The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-01-24
WRITTEN ron ruE AupEviLLE BANNER.
To the Physicians Of Abbeville Dis.rio

Of addressing our Professional Brethren
through the columns Of the Banner.
You are aware, gentlemen, that con-
siderable number Of us arc now engaged in
an attempt to build up District Medical
Society, and it is hoped that the degree of
interest really felt hy many of yo., in the
advancement OF our noble sciemce, and the
welfare of our Profession, is not to lie csti-
mated by that which they have manifested
in the success of an undertaking looking
solely to the accomplishment of these great
and desirable objects. The necessities de-
mandng such an organization rs that re-
Gently formed in this District, under the
name of "The Medical Society of Abbcvillc
District" must be apparent to every one
who will give the subject moments
thought; and that such an association, will,
the faithful performance of duty on the
part OF its members, must exert Il hrathful
influence upon the interests of the Profcs-
sion, AMI hc productive of real, substantial
benefit to the community at large, is equal
~ Obvious; and yet, our membership com.
pared will, the number Of practitioners in
the District, exhibits n t"gree OF apathy
which every Physician should blush to own,
AMI which might well abate the confidence
of all i'll class Of .ncn thus Indifferent to
interests, to the advancement of which they
are virtually pledged. Let no physician
suppose that he is not specially interested
in this matter, for every one is identified
with the Profession, and he can neither iso.
late his interests nor limit Iii, duty immu-
table principles blend the former with those
OF his brethren, anl the latter is inlelliblv
mapped by reason, justice and humanity
We arc not relieved Of responsibility when
We have dismissed our patiemts, nor can our
obligations he discharged hy even the mos,
faithful performance OF duties arising within
the cirrumscrihcl limits that bound our
practice. The fiu:ts Of our observation,
experience and Investigations, arc the h.ri-
taSc OF onr species, aul the Profession, the
word an'l l"'slrrty have claims that may
not he dsrcgarlcd, and which can be met
only 10y we'll directed concert of action a,rl
effort. To satisfy these claims our Society
was organized, and We now call upon all
physicians in The District TO meet lis at the
Court House on Sale-,lay in February next,
prepared TO become members of our Suciety.
and unite with II, in one common effort TO
elevate our Profession to its Legitimate po-
Sl.'''n, and Civ. it the highest degree of
Usefulness to which the most enlightened
views may holl it pledged.
The meeting to lc held on next Salc-,lav
is to le most important in It's results, from
the fact that it will determine what is TO he
the numerical strength, of the Society, AMI
on account Of the business to Lc disposed
Of
R"garling it exceedingly important that
rates Of charging should be uniform, the
Society, ut its first regular meeting, appoin-
ted committee t" prepare and present il
Fee-bill. The report OF this committee
w:'s received and adopted in November last,
AMI Il resolution w.s Immediately passed,
making it obligatory ui"n aIl the members
to be governed, from and after the first Of
January, 1856, by the rates OF charging
laid down i'll tile Fec-biIl as adopted. Now,
it WAS never intended that this list Of char
grs slonl'! TIC hid away amongst the Secre-
tarJ $ papers, to be examined by physicians,
and by them only. On The contrary, it WAS
intended for publication, and it would have
appeared in the columns of the Banner
and Press, with tile names appended, the
very next week after its adoption, but for
the fact that it VAS thought due to those
members of the Society who were not
present, rs well rs to the rest of the physi-
clans Of the District, that an opportunity OF
signing it should bo afforded them, previ-
o's to its publication. With this view, an
extra meeting was appointed for the 3lst of
December. For want of quorum, this
meeting was not held, and our considerate
regard for orr Professional Brethren, has
thrown those Of us who have already siyn-
ed the Fcc-hi!, into rather IN awkward
dilemma: we must either charge at rates
never published to those employing us, or
lay ourselves liable to be reported to the
Society for failing to he governed by its
enactments. This anomalous state of things
cannot he allowed to continue: reason, pro-
pricty and manlinrss forbid it. If we
adopt measures involving the interests Of
others, every rule Of justice and fairness re-
qn'rcs that such measures be published; {;
and no matter what may be the views en-
tertained by other practitioners, every mem.
ber of the Society is doubly bound 10 at
tend its next meeting. That charges should
be uniform, none will pretend to deny, and
>u,px,I I,,o H.,