The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-25
Aitl,mond 1ispattk.
THURSDAY. .....oCIOBEk 20, iSu.
PETERSBURG.


OCTOBER "a, 1877.
Tho eighth annual session OF the Medical
Soc,cty Of Virginia was commenced last
NIGHT at Library Hall, with between seventy
fyr and one hundred Fellows in attendance.
The occasion drew together large assem-
blaze OF ladies and gentlemen to witness
the opening proceedings. The address OF
welcome was delivered by DR.. Thomas
WitherS, and the annual address by Dr.
Randolph. Of Charlottesville. who chose lot
his subject 1.-The Study Of Medicine"
The Society resumed its session TINS
morning at 10 o'clock-PrcSidcnt taoeii IN
the chair.
4 volunteer PAPER on {" lleart-Clot' was
offered nv Or. NJ. l.. James. OF Richmond.
This paper was one Of signal abillty ana IN
tercst. engaging the closest attention OF the
Socistv, and dieting discussion by several
members.
4 resolution was offered and unanimously
adopted directing that Or. James's paper
be referred 10 the Committee on Publ
cation. with instruction to have 1t pub
l>hed.
Or. Randolph. OF Charlottesville, in
stanced several cases OF hcart-clot occur
ring under his observation during the war.
Remarks were also made by DR.. Joynes,
ton.
On motion, the Chair was authorized to
appoint committee OF thirteen to report
permanent officers Of the Society.
Several names were proposed for mem
bership and elected.
PRESIDENT CABEI.L'S ADDRESS.
President Cabcli. at the appointed hour,
delivered his annual address. He stated
that in casting about for 4 suitable subject
he found the field OF selection very much
narrowed in consequence OF the fact that
the exposition OF recent advances in the
different branches OF medical scence-a
convenient and popular theme for such
presidential diScour>es-has been assigned
10 various committees, whose reports Will
bc presented 10 the Society in the regular
course OF the proceedings. He would. there
fore, be compelled. "a it were, TO occupy the
attention OF the Society with SomeH hat
dcsultorv notice OF a variety OF topics, which,
though they may appear to lack OF unity and
conference. are Of sufficient importance to
merit attention. He expressed deep con-
Germ in view OF the summary rejection by
the Legislature ut the last session Of "a bill
to regulate the practice OF medicine and
surgery" which sadly disappointed the
hopes which had been created by the unan-
imous report in its favor by the Committee
on Propositions and Grievances at a pre-
viouS session. The practical question which
faces lis at present relates TO the time and
means for making further efforts for secu-
ring the end proposed by this bill. There
are also other measures in which the Society
is interested that require Legislative ac-
ton, and 1t demands consideration whether
il will be cXpedlcnt to press them all ut
one and the same session OF the LegiSla-
turc: and, II not cXpcdient, then to which
OF these measures preference should be
given rs 10 priority OF presentation. He
thought il best not 10 have more than one
hill in the presumed interest OF the profess
sion before the Legislatu at one time. For
many reasons he thought preference should
he given to the bill for such an annual ap-
preparation to the State Board OF Health as
is necessary 10 place the Board in Il condi-
ton for active operation. The speaker gave
numerous reasons. all sound and good. for
this. The organization and regular active
operation OF State Board Of Health would
prove a most effective means OF initiating
other public measures for the benefit Of
the profession it would place the
Board in very advantageous position for
the legitimate use OF means to instruct the
Legislative Assembly and the general public
in regard to the rightlu claims OF the medi-
cal profession to respect and confidence rs
conn>cllorS OF the public health they would
make sanitary Investigation and inquiries
respecting tie causes OF disease, especially
OF epidemics aud endemics, the sources OF
mortality among the whites and blacks,
and the effects of localities, employmentS,
conditions. and circumstances on the public
health. The speaker referred ut length to the
discussion on this subject in the American
Medical Association and state Medical sOcie-
ties elsewhere. and the effect OF the establish
mcnt OF boards in fourteen OF the States OF
the Union. He asked that the Virginia Medi-
cal Society make renewed and earnest efforts
10 secure the necessary appropriation for our
State Board Of Health. The measure has
been recommended by Governor kemper
and his predecessor, and is warmly sup
ported bva number of prominent members
of the Legislature known to be equally
earnest advocates Of retrenchment and strict
economy. IL Is recognized to be one OF
economy, for health is more economical than
disease.
DR.. Cabe)l PAID 4 high tribute to the pro-
fession OF medicine, its dignity and intlu-
ence, and urged the members, by principle,
education, and practice, to sustain it. IL
each individual physician would in his own
sphere work Systematically and faithfully
for the relic! OF suffering humanity, avail
Ing himself oi all the resources which his
own experience, aided by the light derived
from the recorded experience Of others may
supply, and especially il this is done in the
spirit OF henevolcnce and unseltish devo-
ton 10 duty, much will have been done
TO rescue the profession from disrcpute
and restore 70 it its deserved prestige.
With such incentives rs sc have to
cyertion. and such aids as we have in
study. we shall indeed be without excuse il
we fail TO perform our part, however hum
bic il may be, in the common work by which
il is hoped that in each succeeding year
medicine .'may become more perfect as an
art, more exact as q science, and more hon
orable as a profession" Let Us, therefore,
said the speaker, in conclusion, strive TO
catch the spirit which actuated one OF the
ggreatcst philosophers and poets Of England
in quitting q muclI-loved place OF retire
ment, but with more persistent practical
consistency than he subsequently exhibited:
Go. and Ion head. heart, and hand
Active aud firm 10 ESlit The bl0Odess iSnt
OF Science. Freedom. and the IfuIn In Cnrlst.
The Doctors address was listened to with
Great interest @hld unanimous approval. 1t
was referred to the Committee on PuOllca-
ton, with instruction to publish 1t.
1t was also referred to specia! committee
OF three TO consider and report on It's sug-
.estions.
a telegram was received and read from
DR.. Owen, Of Lynchburg, expressing re
greet at his inability to attend the session ana
submit the paper he was instructed to pre-
pare on the Advance in Surgery"
paper, by DR.. John L. Page, on "Epl-