Board Organization, Compensation, and Procedures
- The Board is part of the Bureau of Health for executive actions.
- It organizes annually, electing a president and secretary-treasurer.
- The Board has an official seal.
- Members are compensated five pesos per candidate examined; the secretary-treasurer receives a fixed annual salary.
- Compensation is paid from Insular funds.
Records and Registration Duties
- The secretary-treasurer maintains records of proceedings and a register of all registered physicians.
- The register includes personal details, educational background, practice addresses, and certifications.
Examination Scheduling and Notice
- The Board meets quarterly in Manila to examine candidates.
- Written or printed notice must be given to candidates 30 days before the examination.
Certification of Physicians
- Certificates of registration are issued to candidates who pass the examination.
- Former practitioners and foreign-educated doctors with valid diplomas may be registered without examination.
- Employment of foreign specialists in certain medical fields is permitted.
- Related previous Acts allowing automatic practice rights are repealed effective Dec 31, 1919.
- Examination fee is fifty pesos per candidate.
- Certificates are signed by a majority of the Board members.
Practice Requirements and Registration of Physicians
- No person may practice medicine without a certificate registered with the local register of deeds upon payment of ten pesos.
- Registration is a one-time requirement.
- Foreign physicians already practicing and those with prior lawful registration are exempt.
- The practice of "cirujanos ministrantes" is grandfathered only for those practicing before Jan 1, 1917; no new licenses after this date.
Registration and Practice as Registered Nurses
- Applicants must apply to the Director of Health and meet age, health, morality, and education requirements.
- Nursing education requires graduation from a recognized school with specified courses and hospital instruction.
- Dormitory residence during training is mandatory.
- Unregistered second-class nurses may practice under conditions and approval of district health officers.
- Second-class nurses may be denied or have privileges withdrawn for moral or abuse reasons.
- Only registered first-class nurses may wear the nurse's uniform.
Prohibition of Nurse Practice Without Registration
- Practicing nursing without Certificate of Registration after Jan 1, 1915 is unlawful.
Annual Reporting of the Examining Board
- The Board must report annually to the Director of Health on its proceedings and financial transactions.
Examination Subjects for Physicians
- Exams cover anatomy, physiology, chemistry, materia medica, therapeutics, pathology, bacteriology, hygiene, surgery, practice of medicine, obstetrics, tropical medicine, diseases of women/children, nervous system diseases, eye/throat/ear diseases, and medical jurisprudence.
Grounds for Refusal or Revocation of Certificates
- The Board may refuse or revoke certificates for convictions involving immoral or dishonorable conduct, or unprofessional behavior.
- Due notice and hearing are required.
- Appeals go to a five-physician board representing health authorities and medical schools.
- Revocation may be lifted after five years if conduct is exemplary.
Definition and Scope of Practice of Medicine
- Practicing medicine is defined broadly as treating, operating, prescribing, advising for human ailments for compensation or reward.
- Representing oneself as a medical professional without certification is prohibited.
- Exceptions include dentistry, massage therapy, opticians fitting glasses, religious consolation, emergency services, US military medical personnel, consulting foreign physicians, and supervised medical students.
- The Director of Health may grant special short-term practice authorizations in epidemics or lack of physicians.
Penalties for Unauthorized Practice
- Violations are punishable by fines up to 300 pesos, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both.
Restrictions on Medical Titles and Advertisements
- No person may use medical titles or advertise as a doctor without legally conferred degrees.
- False representation by title or letters (Dr., M.D., M.B.) is prohibited.
Repeal and Effectivity
- All inconsistent Acts or provisions are repealed.
- The Act takes effect immediately upon passage on February 5, 1915.