The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-04-05
LOCAL MATTERS.

MEDICAL SocIETY OF VrRGiNIA.-Ihis
society held fs auBuals meeting yesterday at IL
oclock IN ts hall corner OF 18th aud Main streets.
The meeting WAS called to order 81 the Preel
dent, DR.. THOMAS P. ATKINSON OF Danyilie, who
proceeded to deliver the annual address prepared
by himself for the occasion.
He commenced by making. an appropriate and
feeling allusion to the death OF DR. Lewis w.
Chnmberlayne his 'sancient friend and beloved
classmate, and one of the most valued fellows Of
the society" He proceeded then, to notice the OBJ
iect of the meeting The character and acquire
unents and professional ability of medical men, al
though so closely interviewer with public welfare,
are looked upon with ms much Indifference as II 1t
were a thing Of no moment whether those
to whom they entrust the most precious of all earth
~ interests are well qualified to receive the trust
are pretenders and quacks. This, said Dr. A. s man.
iested by the neglect which appeals for Legislative
redress, have met at the hands of the Representa-
tives ofthe people. Upon this point he enlarged at
some length, remarking that 1--WE have nothing to
expect frem the Legislature. Let us look to our
selves, to our own unaided efforts for the accom-.
plshnlent of the great object which desire to at
tain" And in order to accomplish this object, it
would be necessary to reform public opinion, to lay
before the people such evidence of the evils under
which they suffer under the existing order of things
"a will cause them to demand what the medical pro-
fession has long been soliciting.
He alluded also to the popular falacy that an in.
dividual who has not sense enough for any other
profession, may be manufactured into first rate
physician He commended that it required talents
of the very highest ORDER and commented upon
this position with much force He claimed for
medicine an Importance above all other callings,
and asserted the conviction that it is graced by
many minds of the highest order; yet admitted
that the prevalence of the absurd idea above allu
ded to had caused the profession to be encountered
with the refugees from every trade and occupation
known among men. They had multiplied to such
extent that they inclined to the belief that
they should exercise controlling influence over
the destinies of the profession In the language of
Dryden
Mere refugees at first they enter here,
And soon as denizened they domneer."
The Doctor hoped, however, that they would not
be able to retard the progress of those great re-
forms which are demanded by the best interests of
the community. He pursued this branch of the
subject, |. e. medical education, at considerable
length laying down with much force and beauty
those adornments which are necessary, in order
that man may become great physician. He il.
iustrated his topic with appropriate anecdotes and
completely demonstrated the necessity of a rare
combination Of mental faculties in him who would
enter the medical profession.
DR.. A. would not attempt to point out remedy
which would promise speedy and sure relief and
raise the profession to that proud emnence which
deserved to occupy. Legislative action will afford
no relief, while he good sense of the people has so
often failed in time past as to give but little
'we should not utterly despair. Although we NAV
not be able to do much for the present generation
we may set ON foot reform which, reaching into the
future may earn for us posthumous fame, and draw
on when we shall have passed away, the blessings
of grateful posterity." While he could not hope 10
rid the profession of quacks, who by their wonderful
legerdenain cure all cases of congenital blindness OF
deafness and who promise speedy relief to those for
whose natural organs Of sight of glass have been
substituted much might be done by discouraging and
discountenancing ignorance and incompetence. He
also counselled the welding of such influence as
the country to induce them to elevate their stand
ard OF education. and encourage only those which
adopt the highest grade. In this connection he spoke
He alluded to the Medical Journal recently esta.
blished, from which much was to be expected in
elevatng the condition of medicine in our State.
In view of the heterogeneous elements which had
unfortunately crept into the profession. perfect har-
mony was not to be expected; but if he were to
most coniding friendship, he would expect to find
them among members of the medical profession,
who, distinguishing between honorable competition
and low rivalry are prone to acknowledge each other
as brethren engaged in the God-lke mission of
ministerng to the heath and comfort of sick and
suffering world In conclusion, the Doctor said
"Let us, gentlemen, be careful to cherish within
our own bosoms and to encourage in Others this
generous and exalted principle, that instead of giving
rise to the disparaging remark See how these Doc
tors differ intercourse with each other NAV sup
eest to the minds of all observers the sentiment Of
the Psalmist, Behold how good and how pleasant it
is for brethren to dwell together in unity"
When the President had concluded his very int.
resting address, DR.. r. w. HAXALL moved that the
thanks of the Society be rendered the President,
and that copy of his remarks be requested for
publication, which, on being put to the vote was
carried in the affirmative.
DR.. HAxALL called on the Committee of Fellow.
ship for report.
DR.. w. D.. HAsKrNs being the only one of the
committee then present, reported the following
named gentlemen az candidates for membership in
the society, all of whom were unanimously elected,
viz DR.. ]. ]. TERRELL of Henrico BLAIR Bur
WELL of Richmond, A. C. Drew of Richmond.
EDWARD A. COLE of Orange THOMAS GoRDoN of
Essex, WIN. H. MILNER of Richmond, ARcHIBA1D
A. GRAHAM of Lexington, THOMAS C. GORDON of
Tappahannock and JOHN l.. Wool FOLK of Orange.
The President then called for a report from the
Committee on Prize Essays.
DIR. r. w. HAxALL, as chairman of that Commit
tee, reported that but two essays had been received
by them within the appointed time, and that the
committee were unanimously in favor of awarding
the prize to long and able one on the Treatment
of Intermittent Fever" The note accompanying
this essay broken open when it was ascer
tanned that DR.. J. F. PEBBLES of Petersburg was
the author
DR.. P. C. GoocH moved to have the ESSAY read.
DR.. HAXALL opposed the motion, on account of
the length OF the ESSAY; and the question heinz
taken, it was lost
motion was next made and concurred in. that
the report of the committee be adopted.
DR.. HAXALL moved that the Prize Essay be placed
in the hands of the publishing committee of the
Society's journal-"The Stethoscope"-and also to
have extra sheets of it struck off for circulation in
pamphlet form. Carried.
The Treasurers report was next called for.
DIR. JAMES BOLToN Treasurer, reported that since
the last annual meeting 1891 25 had been disbursed
and S22 received, leaving a balance due the Urea.
surer OF Sl59 % After referring to the receipts and
expenditures, he advised the adoption of means to
relieve the Treasurer of the necessity of drawing on
private means to meet the expenditures.
On motion of DR.. LITTLE, the report was REFER
red to committee OF three, appointed to audit the
1reasurer's account-Committee- Drs. Little Jobn
Dove, Sr and c. s. Mills A''
DIR. McCAw, from the special COMMITTEES anno;nt.
ed at Charlottesville, to examine into the dfcuItv
between Drs. Chamberlayne and Bolton. renortea
that before the committee had been able to invest
gate the matter, DR.. C. died, and thereupon the ex
animation was not continued DR.. Bolton an.
nounced that hew was willing to withdraw the CHARGE
and let the matter rest.
DR.. JAMES BoLToN from the Committee n,
"Quack medicines" stated that he had prenared :
report and forwarded it to Dr. LEIGH of Charlot,es.
vle some days since, but that it had not been 70.
turned. He hoped to receive it, however. in tim :
to present it to the society beforeit adjourned
DIR. I. Trent, Librarian, presented report civ.
ing list OF books that had been received with The
names OF the donors The report was adopted
DIT JAMES BoLroN, from the COMMITTEES on Su,.
gicai Instruments reported that variety had hsan
ordered and that he had been Informed thew would