The New York herald., 1850-05-18

THE ANNUAL coNvENTIoN-THE MEETING AT CT


American Medical Association, was held in Gin
cinnat, on the 7th inst. This institution was or
ganized four years since, for the purpose of uniting
together the whole medical profession ofthe United
States, and is modelled somewhat after the British
Association for the Promotion of Science The
movement originated in New York. and appears to
have been seconded throughout the country; for
on the present. as on former occasions nearly every
State in the Union has been represented by the
most able members of its faculty. The time of the
meetings is taken up in the discussion of medical
subjects, and the reading of reports from commit
tees appointed at the preceding anniversary. So
far, these assemblages have been conducted in
perfect harmony, and the results already obtained
have produced highly beneficial effect upon the
profession, and upon the subject of medical educa-
ton, to elevate which is one of the prominent OBJ
ie.ts of the organization
TIL first regular meeting was held at Baltimore,
the second at Boston, and that of this year in the
Western capital. One of the Southern cities, or
perhaps New York, will be selected as the place of
meeting for 1851.
The first day of the present meeting was devoted
TO business details, and the examination of the
credentials of delegates. The College Hall, which
had been appropriated to the use of the convention,
filled at an early hour, and many ladies Were
in attendance, to witness the proceedings.
DR.. WARREN, of Boston, the President, took the
chair, and delivered an interesting opening address,
which was listened to with much attention, an cx-
tract Of which we annex, from the Cincinnati
Gazette. The Secretary then announced the names
OF the delegates in attendance and the States which
they represented. There were besides these,
many permanent members in attendance, and re-
presentaves from the medical corps of the army
and navy. Several delegates presented themselves
on the succeeding days, who had been prevented
from arriving in time for the opening of the session.
Much important business has been transacted at
the present meeting, and most of the annual re-
ports received with the highest satisfaction.
The one which excited most discussion, and in
which the members seemed to take the greatest
interest, was that on medical education. Ii was by
no means satisfactory TO majority OF the meeting
however, and was considered as very defective,
when compared with the comprehensive and
elegant report of the committee of last year
on the same subject; which latter, by the
by, was from, the pen. of one of our own
eminent New York physicians. The gentlemen
who seemed TO take most interest in this question,
and who spoke on the subject, were Doctors
Batchford, of New York; Parish, of Philadelphia;
Amman, OF kentucky; Morris, of Pennsylvania;
Edwards, Of Ohio; Stevenson, of New York; Davis,
Of Chicago; Duke, Drake, and Warren.
[From the Cincinnati Gazette, May o.
Several hundred eminent physicians, from all parts
Of the Union are proportion in M which , shs
the organization OF the meeting appearing from list
read by the Secretary to be as follows :.
New Hampshire, two; Vermont, one; Massachusetts,
seventeen Rhode Island, three Connecticut four
New York. eighteen; New Jersey, four Pennsylvania
North Carolina, two; South Carolina, two Georgia, one
Alabama three; Louisiana, one; Tennessee four; Ken
fiftecn: Illinois. six; Missouri, two: iowa one
The President, Doctor WARHyS, in opening his
TO sSs to was od
themselves in this great city Of the West. From
an carly period, those who occupied the shores Of
the Atlantic contemplated the rising glory Of this
part Of the country with the deepest interest-aud
now rccollectng the period when the early settlers
passed the mountains and rivers and had to
tend with all the tribulaions Of savage It was
especially delightful to survey the peculiar advantages
distinguishing this peaceful, happy and rich country
brethren OF the West the interests Of great and
useful profession Though scattered over an immense
region OF country their efforts hitherto In the i'm
provoment of medical science or the advancement OF
other objects contemplated by the association, were
the representation Of the whole country they might,
by a united force. employed with harmonious and ju-
l;" sc,l0n % e.ecs M .;r TO sns pro
xrpsn.ey II was one of the great sdvantagss hi:
upon similar principles, II any such there were.
bring together the Of and dis
other and no conceived that they had different feel
ings interests and wshcs but when broush together
found that they were the interests and one
II was his duty that occasion to call the attention
OF the association TO various subjects Of business lie
tns honor OF receiving letter from the distn
washington. requesting the cooperation Of the
secation In tho collection Of medical statistics of
the country and remarking that III this association
should decide TO hold Of their conventions in
the city Of Washington, that the rooms of the
smithsonian Institute should be opened to their
reception. 1t was also desired that the associa-
tion thould be informed that a foreign gentleman
Ind made application varou. individuals in this
country for the parposc Of collecting statistics on an
Important physiological phenomenon, and 1T was con-
oeved desirable that application should be made to
ltopt h.
IL was desired too that there should be a rcconsidc
ration OF the privileges OF permanent members. lie
that had been made by developing the extraordinary
sorhiscations Of those drugs and medcines on which
h.y rcid Tor the restoration Of their health aud the
health OF thcir patients There labors in eonnect
With this subject would be contnucd aud the associs
m, y. ~ last mesuns directed him to address two
committee for the purpose OF In, the sophs
tlestiens of medicines introduced into the country
or such as having been introduced had been poisoned
afterwards He had also, by direction Of the assoca.
ton forwarded letter to the committee phsrmscy
Of the city Of Philadelphia. encouraging them pro-
ceed In work they bad already commenced Of pre-
pairing simple rules to enable tho public detect the
sophistications Of the most common articles Of me.
dicne. The President proceeded to remark that
many vast changes had taken place in the prin-
period he had named; and Lcrinnins With iIan.
ter at the close Of the last century and Bi-
chat at the commencement of this and considering
them rs having laid the foundation tho great prnc
pies Of the medical art he proceeded then
steps Of their disciples (mentioning many prominent
ment which hhy years ago could have antci. |
paicd After cnumcrating the foreign luminaries OF
the profession. the President toned the American
physcians-Physick (of Philadclpha) IIosack Post,
smith, lof New Haven smons, (of south Carolinal
prorsey and Randolph lie should pass over all
these and direct their notice TO some OF the most
Important improvements that had enlightened and |
characterized the last hall century - in which |
they had introduced teno;omy lithotomy, the ap-
llcation Of the microscope. water, and of ether,
TO surgical and medical practice. With respect /
10 cold water. IL was 90 valuable. necessary. so
beautiful agent that Il would not lie wonderful II an
enthusiast were TO he excited In it's favor; but such
was not Its rcpute In the early part of his practice
when " was not permitted to In contact with the
whole person. and often excluded from the sick
chamber. But there were fashions in medicine. and
lately the fashion In this respect had changed lie re-
collected when IL vas fashionable to give cnloriel in
almost ell diseases in all ages in both sexes when
person had cold he took grain Of caloe and when
attacked with evcr, the phys ordered him from
one to one huniredi and notwithstanding the hcrri-
ole ccnsequences which 40 frequently presented them
selves The practice had been continued TO lat. ne
rod young practitioner In those DAYS would not |
dare to goino consultation, and admit that he had
used no ealome In case of typhoid fever. Nov. It
had been proved by eminent men that typhoil fever