Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-10-27
Gaa.sbm1n & Stair JOurnaI.
MONTPELIER. OCTOBER 81, 1865.
STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.

L n II mbDlGAL DOOlbl
The State Medical Society convened at
their rooms in the State House yesterday
Oct1s at 10 o'clock a. m. nd continued their
sessions through the dag. Interesting reports
in reference to prevalent diseases, were re-
ceived from the committees, representing the
respective counties Of the state. Several pa
pers OF special value to the profession we're
read Oae in relation TO the in6rmiies which
have been deemed sufficient to disqualify for
military duty was Of good deal Of general
interest The various subjects presented ex
cited discussion, which was well sustained
committee to nominate officers Of the So
ciety for the ensuing year was appointed and
will report to-day.
MEETING IN THE REPRESENTATIVES, HALL.
The annual address before the Medical
Society was delivered by DR.. Fassett Of 81.
Albans, President of the society. In the
opening portion Of his address he alluded to
the fact that three distinguished gentlemen
Of his profession, Drs. Palmer, Conant, and
Simonds, had deceased since the last semi
annual meeting Of the society. These gentle
men we're either practitioners in Vermont or
so associated with its medical schools, as to
be reekoned among those of the profession
in this State. The main portion of the ad-
dress was devoted to discussion Of the de-
mands Of the medical profession upon the
people, and Of the people upon the medical
profession. In the course Of this discussion
he made frank avowal which medical men
generally shrink from making, and which it
may be assumed has not before been made in
any similar address He stated that il would
not do for the profession to blame the public
for distrustng its ability and resorting to
quacks and charlatans, while in the profession
itself there is much Of ignorance and so
little ability to meet the first demands Of the
people.
Perhaps the above statement is little
stronger than it was made by the Doctor, but
the spirit Of his criticism upon his own pro-
iession was to the effect given above. He
sketched the career Of the young man, who,
without liberal culture advances to the pro-
fession by the short and easy road now very
much in vogue. A brief period Of study with
an established physician, and few lectures,
are supposed to transform the plough boy into
Hippocrates, and straightway he assumes
the dignity of "Dr." and the precious lives
Of his fellow men are placed under his charge.
Those who have been thrown into contact
with medical students, and observed their
culture aud lack of culture, will at once feel
hat the truth set forth in this frank ayowal
of prominent physician, has too wide an APP
plica,ion not to deserve attention. IL is a
safe assertion that no truth Of equal impor-
eance. is as a rule, c0nfded to men in any
other sphere, who have given so little time to
preparation, The fact that this painful truth
has been felt by observing men, is the reason
why it is here made prominent, as if it had oc-
cupied very prominent place in the address
In justice to the Doctor it should be remark
ed, that the greater portion OF his learned
and able dissertation was upon other themes,
more congenial to gentlemen Of his profess
sion. Ia the nam his address was a history
Of medical science, and a brief resume Of ts
present position and relation to community at
large.