Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-05-30
STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Especial Correspondence of the JOURNAL
Interesting and Harmonious Ses-
siOn-NexV HanOver's Representa-
on Acute inflammation - DIR.
SatchNelI's Eloquent Speech-An-
nual Address by DIR. Thomas r.
Wood. the Orator. &c.
STATEsvILLE, May %, 1873.


Wood, the Orator, &c.
STATEsv1LLE, May %, 1878.
MEssRs. EDITORS The monotony
of our town has been somewhat varied
by the annual meeting of the State
Medical Society, which convened here
on the Doth instant, and, after an har-
monious session, closed about midday
of the ODD. Considering the object of
this Soc ETY., the cause of humanity,
the elevation of the science of Medl-
cine, too much praise cannot be
awarded to these learned and scientific
gentlemen who, for the promotion of
the welfare of their fellow mt II, yearly
como together to interchange thoughts
and ideas, thereby placing the standard
of Therapeutics beyond the ken of
empires. With few exceptions the
body was composed of Doctors East CT
this place, and New Hanover was ably
represented by DIR. L: f. Wood, of
your city, and Drs. Emmett and Satch-
well. from the county. The forenoon
of the first day was occupied in minor
transactions andpreparations for future
business, and soon after dinner the
able President, DIR. Whitehead, of
Salisbury, with the worthy and eff
cient Secretary, DR.. James Mckee, of
Raleigh, calling the Society to order,
the work for which they had as SEM
bled was begun i'll earnest, the case
exciting most interest being one de-
scribed by IL DIR. Sharpe, which finally
concluded in an chronological discus
sion that created no little merriment
among some of the Doctors. In the
morning of the second day several in
teresting papers were read. one elicI-
ting more comment or praise than those
of DR.. Hyatt, of kinston. At the ses-
sion last year Drs. Norcom and Satchwell
were appointed to discuss the subject
of "Acute Inflammation" manner of
treatment, &c. So, upon the reassem
bling of the Convention for its after
noon session, by previous arrangement
DIR. S. S. Satchwell, of New Hanover,
began, and for two and quarter hours
hel spell-hound with earnest atten-
ton, not only the medical fraternity,
but many others who had been
attracted thither to hear the debate
AS | listened, [ could but think, if the
Doctors late address before the
Alumni of New York College approx
mated this, how just and merited was
the praise awarded, for rarely has 1t
been my lot to enjoy such a literary
treat, replete, as it was, with language
most choice, dialectics most sound, n
might well be proud of. The Doctor
commenced by saying that thought
was never SO active as now, inquiry
all things being tested by the touch
| ct, of
lation, and an enlightened progress.
| Amid all improvements, none were
more marked and important than the
art and science of medicine. For ages
| its leading votaries, unsurpassed in
scholastic learning, powers of invcstl-
CATION and discovery, as well as III self
sacrifice and love of science and hui
manity, have been laying its founda-
ton and adding to its advancement.
| Upon the noble superstructure of their
labors and the laws of nature q medical
pyramid has arisen, widening, deepen
ing, strengthening with the lapse OF
| centuries, emitting from its towering
heights benignant and brilliant rays OF
light and knowledge, thereby advancing
| civilization and medical progress. The
builders Of this temple are they who
have subor1inated self to the cause oil
science and good of the profession.
| The Doctor then stated that no subject
had been the cause of more inquiry
among the profession than ''Infiamma
tom of its causes, its pathology, &c.
countless have been the theories
Laying down these as a basis of what
he termed conservatism versus resyora
tive, styling the latter beautiful il
theory, bat founded i'll error, the
Doctor argued at length, stating thai
he believed in conservatism in medi
cine as we'll as in law, politics or re
Egion. Vain would be the attempt tc
follow DIR. Satchwell through his long
line OF reasoning, fearlessly advancing
his views. Most nohly did he support
them by argument strong and able
while his peroration was truly grand
his allusion to North Carolina and t.
the profession i'll the State being highly
appreciated. OF the merit of DIR
Satchwell's address, certainly i'll lita
rary point of view, the Doctors, even
did not disagree, some going so far a:
to pronounce it the ablest production
that had ever been delivered before
their body.
A short recess and Dr. Norcom, OF
Edenton, began his reply, combating
in Il skillful manner the arguments o
DR.. Satchwell, pronouncing some of hi:
theories as efliectually exploded as any
thing could be. Citing authority upoI
authority from leading physicians o.
this and other countries in support O.
the views he entertained, he doubles.
convinced some of the brethren OF
felt pleasure in the handsome manner
in u-l,iol, ha aounittol hInCaIf
The Presbyterian Church having
been offered and accepted as the place
for the delivery of the annual Grafton
quite Il respectable number of the citi
zens, together with the Medical So
ciety, assembled therein, at s o'clock
to listen to the orator of the occasion
DR.. Thos F. Wood, of Wilmington
In brief, yet happy manner, DIR
Wood was introduced by the President
to the audience, when boldly stepping
forward, i'll clear and distinct voice,
after few preliminary remarks, Inc
announced that the subject to which
he would direct their attention was the
SCIENCE OF MEDICINE,
beginning by stating that the scienct
or art of medicine deserves the particu
lar consideration of the student Of
philosophy, from Its antiquity, from IFS
close connection with intellectual de
velopment from the most remote times
and as being part of our social or
ganism, inseparable as it is from tn,
advance of our present civilization
The laymen have looked upon medi-
cine too much as n mystery, as an art
or system of ceremonials, which the
High Priests should alone know, but
| L I
now fearfully and wonderfully We are
made
MEDICINE AND OTHER SCIENCES.
A comparison could not be justly in
stituted between medicine and one OF
the exact sciences or more perfected
arts, but if we take astronomy s al
example, mother and mistress of the
sciences as she is, we find that although
it has as basis of exact mathematica
date it comes far short of perfection