The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-18
Meeting ~ tho New York Academy u
MeAiclne-The ChelerA Again.

ARoQ)O0rDeQ m0euD8 OF me Acsoomy OF 8oonotno
was held at Convention Hall Tuesday evening last
The Prssident DR.. Morr, took the chair, and called
the meeting to order ct O'Clock, when the roll
called and the minutes Of the last meeting read and
approved. The Academy then ON motion, and after
an informal discussion Of some business which had
been transacted ct the previous meeting, resolved
itself into Committee Of the WHOLE to continue the
discussion Of tho subject Of choisra-Dr. GALES CAa-
TEA in the chair.
The minutes Of the last meeting Of the committee
were then road and approved, when the chairman de-
cared the business in order be the consideration Of
Drake
DR.. PHELPS spoke to the question Of contsgion and
commended that the profession In possession Of
sufficient evidence to justify the cenelHson that the
dsease not contagious was thoroughly CON
WINGED himself, that II not So
were rssu.r The
the report which had been referred tot and consider
the same by sections
buttons to be in order and In answer to question
from nber declared that subsiltu TO tho sub.
stitute before them would likewise be in order
Dr.. STEWART then and said that he was desi.
rous that this eubect should be dsposed ~ for tho
present ard in such manner that they should not
DO committed by formal expression Of opinion .
matter which 1t impossible decide either way, at
the present time He quoted from British writer,
rope as an open ono, and asserted that Of the
most eminent ply sicians OF Dublin had ranged
OOQtaglOnlBtD. 3,
concluded his remarks by Offering the following pre-
smbs and resolutions, a. substitute for all those be-
"Whersss, circumstances have occurred In eonneo-
ton with the origin and mode OF propagation Of the dis
ease known Asiatic spasnode cholera and parti
ct the Quarantine on Staten Island, at the city Of
New Orleans and In the western country which are
nOs ana a snd Which
ant information In regard to the manner In which the
disease Is communicated; and,
WharA thAro IL oh>N -
danger from with those abering under the
mpaint-Therefore,
this Academy to pronounce at the present time any
positive opinion in regard to the contagious or nom
contagious nature of cholera
''ResOlved, That the Academy will, from time to
Time continue the discussion of the question Of
tsgon, and that the "Comm ittee Public Health" be
instructed to prosecute their aud obtain
oil available information relation subject, to
be reported to this body occasion may present.
"Resolved, That 1t IL imperative all who may be
called to attend upon those suffering from
seek honestly and truly to fulfil their duty for, be.
OF Christian obligations. experience has oonclusvsly
shown that such diligently snd dis
charge this obligation with calm mind ans trustful
reliance in Divine protection much less liable
the ravages Of the disease than those Who actuated
by fears for personal safety prove rscreant to
these who stand in need Of constant care and
mitting attention"
Dr. FnANcIs arose and said that he should most
heartily second the preamble and resolutions which
had just been presented, rs they appeared to him
grsPple with every pent in question that it DO
possible to decide a. the present time. He
tely opposed the Academy attempting to settle BY
formal vote question which considered by ali
Learned bodies who had ned It, as being still an
open Eminent individuals had certainly ex-
pressed their opinions IN decided manner both pro
and con and this he thought was right; he had he
station in declaring 1t to be his sincere conviction
that the disease under consideration contagious;
he had always maintained this opinions but there were
was altogether unwilling this learned body should
express hastily and without additional light and q
profound consideration of the subject an opin.
ion which might eventually prove to be ana
render them liable to just oensure
Dr.. MAHLEr said that he should not oppose the
luticn although he considered that it quite tie
to take action the main question. The public had
become interested in the matter through the puboa
tons that had been made Of the proceedings and 1t
due to them to show that had opinions of our
own which were founded reason and facts, and
which could maintain. His worthy friend, the last
speaker ODE Francis had been early and
q consistent advocate for contagion; hence he
could not be expected to change his ground Stl he
(Dr ny differed with him, and could not perceive the
shadow of reason in favor Of that doctrine He was
and expected to continue, an anti contsgionist.
Dr. DRAKE, the mover Of the original resolutions for
which those OF Dr. Stewart substitute said that
he ehould vote for the substitute although he did
think that his own propositions correctly under
stood. His preamble and resolutions merely rected
circumstance connected with the disease which had
recently prevailed which he thought should be placed
greatly aid the settlement Of the question Of
He regarded this discussion purely scientific one
and differed from the last speaker in thinking thsthe
public generally had nothing ct all to do with It, ct
least until had arrived ct own conclusions and
thought proper to communicate the result.
The question on the resolutions called
for, and having been acted upon separately the pre-
amble and the two nrst resolutions unsnimously
adopted The last resolution laid upon the table,
and then on motion Of the mover the fnal clause Of
the preamble was likewise ordered to be omitted.
The committee then rose, and the president having
resumed his seat the chairman stated that he in
structed to report recomme dstion to the Academy
to adopt the resolutions which had been agreed to BY
the committee and refer the report cholera the
Committee on Publication The report, motion,
AdeYssa, and the committee Of the whole disoha
This business being thus disposed Of, Dr. j. P. BAT.
cHELDKR read paper; after which Dr. B. w. Mo.
CREADY appointed by tho president to examine and
report upon the merits Of new disinfscting AGENT
which had been submitted by Mr.. wis Feuohtwanger
The secretary read letter from DR.. j. B BECK, who
had been elected ct previous meeting to deliver the
anniversary oration returning thanks for the honor
conferred upon him. but declining to serve The rssg
nation was accepted, and the Academy decided to 60
into the election Of orator ct Its next regular
Ing and ordered that al the gentlemen who had been
previously nominated should Be considered % osndi-
dates for the once. The meeting then adjourned