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55
moreover, of national importance, as the statistics of uncertified
deaths prove this to be, it ought not to be left to individuals to
vindicate the law at their own cost. An unregistered practitioner
in this parish was successfully proceeded against some time ago,
and a mitigated penalty of £5 was imposed. Notice of appeal was
given, but the appeal, it need hardly be said, was not prosecuted,
while the offender did not intermit his practice for a single day.
Many cases of small pox, it may be stated, have been treated in their
homes by unqualified men, to the great danger of the public
through the spread of the disease. It is noteworthy that many
unregistered persons, nearly all indeed, practice with a sham
degree of Medicine doctor, purchased, in absentia from an
University in the Western Hemisphere which has no legal
existence. The cause of death as given in the " certificates "
furnished by unregistered practitioners is entered in the death
registers and in the Registrar General's weeklv returns. The
certificates are declared to be " invalid," the sub-district registrars
are directed to ignore them, and they write " not certified " in the
marginal column; but so long as the giving of such certificates is not
forbidden ; so long, moreover, as deaths are registered on the information
these certificates supply, we need not expect any change
in the practice. Your Vestry forwarded my report, containing
suggestions for putting a stop to irregular certification to the
Registrar General and to the Local Government Board. The
Registrar General in his reply naturally observed that it was no part
of his duty to prosecute illegal practitioners, while the Local
Government Board promised their attention to the subject. But
nothing has been done, though it is open to any person under the
Police Act to become a common informer, and to initiate proceedings
under the Medical Act, 1858. The Apothecaries Act can
be enforced only with the consent of the Society, and the penalties
imposed go to the Society, while those under the Medical
Act go to the Receiver of the Metropolitan Police! The "not
certified" deaths in 1876 were ascribed to a variety of diseases,
including phthisis, pneumonia, scrofulous affections, measles, erysipelas,
&c., and the ages of the deceased ranged from a few hours
to three score and ten years.
"NO MEDICAL ATTENDANT"
is the return made in cases where a certificate of the cause of death
is not forthcoming. It would be the proper description of all the
cases treated of in the last section ; for surely it is as irrational
to style unqualified men "medical practitioners," as to dub
everyone who has picked up a smattering of law with
the title of lawyer. The man who pretends to be a lawyer,
who takes the title and practices without qualification is very
properly punished, and surely an equal measure of severity ought