New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-03
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

MEETING OF THE METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
PAPER on TRANCE" BY DR.. GEORGE NJ BEARD
A regular meeting of the Medico-Legal So.
ciety was held Wednesday evening at the han
OF the Academy Of Medicine, No. IL West Thirty.
frst-st Prof. Frank Hastings Hamilton Prest
dent, opened the meeting with an inaugural address
of which the following is abstract: In
bringing close the abors of the year, it seem,
proper that review should be made of the work of tia
society during this period The following Is summary
OF the papers and scientific reports brought before thu
society during the past year: Effects OF Sudden Ios.
Of Consciousness upon the Memory Of Preceding
Events" by Prof. f. III. Hamilton NJ d.; "Epilcu.v
With Mania" by A. o. kellogg. NJ. d., OF POUCH.
keepse, n. Y. "Milk in its Medco-Legal A.
poets" by Prof. r. Ogden Doremus, NJ. d.; "stata
Medical Polity, or how far Government may interfere In
the protection of the Health of the People, by the Hon
George II. Yeamans; "Mysterious Disappearance ana
Presumption OF Death in Insurance cases." by William
G.. Davies. A. NJ Certain railway Injuries Of the spina
in medicoIega relations by Prof William A. Hammond
NJ D.; "Medicolosa Science" by j. J. oDea.
After referring to alterations which took place In
reference the sOcetys library, Prof Hamilton stated
that larger amount found in tho treasury a, the
close Of the year than usual and the Executive Commit
tee have been sbe to set aside library fund.- inclusive
or the apunt on hand $3.50 To DE used in the purchase
OF books and journals during the year. BY the eOnstitu
u0n the society has the power 70 appoint permanent
commission whose object shall be to consider Ques
tons which may De referred 10 the society by the
or which may come from other The President
closed by thanking the members for their kindness and
forbcarance during the past and for their unanimy
reelecting him rs President for the coming year.
AT the close OF the Presidents address Dr. George
Beard read a paper entitled Trance: its Nature
symptoms, and MedicO-Lega Relations" He began BY
calling attention to the numerous phases comprised
under the general term trance, and showed by ustrs
tons upon the blackboard the difference between the
normal condition Of the brain and its condition IN sleep
and in trance DR. Beard secuted the idea that there
could be any such thing direct personal magnetism
mesmerisn. He held that all persons were subject TO
trance and that the action carried in the brain Of
the subject independent OF outside Influences From this
fact that all liable to trance, he claimed that only
experts upon the subject should be allowed 10 give test
nony court in reference TO the pretended power OF
spiritual mediums cairvoyants, and general Geceiver
OF the public. The majority OF those who had their
performances were IN en- entraheed state Of mind them
selves, and incapable Of giving Trustworthy ev-
deuce Dr. Beard believed that the conviction OF Slade
the greatest stride the law had made toward
freeing the public from these mpOstor. and concluded
his remarks by inferrng that, until experts
pOyed for this purpose the world would continue to
duped, for trance be fegned almost perfectly
though it actually occurred.
motion then made 10 have the paper published,
after which the meeting adjourned.