The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-06


~ AMERICAN 4&nlCAL ASSOCIATION. tt
EzresA Asssa Aa6.y-~SscsS kssy-.The association
was called ~ order BY the president Dr. Harvey Inds
by, and A. J. Rmes one Of the secretaries, read the
minutes Of the first days proceedings which were
adopted. i
On motion Of DR.. Watson, Of New York, Dr. Deiadeld
Of Now York one Of Che 6rst officers Of the association
was invited to take sect on the platform.
On motion Of DIR. Atkinson, Of Virginia, an almond
men = the constitution received, providing that
person shall he recognised as member or admitted AZ
delegate a. meetings of the ssocation who has been
PEELED from any State local medical association until
relieved action Of such State or al association ZAP
plause.l ~ 4.aens fe~
DR.. Atkinson supported the adoption Of this amend
ment In eloquent spe.ch, contending that tho sdis
sion Of any gentleman who has been rebuked by any
State or local association and Is under It's ham, is
buks 10 that association He urged the acceptance of the
amendment, and trusted that until the consultation be
80 amended it shall be the rule Of action.
DR. Bond, of Maryland, asked to have the quafca-
tons requisite for scat read He desired Information
as to the ethical qualifications for membership.
DR. Watson, of New York. stated that as by the con
sitnton it necessary to have amendments lie over
ono year, this not question for present debate
The president decided that debate was not in order
and tho amendment accordingly laid the table for
consideration at the next annual meeting
DR.. Boyle chairman Of tho committee Of arrange
mcnts proposed the Of Doctors Huff and Knight
who were elected 'mcmbers by invitation.
nEronr ON MEDICAL LIrERArunE
DIR. A. B Palmer, Of Michigan, chairman of the com
mittee ON medical literature made able and interest
ing report After noticing in dctil the periodical er
rc Of the country the spiit manifested In the editorial
dcpasnent of medical Journals Is chara- d as
being with few cxceptons liberal honorable COZ,
GUS, and just and the feelings Of fraternity generally
cordial and Differences Of opinion must be ex-
pectd occasionally to exist end different interests will
sometimes come in collision and while this the case
the impc actions Of nature will be likely to
produce unpleasant results But the bond Of union
produced by interest in cause and that cause
noble the advancement of great and benevolent
profession, should certainly, it usually does smooth
down aspetics and preserve that csy and kindness
which should exist between gentlemen and brethren
From the contentious existing between the different por-
tions OF common country, and which have deeply
affected the political the religious and the literary Pc
riodicas the medical jouiaals with scarcely au cxcep
ton, have kept aloo and 1t is devoutly I, be hoped
that the influence Of this portion of the press combined
with the haonzing power of this esscciaon may ever
be cxcred for tho promotion Of union both Of hearts and
States Applause
The American medical literature Of the past year was
then reviewed. and said t, have been crcabc char
actcr although it could not BE- denied that the fruits of
the profession practical then scientific The
Americm Pharmn ceutical Association wes noticed
and complmcntcl The works auxiliary t, medical
science issued by the federal government were alluded
to, and the example of the army and navy surgeons in
taking meteorological and other oscr vations commended
to the brethren in civil lfe The theses on the Parish
will noticed exhibiting the pre-en 1cncc of
American British physicians (Applause.] Prof
Agassz and tho support of his labors by the american
public in for share of praise, and several improve
mcnts in medical instruments mentioned.
In closing his report Dr. Palmer presented the follow
ing resume of the leading positions taken by the com't
tee The periodical literature of the United States is re-
garc possessing great abundance variety. richness
aud general excellence and though stil possessing de-
fects is constantly improving Many of the contrbu-
tons of great weight and value indicating an cn
psng and Industrious profession Serious defects are
regarded existing in the review department. Arising
mainly from the f that the income of the journals will
not justify pecura disbursements for literary labor and
editors necessarily engaged in other pursuits cannot COM
mand the time, if all possessed the ability to do the
work thoroughly and we'll Applause.
A few welsupportsd journals in place Of the many,
but lily sustained might tnd to correct this evil but
the multiplicity Of local journals IS considered as pecu-
arly beneficial by collecting from gfcater variety OF
sources larger number of facts and developing the
powers Of larger number of writer's The interests Of
this palS Of literature demand prompt and liberal
pecunary suppois-
The number of original American medical works Il in
creasing and their character is improving and in some
respects, particularly in practical utility, they will not
suffer in comparison with those of Europe yet serious
mperections exist and great imperectons demanded
Great and permanent improvements in medical, as in
general literature, must be gradual depending more upon
the advancement Of cucation of TASTE and intelligence
than upon any specific which may be adopted
Still various particular measures such the permanent
writing Of medical theses during professional pupage
and keeping systematic records of when in practice
would do very much in Fastening an Improvement But
for the greater perfection Of literature we must wait
the further development of country and for those
changes Of time and circumstances which shall pr luce
larger number Of devoted and scholars placing
them In situations where variety of absorbing pursuits
shall not prevent the concentration of great talents upon
a comparatively limited range of subjects
On tho subject Of the reprint Of foreign works. it's held
that while the free circulation of the best class of these
works among increases the knowledge and improves
the taste Of the of the profession 1t dc ~ not inter
rc with the production of the higher order OF original
works and that the moral obligation of our government
to join with Great Britain in the enactment of an int Dr.
national copyright law is by clearly cstab-
shcd
In conclusion, the committee would ray that f rs
scntinels placed upon the walls of Medical Zion they
asked in relation to its literature What of the
night r. the response must be- The mornin7 com IL r.
The darkness which has hung over that litcrature is