The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-11
MEDICAL SCIENCE.
Annual Meeting of the American Medical Asso-
citation at Phladelphia- Proposed Reforms
Shall Women Be Admitted to the Sooi-
ETY. IA New Yorker Receives the
First Prize fer the Best Essay.

PHILADELPHIA. Pa, May Q, 1872.
The delegates representing the American Medical
Association, about three hundred in number are
now in session in this city. While the gentlemen
comprising this delegation do not represent all
classes OF medicinal practice that have been devel
oped the past quarter OF n century they do re-
present the best talent III the country and among
them may be mentioned the celebrated names Of
Gross, Francis Quincy Smith, Pancoast Rogers,
Stille and other leading Philadelphia names to-
gethcr with DR.. Chancellor, OF Virginia; DR..
Davis, of Chicago; DR.. Yandei President
of the Associations; Dr. Bronson. of Massa-
chusetts; Davis, of Chicago; Logan, OF Call
fornia; DR.. Woodward, United States Army;
Noyes, Hodge, Mcdowell and many others OF
distinction Up to the present time the association
has given its attention mainly TO the discussion OF
routine business, reading Of reports and business
of that nature. During yesterdays session the
question OF admitting ladies to the society was
warmly discussed, and one gentleman In the course
of his remarks, paid the highest compliment to the
mental attainments OF women their dcicacy and
refinement, their adaptability and talent and
closed by induging the hope that, notwithstand-
ing all these facts sit was his belief that no lady
would c mbarrass the Convention by asking a seat
on the moor OF the house, IL Ia plain, however
that the association desire to TESTIFY to the talent
IN women. IL is equally plain that 1t Is the wish OF
the body that no lady be admitted to the society
rs member. The question is not as yet definitely
and finally settled, nor Will il be without long and
determined struggle on the part of those desiring
the companionship OF women in their deliberations
The association has been discussing the question
for two years past but 1t stands to-day where 1t did
in the beginning except that each succeeding year
makes it more difficult of adjustment The ladies'
in the profession in this city have successfully
fought for admission to the hospital clinics, but pure
audacity ana determined purpose had more 10 do
with the successful issue of the fight than any in
herent or constitutional rights they may have had In
the premises. They have gone INTO the present
fight with determination 10 conquer, and II is not
impossible they will Succeed.
MEDICAL EDUCATION.
The Committee on Medical Education In view Of
the great rivalry that exists among the medical col
leges throughout the country amt to guard against
the preparation OF such unblushing frauds re-
Gently characterized two medical colleges in this
city-colegcs whose charters have recently been
rescinded by the Legislature on account OF the
publications in the HERALD and other papers--re-
coumenu tnat no more charters De granted 10 col
leges that do not adopt that plan OF education laid
down by the American Medical Association The
present competition has materially reduced the
price OF diplomas and diploma fees, rendering the
gross cost OF q medical education merely nominal.
IL is also recommended that the State Legislature
be requested to ask for the surrender of
ton that do not adopt the plan of
education laid down by the association IL is a
question upon which many viii disagree that re-
duclng the price OF diplomas initiates to the dis
advantage of the student. If medical student
he will study just as hard for the possession Of
diploma that costs $50 he will for that costs
800. A genuine diploma, emanating from college
OF good standing, represents the acquisition OF
tain knowledge. Unless the faculty, in their haste
to get rich award the diploma for the sake OF the
money alone, there can be nothing urged against
the reduction in price The truth is, there are n
certain class of old institutions whose prices have
always been high, the faculty OF which desire to
keep up their prices still. With the present COM
petition this Is no easy matter.
THE PRIZE ESSAYS
presented for the consideration OF the committee
having the matter in charge were three in num-
Der, one Of which was withdrawn. The committee
decided that that of Dr. Samuel X. Percy, OF New
phOrus as an Organismal Element ~ was entitled to
the first prize. 1t was very able paper, and has
attracted the marked notice OF the ablest gentlemen
IN the society.
A NATIONAL MEDICAL LIBRARY.
DR.. George sutton. OF Indiana read paper or
comparative Pathology" In the course OF his re
marks he strongly urged the establishment OF q ma
tional medical library. Dr. Parvn of Indiana, chair
man of the Committee on Medical Literature, in hi
/ report strongly urged the establishment OF such
library, and the preparation of compendium of thu
medical literature published In America. Drs
1 Gross, Hodge and Pancoast, OF Philadelphia, wer
! highly compmented for the production OF som,
| recent works OH physiology. TIE establishment o
national medical journal is also advised
American physicians should purchase American
works, for the theories set forth and practice
ported in these works compare favorably with any
thing OF foreign extraction Dr. Parvin was listened
to attentivey and frequently applauded.
The Association will adjourn tomorrow.