The Portland daily press., 1873-06-11
Maine HedicaI Association,


Maine Hedical Association.
The 21st annual meeting Of the Maine Medi-
cal Association began its sessions in this city
yesterday morning at ten o'clock. The attend
ance was quite large for first day, there be-
ing present physicians from all parts of the
State. The Association convened in the COM
mon council room of the city building, and was
called to order by the President, DIR. A.. P.
Snow of Winthrop. Rev. Mr.. Fem of this
city offered the opening prayer.
The President delivered his annual address,
of which we present an abstract:
After brief introduction, in which he al
luded to the fact that the Association had at
tanned its majority, the present being its 21st
anniversary, the President proceeded to speak
in detail of the measures which had been
brought before the notice of the Legislature.
By the efforts of the Association State ali has
b en- secured for the Maine Medical School,
and that institution placed on secure founda-
ton. Strenuous endeavors have been made to
secure the passage of compulsory vaccina-
ton law. The success has only been partial,
an emasculated law having been enacted by the
late Legislature. In 1867 State aid was asked
in the publishing of "annual transactions,
but it has been thought best to discontinue the
practice: Earnest efforts have been made to
obtaining material for human dissection. but
have resulted in procuring no act of any prac--
tical benefit In 1868 a petition was presented
to the Legislature asking that some law be
passed by which druggists would be enabled
to fill the prescriptions of reputable physicians
without thereby beirg confounded by the au-
thorities with the common retailer of alcoholic
drinks. The petition did not accomplish
Its object there the President made a
long and able argument against the
cor sidered useless and detrmental) The con-
dition of the Maine General Hospital was then
taken up, and great confidence expressed that
it was fast increasing in prosperity. The Med
ical education bill was next alluded to. and Sc
we're comments made upon the action of the
Legislature regarding it. The opinion was ex-
pressed that it was the duty Of the Association
to make constant and unremitting efforts to Sc
cure a passage of these bills, and the establish
ment of Board of Health as means there
to was advocated. The appointment of a COM
mittee to prepare the history of the Association
for it's first two decades was recommended,
and also the appointment of a committee at the
end of each succeeding decade to write its con.
densed history. Vigorous efforts to secure the
cooperation Of every res nectable physician in
the State was strongly advised Passing allu-
sions were made to the neurology of the year land
The President closed by deprecating all profess
sional and local JEALOUSY among members, and
urging an active participation BY all in the
work of the Association.
On motion of DIR. Brickett vote of thanks
to the President was passed.
Drs Weeks. Haskell and Albee were ap-
pointed a committee to collect papers and ar
range the orderof their presentation
The matter of reception of delegates was re-
ferred to the standing committee.
H. e A.: IA
presented his report from which we learn that
the balaIce il treasury at time of last report
was $4Sl,5O. Nearly $500 have been collected
in taxes, fees. diplomas, &C., making the total
receipts 1917 90. The expenditures have been
$500 A, leaving balance on hand of 1916 Is.
The report was referred to an auditing COM
mittee consisting of Drs. Meserve and O'Brion.
and the propriety of electing him for number
of years were referred to committee.
On motion of DR.. Dana it was voted to
employ reporter to give an accurate account
of the proceedings for publication, his report to
be submitted to the Secretary, and that the re-
porter be suitably compensated. The selection
of the reporter was confided to the Secretary
and Treasurer:
The joint standing committee reported the
name of DR.. Jason Walker of Minot Corner
as member of the Association. Dr. Walker
was admitted.
The committee on publication made a report
showing that 500 copies of the report of the last
annual meeting had been printed and distribu
ted at a cost of 1862 81.
The committee to whom was referred the
matter of the expulsion of DR.. Moves from the
society, an occurrence which took place some
years since, called for information in regard
to the mooted project of his reinstatement.
The committee on revision of the constitution
and by laws made report through its chair
man DR.. Dana. The report was assigned to
O'Clock this afternoon for consideration.
Adjourned until afternoon. .-
AFTERNOON SESSION.
A paper from DR.. Lamson, on the Neurology
of the Association during the past year, was re-
ferred TO the Committee on Publication. Since
the last meeting of the Association the names
of the following members have been reported
deceased: VIM. G. Robinson, Frank S. Hall,
Ruer, Nahum P. Monroe, Gilman Daveis,
Henry H. Seavey and c. Fl. Rowell
The following named gentlemen were admit
ted members of the Association: DR.. j. E. L.
Kimball of Saco DIR. D. Fl. Dole of Cape Eliz-
abeth. DR.. Lucien Ingalls, of Falmouth, and DR..
Frank Garcelon of @.
j. NJ. Bates of Yarmouth, o. o. Horr of
Lewiston, Geo. E Brickett of Augusta, E. F.
Sanger of Bangor, and A. F. Page. of Bucks
port, were constituted a nominating committee
for the ensuing year.
The Auditing committee, to which was re-
ferred the Treasurers report, reported it as
correct.
A paper on criminal abortion was read by
DR.. Haskell of Stockton, denouncing in the
strongest terms the too common slaughter of
the innocents, crime the highest against all
laws, human and divine. 1t is the duty of the
physician to instruct the community regarding
the evil. We are the trainers of public opinion.
We should use our best efforts to so enlighten
the public that abortion shall be abolished, and
the abortonst placed where he belongs, among
the lowest Of the human race. The Doctor
said that 1000 abortions were performed yearly
in the State The papers do not denounce it as
they should. The pulpit, through modesty or
through apathy, forbears to speak of it. The
bench and the bar conspire to shield the crimi-
nal.
DIR. Sanger of Bangor, was called upon to
read paper on ''New Remedies" He de-
clned, giving as his reason the fact that a ma
per of his on Professional Slander,' read be-
fore he Association last year, was refused pub
LEGATION. The Doctor, with much heat, went
into personal explanation, using a sort of
medic i imagery which sounded to the unpro
fessional ear very much like scolding.
Dr. Dana arose and in conciliatOry manner
gave as the reason why the paper was refuse d
publication, the fact that it contained animad-
versions upon physicians of Bangor, which
were not substantiated.
1t became evident that considerable ouan-
tity of dirty linen would undergo public wash
ing unless a stop could be put to the discussion.
So DR.. Bates moved that the Objectionable and
debatable paper be printed This was maxine
virtue of necessity, for the paper has already
been printed at toe expense Of DR.. SANGER.
Up rose DR.. Hamlin of Bangor, aud objected
in the strongest terms. This re- kiudled the fast
dying debate, and the strife began anew. Men
ton was made of a certain mysterious naner
written by DR.. Seavey, which suddenly disap-
peared, and which, as it would appear, he &C
cused Dr. Sanger of stealing. After consider
able debate the matter of publication was in
definitely postponed.
II is evident that Bangor doctors are not a
happy family.
No sooner was this matter settled than anotb
er ample of discOrd was thrown into the assem-
bly, by DIR. Putnam of Bath who desired that
each member of the association should rive
two dollars to the Maine General Hospital fnnd
The Doctor said he wished to rebnke the honor
opathists of Bath, who were condemuing the
Hospital 1t was evident that the associa tion