Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-10-17

munity), is not only to aid nature IN hei
efforts to expel disease, but to watch care
fully for its causes and remove them. Ihest
public duties are in most instances not onl
thankless ones, but they require so much
| time to make the thorough examinations
and experiments, often necessary IN order
to accurately determine what the causes
are and under what circumstances they pro-
duce their peculiar manifestations, that the
private practitioner cannot afford the time
or money necessary to pursue the lnVestl-
cations which it would be his pleasure to
make and which the interests Of the people
Of this Commonwealth require. For this
reason desire that this Society as the rep
resentative of the medical profession of this
State, shall take such measures as will re-
suit in establishing State Board Of Health.
Such Board should have ample power to
investigate every thing that injuriously
affects the public health, and in whatever
portion of the State il may be found, to re-
move it. 1t should be required to place
such information at the disposal OF its
citizens, as will enable them to prevent the
spread of disease, whether occurring as an
epidemic. or as sporadic or individual cases
The best methods of accomplishing this OBJ
ject have been suggested by DR.. BOwdltch
!
members of the Board on various special
subjects connected with public hygiene,
such as ventilating, building and locating
of houses on various well-known diseases
capable of partial or entire prevention on
| knowledge Of causes being given by the
| Secretary holding meetings in the various
| parts of the State for discussion on the sub
| ject by the publication in a compact form
and the wide circulation of the fruits. so 10
| speak, of our general knowledge on public
| hygiene" II this could be properly done
it would undoubtedly result in very great
| good In order TO accomplish this it is ne
cessary that public opinion be awakened by
the united action Of this Society, and by
personal argument and influence at home.
The law enacted by the Legislature of Mas
sachusetts, creating in that State such
Board would, with slight alterations, prob
ably answer the ends sought here. | would
therefore recommend that an efficient com
mittee be appointed to consider this matter
and take the necessary steps to procure the
requisite legislation.
Drs Putnam, iolton and Butler were APP
pointed committee to carry out the rec
commentator Of the president relative TO
Il State Board Of Health.
Dr. Geo. DunsmOre of St. Adams, gave
an interesting lecture on the Ophthalnos-
cope. illustrating his remarks by diagrams
and by the use of the instrument itself,
after which the society Partook of splendid |
collation. at Bishops Hotel, prepared for |
them by the fraternity of Montpelier.
Two hours were spent in an enjoyable |
way around the tables, in short speeches, |
Astounding in wit and pleasant humcr. !
The president played the part Of master of /
ceremonies, and amply demonstrated his |
capacity a. tOast-master. The entertain /
mcnt, which was entirely informal, de- /
ycoped a fine social element, which was
regarded as an indication of what may be
reasonably anticipated at the next semi
annual meeting at Newport.
On Thursday morning the committee on
made their repOrtas follows and
the persons named therein were unanimous
ly elected TO the several Offices designated
President, L. c. Butler, Essex; NIce-Presi-
dent, H. 5. Brown, St. Johnsbury Secre-
nry, E. ;. Peck, Burlington; Assistant
5. ). Clark, ST. Adams Treas
urer. d. G.. Kemp, Montpelier; Auditor,
G.. NJ. Chandler, Montpelier.
The committee also recommended New
port as the place for holding the semi-an-
nual meeting, and on motion the Secretary
was instructed to invite the New Hampshire
Society and the Vermont Pharmaceutical
Association to meet with Us on that Occa-
sion.
DR.. \ J. Hyde, from the committee on
ways and means for raising funds to endOw
/ prOicssorship or aid the funds Of the
Medical Department. University Of Yer
mont, made a report instructing the Presi
lent to issue circular to the profession Of
The State upon the subject. Mr.. Gates, on
lehalf Of the Vermont Pharmaceutical As
,0ciati0n and aS its delegate, presented the
irait Of proposed law to regulate the
practice Of pharmacy and the sale OF poi
ous in the State, and asked the cO-opera-
ion of the society in the movement. The
lbject was referred to Drs Putnam, Peck
md Chandler 20 report at the semi-annual
Meeting.
The report Of Dr. 5 T. Brooks, commit !
cad By the Secretary, and referred TO the
ommittee of publication.
DR.. ;. n G0ss Of Chelsea. presented be- J
ore the Society little patient with stric-
ure of the W-ophagus, for examination and 9
dvice.
Resolutions of thanks TO the Central Yer Z
mont Railroad, for courtesies rendered TO |
he physicians of Montpelier for their social L
ntertainment of Wednesday evening. to the
etiring President for the able, courteous q
nd dignihed manner in which he has dis 1
hargei the duties Of bis Office, and to the I
etirIng Secretary for the faithful manner .
q which he had performed the artuOus and 1
asponsible duties Of his office for the last P
ight years. were unanimously adopted Ii
tier which the Society adjourned. having "
liJyed one of the most pleasant and profit r
bic meetings the Society has ever held. to n
leet at Newport, on the last Wednesday r.
ed Thursday Of june, 1874 le