The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1786-09-11 00:00:00, page 1

Mr. Collins, , ;
I HAVE been lately favoured with a copy of the ;
instrument of association and constitution of thel
New-Jersey Medical Society, which I fend yob
for publication—Accident led me to be present I
at New-Brunswick, where their last general meet-/
ing was held: The number and refpedability ofl
the characters met; the decency and social harmony |
which appeared in their deliberations ; the several unu
sual and difficult cases submitted for their examination ,
and advice ; and the ready and benevolent attention
and treatment shewn them—gave me so favourable an
impression of this institution, that I was led to an enquiry
into its rife and present Rate. A member has been pleaf
cd, at my particular request, to furnifh me with the en-;
closed transcript from their journals. I shall forbear
any comment on its constitution, although the objects
which the society have in view are highly praise-wor
thy, since the very beneficial purposes resulting from
such an association, to themselves and to the publick,
must be obvious to every person. The society con
fids of upwards of thirty members at the present time,
who meet half-yearly on the f-ft Tuesdays in May
and November, and alternately at New-Brunswick and
Princeton. The legislature, at the solicitation of the
society, have so far patronifed and aided their views,
as to regulate, by a publick ad, the practice of phyfick
and surgery within the date, thereby preventing any,
but such as, upon an examination, are found fufficient
ly qualified, from pradifing within the fame. It were
sincerely to be wished, that similar institutions and laws
existed in all the dates, as well for the promotion, ho
nour and dignity of the science itfelf, as to pievent
the many impositions on the publick from ignorant
quacks and pretenders.
Your's,
Philadelphus.
Narrative of the rife and efcablifoment of the New-Jer
sey Medical Society.
THE low date of medicine in New-Jersey, and the
many difficulties and difeouragements, alike inju
rious to the people and the physician, under which it
has hitherto laboured, and which still continue to op
pose its improvement in utility to the publick, and its
advancement to its native dignity, having for several
years past engrossed the attention of some gentlemen
of the profeffion, and occasionally been the fubjed of
their conversation, it was early in the winter of 1765-6
determined to attempt some measures of rescuing the art
from that abjed condition (not to fay worse) into which
it seemed too fall to decline. To this end a legilla
tive interposition appeared, in the firlt place, greatly
to be desired, and an application for that favour was
proposed ; but in this it was necessary to have the con
currence of the principal practitioners, and as many
other persons of weight and influence as possible: A
voluntary association, therefore, of such gentlemen of
the faculty as might approve of the design, was next
projected —A society of this kind, it was thought, be
sides considering of a proper application to the legisla
ture, and promoting it most effectually, could, in the
mean-time, take such measures as were of immediate
importance, and form such voluntary regulations as
would greatly conduce to the ufefulnefs and honour of
medicine: And should the legislature, in their wisdom,
think it not expedient to interfere, it might, in a great
degree, answer the purposes of a more authoritative
eftablifhment —not to mention, that whether under a
law or otherwise, a medical society, well conducted,
would naturally derive credit on the profeffion, and
ever be of the highest advantage, both to the publick,
and to the several members. With these good views
the'annexed advertisement was inserted in the New-
York Mercury :
' A considerable number of the practitioners of phy
' sick and surgery, in East New-Jersey, having agreed
' to form a society for their mutual improvement, the
' advancement of the profeffion, and the promotion of
' the publick good, and desirous of extending, as much
'as possible, the ufefulnefs of their scheme, and of
' cultivating the utmost harmony and friendship with
' their brethren, hereby request and invite every gen
' tieman of the profeffion in the province, that may
' approve of their design, to attend their firft meeting,
6 which will be held at Mr. Duff's, in the city of New
' Brunswick, on Wednesday the 23d July, at which
' time and place the constitution and regulations of the
* society are to be fettled and fubferibed.
East New-Jersey, June 27, 1766.'
In confeqnence of this, a large body of the most
refpedable practitioners in the eastern division of the
province met on the day appointed at New-Brunswick,
where they formed themselves into a standing focietv,
and voluntary incorporation, according to the follow
ing plan:|
NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
Vol. IX.]
TRENTON: Printed by ISAAC COLLIN S, Printer to the State.
MO ND A Y, September 11, 1786.
WHEREAS medicine, comprehending properly
phyfick and surgery, is one of the most ufeful
sciences to mankind, and, at the fame time, one of
the most difficult to be attained, so much so, that in
deed perfection therein is perhaps never to be acquired :
The iongeft life spent in the pursuit always finding
something new to occur, and lamenting, something Rill
wanting to perfect the art : And as every means, there
fore, that will tend to enlarge the Rock of knowledge
and experience of the pursuer of this science, should
be eagerly fought after and prosecuted: And whereas
among gentlemen of particular towns, neighbour
hoods or diftrids, who have been already initiated
in the healing arts, and engaged in the practice, no
thing seems better adapted to such a desirable end than
a friendly correspondence and communication of sen
timent, especially if united in a well-regulated society :
The improvements of each, either from study or ob
servation, being by this method diffufed to many and
each member, and the publick being thereby es
sentially benefited, exclusive of the pleasures of social
intercourse, and the many ufeful refinements that might
flow from thence: And whereas further considerable
advantages from societies of this kind, properly insti
tuted, might frequently arise, particularly where the
laws or custom had not established necessary regulati
ons refpeding the admission of candidates, the due
rewards for practitioners' services, the maintenance of
the dignity of the profeffion, and the security of the
public!: trom impositions, and the like, it being in such
cases, till better remedies be provided, in the power
of a society, including the reputable practitioners of
a city, county, or larger diftri^t, to do much for the
advancement of their art, and the interest of the peo
ple among whom they reside.
Moved by sentiments of this kind, and with th^
most upright and sincere intentions of promoting the
above-mentioned and other good purposes, we the
fubferibers, practitioners of phyfick and surgery in
New-Jersey, now Ambled, have agreed to form our
selves, and do hereby form and unite ourselves into an
amicable and brotherly society, to be called and known
by the name of The New-Jersey Medical Society ; and
for the better carrying our laid good designs into exe
cution, have voluntarily and unanimously contented
to, ratified and confirmed the following articles or
laws, as the fundamental constitution of our associati
on, which constitution we do hereby engage, each for
himfelf, to the whole, and to one another, as far as possi
ble inviolably to observe, and fully to submit to as
obligatory on us:
1. That we will never enter any house in quality of
our profeffion, nor undertake any case, either in phy
fick or surgery, but with the purest intentions of giving
the utmost relief and assistance that our art shall enable
us, which we will diligently and faithfully exert for
that purpose.
^° That we will at all times, when desired, be ready
to consult, or be consulted by any of our brethren, in
any case submitted to us, and that in all cases where
we conceive difficulty, and circumstances will admit,
we will advise and recommend such consultation.
3. That we will not pretend to, or keep secret any
nostrum, or fpecifick medicine of any kind, as being
inconsistent with the generous spirit of the profeffion
but will at all times be ready to disclose and commu
nicate to any member of this society any difeovery or
improvement we have made in any matter receding
the healing art ; particularly we each engage, that we
will, in all consultations, openly, freely, candidly, and
l ' teferve, give to each other our sincere opinion
of the case, and of the means we think most likely to
effect a cure.
4. That we will, on all occasions, treat one another
as becomes the medical character, and that each of us
will refpedively do our utmost to maintain harmony
a ? d , brotherly affection in this society, to promote the
ufefulnefs of it both to the profeffion and the publick
and at all times to support this institution, and ad-'
vance the dignity of medicine.
5. That as we have separated ourselves to an office
of benevolence and charity, we will always most
readily and cheerfully, when applied to, assist gratis,
by all the means in our power, the distressed, poor and
indigent, m our refpeftive neighbourhoods, who may
have no legal maintenance and support from their coun
n Where such legal provision takes place, there
we shall expert a reasonable reward from the particu
lar town or country to which such poor may belong.
6. That we will hold meetings twice every year'at
such time and place as the majority shall determine, at
which meetings all matters not hereafter excepted, or
agreed to be otherwise particularly decided, shall be
determined by a majority of votes, every member
meeting on an equal footing ; and each of us for him
Injirument of Association and Constitution of the "New-
Jersey Medical Society.
THE
*." a general meeting in November, 1768, the fol
lowing minute appears :
< ^r^d that in future, any member absenting
, from thrce general meetings fueceffively of
, , thls , fo ' et y, without giving fatisfaclory reasons for
c his .0 doing, fliall be no longer deemed a member of
this board, and their names shall be erased out of the
records of the proceedings of this fociety.'
T At a general meeting in May, 1767, it was enadfed
that, to prevent as much as possible all unworthy can
& didates impeding on this society, it is agreed, that no
candidate be hereafter admitted as a member unless
, recommended by one or more of this body, or some
rdpedablc praditioner known to some member of
6 this society, and submit himfelf to such examination as
the society shall judge necessary?
felf engages punctually to attend the said half-yearly
meetings while he continues an inhabitant of this pro
vince, under a penalty by mulct or fine, which is now
done away.*
7th Article or law relates to the eflabli/bment of Sub
ordinate associations or societies, which, being found
inconvenient, is also done away.
8. That, at the half-yearly or general meetings, al!
such further laws and regulations as may, from time
to time, be judged expedient or necessary for promot
ing the good purposes of the society, shall be consti
tuted and established; and that the society will then
take into consideration all such other matters as rnav
come before them, cither from the several inferior so
cieties, which are to be esteemed as so many branches
of this body, or be proposed by individuals in any
other proper way, and will proceed in such manner
therein as they shall deem most advaucive of the designs
of this institution.
9. That, for the better regulating the society's pro
ceedings at their general meetings, a President shall be
chosen by a majority of votes, who shall take order in
all matters to be difeuffed in the society according to
the custom of publick bodies, collect the votes on a
division, and declare the sense of the board, and do
luch other things as belong to that office; and tha fr
the said President shall continue in office during two
half-yearly meetings, and until the opening of the next
fucceedmg general meeting, when a new election shall
take place for the choice of a President for the year
following.'
10 ; That there shall, in the fame manner and for
the lame term, be appointed a secretary, who shall
by the President's direction, take minutes of the so
ciety s proceedings, and enter them fairly into a book
to be purchafedl for that purpose at the general expence ;
c r fir ' ~ a PP° inted secretary shall, in the front
b ?°° ^ fairly en h r rofs this injirument
of association, and brief narrative of its rife ; and that
the said book of proceedings, &c. shall be carefully
kept and preserved by the several succeeding secreta
ries for the use of this society, every member being
entitled to free access to it as often as he mav thii±
proper. '
ntb Article or law relates to the appointment and
duty of a treafarer—now done away, as no mulcts or
Jines are imposed.
I, That an extraordinary general meeting may on
particular occasions, be called by the President for' the
time being, with the concurrence of any five other
members, on giving by the secretary (who in such case
is to obey) fourteen days previous notice, and th^t
each member, so notified, shall attend such extraor
dinary general meeting, under the fame penalties with
thole of the ordinary half-yearly meetings.
13. That any gentleman, hereafter desiring to be
come a member of this society, shall, at least one
month before some general meeting, fignify his inten
tion to the secretary for the time being, who shall
immediately notify the fame to the several members
and the laid candidate shall then, at the ensuing meet !
ing, be regularly balloted for by means of squares and
triangles, or such other device as may be agreed on
and if, upon examining the ballots, it shall appear that
three fourths of the members present voted in the af
fii mative, he shall be declared a member, otherwise
not.
14. That this society shall not be dissolved but bv
c °? cur r,ce of seven-eighths of the whole body
. L^y- That this society will do all in their power
to discourage and difeountenance all quacks, mounte
banas, impostors, or other ignorant pretenders to me
\ 'V' a f c ° uirt ' fu PP°rt or patronife
any but thofc who have been regularly initiated into
medicine, either at some university or under the di
region of some able matter or masters, or who, bv the
ft ^y of the theory and practice of the art, have other
wise qualified themselves to the fatisfadion of this
society, for the exercise of the profeffion.
Given under our hands at the city of New-Bruns
wick, the 23d day of July, 1766.
[Numb. 435.]