Mr. Adee to Mr. Bayard.
Washington, December 19, 1893.
Sir: I inclose for your consideration a copy of a letter1 received from Dr. J. Tempest, of Bradford, England, asking that application be made to the appropriate branch of the British Government to have the United States enrolled on the list of countries recognized under the British medical act of 1886, so that American graduates in medicine may be registered in Great Britain.
Dr. Tempest’s previous letter of September 22d, to which he refers, was not received. As he now omits to state of what medical college in the United States he is a graduate, but is described in the printed heading of his communication as “Graduate of the Brighton Eclectic Medical School,” and also as “Professor for and British representative of the American College of Art, Science, and Medicine,” it is not practicable to instruct you precisely in this regard.
The seventeenth section of the medical act of 49 and 50 Vict. (25th June, 1886) provides for the application of the act, by order in council, “to any British possession or foreign country which in the opinion of Her Majesty affords to the registered medical practitioners of the United Kingdom such privileges of practicing in the said British possession or foreign country as to Her Majesty may seem just.”
It would thus appear that the privilege in question rests on reciprocity. The practice of medicine in the several states is, as you know, regulated by the laws thereof, and generally foreign physicians are admitted to practice on proof of due qualification. Information has occasionally been sought by Her Majesty’s representatives as to the repute of particular medical colleges in the United States. The inclosed copies1 of correspondence show a recent inquiry of this kind and the reply made.
A report from you would enable the Department to answer the requests for information in this regard which are from time to time presented.
I am, sir, etc.,
Acting Secretary.