One hundred years ago: The doctor in politics

doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7305.141/a

BMJ 2001;323:141 ( 21 July )

Filler

One hundred years ago

The doctor in politics

The medical profession is treated by politicians as a negligible quantity, but this is partly because it does not know, andpartly because it does not care to use, its power. What doctorscould do if they chose to use the legitimate influence which theyhave, is shown by an incident in a recent electoral campaign inAmerica. The defeat of Governor Charles S. Thomas, of Colorado,for a seat in the United States Senate was, according to the MarylandMedical Journal, due to the influence of the medical profession,who determined to punish him for an insulting veto message. Thedoctors all over the State worked for democratic and fusion candidateswho would pledge themselves to oppose Governor Thomas. The Governorwas perfectly sure of his nomination until the Legislature assembled,when he found that he lacked four votes. The bitterness of hisdefeat was doubtless increased by the fact that it was due tothe action of the despised doctors. (BMJ 1901;i:1038)