CHAPTER 627

An Act to amend Sections 54-316 and 54-317 of the Code of Virginia, pre-
scribing under what conditions the Board of Medical Examiners for
the State of Virginia may refuse to admit candidates to examinations,
and refuse to grant licenses to practice; and prescribing grounds for
the suspension or revocation of licenses, and defining unprofessional
conduct in the practice of the healing aris. 3 48
[S 48]

Approved April 7, 1954
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That Sections 54-316 and 54-317 of the Code of Virginia be amended
and reenacted, as follows:

Sec. 54-316. Grounds for refusal * to admit to examinations and to
suspend or revoke licenses.—The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to
any examination, * and may refuse to issue a certificate to any applicant
who applies for the same through reciprocity or otherwise, and may sus-
pend or revoke any certificate or license held by any person, * if it find that
such candidate, applicant or licensee:

(1) Has made false statements or representations or has been guilty
of fraud or deceit in obtaining admission to the practice, or has been guilty
of fraud or deceit in the practice, of any branch of the healing arts;

(2) Has been convicted in the courts of this or any other state,
territory or country of a felony or of a crime involving moral turpitude.
The conviction of any offense in another state, territory or country, which
af committed in this State would be deemed a felony, shall be held to bea
felony under this section without regard to its designation in such other
state, territory or country;

(3) Uses intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or other drugs to the extent
sae he 1s unfitted for the performance of his professional obligations and

uties;

(4) Has been adjudged insane or incompetent by a court of competent
jurisdiction, either within or without this State, and such adjudication is
in effect and such person has not been declared restored to sanity or
competence;

(5) Is guilty of immoral conduct, or of unprofessional conduct * as
defined in Section 54-817;

(6) Is grossly ignorant or careless in his practice, or is guilty of gross
malpractice.

Sec. 54-317. What constitutes unprofessional conduct.—Any prac-
titioner of medicine, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy or
chiropody shall be considered guilty of unprofessional conduct * if he:

(1) Undertakes or engages in any manner or by any means whatso-
ever to procure or perform or to aid or abet in procuring or performing a
criminal abortion; * or

(2) Engages in the practice of medicine under a false or assumed
name, or impersonates another practitioner of a like, similar or different
name; or

(3) Prescribes or dispenses any morphine, cocaine, or other narcotic *
with intent or knowledge that it shall be used otherwise than medicinally.
or with intent to evade any law with respect to the sale, use or disposition
of such drug; or

(4) Issues or publishes * in any way whatsoever advertising matter
in which grossly improbable or extravagant statements are made, or which
have a tendency to deceive or defraud the public or to impose upon credu-
lous or ignorant persons * ; or

(5) Causes the publication or circulation or broadcasting of any ad-
vertisement in which he claims that he can cure or treat diseases, * ail-
ments or infirmities by any secret method, procedure, treatment or medi-
cine, or in which he claims that a manifestly incurable disease or infirmity
can be permanently cured; or
___(6) Advertises or professes or holds himself out as being able and
willing to treat human ailments under a system or school of practice other
than that for which he holds a certificate or license granted by the Board;

®

(7) Violates any of the provisions of Section 54-278.