Wilmington journal., 1873-11-07
Reported fo- the Journal
Eastern Medical Convention at
(sOlhShOrn.
GoLDsBoRo, Nov. 4th, 1S7

ooLbSDoAo, A~of. fth, 1odc.
According TO previous notice, the
physicians of Eastern North Carolina,
held at this place to-day, az Eastern
Medical Convention. The object is
the formation of an Eastern Medical
Association, to be auxiliary to tbeS State
Medical Society. There is q fine at
tendance of the most prominent medi-
cal men in the East and along the line
of the railroad, from Wilmington to
Weldon. At least thirty physicians
have already arrived, and the next
trains from the North, East and South
will no doubt swell the number All
is harmony and enthusiasm. All
admit the necessity of medical
improvement and reform IN North
Carolina. Charlatanism and meanness
in the regular profession find no en-
couragemeut, but universal opposition
and indignant protest to all that is
oppCss 4 to the medical code and to e BOD
faith in the profession animate the as
semblage of medical men, here congre-
grated to advance medical knowledge
and relieve human suffering. New
Hanover is represented in the presence
of Drs. Emit, Lucas and Satchwell
On motion of DIR. Kirby, of Colds
boro, DIR. Satchwell was unanimously
elected President, and DIR. II. 0.
Hyatt, of Einston, elected Secretary.
DR.. Satchwell called the Convention
to order and then delivered the follow
ing address:
GENTLEMEN OF THE EASTERN MEDI-
CAL CONVENTION:
In returning you my grateful ac-
acknowledgements for the honor, unsolic-
tied, ofpresiding over this Convention,
I can but congratulate the true men,
bers of the profession in Eastern North
Carolina upon the encouraging num-
bers present and the fine spirit mani
tested. Those who have called it de-
serve the thanks of their brethren and
the approval of the public at large,
whose welfare has prompted the sacri-
flee of our attendance now and here
We have come hither under no attrac-
tive show or pageantry of streaming
banners or stirring parade of martial
music, nor has any party purpose, or
selfish aim, OF individual ambition, or
love of pecuuiary gain brought us to-
gether. Our always noble and en-
| nObinG profession, i'll its proverbial
| devotion to peace, quietude, and the
| best good ofmanklnd scars above those
creation, whether i'll its more private
ministrations TO suffering humanity,
| or i'll its anciated efforts to acquire
useful knowledge. These medical
meetings in our State, so often mis-
understood by those who do not en-
quire, and SO frequently misrepresent-
ed by bad men, both within and with
out our regular ranks, are held, as this
| 10 ho1 :o i,,4n ~
science and humanity. We meet to
form an Eastern Medical Association
which will be auxiliary to the State
Medical Society. In other words, oul
mission here is to adopt ways and
means to advance the great cause OF
improvement in medical knowledge
In this great work our parent State
Society has been laboriously engaged
for the last twenty years. In this con
tinuous labor of love it has moved on,
ward and upward without any othe,
reward or hope of reward than those
endearing recollections and sustaining
convictions connected with the fac
that its members have accomplished
a vast and unappreciablc GOOD
in relieving human pain, in as
suaging human sorrow. in the
prevention of disease and prolonga
ton of human life, in removing the
various ailments and intirmities OF ON
nature, and in saving the lives o
living men. We propose an addi
tional association which shall be auxili
ary to, and cooperative with thi>
human and noble work, the great use
fulness and magnitude of which vii
only be appreciated i'll that great da,
of accounts, when the hearts and tht
deeds Of men will be fully known ant
admitted. By performing il thi
associated way this needed service O
medical improvement and reform il
North Carolina, we receive those
advantages of UniCn, Interchange
of views and facts, garnered III The
store house of observation and expe
rienco, and of fraternity of feeling
and elevation of purpose which ar,
among the most effective instrument
alltles III preserving human health aGt
saving human life. Precious aud per
petual are the memories of these i'll
teresting occasions, when new friend
ships are formed and cid one:
strengthened, when medical talent j.
discovered and developed, when socia
pleasures are enjoyed amid the Gush
ing forth of warm and generous i'm
pulses, and where there is & genera
prevalence of that professional en-
| thusiasm which enables us to know
that it is gain to make this occasiona
sacrifice of leaving for a day or tive
the tolls and moiis of practice in ordel
to take common counsel as to those
things which will improve the profes
sion and promote the welfare of the
community. Hundreds of us there
are who can realize the cherished fact
that these Medical Conventions and
professional reunions are to the true
hearted physicians green spots in the
desert of life. We always return home
with an additional stock of knowledge
and with our hearts improved and Oul
arms strengthened for the .exactine
duties and severe labors, now more
than Fever imposed upon the faithful
physician of this over-powercu and
impoverished Southern land.
| Let us proceed then to the task OF
organizing of all Eastern auxiliary
association. Let lis take steps toward
| the formation of one in every county
in North Carolina where an auxiliary
society does not already exist. Tho
moro numerously they arc formed the
better it will be for the cause of mcdi-
cal science and the public interests.
Amid all the depressions and financial
panics which affiict our struggling
people, the emphatic truth starcs us
in the face that this is more than ever
an age of impetuous though, and of
lively progress in all the departments
of life. The new spirit of invcstiga-
ton which, from necessity and the
| prevalent wants and condition Of our
| fellow-citizens, has seized upon the
public mind in relation to all that per-
tains to our mutual pursuits; the
| rapid advance in all the arts and
sciences, and the urgent demands,
recognized particularly by the South
ern people, to discover and adopt all
possible means and substitutes for our
lost slave labor, puts them more than
ever upon their metal, develops
| all unparalleled amount of self-reliance
and intellectual vigor, accompanied by
alives of enterprise and associated effort,
which is seen, as never before, in the
,,,,rc,ifo of 1ifa onl