The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-05-29
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.

In retiring from the position which you Thought
proper kindly to assign me some time ago. as
President of this Society, | cannot but express
10 you on this OCCASION my sincere thanks for
the unmerited respect that has been shown me,
and for the courteous and professional bearing
that has been exhibited towards each other in
all our deliberations.
This Society has held its stated meetings. with
some omissions, for the last seven years, and we
trust with advantage to ourselves and to the
community. Its object, as set forth in its Con
stitution, has been the elevation of professional
character, the extension of medical knowledge,
and the interchange of medical views and opin-
ions among each other. Notwithstanding This
the question was often asked, what meaneth this?
Why have the physicians of our county formed
an association and meet together at stated peri
DDS? Is it not with some pecuniary or selfish
view And this significant inquiry sometimes
came even from those who are now cXerting
themselves to form similar association-An
Agricultural Society for this county. We wish
them success, and believe such an association
discreetly organized, will do much good and
stimulate the agricultural interest in this COM
munity. 10 all such inquiries, seemingly I'M
grateful, as an association we have never conde.
scended to make reply. But to all who are
interested in the health and welfare of this COM
munity; to those who would desire an experience
ed and skiful physician to administer at their
side, when q raging fever prostrates them low
upon the bed of sickness to those who have had
disease and death to invade their family circle
and to take from them by some fell stroke Tho
promising head the family, leaving widowed
mother and bcreavcd childrcn and to those who
nave witnessed sweeping epidemic in their
midst pass along and take from their very bosoms
their dearest children To all such we need NOT
give an answer.
They can duly appreciate the efforts of A body
OF Intelligent physicians, organized with view
OF making themselves better acquainted with
those diseases, by comparing with each Other
their knowledge and experience and stimula.
ting each other to further progress
In county like this, the diseases prevalent
are not so varied MS in the populous cities and
hence an association of physicians, who have
each carefully studied and skilfuly treated those
diseases, bring together an amount of profes.
sional experience and skill, both useful to them
selves, and truly beneficial to the community
And as we review the professional record of this
county Tor years past, both in law and medi.
cine, we should be stimulated BY the noble cv.
ample there set before us.
In legal learning and talent prominent has ey
er stood the reputation of the bar. Twice has il
furnished from this county Chief Justice for
our STATE; And alike profound and early dis.
tihguished Ill medicine and professional skill.
have been our medical predecessors. y Sbould
we not emulate their example? There was n
time in the history of medicine, when Ignorance
ana superstition so prevailed that learning and
skill was secondary to craft and empiricism,
lherc was no learned jurist, before whom the
the law.
That which was mysterious and marvellous
won the appreciation of the people; and thus
the conceitcd quack brought to bear his magic,
while nature cured the disease. But in this
more enlightened age, when the influence of ed.
ucatlon and the light of science more widely
prevail, we look for better state of things,
We expect the community better to appreciate
and encourage professional learning and skill,
and give to the accomplished and diligcnt phvsi.
clan his proper position.
sage writer has truly said. "Imnrovcment
and the world will expire together" The learn.
ed physician of the present day, however thor.
ouSh may be his knowledge of his profession,
should ever be student ofmedicne. In no call.
ing or profession is there more ardent or con-
tnuous research than in ours. No avenue not
explored; no hidden depths unsearched in quest
OF something new. In every region of the globe,
Ootn OF land and sea, search and research has
been made, and still continues, for that which
viii cure the various maladies that afflct man.
kind. And is it not of vital Importance is it not
rightfully due to those who place confidence in
our medical knowledge and skill, that we should
be able to give to them the benefit of every i'm.
provement or discovery there known? Look
within the past few years what advancement has
peeh maze Doth IN surgery and medicine! We
nave something, not long since known to the
profession. that so luls and allays the writing
and agonlzlng pain of q severe surgical opera.
tlon, tnat thetpa lent is scarcely conscious tina
II is taking place; that he is losing limb.
what boon is this to intense suffering! What
blessing is this to mankind! Is it not essen
tial then that the physician of the present day
should keep pace with these improvements and
discoveries? That he should be ever studious
in medicine? And what is more calculated to
stimulate and urge him on than these associa-
tions
And to the junior members of our profession
we would earnestly and cordially invite them to
LOOK at the professional advantage that might
ensue; the kind regard and friendship that
might be cultivated; and the public good that
might be enhanced by keeping up this assodia
ton.
And further, my fellow members, besides
knowledge of medicine, there is something else
requisite in our profession to insure success
ii is knowledge Of mankind. Various are the
notions and opinions, views and prcudices of
man. These are outside of our profession, but
with them we must daily come in contact We
must have enlarged sympathy, and feel interest.
And above all, confidence must abound. Not
vain confidence in ourselves, but that inspired
in others. 1t gives potency to advice and eflica
cy to the medicine. 1t is the want of this that
often discourages in his first efforts, the young
physician But like the breeze to the calm stad
bark, as soon as it comes, he unfurls his sails
and moves steadily and surely onward.
And lastly, as the guiding the polar star through
life, let professional integrity ever abound SO
that in after years, when our professional! career
is nearly closed, we may have the pleasant con-
seriousness, when looking back, that we have
been useful to our fellow man; true to our pro.
fessional brethren, and MdnkfM to n merciful
God.
And may such life leave n radiance not oh.
secured by clouds, but that glows even on long,
long after our departure!