MEDICAL PROGRESS. Seventh Annual Meeting of the American THE American Medical Association held its annual meeting this year in the city of St. Louis, Mo. Nearly 250 delegates were present, principally western physicians; the East was not as fully represented, we regret to find, as it ought to have been. ported the list of accredited delegates, and the roll was called. The presiding officer, Dr. Parsons, announced the meeting to be organized, and congratulated the Association on the return of their anniversary. The report of the Committee on Publication was read, and laid on the table. The Treasurer's report was also read, and referred. On motion of Dr. White, of New York, The session was opened on Tuesday, May 2, by the senior Vice-President, Dr. { a recess of fifteen minutes was now had, to Usher Parsons, in the absence of the Presi.allow the delegates of each State to meet dent. Letters were read from the Presi- and nominate one of their number to form dent, Dr. Jonathan Knight, and one of the a nominating committee to report permaSecretaries, Dr. E. L. Beadle, expressive nent officer's for the Society. of their regret, at being unable to attend the meeting. The delegates were welcomed to St. Louis in a brief address by Dr. James R. Washington, the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements. The meeting again came to order, and the following were reported as constituting the Committee on Nominations:Maine, Dr. Charles Millett. 66 D. H. Storer. Massachusetts, P. G. Rockwell. "Jas. P. White. แ Connecticut, The Committee of Arrangements re- New York, Published monthly by BLANCHARD & LEA, Philadelphia, for One Dollar a year; also, furnished GRATUITOUSLY to all subscribers of the "American Journal of the Medical Sciences," who remit the Annual Subscription, Five Dollars, in advance, in which case both periodicals are sent by mail free of postage to the subscriber. In no case will this work be sent unless the money is paid in advance. Vol. XII.-7 of the Academy, to endeavour to procure for the Academy the five previous volumes. On motion, the request was ordered to be complied with. The following memorial by members of the Medical Association of the city of New York, was now read: TO THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. At a special meeting held in the city of New York, on the 12th of May, 1853, of such members" of the American Medical Association as reside in this city and its vicinity, and such as were remaining here from abroad, for the purpose of expressing their feelings respecting the disaster on the New York and New Haven Railroad at Norwalk, in Connecticut, which resulted in United States Navy and Army, Dr. Pink- the death of so many valuable members of the Association," after adopting sundry resolutions expressive of their sentiments and ney. tion. The above Committee retired for the purpose of nominating officers for the Associa-sympathy with the bereaved, a committee of seven was appointed to devise some suitable method of commemorating the event and the worth and professional cha10racter of our lamented associates, and to recommend said plan to the next annual meeting of the Association. Dr. Atlee offered the following resolution, which was carried: That the Association arrange to meet at from 9 o'clock to o'clock A. M., and from 3 to 5 P. M., while it shall remain in session. Dr. Brainard, of Chicago, offered a reso. lution to provide that the future meetings of the Association shall be held alternately in the Eastern, Southern, and Western portions of the Union. The resolution gave rise to considerable discussion, and was finally laid on the table. On motion, the meeting adjourned to 3 o'clock P. M. May 2.-Afternoon Session. At a meeting of the Committee thus appointed it was resolved, that, in the opinion of the Committee, the most appropriate had in view in their appointment, would be method of carrying into effect the objects by preparing a narrative of the event, together with a brief biographical sketch of each individual, which shall embrace a notice of the birthplace, age, place of education, when and where they derived their medical authority, where located after entering the profession, tastes and habits of The Association met pursuant to adjourn-life, if any; to what particular branch of the ment. profession devoted; what positions held in The Vice-President, Dr. U. Parsons, in the profession, either as professors, resithe absence of the President, delivered an address, which, on motion, was referred to the Committee of Publication for insertion in the Transactions. }dents or officers of Medical Societies; what literary labours, medical or otherwise, performed; what done to advance the science of Medicine; and that such narrative and biographical memoirs be published in the next volume of the Transactions of the Association. A letter from Dr. J. G. Adams, a permanent member, was read, dated Marseilles, March 19, 1854, stating that the writer had presented to the Imperial Academy of{ The Chairman and Secretary of the ComMedicine at Paris the sixth volume of their mittee beg leave to state that, although Transactions; that it has been received by they have taken measures to procure the that distinguished body with much favour, materials for preparing the Biographical and that it has been referred to a committee Memoirs, answers to all the letters of infor examination and report (M. Velpeau, quiry have not been received. In reporting Chairman). And that he (Dr. A.) had also {the above proceedings of the Committee to promised M. De Bois, perpetual Secretary the Association, they would respectfully recommend the adoption of the plan pro-ments were offered-one of which was, that posed, and suggest that they be authorized the word improper should be substituted to complete the narrative and memoirs in JOS. M. SMITH, M. D., Chairman. The following resolutions, passed at the annual meeting of the New Hampshire Medical Society, were read: At the Annual Meeting of the New) Hampshire Medical Society, holden at Concord, June 1, 1853, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : Resolved, That it is the decided opinion of the New Hampshire State Medical Society that no delegate should be admitted to membership in the American Medical Association, who represents a medical society which numbers among its members any person or persons who adopt as their system of practice any form of empiricism. Resolved, That the Secretary of this Society be instructed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretaries of each of the State Medical Societies, and to the Secretaries of the American Medical Association, previous to their next annual meeting. E. K. WEBSTER, Secretary N. H. Medical Society. Boscawen, June, 1853. Dr. Gross, of Kentucky, offered the fol. lowing resolution, which, being seconded, lies over, according to the rules of the Association, for one year : for disorderly, and that liquor and cigars shall be excluded from such entertainments. Several members advocated the adoption of the resolution without reference to what had taken place, but to provide against the practice becoming an evil in future. The resolution finally passed as amended. The Committee for the nomination of officers now appeared, and made the following report: of For President.-Charles A. Pope, M.D., Vice-Presidents.-E. D. Fenner, M. D., of Louisiana; N. S. Davis, M. D., of Illinois; William T. Wragg, M. D., of South Carolina; John Green, M. D., of Massachusetts. Secretaries.-E. S. Lemoine, M. D., of Missouri; Francis West, M. D., of Pennsylvania. Treasurer.-D. F. Condie, M. D., of Pennsylvania. The report was accepted, and the gentlemen nominated declared to be the officers of the Association. Dr. Storer, of Boston; Dr. White, of Buffalo; Dr. Brainard, of Chicago, and Dr. Reed, of Tennessee, were appointed a committee to conduct the newly-appointed offi cers to their seats on the platform. Dr. Pope was not in attendance on account of sickness in his family, and the senior Vice-President was called upon to officiate in his stead. Dr. Fenner returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him, and regretted the absence of the President. Whereas, It is of great importance to the{ harmony and good feeling of this Association, that its presiding officer should be fully acquainted with parliamentary usages, and the mode of presiding over deliberative bodies; Therefore, Resolved, That that part of the Constitution which relates to the election of officers be so amended, as that the election shall take place immediately before the adjournment of each meeting, instead of immediately after its commence-informing him of his indebtedness :— On motion of Dr. Palmer, of Ill., the city of Philadelphia was unanimously fixed upon as the place of meeting of the Association next year. ment. The following resolutions, presented by the Committee of Publication, were called up, and, after considerable discussion, adopted, with an amendment requiring the Treasurer, before erasing the name of a member for being in arrears, to send him a circular Resolved, That the sum of three dollars, Dr. Gross, of Louisville, Kentucky, also annually, be assessed upon each of the offered the following resolution :delegates to the sessions of the Association, Resolved, That it shall be considered dis- as well as upon each of its permanent memorderly for any future Committee of Ar-bers, for the purpose of raising a fund to rangements to prepare for this Association defray the expense of printing the Transaccostly entertainments. tions. The payment of this assessment Some discussion arose, and several amend-shall be required of the delegates and mem bers in attendance upon the sessions of the Association, previously to their taking their seats, and participating in the business of the session, and of all others, on or before the first day of September in each year. I behold around me so many members of a noble profession. I am grateful for the honour you have conferred upon me, and however unworthy in other respects, I will yield to none in a just appreciation of the Resolved, That each delegate and mem- lofty and noble profession of which we are ber who has paid his annual assessment, in members. In this view, gentlemen, I feel accordance with the terms of the above reso-that the honour was not so much intended lution, shall be entitled to receive a copy of for myself as for the advances made in scithe printed Transactions of the session. Resolved, That the name of no one shall be inserted or continued on the list of permanent members of the Association, who shall refuse or neglect to pay his annual assessment, in accordance with the terms of the first resolution. A resolution, adopted by the Detroit Medical Association, extending an invitation to the Association to hold its next annual meeting in Detroit, was now read. It was received and laid on the table. ence by the profession generally, in the West. For myself, I return you the thanks of a grateful heart. I will endeavour to act to the best of my abilities, and again I thank you. One of the delegates now informed the Association that Dr. Ninian Pinkney, of the United States Navy, was present, and though not one of the delegates, would be glad, if permission were granted, to address the meeting. The request was acceded to and an address was then delivered. A communication was received from the Hon. L. M. Kennett, inviting all the members of the Delegation and the Faculty of the city in general, to partake of the hospitalities of his house, in an entertainment to A communication was also read from the President of the Board having charge of the Institution of the Blind, of St. Louis, inviting the members of the Delegation to visit that Institution during their stay in the city. Dr. Atlee, on behalf of the committee to procure a stone with a suitable inscription for the monument of Washington, reported that he had adopted, at the suggestion of the lamented Dr. Pierson, of Salem, the design for the stone, representing Hippoc-be given in the evening. rates refusing the presents of King Artaxerxes, who invited him to go to Persia and succour the enemies of Greece. The sculpture was on beautiful marble, by Samuel Beck, a young artist of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, from a daguerreotype copy of Viardot's celebrated picture, presented to On motion, the Committee on Nominahim by Miss Abby L. Pierson. The exe- tions were instructed to report the several cution of the work is in the highest style of standing committees of the Association. art, and evinces extraordinary talents in the Drs. Moore, McPheeters, and Reybern, artist. The stone is of Vermont marble.extended general invitations to the members The resolution, authorizing the movement, of the Delegation to visit them at their rewas adopted at Richmond. There was a sidences. lack of funds for the accomplishment of this object to the amount of $400, and members of the Association were respectfully invited to contribute, as they felt inclined, to make up the amount. The meeting then adjourned to 9 o'clock Wednesday morning. Morning Session.-May 3. The meeting convened at 9 o'clock A. M. On motion, Dr. Charles Hooker was ap-Dr. Pope, the President, in the chair. pointed Treasurer pro tem., as the Treasurer elect was not in attendance. A gentleman now announced to the meeting that Dr. Pope, the President elect, was in the room. Two of the committee appointed for that purpose then escorted the President to the chair. He addressed the Association in a few remarks, as follows: GENTLEMEN: There are occasions when the mouth is dumb, because the heart is full. Such I feel my present position, when The minutes of the previous meeting were read, amended, and then adopted. The names of several delegates, who had registered since yesterday, were reported. On motion, it was Resolved, That the Association adjourn the afternoon session at 4 o'clock P. M. Dr. Atlee, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, moved that the memorial from the members of the American Medical Society of Paris to the American Medical Association, be read and referred to the Committee of Medical Education, which motion carried. The memorial is as follows: Memorial of the American Medical Society of Paris, to the American Medical Asso ciation : We, the members of the American Medical Society of Paris, beg, through our delegates, to present the following Memorial: branches of a medical education that can only be acquired by attendance upon lectures are best taught. All of which is respectfully submitted to the consideration of the Association. DR. HAMMER, St. Louis, The President announced the reading and consideration of the annual reports of committees would now be in order. The committees were accordingly called, as follows: Dr. D. F. Condie, of Philadelphia, on the Causes of Tubercular Disease, was not prepared to report, and requested further time. Dr. Geo. B. Wood, of Philadelphia, on Diseases of Parasitic Origin, not being present, had sent a verbal request to be discontinued. His request was accordingly granted. Epidemics of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, not being prepared to make a full report, requested to be continued on the same committee. Dr. D. J. Cain, of Charleston, S. C., on Epidemics of South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, read an abstract of his report. It was referred to the Committee on Publication. The National Association of the United States has had its origin mainly from the consciousness felt by physicians of the low state of medical education in our country, and from the desire, universally entertained by them, of elevating the standard of the medical profession. We, by our sojourn abroad, from our intercourse with those educated here, have become more painfully conscious of our infirmities and deficiencies at home, and for this reason beg leave once more to urge upon the Association the ne. Dr. John A. Atlee, of Lancaster, Fa., on cessity of a change. While acknowledging, however, the superiority of education in Europe, we are far from desiring to arrive at equality by imitating their methods. We, therefore, beg to urge the following plan for the consideration of the Association: That in each State there be appointed by the Medical Society of the State a Board of Examiners, which Board shall be chosen every year from members of the Society, Dr. W. L. Sutton, of Georgetown, Ky., and which shall perform its duties the fol- on Epidemics of Tennessee and Kentucky. lowing year in the place, and immediately He had made a partial report, but of such before the sitting of the State Medical So- meagre materials that he requested to be ciety; that their examinations be public, continued. His report was referred to the and that every one, whomsoever may ap. Committee of Publication when ready. ply, shall be introduced by a member of the Dr. George Mendenhall, of Cincinnati, Society; and that no one can hereafter be- Ohio, on the Epidemics of Ohio, Indiana, come a member of the State Medical So- and Michigan. He presented a report for cieties, nor of the American Medical Asso- the years 1852 and 1853, of which he read ciation, who has not the certificate of hav-a brief abstract. The report was referred ing satisfactorily passed such an examina- to the Committee on Publication with the tion. As to the qualifications to be required request to have it published in the proceedof the candidate, we do not think it advisa. {ings of the present year. ble to enter into particulars. They should not, however, believe in any peculiar doc. trines or methods; no certificates of attendance upon courses of lectures should be ne-bers of the Association would duly record cessary, but solely the possession of the necessary amount of medical knowledge to practice his profession with safety and honour. This plan in no way interferes with the established schools; its effect upon them could only be salutary. Students would attend thos institutions where those Drs. Palmer and Atlee each spoke at some length of the great and lasting good that might be accomplished if all the mem their individual experience of epidemics, and report all such cases to the Chairman of the Committees. Dr. Atlee had been two years Chairman of such a committee, and during that time had only received two such reports-one from New York, and a partial one from Pennsylvania. He stated |
