Any person who is, and was on January 1, 1963, duly licensed by the State of South Carolina to operate a nursing home for the chronically ill and the infirm and who had immediately prior to said date continuously operated a hospital or nursing home for a period of at least seven years, and who was duly licensed by this State to practice the healing arts eighteen years prior to January 1, 1956, and who is qualified and experienced in the practice of eclectic medicine and who has a diploma certifying that he is a graduate of a recognized institution teaching eclecticism, shall be and he is hereby licensed to practice eclectic medicine in this State. Provided, that no such person shall perform major surgery.