SEC. 73-27-1. Podiatry defined.
Podiatry, often called chiropody and foot specialist, shall for the purpose of this chapter mean the diagnosis and medical, mechanical, electrical, and surgical treatment of the ailments of the human foot, such as corns, callouses, warts, arches, ingrowing and abnormal nails, bunions, and similar conditions, and practitioners of podiatry, or chiropody, shall be allowed to use such mechanical appliances as may be deemed necessary for the relief or cure of such ailments of the feet, except amputation of the foot or toes, or the use of anesthetics other than local anesthetics related to the part affected used to prevent operative or mechanical pain, provided that massage of the leg in connection with such treatment is not prohibited. Diseases and conditions of the feet produced by kidney, heart, and other systemic diseases are not to be treated by persons licensed under this chapter, except under the direction and supervision of a regularly licensed physician of this state.
SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 8894; Laws, 1938, ch. 189.
1997 Amendment
Section 73-27-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
73-27-1. (1) The practice of podiatric medicine is that profession concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the human foot. For the purposes of this chapter, "foot" means that part of the human anatomy which consists of the tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, phalanges and all supportive and/or connective tissue immediately adjacent thereto, not to extend past the proximal end of the talus; this definition does not include the ankle or any structures proximal to it.
(2) A podiatrist is a medical care provider who engages in the practice of podiatric medicine.
(3) A podiatrist may prescribe and administer drugs and tests, excluding general and spinal anesthesia, that are essential to the practice of podiatric medicine when used for or in connection with treatment of disorders of the human foot.
SOURCE: 1997 Laws, Chapter 338, Sec. 1, HB1151, Effective July 1, 1997.