Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-05-11
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOGf.
Ef.3, ATI0N. Fs(g
AnnunI Mee.lng cor 1859.

Il Iu6Sday, May 4. -t- - lsls - %
:. President--William O. Baldwin, M. I
D Alabama. Soc .LG
Q Vice Presidents-George Mendenhal
r M. d., Ohio; Noble Young, III. d., Dis
California; N. P. Monroe, M. d., Maine
S. NJ. Beniss, Louisiana.
Permanent Secretary-W. B. Atkin
son, M. D., Pennsylvania.
II Assistant Secretary-A. j. Semmes
M. D., Georgia. 3
Treasurer Carter Wistar, NJ. D.
|, | Pennsylvania. Hita noiei
The session was opened with prayer
by Rev. Mr.. GalIaher, of New Orleans.
/ DIR. T. G. Richardson of Louisiana
Ghairmsnof the Committee of Arrange.
ments, welcomed the delegates to the
city in an eloquent address.
| The President then delivered the
annual address, aa extract from which
referring to the important subject Of
medical education is appeHded:@ 81
By the very act Of your creation, you
stand committed to reform in medical
colleges, which, in your own language,
shall establish "uniform and elevated
standard of requirements for the degree
of M. D." You have already done much
good, in some directions, but SO far as
your original object is concerned, you
still owe to the profession and to society
this unredeemed pledge. If the fulfill
ment Of this aim was worthy the labor
already bestowed, and which, though I'M
availing, has exemplified your cherished
purpose, it deserves yet another effort.
The. sphere Of your action has been wide;
the sphere Of your power has been nara
row, and limited to the means of advice
and recommendation.
The plan Of action you have adopted,
that Of endeavoring to induce forty or
fifty medical colleges, with conflicting in-
| terests, to agree voluntarily upon uni
form and elevated standard of require
ments for the degree of M. D." and
adopt it in good faith, has become almost
an utopian idea-a forlorn hoIe.
Though urged with all the force that.
truth could impart, and enforced with all
the ap oealing earnestness that the graVi-
ty of the subject could inspire, yet your
views and wishes have not impressed
themselves on the schools to such an ex-
tent as to change their course of action.
1t seems to me that all hope of reform
through this means must be abandoned.
Nor can We expect to reach the end pro-
posed by measures of State legislation.
The obstacles here are too palpable to
need enumeration. They are many, and
they are insurmountable. Almost any
body Of medical men may obtain char
ter for a medical college in most Of the
States of the Union, with pretty much
such regulations and privileges as they
may agree upon among themselves and
ask for.
despair, therefore, of seeing this AS
ISOLATION attain its object through any Of
the agencies heretofore employed. II,
however, this great work ought to be
done, it can be done. l believe it is
within the reach of the power of this
ssociation. But | can see no mode by
which it can be accomplished except
through Federal legislation.
Time does not permit me to enter into
details, if, indeed, l felt myself compe-
tent to discharge such task. l shall,
therefore, only make few brief, crude
and imperfect suggestions, in the hope
that they may engage the earnest
thoughts of those more competent to ass
sist them to practical and finished d.
rection.
would advise that we appoint a COM
mttee of our wiseSt and best men to dis
gest a plan for one or more national
medical schools, and TO memorabilia
Congress in behalf Of the enterprise.
Let the plan embrace as basis the fea-
lures presented by the Cincinnati cons
vention of teachers let these schools or
universities confer such distinctions and
privileges as will be appropriate to the
superiority they demand, and such as
will make the attainment of their diplOs
ma an object TO the ambition. of those
who engage in the study Of medicine
let the chairs be open 10 all aspirants
and the appointment or election Of pros
fessOrs so guarded as to secure the very
highest talents, the most profound learn
ing, with the most fully demonstrated
capacity foT teaching. Make the salaries
OF the professors large and not to depend
upon the number Of students; and let
the federal government assume a proper
share of the expenses incurred.
The number OF these schools may be
multiplied as experience may demons
strate their superiority and necessity.
Our present medical schools, and such
as hereafter obtain their charters from
State governments, may adopt their own
regulations, and zach as do not conform
to the national standard will either be-
come tributaries or preparatory schools
| to tho national universities or dwindle
into ynerited neglect.
am persuaded that such assistance
on the part Of Congress can be obtained.
| think that a committee could demon
strate that of the vast amount of labor
and money expended annually for the
public good, portion could not be better
bestowed for the welfare of humanity
| and the interests of American civiliZa-
ton than in creating and uphOlding one
or more universities which will perfect
the object for which this association was
| organized Such reforms have not been
elsewhere effected, except through gOVr
ornamental interposition, and our own ex-
perience has amply shown that it is vain
for us to hope for them through any
| other means.
am perfectly well aware that any
plan looking to the general government
for sanction and support has its embar-
easements, and that it viii be opposed on
the ground of incompatibility with re-
publican institutions, but do not doubt
that all objections can be fully answered.
The most moderate view taken of the
Offices of government specifies protection
as its main end, and where, if not here,
is protection demanded2 Utilitarianism
proclaims its conquering motto in the
words, "The greatest good to the greatest
number; land where, if not here, has the
motto a consummate application The
recent changes in political science, as
well as the practical revolutions in the
institutions and relations of the age,
show clearly enough that whether for
good or i'll, governments are becoming
more direct representatives of the pres
vailing public opinion, and are acting
more Immediately from the popular heart
Reports from the various standing and
special committees were then. made, en-
bracing many subjects Of professional and
scientific interest. f..... .fHs
On motion of DR.. Davis, of Illinois, the
report on the revision Of the plan of or
ganization was made the special order for
Wednesday at 10A. M.
Papers relative to medical education
were read and referred, on motion of DIR.