Act 1891, C. 26, S. 3).

If the council think fit, they may direct the registrar to restore any name or entry erased, without fee, or on payment of such fee not exceeding the regular fee as the council may fix (ib., s. 35 ).

The council is required to ascertain facts, in the exercise of its powers of erasing and restoring, by a committee of their own body of not more than five, and a written report of the committee may be acted on by the council (ib., s. 36 , as amended Act 1891, c. 26, s. 4).

At least two weeks’ notice of the first meeting of the committee for ascertaining the facts of any case must be served on a person whose conduct is subject to inquiry, and such notice must embody a copy of the charges or a statement of the subject-matter of the inquiry, and specify the time and place of meeting. The testimony is under oath, and subject to cross-examination and the full right to call evidence in defence and reply. In the event of the non-attendance of such person the committee, on the proof of personal service of the notice, may proceed with the inquiry in his absence and without further notice (ib., s. 36 ).

No action can be brought against the council or committee for anything done bona fide under this act notwithstanding want of form in the proceedings. Any person whose name has been ordered erased may appeal from the decision of the council to any division of the high court at any time within six months from the date of the order of erasure, and the judge may make such order as to restoration, confirmation, or further inquiries by the committee or council and as to costs, as to him shall seem right (ib., s. 37, as amended Act 1891, c. 26, s. 5).

The appeal may be by a summons served on the registrar to show cause, and is founded upon a copy of the proceedings before the committee, the evidence taken, the committee’s report, and the order of the council certified by the registrar. The registrar is required to furnish to any person desiring to appeal a certified copy of all proceedings, reports, orders, and papers on which the committee acted, on payment of five cents a folio (ib., s. 38, as amended Act 1891, c. 26, s. 6).

The Act of 1891, c. 26, s. 7, provides for procuring the attendance of witnesses before the committee, and for payment of costs by the person whose name has been directed to be erased.

RIGHTS OF REGISTERED PERSONS.—Every person registered is entitled according to his qualifications to practise medicine, surgery, or midwifery, or any of them, as the case may be, and to demand and recover with full costs reasonable charges for professional aid, advice, and visits and the cost of any medicine or other medical or surgical appliances rendered or supplied by him to his patient (ib., s. 39).

LIMITATIONS.—One year after the termination of professional services is established as a period of limitations to an action for negligence or malpractice by reason thereof against duly registered members of said college (ib., s. 40).

EVIDENCE.—The register is required to be printed and published, and a copy thereof purporting to be so printed and published is prima facie evidence that the persons specified are registered; and, subject to the provisions of subsection 2 of this section, the absence of the name of any person from such copy shall be prima facie evidence that such person is not registered (ib., s. 41 ).

In case of the name of a person not appearing in such copy, a certified copy, under the hand of the registrar, of the entry of the name on the register is evidence that such person is registered (ib., s. 41 ).

ANNUAL CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION.—Every registered medical practitioner is required to obtain from the registrar annually, before December 31st, a certificate under seal of the college that he is a duly registered medical practitioner (Act 1891, c. 26, s. 8).

On payment of all fees and dues payable by such practitioner to the college, the registrar is required to write his name and the date on the margin of the certificate, and the certificate is deemed to be issued only from such date; any fees properly charged during the time in which a name was erased from the register are legally recoverable on production of the certificate of registration at time of suit (ib.).

No certificate is issued to any practitioner indebted to the college, nor until the annual fee for the certificate prescribed by the statute and the by-laws of the college is paid (ib.).

If a practitioner omits to take out such certificate, he shall not be entitled thereto until he pays the certificate fee, and any other fees or dues which he owes the college (ib.).

After twelve months’ default in taking out such certificate, and two months’ notice of default by registered letter to the registered address of the defaulter, if payment is not made, the registrar is required to erase his name and the provisions as to unregistered practitioners forthwith apply (ib.).

Such practitioner may, unless otherwise disqualified, obtain re-registration and re-instatement to full privileges by applying to the registrar and paying up the fees and dues and taking out his certificate (ib.).

NEGLECT TO REGISTER.—Those entitled to register and neglecting so to do are not entitled to any rights or privileges conferred by registration, and are liable to all the penalties against unqualified or unregistered practitioners (Rev. St., 1887, c. 148, s. 42).

FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION.—If a person procures registration by means of false or fraudulent representations it is lawful for the registrar, on a receipt of sufficient evidence of such falsity or fraud, to represent the matter to the council, and on the written order of the president, attested by the seal of the college, to erase his name from the register and publish the fact and cause of erasure in the Ontario Gazette; and after such notice such person ceases to be a member of said college and to enjoy the privileges conferred by registration without the express sanction of the council (ib., s. 44 ).

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES.—Wilfully procuring or attempting to procure registration by false or fraudulent representations is punishable with a penalty not exceeding $100. Knowingly aiding and assisting therein is punishable with a penalty of from $20 to $50 for each offence (ib., s. 44 ).

Practising without registration for hire, gain, or hope of reward is punishable with a penalty of from $25 to $100 (ib., s. 45).

A person wilfully or falsely pretending to be a physician, doctor of medicine, surgeon or general practitioner, or assuming any title, addition, or description other than that he actually possesses and is legally entitled to, is punishable with a penalty of from $10 to $50 (ib., s. 46).

A person taking or using a name, title, addition, or description implying or calculated to lead people to infer that he is recognized by law as a physician, surgeon, accoucheur, or licentiate in medicine, surgery, or midwifery is punishable by a penalty of from $25 to $100 (ib., s. 47).

UNREGISTERED PERSONS.—No person is entitled to recover a charge for medical or surgical advice or attendance or the performance of any operation or any medicine prescribed or supplied unless he produces to the court a certificate that he is registered; but this section does not extend to the sale of drugs or medicines by a licensed chemist or druggist (ib., s. 48, as amended Act 1891, c. 26, s. 2).

No person shall be appointed as a medical officer, physician, or surgeon in any branch of the public service, or in any hospital or other charitable institution not supported wholly by voluntary contribution, unless he be registered (ib., s. 49).

No certificate required from any physician, surgeon, or medical practitioner is valid unless the signer be registered (ib., s. 50).

COSTS.—The justice of the peace having jurisdiction of a prosecution may award payment of costs in addition to the penalty, and in default of payment may commit to the common jail for a period not exceeding one month unless the penalty and costs are sooner paid (ib., s. 51).

APPEAL.—Any person convicted who gives notice of appeal must give satisfactory security for the amount of the penalty and the costs of conviction and appeal (ib., s. 52).

PROOF.—In any trial under the act, the burden of proof as to registration is on the person charged (ib., s. 53).

Where proof of registration is required, the production of a printed or other copy of the register certified under the hand of the registrar for the time being is sufficient evidence of all persons who are registered practitioners, and any certificate upon such copy purporting to be signed by any person in his capacity of registrar is prima facie evidence that such person is registrar without proof of his signature or of his being registrar (ib., s. 54).

LIMITATIONS OF PROSECUTIONS.—Prosecutions are limited to commence within one year from the date of the offence (ib., s. 55)

STAY.—The council may, by order signed by its president having the seal of the college appended, stay proceedings in any prosecution when deemed expedient (ib., s. 56).

PROSECUTOR.—Any person may be prosecutor or complainant (ib., s. 57 ).

QUALIFICATION.—Schedule B referred to in the act is as follows:

1. A license to practise physic, surgery, and midwifery, or either, within Upper Canada under the acts of Upper Canada, 59 G., III., c. 13, and 8 G., IV., c. 3, respectively.

2. A license or diploma granted under 2 Vict., c. 38, or under the Consolidated Statutes for Upper Canada, c. 40, or any act amending the same.

3. A license or authorization to practise physic, surgery, and midwifery, or either, within Lower Canada, whether granted under ordinance 28 G., III., c. 8, or act 10 and 11 Vict., c. 26, and acts amending the same, or under c. 71 of the Consolidated Statutes for Upper Canada, or any act amending the same.

4. A certificate of qualification to practise medicine, surgery, and midwifery, or either, hereafter granted by any colleges or bodies named or referred to in sec. 6.

5. A medical or surgical degree or diploma of any university or college in Her Majesty’s dominions or of such other universities or colleges as the council may determine.

6. A certificate of registration under the Imperial Act 21 and 22 Vict., c. 90, known as “The Medical Act,” or any act amending the same.

7. A commission or warrant as physician or surgeon in Her Majesty’s military service.

8. Certificates of qualification to practise medicine under any of the acts relating to homœopathy or the eclectic system of medicine.

FEES.—To registrar, for transfer under sec. 9 (2), $2.

To registrar, for registration under sec. 24, not more than $10, to be fixed by the by-laws of council.

To registrar, for registration under sec. 25, such fees as the council may by general by-law establish.

To registrar, for copies under sec. 38, 5 cents a folio.

Members are required to pay an annual fee to the college; the amount and means of enforcing which are in the discretion of the elected members of the council (Act 1893, c. 27, s. 6).

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

MEDICAL SOCIETY.—The members of the medical profession constitute a body corporate under the name of the “Medical Society of Prince Edward Island” (Act 1892, c. 42, s. 1).

Persons registered under the act 34 Vict., c. 25, or 37 Vict., or the Prince Edward Island Medical Act of 1890, are members of the society and entitled to register under this act without a fee (ib., s. 2).

All persons registered under this act are members of the said society (ib., s. 3).

REGISTRATION.—There is a council of said society, composed of seven members of the society elected by the society (ib., s. 4), which is required to appoint a registrar among other officers (ib., s. 6); and to cause him to keep a register of the name of every person registered under this act, or the acts mentioned in sec. 2, and from time to time of the names of all persons who have complied with this act and the rules and regulations made by the council respecting the qualifications of practitioners of medicine, surgery, or midwifery, which is called the Prince Edward Island Medical Register; and only those persons whose names are inscribed therein are qualified and licensed to practise medicine, surgery, or midwifery, except as hereinafter provided (ib., s. 8).

The registrar is required to keep his register correct, and to make the necessary alterations in the addresses and qualifications of persons registered (ib., s. 9).

The council is required to admit to registration, on the payment of the registration fee, all persons duly registered by the medical council of Great Britain or otherwise authorized to practise medicine, surgery, or midwifery in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (ib., s. 10).

Every person who holds a medical or surgical degree or diploma dated prior to January 1st, 1880, from any university, college, or school of medicine in Great Britain, Ireland, or Canada, or any of the universities or colleges in the United States mentioned in Schedule A, is entitled to register on producing to the registrar such diploma or satisfactory evidence of the qualification in respect whereof he seeks to be registered (ib., s. 11).

Every person desirous of being registered, not registered under the acts mentioned in sec. 2, and who had not become possessed of a diploma as provided in sec. 11, must, before being entitled to register, be examined as to his knowledge and skill for the efficient practice of his profession before the medical council, and on passing the examination required and producing proof of study in medicine, surgery, and midwifery four years, one of which may be with a registered medical practitioner, shall, subject to the next section, be entitled to register and by virtue of such registration to practise medicine, surgery, and midwifery; provided, the council may, if it see fit, dispense with the examination in any case (ib., s. 12).

No person commencing the study of medicine on or after September 1st, 1892, shall be entitled to register unless he has passed a matriculation examination equivalent to that of the College of Surgeons of London, or shall hold a license as a first-class teacher in this province, or shall have obtained from the council a certificate that he has satisfactorily passed a matriculation examination in the subjects specified in Schedule B.

Any graduate or student matriculated in the arts in any university in Her Majesty’s dominions shall not be required to pass the matriculation examination (ib., s. 13).

The council may grant a license to practise medicine, surgery, or midwifery to an applicant at the time of the passage of this act practising medicine, surgery, or midwifery, or any of them, in Prince Edward Island, on a preliminary examination as the council may think necessary for the public safety, provided such person shall have practised five years in the province, but such person is not thereby entitled to registration (ib., s. 15).

When there has been established an authorized examining body or an institution recognized by the legislature of any other province of the Dominion of Canada as the sole examining body for granting certificates of qualification, and where the curriculum is equal to that appointed by the medical council of Prince Edward Island, the holder of such certificate shall, upon due proof, be entitled to registration by the council of Prince Edward Island, if the same privilege is accorded in such other province to those registered in Prince Edward Island (ib., s. 16).

The council is required to hold examinations at least every three months, if required, for candidates for registration, at such places and times and in the same manner as the council may direct (ib., s. 18).

Every person registered who obtains a higher degree or other qualification shall, on the payment of such fees as the council shall appoint, be entitled to have it registered in substitution for or in addition to the qualification previously registered (ib., s. 19).

No qualification is entered unless the registrar be satisfied, by proper evidence, that the person claiming is entitled to register it. There is an appeal to the council; any name proved to the council to have been fraudulently or incorrectly entered may be erased by an order in writing of the council (ib., s. 20).

If the registrar is dissatisfied with the evidence he may, subject to appeal to the council, refuse registration until the person claiming it has furnished evidence to the satisfaction of the registrar, duly attested by oath or affidavit before a notary public or justice of the peace (ib., s. 21).

A medical practitioner guilty of infamous or disgraceful conduct in a professional respect is liable to have his name erased, and if he apply for registration the council may refuse it (ib., s. 22).

The registrar may publish in a newspaper or newspapers of Prince Edward Island the fact that the name of such person has been erased, and the cause of the erasure, but not until the appeal, if any has been taken within the time allowed, has been disposed of (ib., s. 23).

Where the council refuse to register, or direct an erasure, the entry shall not be again made except by direction of the council or the order of the supreme court or a judge thereof (ib., s. 24).

Five days’ notice of the meeting of the council for the hearing of an appeal under sec. 2 must be served on the person charged, embodying a copy of the charges or a statement of the inquiry and the time and place of meeting (ib., s. 25).

RIGHTS OF REGISTERED PERSONS.—Every person licensed or registered under the act is entitled according to his qualifications to practise medicine, surgery, and midwifery, or any of them, as the case may be, and recover with costs his reasonable charges for professional aid, advice, and visits, and the cost of medicines or medical and surgical appliances rendered or supplied by him to his patient (ib., s. 26).

LIMITATIONS.—Twelve months is established as the period of limitations for an action from negligence or malpractice against a person registered (ib., s. 27).

EVIDENCE.—The registrar is required, under the direction of the council, to print and publish once in two years a register of the names of all persons registered, with the residence and medical title, diploma, and qualification conferred by any college or body, with the dates thereof, as existing on the day of the publication. A copy of such register, for the time being, purporting to be so printed and published, is prima facie evidence that the persons specified are registered. The absence of a name from such copy is prima facie evidence that such person is not registered.

In case a name does not appear in the copy, a certified copy, under the hand of the registrar of the council, of the entry of a name is evidence that such person is registered (ib., s. 28).

FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION.—If a person be registered by false or fraudulent representations the registrar may, on the receipt of sufficient evidence thereof, report the matter to the council, and on the order of the council erase his name from the register and make known the fact and cause by a notice in the newspaper or newspapers on Prince Edward Island (ib., s. 29 ).

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES.—Wilfully procuring or attempting to procure registration by false or fraudulent representation is punishable with a penalty not exceeding $50. Knowingly aiding and assisting therein is punishable with a penalty of from $10 to $25 for each offence (ib., s. 29 ).

Without registration or license, practising for hire or hope of reward or advertising to give advice in medicine, surgery, or midwifery is punishable with a penalty not exceeding $25 (ib., s. 30).

Wilfully or falsely pretending to be a physician, doctor of medicine, surgeon, or general practitioner, or assuming a title, addition, or description not actually possessed, or pretending to be recognized by law as a physician, accoucheur, or a licentiate in medicine, surgery, or midwifery, is punishable with a penalty not exceeding $25 (ib., s. 31).

UNREGISTERED PERSONS.—No person is entitled to recover a charge for medical or surgical advice or attendance or for the performance of a surgical operation unless registered, licensed, or otherwise authorized under this act (ib., s. 32).

No person is to be appointed as a medical officer, physician, or surgeon in any branch of the public service, or any hospital or other charitable institution unless registered (ib., s. 33).

COSTS.—On prosecution, costs may be awarded and the offender may be committed to a common jail in default of paying the penalty and costs, for not exceeding one month (ib., s. 34).

APPEAL FROM CONVICTION.—A person appealing from conviction is required to give satisfactory security for the penalty, costs of conviction, and appeal before released from custody (ib., s. 35).

LIMITATION OF PROSECUTIONS.—Prosecutions are required to be commenced within six months from the date of the offence (ib., s. 36).

PROSECUTOR.—Any person may be prosecutor or complainant (ib., s. 37).

APPEAL FROM REGISTRAR’S DECISION.—A person aggrieved by the decision of the registrar may appeal to the council, and persons aggrieved by the decision of the council may appeal to the supreme court of the province, which decision shall be final. The act prescribes the procedure on appeal (ib., s. 38, 39).

POWERS OF COUNCIL.—The council may make by-laws for carrying out the act, to be approved by the lieutenant-governor in council, but nothing shall prevent any registered medical practitioner from giving medical treatment or advice to any person by reason of such person having previously engaged the services of any other physician (ib., s. 40).

The council is authorized to make regulations regarding the holding of examinations and the subjects of examinations (ib., s. 41)

EXCEPTIONS.—The act does not prevent any person from giving necessary medical or surgical aid or attendance to any one in urgent need of it provided it be not for hire or gain, nor the giving of it be made a business or means of livelihood; nor does it prevent women from practising midwifery, or any person from practising dentistry or treating cases of cancer by external application, and charging for such service and suing for and recovering reasonable charges; nor does it prevent a druggist, apothecary, or storekeeper from suing for and recovering the price of drugs or chemicals supplied or sold by him (ib., s. 42).

The act does not prevent a person not holding a medical degree, license, or diploma from a university or college from practising medicine, surgery, or midwifery provided he was engaged in such practice in the province for five years immediately before the passage of the act, nor from recovering with costs his reasonable charges for professional aid, advice, and visits and the cost of medicine or other medical or surgical appliances rendered or supplied by him to his patients (ib., s. 43).

APPEAL ON PROSECUTION.—Appeal from the decision on prosecution may be taken to the supreme court (ib., s. 44).

Schedule A:

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.

Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa.

Bellevue Medical College, New York, N. Y.

University of New York, New York, N. Y.

College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, N. Y.

Harvard University.

University of Michigan.

Schedule B specifies at length the requirements for the examination mentioned in sec. 13.

FEES.—Persons registered under sec. 2 are not required to pay a fee.

For registration under secs. 11 and 12, not exceeding $20, to be fixed by the society.

To the council, for a license under sec. 15, $5.

An annual fee is required to be paid by members of the society, not more than $5 annually, as levied by the council (ib., s. 17).

For registration under sec. 19, such fees as the council may appoint.

QUEBEC.

COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, ETC.—All persons residing in the province authorized to practise medicine, surgery, or midwifery therein, and registered under this law, are constituted a corporation by the name of “The College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Province of Quebec” (R. S., 1888, art. 3,969).

The affairs of the college are conducted by a board of governors, forty in number, chosen as provided in the act and known as the “Provincial Medical Board” (ib., art. 3,972 to 3,975).

QUALIFICATION.—No person can lawfully practise medicine, surgery, or midwifery unless he has obtained a license from the said board and unless he be registered (ib., art. 3,976).

Every person who obtains a medical degree or diploma in any university or college mentioned in art. 3,972 is entitled to such license without examination as to his medical knowledge or skill, provided such diploma has only been given after four years of medical study from the date of admission to study and according to the requirements of the act; provided, the said board has power to grant the same privileges to holders of degrees or diplomas of medicine and surgery from other British colonial or French universities or colleges (ib., art. 3,977).

The colleges referred to in art. 3,792 are: Laval University at Quebec, Laval University at Montreal, University of McGill College, University of Bishops College, The Incorporated School of Medicine and Surgery of Montreal affiliated with the University of Victoria College or with any other British university. The privilege above conferred on holders of degrees or diplomas from British colleges and universities is extended to every person whose name is entered upon the medical register under the Imperial Medical Act of 1886 (49-50 Vict., c. 48) or of any act amending the same (ib., art. 3,977 a, as added by Act 1889, c. 39).

The law prescribes the preliminary qualifications for admission to study medicine, surgery, or midwifery to be ascertained by examination. No one is entitled to the license of the college on presentation of a diploma unless previously admitted to study in accordance with these conditions, or unless he has passed an equivalent preliminary examination before a college, school or board authorized by law to require and cause such preliminary examinations to be passed in Her British Majesty’s other possessions (ib., arts. 3,978, 3,979).

A candidate for a license to practise desiring to be registered, and who has not obtained a degree or diploma in medicine from any institution mentioned in art. 3,972 (supra) must, before being entitled to such license and to register, pass an examination before the board as to his knowledge and skill for the efficient practice of medicine, surgery, and midwifery. Upon passing the examination and proving to the satisfaction of the examiners that he has, in an institution for the teaching of medicine in Her Majesty’s possessions, complied with the rules and regulations made by the provincial board, and on payment of such fees as the board may by general by-law establish, such person shall be entitled to a license (ib., art. 3,980).

All persons coming from any recognized college outside of Her Majesty’s possessions desirous of obtaining a license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the province must previously pass a preliminary examination before the examiners appointed by the board or establish to the satisfaction of the board that they have already passed equivalent examinations, and they must moreover follow in one of the schools of medicine in the province a complete course (for six months) of lectures, and such other course or courses as shall be necessary to complete the curriculum required by the board. They may pass their professional examination immediately after their preliminary examination (ib., art. 3,981).

POWERS OF MEDICAL BOARD.—The board of governors of the College of Physicians and Surgeons has among other powers the power to examine all credentials and documents purporting to entitle the bearer to a license to practise and all diplomas, degrees, or other qualifications sought to be registered, and to require the bearer to attest on oath, to be administered by the chairman, that he is the person whose name is mentioned therein, and that he became legally possessed thereof; and to register in the books of the college the name, age, place of residence and birth of every member of the profession practising in the province, the date of his license and the place where he obtained it (ib., art. 3,982).

The provincial medical board, among other powers, has the power to make regulations respecting the tariffs or rates to be charged in towns and counties for medical, obstetrical, or surgical advice, or for attendance or for the performance of any operation or for any medicines prescribed or supplied. The tariff must be approved by the lieutenant-governor in council, and can only come into force six months after its publication once in the Quebec Official Gazette, and that of the order in council approving the same. The tariff does not, in case of suit, obviate the necessity of proof of giving the advice, care, prescriptions, medicines, and other things therein mentioned (ib., art. 3,983).

The said board has power to fix the fees for license and registration (ib., art. 3,984).

QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATE.—The qualifications of a candidate for a license are:

1. That he holds a certificate of study from a licensed physician for the period intervening between the courses of lectures which he has followed.

2. That he has reached the age of twenty-one years.

3. That he has followed his studies during a period of not less than four years, commencing from the date of his admission by the board to study medicine.

4. That during said four years he attended at some university, college, or incorporated school of medicine within Her Majesty’s possessions not less than two six-months’ courses of general or descriptive anatomy, of practical anatomy, of surgery, of the practice of medicine, of midwifery, of chemistry, of materia medica and general therapeutics, of the institutions of medicine or physiology and general pathology, of clinical medicine, and of clinical surgery; one six-months’ course or two three-months’ courses of medical jurisprudence, one three-months’ course of botany, one three-months’ course of hygiene, and a course of not less than twenty-five demonstrations upon microscopic anatomy, physiology, and pathology.

5. That he attended the general practice of a hospital in which are contained not less than fifty beds under the charge of not less than two physicians or surgeons, for not less than one and one-half years or three periods of not less than six months each.

6. That he has attended six cases of labor and compounded medicines for six months.

Each six-months’ course shall have consisted of one hundred and twenty lectures except in the case of clinical medicine, clinical surgery, and medical jurisprudence.

Of four years’ study required by this section, three six-months’ sessions, at least, must be passed in attending upon lectures at a university, college, or incorporated school of medicine recognized by the board.

The first of such courses must have been attended during the session immediately succeeding the preliminary examination, and the last during the fourth year of study, and the candidates must undergo an examination on the final subjects of the curriculum at the end of the session in the fourth year of study (ib., art. 3,985).

MEMBERS OF COLLEGE.—All persons obtaining a license to practise from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the province are members of the college, but are not eligible for governors within four years from the date of their admission as members (ib., art. 3,986).

WOMEN.—The provincial medical board has power to make regulations respecting the admission of women to the study and practice of midwifery. Women who were legally qualified on the 31st of October, 1879, to practise as midwives in the province, while required to conform to the rules of said college, retain their right. Nothing in the act or the regulations shall prevent women in the country from practising midwifery or assisting at accouchements without being admitted to the study or practice of midwifery; but they must obtain a certificate from a duly licensed physician certifying that they have the necessary knowledge (ib., art. 3,987).

REGISTER.—The medical board is required to cause to be kept by the registrar a register of persons duly licensed and registered, and who have complied with the law and the regulations of the board, and those persons only whose names are inscribed therein are deemed to be qualified and licensed (ib., art. 3,988).

The registrar is required from time to time to make the necessary alterations in the register (ib., art. 3,989).

EVIDENCE.—The registrar, under the direction of the board of governors, causes to be printed, published, and distributed to the members, from time to time, a copy, called The Quebec Medical Register, of the register, containing names, surnames, residences, medical titles, diplomas, and qualifications conferred by a college or other medical body, with the dates of the same. A printed copy, certified under the hand of the registrar as such, is prima facie evidence that the persons named and entered have been registered in accordance with this law. The absence of the name of any person from such copy is prima facie proof that such person has not been lawfully registered; provided always in case a person’s name does not appear on such printed copy, a copy or extract from the register certified by the registrar of the college of the entry of such person’s name on the register is proof that such person is duly registered (ib., art. 3,990).

A certificate under the hand of the registrar of the payment of the annual contribution of members of the college is prima facie evidence that such payments have been made (ib., art. 3,991).

NEGLECT TO REGISTER.—A person entitled to register who neglects to register is not entitled to practise medicine, surgery, or midwifery, or to claim any of the rights and privileges conferred, and is liable for all penalties imposed for practising without registration, saving the right of certain members holding a license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Lower Canada (ib., art. 3,992).

ESTABLISHED PRACTITIONER.—A person who has attended medical lectures during three sessions of a medical school in the British possessions, and who has actually been engaged in the practice of medicine for over thirty years in the province, may, on proof of these facts to the satisfaction of the provincial medical board, and producing a certificate signed by two resident medical practitioners in the neighborhood where he has practised that he has succeeded in his profession, and is entitled to the consideration of the board, be entitled to a license and to registration without an examination (ib., art. 3,993).

UNREGISTERED PERSONS.—No person unless otherwise authorized is entitled to recover any charge for medical or surgical advice, or professional service, or for the performance of any operation, or for any medicines prescribed or supplied, nor is he entitled to any of the rights or privileges conferred, unless he has registered according to law and paid his annual contribution to the college (ib., art. 3,994).

No certificate required from any physician or surgeon or medical practitioner is valid unless the signer is registered (ib., art. 3,995).

PERSONS GUILTY OF FELONY.—Any registered member of the medical profession convicted of felony forfeits his right to registration, and the medical board causes his name to be erased from the register (ib., art. 3,996).

If a person known to have been convicted of felony presents himself for registration, the registrar is required to refuse him registration (ib., art. 3,997).

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES.—A person not entitled to register convicted of having practised in contravention of this law, for reward or the hope of reward, is liable to a penalty of $50.

A like penalty is incurred by every person assuming the title of doctor, physician, or surgeon, or any other name implying that he is legally authorized to practise, if unable to establish the fact by legal proof, and by every person who in an advertisement in a newspaper or in a written or printed circular, or on business cards or on signs, assumes a designation so as to lead the public to believe that he is duly registered or qualified; and by every person who offers or gives his services as a physician, surgeon, or accoucheur for gain or hope of reward, if he be not duly authorized and registered.

BURDEN OF PROOF.—In every prosecution, proof of registration is incumbent on the party prosecuted.

WITNESSES.—Members of the college are not incompetent witnesses by reason of their membership.

COSTS.—The court imposing a penalty adds costs, and, in default of payment within a delay which it fixes, condemns the defendant to imprisonment in a common jail of the district for sixty days (ib., art. 3,998).

EVIDENCE.—In cases where proof of registration is required, the production of a printed or other copy or extract from the register, certified under the hand of the registrar of the college, is sufficient evidence that all persons named therein are registered practitioners and any certificate upon such proof, or other copy of the register or extract from such register, purporting to be signed by any person in his capacity of registrar of the college, is prima facie evidence that such person is registrar without proof of the signature or of his being in fact such registrar (ib., art. 3,999).

HOMŒOPATHISTS.—The rights of homœopathists are not affected by the foregoing sections (ib., art. 4,002).

The homœopathic physicians and surgeons of the province form a corporation under the name of the Montreal Homœopathic Association (ib., art. 4,003).

The corporation has power to appoint three medical graduates of a British or provincial university or medical licentiates of a British or provincial college or board legally incorporated to be a board of examiners, to examine all persons who may desire to obtain a license to practise homœopathic medicine (ib., art. 4,008).

A person desiring to be examined touching his qualifications to practise according to the doctrines and teaching of homœopathy shall give notice in writing of at least one month to the secretary or treasurer of the association, and show that he is not less than twenty-one years of age; has followed medical studies for not less than four years under the care of one or more duly qualified medical practitioners; has attended at some recognized university or incorporated school of medicine not less than two six-months’ courses of anatomy, physiology, surgery, theory and practice of medicine, midwifery, chemistry, materia medica, and therapeutics respectively, and not less than one six-months’ course of clinical medicine and medical jurisprudence respectively, or their equivalents in time; and shall have complied with the regulations of such university or incorporated school of medicine with regard to such courses, and shall have followed such other course or courses as may hereafter be considered by the board of examiners requisite for the advancement of a medical education.

All such persons shall, at a regularly appointed time and place, be examined on all the aforesaid branches by the board of examiners (ib., art. 4,009).

If the board be satisfied by examination that a person is duly qualified to practise either or all of said branches of medicine, as taught and practised by homœopathists, they shall certify the same under the hands and seals of two or all of such board.

The lieutenant-governor, on receipt of such certificate, may, if satisfied of the loyalty, integrity, and good morals of the applicant, grant to him a license to practise medicine, surgery, and midwifery, or either of them, conformably to the certificate, and all such licensees are entitled to all the privileges enjoyed by licentiates of medicine (ib., art. 4,010).

The corporation appoints a secretary who keeps a register of names of all persons duly licensed to practise medicine, surgery, and midwifery, or either of them, according to the doctrines and teachings of homœopathy.

Only those whose names are inscribed in said register are qualified and licensed to practise according to the doctrines and teachings of homœopathy (ib., art. 4,015).

The said secretary is required to make the necessary alterations in the addresses or qualifications of the persons registered (ib., art. 4,016).

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES.—A person practising according to the homœopathic doctrines for reward in contravention of this act, or assuming a title implying that a person is legally authorized to practise according to homœopathic doctrines, if unable legally to establish such authorization; or by advertisement published in a newspaper or in a written or printed circular, or on business cards or signs, assuming a designation to lead the public to believe that he is duly registered and qualified to practise according to the doctrines of homœopathy; or offering or giving his services as physician, surgeon, or accoucheur for gain or hope of reward, if not duly authorized or registered, is punishable with a penalty of $50.

BURDEN OF PROOF.—In every prosecution, the proof of registration is incumbent on the party prosecuted.

COSTS.—The court may condemn the defendant to pay $50 in addition to costs within a delay which it determines, and to imprisonment of sixty days in a common jail of the district on default of payment within the delay (ib., art. 4,017).

WITNESSES.—A member of the corporation is not an incompetent witness on account of his membership (ib., art. 4,018).

FEES.—The provincial board of medical examiners may establish examination fees (ib., art. 3,981).

Members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Province of Quebec are required to pay an annual fee of $2 (ib., art. 3,986).

FORENSIC MEDICINE.

THANATOLOGICAL.

THE

LEGAL STATUS OF THE DEAD BODY;

THE DISPOSAL AND OBLIGATION TO DISPOSE OF THE SAME; HOW AND BY WHOM IT MAY BE EXHUMED OR REMOVED; AUTOPSIES, BY WHOM ORDERED; THE RIGHTS OF RELATIVES AND ACCUSED PERSONS.

INCLUDING

AN APPENDIX CONTAINING A SYNOPSIS OF THE STATUTES OF THE DIFFERENT UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES CONCERNING SAME.

TRACY C. BECKER, A.B., LL.B., ETC.,

Counsellor at Law, etc.; Professor of Civil Law and Medical Jurisprudence, Law Department, University of Buffalo.

LEGAL STATUS OF THE DEAD BODY.

=Disposal and Obligations to Dispose of the Same.=—There is no right of property, in the ordinary sense of the word, in a dead human body; but for the health and protection of society it is a rule of the common law, and which has been confirmed by statutes in civilized states and countries, that public duties are imposed upon public officers, and private duties upon the husband or wife and the next of kin of the deceased, to protect the body from violation and see that it is properly interred, and to protect it after it is interred. A parent is bound to provide Christian burial for a deceased child, if he has the means, but if he has not the means, though the body remains unburied so long as to become a nuisance, he is not indictable for the nuisance although he could obtain money for the burial expenses by borrowing it of the poor-law authorities of the parish, for he is not bound to incur a debt. (Reg. v. Vann, 2 Div. C. C., 325; 15 Jur., 1,090.) On the other hand it has been held in England, that every householder in whose house a dead body lies is bound by the common law, if he has the means to do so, to inter the body decently, and this principle applies where a person dies in the house of a parish or a union. (Reg. v. Stewart, 12 A. & D., 1,272.) And the expense may be paid out of the effects of the deceased. (Tugwell v. Hayman, 3 Camp., 298, and note.)

In Pierce v. The Proprietors Swan Point Cemetery, 10 R. I., 227, s. c., 14 Am. Rep., 667, the Court said: “That there is no right of property in a dead body, using this word in its ordinary sense, may be well admitted, yet the burial of the dead is a subject which interests the feelings of mankind to a much greater degree than many matters of actual property. There is a duty imposed by the universal feelings of mankind to be discharged by some one toward the dead; a duty, and we may also say a right, to protect from violation; it may, therefore, be considered as a sort of quasi property, and it would be discreditable to any system of law not to provide a remedy in such a case; ... but the person having charge of it cannot be considered as the owner of it in any sense whatever, he holds it only as a sacred trust for the benefit of all who may from family or friendship have an interest in it.” See also Wyncoop v. Wyncoop, 42 Pa. St., 293; 4 Albany Law Jour., 56; Snyder v. Snyder, 60 How. Prac., 368; Weld v. Walker, 130 Mass., 422; Guthrie v. Weaver, 1 Mo. Apps., 136; Johnson v. Marinus, 18 Abb. N. C., 72, and note.

The law casts the duty of burial of the wife upon the husband, and of the husband upon the wife. In Secord v. Secord (cited in note 1 above), the Court said: “There are cogent reasons connected with public policy and the peace of families, where in the absence of testamentary disposition the possession of a corpse and the right to determine its burial should follow the administration of the estate.” Inasmuch as the husband has the first right to administer upon the estate of the wife, and the wife upon the estate of the husband, the law imposes the correlative duty of burial upon the person having such right; and so it has been held that the husband is liable for the necessary expense of the decent interment of his wife from whom he has been separated, whether the party incurring the expense is an undertaker or mere volunteer.

Where the deceased leaves a will appointing executors, the executors have a right to the possession of the body, and the duty of burial is imposed upon them, but it has been doubted whether at common law a direction by will concerning the disposal of the body could be enforced, and therefore the right to make such direction has been conferred by statute in several States.

And where a widow ordered a funeral of her husband, it was held that she was liable for the expense, although she was an infant at the time, the Court holding that the expense fell under the head of necessaries, for which infants’ estates are liable.

If there be no husband or wife of the deceased, the nearest of kin in the order of right to administration is charged with the duty of burial.

Such acts as casting a dead human body into a river without the rites of sepulture (Kanavans Case, 1 Me., 226); stealing a corpse (2 East, PC., 652) or stealing for dissection a dead body of one executed when the death sentence did not direct dissection (Rex v. Cundick, D. & R., n. p., 13), were indictable offences at common law.

In the works of the early dramatists, and by some writers of fiction, it has been stated, or implied, that the body of a deceased person could be seized and detained to compel the payment of his debts. This was never the law. In Jones v. Ashburnham, 4 East, 460, it was held that to seize a dead body on pretence of arresting for debt would be contra bonos mores, and an extortion on the relatives, and that case distinctly overrules any authority to be derived from the case of Quick v. Coppleton, 1 Vent., 161, to the effect that forbearance to seize or hold a body upon such a pretence would afford any consideration for a promise to pay a debt. So, also, where a jailer refused to give up a body of a person who had died while a prisoner in execution in his custody, to the executors of the deceased, unless they would satisfy certain claims against the deceased due the jailer, the Court issued a peremptory mandamus in the first instance, commanding that the body should be delivered up to the executors (Rex v. Fox, 2 Q. B., 247). And in R. v. Scott, 2 Q. B., 248, it was said, that a jailer who should attempt to do so would be guilty of misconduct in his public character, for which he would be liable to prosecution.

How and by Whom the Dead Human Body may be Removed or Exhumed.—Where the right of burial has been exercised, and the body interred in its final resting-place, no person has any right to interfere with it without the consent of the owner of the grave, or of the properly constituted public authorities. In Foster v. Dodd, 8 D. & E., 842-854, it was held, that a dead body belongs to no one, and is, therefore, under the protection of the public. If it lies in consecrated ground, ecclesiastical authorities will interpose for its protection; but whether in ground consecrated or unconsecrated, indignities offered to the remains or the act of indecently disinterring them, are the ground of an indictment.

Even the purchaser of land upon which is located a burial-ground may be enjoined from removing bodies therefrom, if he attempts to do so against the wishes of the relatives or next of kin of the deceased. Every interment is a concession of the privilege which cannot afterward be repudiated, and the purchaser’s title to the ground is fettered with the right of burial.

On the other hand, the right of the municipal or state authorities, with the consent of the owner of the burial lot or in the execution of the right of eminent domain, to remove dead bodies from cemeteries is well settled.

After the right of burial has once been exercised by the person charged with the duty of burial, or where such person has consented to the burial by another person, no right to the corpse remains except to protect it from unlawful interference.

On the other hand, where a husband did not freely consent to the burial of his wife in a lot owned by another person, it was held that a court of equity might permit him, after such burial, to remove her body, coffin, and tombstones to his own lot, and restrain any person from interfering with such removal.

In Rhodes v. Brandt, 21 Hun, N. Y., 1, the defendant brought an action against one Beelard to recover for services rendered by him, as a physician, in treating a child of Beelard’s for a fracture of the thigh-bone, in which action Beelard set up malpractice on the part of the defendant as a defence. During the pendency of the action the child died and was buried. Subsequently Beelard, the father, acting under the advice of his counsel, directed and allowed the plaintiff, a physician, to cause the body of the child to be exhumed, and a portion of the thigh-bone to be removed, in order that it might be used in evidence on the trial of the question of malpractice. After the bone was removed, the body was returned to the grave. The defendant thereupon caused the plaintiff to be arrested for unlawfully removing the body from the grave contrary to the provisions of the statute, and the plaintiff sued the defendant for malicious prosecution. The Court held that the plaintiff had not removed the body from the grave “for the purpose of dissection or from mere wantonness,” as these terms were used in the statute (3 R. S., 6th ed., 965), for violation of which he had been arrested, nor had he committed any offence against public decency or the spirit of the statute.

Autopsies, by Whom Ordered; the Rights of Relatives and Accused Persons.—As shown in a previous article in this volume, on the Powers and Duties of Coroners and Medical Examiners, in cases of sudden or suspicious death, it has been the law for nearly a thousand years that an inquisition or inquest super visum corporis must be held by an officer known as a coroner, and that this office and its powers and duties were inherited by this country as part of the English common-law system in force at the time of the formation of the republic of the United States. When a body has been buried, and the coroner believes that an inquest is necessary, he has power to disinter the body and hold an inquest, and he may direct a post-mortem examination to be made, but after having done so he must cause the body to be reinterred. It is now well settled that in holding such an inquest, and making such an autopsy or post-mortem examination required by his official duty, the coroner has authority to employ, and it is his duty to employ, professional skill and aid, and his contract will bind the county to pay a reasonable compensation for the same.

As will be seen below from a synopsis of the statutes relating to this matter, many of the States have enacted statutes defining and prescribing the duties of the coroner and other public officers in such cases. At an early period in England (see 2 and 3 Will. IV., chap. 75, sec. 7) it was enacted by the English Parliament that any executor or other person having lawful possession of the body of a deceased person, and not being an undertaker or other party entrusted with the body for the purpose only of interment, might lawfully permit the body of such deceased person to undergo an anatomical examination, unless to the knowledge of such executor or other party such person should have expressed his desire during his life in writing, or verbally in the presence of two or more witnesses during his illness whereof he died, that his body after death might not undergo such examination, or unless the surviving husband or wife or known relative of the deceased shall require the body to be interred without such examination. By another section of this statute (sec. 10), professors of anatomy and other persons duly licensed were declared not liable to punishment for having in their possession human bodies when having such possession according to the provisions of the act.