The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-07-06
ADDISON COUNTY MEDICAL So

1847, at O'Clock P. NJ.
After reading the proceedings of the last
meeting the Society proceeded to the cleo
ton of officers, when the following persons
were chosen, viz:
A. BRADFoRD, M. D., Vergennes, Pres't.
w. P. RUSSELL, M. D., Mddlebury, Vice
| President,
c. L. ALLEN, NJ. D., Middlebury, sec'y.
c. BULLARD, M. D.. Weybridge, Treasurer.
P. MAxFIELD, NJ. D., Vergennes, Libra
| rian,
E. D. WARNER, M. D., N. Haven, co,
L. NJ. KENT, NJ. D., Lincoln. SUITS
] In accordance with rule of the society
requiring the presiding officer to give an
address at the close of each year, DIR. ]. A.
Allen read the following which was reques-
ted for publication:
| GENTLEMEN
| Ii is now five years since
the Addison County Medical Society was
organized In its present form. During this
period twenty meetings have been held, gen
orally well sustained by the attendance of the
members.
Many facts, highly interesting TO the pro-
lesion, and consequently useful TO the pub
lie, have been presented at our sessions.
Much valuable Information has been elected
by onr discussions and we have every reas-
on to believe that not a member has failed OF
adding TO his general stock Of practical
knowledge.
/ In addition to these advantages, valuable
acquaintance have been formed; gener
Gus, elevated and kind professional feelings
promoted, Many of these endearmenIs
will reciprocally remain among our men,
bers until the closing period of their eXIs-
tence. Jealousy, suspicion and want Of con-
fdence have almost entirely been removed
from our ranks. Our members meet as
friends. Consultations now,in lieu of being
} objects OF pickering, are generally desired,
and usually, by the mutual and kind expires
) sion OF opinion, result benefciay to the
sick.
, Twenty-nine regularly educated medical
practitioners have added their names to oul
Constitution and Bye-Laws. OF these one
a has Withdrawn, one has deceased, and FIVE
| have removed from the Stale. OF The re-
! mainder, twenty, at least, may be relied up
ON as active and efficient members There
are seventeen or eighteen, who claim to be
S regularly educated physicians within; the
S county, that have not united with our asso-
I citation. Ofthese five or six do little OF no
professional business Consequently, full.
tico thirds Of the active practitioners in the
county are embraced in our organization.
The objects for which we have associated
I ale to promote knowledge of medical sci
ence and friendly intercourse among the
members.
This last design we have seen most salts
? fictorily and agreeIby accomplished.
BY the adoption of the former Of these
2 principles we have not laid ourselves under
: any oppressive or new obligation. Every
2 medical student, on commencing the study
: of our profession, tacitly and avowedly pledg-
: es himself to do all in his power to promote a
knowledge of medicine 10 himself, and, 50
far as his influence extends, throughout the
profession /; and this, not merely during his
, puplage, but through his whole life. This
is duty every medical man has taken upon
himself voluntarily.
To stand before the public as physician is
not small orunimpoitant concern. Ii i'm
J plies an obligation Of the most serious and
solemn character. Ii implies seriously, tho
tacitly, that, whenever we are called upon TO
administer TO the relief Of the sick. we shall
adopt the best course of practice which all
the wisdom Of preceding ages, and improve
ments of the present time shall admit. In
medical ethics it is not sufficient TO say, we
have done the best Ue could. We must have
done the best the experience and practical
advancement at the time will afford.
Without continual drilling Of the MIND on
the Improvements which are constantly being
made in the practice oil every department oil
medicine, aided by constant and daily ex-
periepce and observation, / aver, and do
j, as most solemn truth, TINT no man can
practice medicine with rational satisfaction TO
| himself or with Justice to his patients. he
man indeed be satisfied with himself, but IT
| will be The satisfaction ofignorance. In re-
gard to justice, it finds no placeln such pro-
ceedure.
From these facts, land many others of an
analogous character might be sdduced did
time permt,) the conclusion appears 10 me
seIf.evident, that the medical practitioner
who studied 80, 20, 10 or even years ago,
and has not since kept himself well-informed
of the improuementS. has not discharged his
duty TO himself, TO his profession, or to the
pnblic.
Now the meetings Of our society have
direct tendency TO promote knowlege oil Inc
medical Improvements among eacn olhet
and they have in good degree, accomplished
this desirable object. They have led to more
intense reelection, close observation and Grill
cal reading The cases reported at our sess-
ions plainly show the truth of this asser-
ton. IL
In conclusion 1 will simply give the senti-
ments of DR.. A. T. Thompson, addressed to !
the council of the University OF London,wiIh {
which fully accord. s
Il am of an opinion says he, that the
moment practitioner ceases TO be student
he is no longer worthy the confidence oil me
public: and that the life of a physician can
only be truly useful and honorable when It is {
unremittingIy employed in study, in deter
mining the truth oftheoretical opinions opin- :
ions BY observations, and in proving the val {
ue of practical suggestions by the test of ex- t
perlence.'
DR.. Russell reported an autopsy stomach