of the 
 annual assessment, and of the annual certificate, 
 doing as their constituents desire, the remedy is a 
 them out at the first opportunity and elect others, 
 representative body, and will do just what its constituents want it to 
 do. The Council is just what the profession makes it. Any 
 grievances, real or imagined, can be redressed there. But to go to 
 the Legislature for redress, is to make the humiliating confession t^at 
 we are incapable of self-government. And if that be so, then the 
 logical conclusion would be that the Legislature should abolish the 
 Council, and place the profession in charge of the Education Depart- 
 ment, which attends to the needs and requirements of children ; or 
 else hand us over to the Inspector of Charities, who looks after the 
 interests of the feeble-minded. 
 
 While the status of the profession in Ontario, as affected by 
 provincial legislation, has been sufficiently indicated in the preceding 
 remarks, the discussion of the subject would be incomplete without 
 some reference to the curriculum of study imposed upon students, 
 and the requirements prerequisite for registration as a practitioner. 
 
 Under earlier legislation, the curriculum of the Canadian colleges 
 whose diploma entitled the owner to a license, called for four years 
 medical study, and two courses of lectures. The matriculation exam- 
 ination was under the control of the colleges, and demanded what 
 was supposed to be a fair English education, with a smattering of 
 Latin. The Medical Council started out with a curriculum very 
 
 If they are not 
 simple one ; turn 
 The Council is a 
 
MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 17 
 
 similar. From this point it has steadily prof,aessed, step by etep, 
 until in 1891 it reached a position not only far in advance of the 
 United States, but one which compares favorably with the older 
 countries of Europe. 
 
 Our matriculation is now the junior matriculation fo* an Arts 
 course in a University, as fixed by the Government, with the Science 
 course compulsory. Dating from the time of registration as a matri- 
 culant, comes five years of medical study ; during the first four years 
 there must be an attendance on four winter sessions of six months 
 each, and one summer session of three months ; and following these 
 a year of clinical work in hospital, or dispensary, or laboratory. 
 
 In the United States, the highest standard reached has been the 
 three year graded course adopted by the Homoeopathic colleges, and 
 by a number of the old school mstitutions. But there are still some 
 of the latter that will graduate a student in two years. In Europe 
 the standard is worthy of a learned profession. The English cur- 
 riculum is somewhat similar to ours. In France, the matriculation 
 preparatory to seeking the degree of Doctor in Medicine is a B.A. 
 degree similar to the pass B.A. of Oxford, and also a B.S. All the 
 continental nations have a matriculation approximating that of 
 France. Sweden, with its high school graduation, its year or more of 
 university training, followed by seven years ot professional study, has 
 probably the highest standard in the world. 
 
 It may be objected that in a young country like ours the standard 
 of medical education is too high, and is for many young men almost 
 prohibitive. Bui the public do not suffer thereby. We have now in 
 the province about one practitioner to every 800 people — or about 
 double the proportion in Great Britain. Unless the population of 
 Ontario increases much more rapidly than it has done in the past 
 decade, we have doctors enough now to supply all the public needs 
 for years to come. Nor do the young men seeking a calling suffer. 
 It is better for them to meet some discouragement in the attempt to 
 enter an overcrowded profession ; and many will be benefited if the 
 di ficulties they meet should turn their attention to some occupation 
 which can promise them a more profitable and a more immediate 
 reward. 
 
 But those whose circumstances permit them to undergo the pre- 
 paration necessary for the practice of medicine or whose energy and 
 enterprise enable them to overcome the difficulties that meet them in 
 the way, will value all the more the privileges and honors that can be 
 obtained only by labor and long continued effort. And the profes- 
 sion kt large will reap the advantages that result from the admission 
 to its ranks of only such as are well-educated, cultured and capable, 
 calculated to honor their calling and to make it honorable, and thus 
 raise it to a higher position as a beneficent influence and a social 
 power than it ever occupied before. 
 
 It is quite true that the reference to the overcrowding of the pro- 
 fession cannot be said to apply altogether to the Homoeopathic branch. 
 It is no doubt a fact that with the extended curriculum in Ontario, 
 and the absence of a Homoeopathic college, our students, going to the 
 
r. 
 
 i8 
 
 MEDICAL I.KGISLATION IN ONTARIO. 
 
 United States to attend lectures, and graduating there a couple of 
 years before they can be licensed here, are tempted to remain in that 
 country and follow the example of so many Canadians who appear to 
 have found a foreign land more profitable than their own. And in 
 this view of the situation, with the idea simply of increasing the num- 
 ber of Hom(Xiopathic physicians in Ontario, a lower standard and a 
 shorter course might have been preferable. But the Homceopathic 
 representatives in the Council are there not alone for the purpose of 
 increasing our numbers, but to serve the interests of both the public 
 and the profession. We have ever been the consistent advocates of 
 the highest possible standard of education for all medical men. And 
 while we do not approve of the therapeutic methods of the old school, 
 it is our duty to see that practitioners of that class shall at all events 
 be men of good education. If the greater facilities for obtaining a 
 medical course, and more speedily acquiring a practice, in the United 
 States, prevent our having as many Homceopathic physicians in this 
 country as we would like, the next best thing is to have our Allo- 
 pathic brethren well trained for their work ; because as they become 
 better educated, with the broadening of their minds by continued 
 study and liberal culture, they will become better fitted to investigate 
 all theories in medicine, and all forms of practice, without bias or 
 prejudice, and to adopt the scientific therapeutics characteristic of 
 the new school. For this reason, while college and territorial repre- 
 sentatives were divided among themselves at the session of 1891 as to 
 their support of the advanced curriculum, the Homceopathic repre- 
 sentatives were unanimous, and by their votes secured its adoption. 
 Had they not given it their undivided support the proposition would 
 have been defeated. 
 
 Many years ago there was an absurd idea prevalent among old 
 school physicians — an idea the offspring of ignorance and prejudice. 
 It was that Homoeopaths were an uneducated class. To us — 
 acquainted with the character of our colleges, and the character of 
 our men — such a charge was extremely amusing. Nevertheless, it 
 was a charge frequently made. At one of the earlier sessions of the 
 Medical Council, reported in the Dominion Medical journal of April, 
 1870. a college representative in expressing his disgust with the union 
 of the different medical sects in the Council, said that *' if the Allo- 
 paths were to be kept in it by compulsion, they were justified in 
 making these men (the Homoeopaths) become educated in pathology 
 and diagnosis before sending them to practise on the public." This 
 slur on our physicians has been amply revenged by our course in the 
 Council, which has resulted in raising the standard of medical educa- 
 tion higher than many of our Allopathic colleagues were inclined to 
 favor. The medical profession of Ontario has to thank the Homoeo- 
 paths for the high position it occupies in this respect. Had we not 
 consented to surrender our old independent Board of Examiners, and 
 unite in the formation of the Council, that body would not have been 
 in existence. Or if it existed at all, it would only have been as the 
 Council of the Parker Act — the Homceopathic and Eclectic Boards 
 retaining equal powers. Aud if our representatives in the Council 
 
MKDICAL LEGISLATION IN ONTAKIO. 
 
 19 
 
 had not always supported every proposal to advance the curriculum, 
 there would have been a much lower standard of education in force 
 than that of which we boast to day. 
 
 Thus, as briefly as possible, I have endeavored to sketch for you 
 the history of medical legislation in this province, and to indicate the 
 progress we have made. Our profession has now obtained a position 
 worthy of public respect — one which will help us materially to make 
 the name of physician an honor to those who bear it. It has under 
 the Medical Act powers of self-government by a representative body 
 almost, though not quite, equal to those possessed by the legal pro- 
 fession. For all necessary purposes its domestic affairs are under its 
 own control. By acting in unison and in harmony it can make itself 
 as a corporation all that it desires to be. There only remains for 
 those of us who are already legally qualified to practise, and for whom 
 no further curicula wait and no enforced examinations are pending, 
 to maintain the dignity of our caUing by that ceaseless study, that 
 careful work and that honorable conduct for which no law provides, 
 but without which our own lives will be unsuccessful, and our pro- 
 fession suffer loss and shame. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 The Homceopathic Medical Board of Upper 
 
 Canada. 
 
 ESTABLISHED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT 1859. 
 
 (Dfflfccrs : 
 
 President— D. Campbell, Toronto, 1859-69. 
 Secretary-Treasurer— J. J. Lancaster, London, 1859-68. 
 •• J. Adams, Toronto, 1868-69. 
 
 iil embers : 
 
 D. Campbell. Toronto, 1859-69. 
 
 J. J. Lancaster, London, 1859-68, 
 
 A. T. Bull, London, 1859-65. 
 
 A. Greenleaf, Hamilton, 1859-61. 
 
 J. Hall, Toronto, 1859-63. 
 
 Thos. N'-jhol, Belleville, 1861-65. 
 
 G. C. Field, Woodstock, 1863-69. 
 
 W. Springer, Ingersoll, 1865-69. 
 
 J. W. Fergusson, Hamilton, 1865-69. 
 
 J. Adams, Toronto, 1868-69. 
 
Al'l'KNDIX. 
 
 HOMCEOPATHIC MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL COUNCl! 
 
 OF Ontario, 
 
 D. Campbell, Toronto, 1869-77; Vice-Pies., 1H72 and 1H77; Pres., 
 
 1878. 
 H. C. Allen, Brantford, 1869-72. . 
 W. Springer, Ingersoll, 1869-75. 
 G. C. Field, Woodstock, 1869-75. 
 J. Adams, Toronto, 1869-75. 
 
 E. Vernon, Hamilton, 1872-90; 1892 (By appointment in place of Dr. 
 
 Oliphant, deceased). 
 Geo. Logan, Ottawa, 1875-92; Vice-Pres., 1879; Pres., 1883. 
 G. Henderson, Strathroy, 1875-92 ; Vice-Pres., 1886; Pres., 1887. 
 R. J. P. Morden, London, 1875-82. 
 Geo. Husband, Hamilton, 1878-90 (In place of Dr. D. Campbell, 
 
 deceased). 
 CI. T. Campbell, London, 1883-92 (In place cf Dr. Morden, deceased); 
 
 Vice Pres. 1892. 
 Leonard Luton, St. Thomas, 1890-92. 
 W. H. Oliphant, Toronto, 1890-91. 
 
 THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF HOMCEOPATHY. 
 
 Prior to 1865, there was no regular association of Homoeopathic 
 physicians in Canada. In the negotiations necessary to secure 
 favorable legislation, the few members of the profession consulted 
 each other by correspondence and occasional interviews. Under the 
 Act of 1859, the election of members of the Homoeopathic Board was 
 entrusted to such licentiates as might assemble in Toronto at the 
 annual meeting of the Board in January ; and it became the custom 
 of those who did attend for that purpose to utilize the time by discus- 
 sions on medical subjects after the manner of medical societies. At 
 the meeting in 1863, it was decided to form an association for mutual 
 improvement and the advancement of Homoeopathy ; but nothing 
 
111. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 was done until September 20th, 1865, when, in response to a call, the 
 following physicians met in the Masonic Hall, London, and organized 
 the Canadian Institute of Homoeopathy : Drs. W. Springer, Ingersoll ; 
 G. C. Field, Woodstock ; J. J. Lancaster, London ; E. Vernon, 
 Hamilton ; F, G. Caulton, Guelph ; CI. T. Campbell, London ; L. 
 F. Crawford, Hamilton; R. J. P. Morden. London; H. C. Allen, 
 Brantford ; A. H. Thompson, St. Thomas. There were also present 
 Drs. A. T. Bull, Buffalo ; T. P. Wilson, Cleveland ; and E. Lodge, 
 Detroit. The following officers were elected : G. C. Field, President ; 
 J. J. Lancaster, Vice-President; H. C. Allen, Secretary-Treasurer. 
 It was intended to meet annually, but it did not always do so ; and 
 from 1874 to 1880 no meetings whatever were held. In the latter 
 year it was re-organized at Hamilton ; and since then it has met 
 continuously.