The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-02-22


John Sappinoton, Dr.. John Evans and DR.. Geo.
W Archer. The following are the names Of the
delegates that were elected to represent the
Society in the Medical and Chirurqica, Faculty Of
MARYLAND: DR.. VIM J. Evans, Dr.. r. r. Bou-
din, Dr.. David Riley, DR.. T. NJ Elliott and DR..
W. W. Hopkins And the following were cleo
ted as Delegates to the american Medical Assscta-
ton, viii: m, cts in Cincinnati in May next
DR.. Tbos c Hopkins, DR.. s. B Silver, and DR..
W. Stump Forwood. DR.. Finney, DR.. Hays
and DR.. Ramsey were appointed by the Chair
as olternates TO the American Medical Associa-
| ton.
The Society then adjourned, 10 meet again on
the second Tuesday in May.
Upon the adjournment, the members were
invited in body to pnrtake of the hos
pitalities of DR.. lee. A bountiful dinner was
provided, with the usuaivinous accompaniment /;
10 which Justice was done at the time, but to
which it is Impossible to do justice in words
Suffice it to say that every one appeared to en-.
joy the repast, and the pleasant remarks attend
| ing it and after many compliments TO the wor-
thy host, the members separated.
| ltmay not be altogether improper though who'll
ly unauthorized by the Society, for us . add n
few remarks, through the medium Of the county
newspaper, for the consideration of the commu-
mites in which our mer- bers practice. Ours is
the first Medical Society which has existed in this
county, so far as our knowledge extends, that
ever possessed the characteristics of permenency ;
aud none has been previously attempted to he
| organized tor period Of more than thirty Years
| Hence it is not surprising that the public gener-
ally should be ignorant of the objects and aims of
Medical Societies. We have been informed that,
in various quarters, the public regard our Society
in the light of conspiracy against them !-or-
gained for the purpose OF doing them AN injury
particularly with the view OF compelling them
| IN nYprIIfnu fees FIR Is
disagreeable task to undertake to defend our
selves from such unfounded and petty charges ::
but it is more painful still to think that there is
any respectable body OF persons in this commu-
nifty who would attribute such dsIeputabe no.
tions to our profession. There is no profession,
or other business, which men pursue for lveh-
hood, which makes SO many sacrifices for the
public, in respect to contributing for general i'm
provements as well as their constant benefac-
tons to the poor, which can compare with the
medical profession There is no profession, the
requirement of which is 80 costly, that is so mad
equatey paid in its practice.
There is no. one physician in ten who accu-
muates by his practice more than sufficient for
respectable living, while engaged in his labors
and scanty support for old age and perhaps
nothing for his family after his death. No one
considers the dollars that are daily taken from
his pocket by his attendance on the poor, the
| PSS- 'o' "AS'' A'oiN PioPNi'y 'uS NouhtJ
pay.
Those who are in affluent circumstances know
ing that physicians are constantly attending the
| poor for trihng pay, and often without pay,
think that they should have the benefit OF our
knowledge, our services, and our medicines on
the same terms Men who would not give h
bushel of wheat or corn out of their well-filled
gamers to a sick and needy man.
| We are expected 10 spend our days and nights
| .layot toll fNF I,n,,
ations and pleasures OF other men, to respond
with alacrity to every call, at all hours and
when the day of settlement comes, which is too
often at the end of two or three or more years
we are then told that our bills are extravagant !;
and that a large deduction must be made, or we
| must encounter law suit. In the latter case
the we'l-known prejudices of judges and iuries
do not require remark. The walks OF he physi-
clan are constantly in the Valley Of the Shadow
of Death the mental anxiety, and the feeling of
responsibility upon him, is sometimes overpow.
ering; no other man can appreciate or compre-
bend its magnitude-much less can he make
adequate compensation in return by mere dol
lars and cents, nor can he understand how pain
full 1t is to the physician who has for days, or
for weeks, been wrestling with Death, and. with
the aid of an overriding Power, succeeded in
wrestling the sufferer from his grasp, then to ex-
perence the modification consequent upon the ex-
holtlon OF lnSrautude IN the form OF complaints
regarding the pay demanded for his services.
The chief obje Of our Society is to better fit
its members for healing the sick.
OF course it is part of the duty of all local
Societies to establish standard of fees. but
this is a secondary consideration. In common
with othsr Societies, IN the course of time, we
expect 10 prepare a tee-hil standard rrgnla-
ton OF fees, by an authorized body, is necessary
for the guide of physicians, Tor the guide of
courts of adjudication, and for the protection of
the community against exorbitant charges.
The public may rest assured that the Medical
Society of Hartford county has been organized as
much for their benefit as for the benefit of its
members; and that the fees asked by those con
nected with it will not be beyond the bounds of
its justice, nor beyond their ability to pay.
W. STUMP FORWUOD,
Secretary.
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