Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-22
Annual Meeting of the Maine Medical

A. M. Attention was first given to the routine
business Of the meeting, in order to clear the way
for the more important consideration Of medical
subjects.
The report of the tire asurer showed q balance in
favor of the Society of s26i.77. Seven new mem
beis were elected :-Drs. Foss, Lyford, Knox,
Morse, Kimball, Mason and Coffin.
The following officers were elected for the en-
suing year:
President-Dr. w. L. Thompson.
lst Vice Presdent-Dr. &. A Cochran.
ID e-President-Dr. +. +. Vose.
Recording Sec.-Dr d. e. Perkins.
Cor. Sec.-Dr j. Il. Bell.
Treasurer-Dr. l.. II. Kimban.
Censors-Drs. VIM. Gallupe, II. b. Eaton, r. l..
Dodge, Rufus Shackford n q. II PulsIfer.
Commute on Publicslion-D rs. Burr and Syl-
vester.
Committee on Legislstion-Drs. Bell, Burr and
Jefords.
A discussion upon the sentiments of the public
concerning the admission of Homeopathy to the
Maine General Hospital, showed general opiu-
ion that the people desire that the Homeopathists
be fairly treated in the matter.
The following physicians were present JEFF
fords, Gallupe, Perkins, Drake, Cochran, Lyford,
Dillingham;, Bell, Burr, Thompson, Kimbs,
Gannett. Fellows, Foss, Sylvester, NOse, Dodge,
Knowles, Flanders, Knox.
Adjourned till o clock, p. NJ.
AFTERNOON.
The meeting was called to order at half past
two, by DIR. Drake.
Mr.. Jetierds of Bangor was called to the chair,
TO serve rs President pro ten.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr.. Penney
of Augusta.
Remarks were continued from the morning,
concerning the admission of Homo lpathy to the
General Hospital at Portland.
A discussion followed As TO the permanent loca-
ton Of meetings of the society.
DR.. Burr favored Portland.
DIR. Thompson thought Augusta more central
location, as did DR.. Bell also.
DR.. Perkins thought come place on the Kenne.
bee was preferable.
1t was finally decided to hold the next meeting
10 Portland, upon the fourth Tuesday in May.
The annual address Of the President was called
for, but that person was absent.
The Board of Cepsors then made q report
which was accepted.
DR.. Bell, chairman of the Board of Materia
Medica, made report, which WAS also accepted
DR.. Bell then discussed the qualities and
powers of the drug biyOna. No one in looking
at this plant would suppose II had such great
powers. He found this medicine great remedy
for those persons who, from slight cold, arc
made deltious. desire for vomiting often fol-
lows the use Of blyonia. The patient nearly al-
ways wishes to lie upon the back DR.. Bell had
seen BOD effects from bryonis in rheumatic fe-
yer, and il is very effective in cases Of typhoid
fever.
DR.. Burr confirmed the remarks of Dr. Bell
He had used bryonis much in constipation, and
found it effective. He spoke of several of the
cures that he bad had with this medicine.
DIR. foss had many cases Of pneumonia which
had been cured by brvonia.
DIR. Cochrsne used it In cases OF constipation
in children.
DIR. Knowles said that this medicine would
cause Precipitation IN less than IL hours.
DIR. Gaupe thought biyoDis WAS one Of our
precious medicines. Compressed tight feeling,
hot and dry skin removed by tins remedy and
few hours. Bryonia found effective where
every other medicine failed. He cured many
cases Of carbuncles and boils with this remedy.
DR.. Drake in cases OF felons gave sulphur, which
he found very effective. lie never found it nee
essary to lance felon.-Dr Bell thought that 10
such cases as felons medicine was far better than
the knife. He then gave few interesting remarks
upon different cases that had come under his
treatment, and which he had cured.
DIR. Brry discussed diphthetis. When severe
vomiting lakes place we may expect q critical case.
IL is an open Question as to the origin Of this dis.
ease, common as it is. He did not think Is many
others did that microscopic matter was it's cause.
Thepocaton does not appear to make any difference
regards the prevalence of the disease. Those
who live in high places are just IS liable to re-
ceive IT as those who live in low. Carboc acid
and acids of various kinds be gave as remedies.
Dr. Bell agreed with DIR. Briiy concerning the
origin of diphthera; he did not think it came from
flthiness; that it Was found in high well low
places. In the winter time. when the ground is
covered with snow, and the earth and air are pure
1T rs often quite prevalent. DIR. b. had nothing to
offer upon the origin o. diphtheris; whether it was
owing TO the eXisteuce Of ozone 10 the phere,
some thought. he could not judge.
DIR. Burr said the origin of such diseases as
diphtheria was much discussed, but there were
many different views upon this question. Some
say filthy odors the cause Of dphtheris; others
cannot agree with this idea. He was inclined to
the idea that filth would not produce this form of
disease.
DR. Dodge could not agree with Dr. Burr. He
thought it was from local 18th or some unhealthy
ortlor that the origin of dphtheria arose. He has
had five patients in one family; and under the
house where they lived was large cess pool. He
considered diphtheris not contagious
DIR. Ganne,t said that while be was in Freder
teton, they had there many cases of typhoid few
err. A health boarl WAS elected to clean the city.
which wa. believed to be filthy. Since the clean
ing they had had an epedemc before they had
had none. Whether or not disease had been
brought here by the filthy matter Of the city being
stirred up, he coHld not say.
DIR Vose said that they had an epedimic of ty
phod fever in Boston recently, among some
wealthy families while the poor ones, but short
distance below, escaped it. He thought that the
wealthy families received the disease on account
of the filth of the poor ones so near them.
DR.. Foss spoke of some cases of diphtheria that
he had had at Moosehesd Lake. He thought
wealthy families did not fare any better than poor
er ones. Out OF $50 cases which he had had, he
only lost Is.
DR.. Thompson said he had found the disease
very extensively among those persons who dwell
in low places. He could not tell what was the
origin Of the disease. He had cases in high as
we'll as low places. If one lives in pure air. how
ever, he thought it very likely that
such diseases as diptheria might be avoided.
DR.. T. used iodide of mercury and generally
found good effects from this. He had lost DO
cases of dphtheris for some time.
Dr. Dillingham; said that he never had but one
malignant case, and that he believed was owing
to an accumulation of filth about the premises
where the family lived He thought that many
people did not take into consideration the position
Of the well as regards the house. Sometimes the
well would be placed between the house and sta
be. DIR. Dillingham; thought all cases could be
attributed to filth.
Dr. Burr said that diphtheria was comparative
ly q new disease. He thought dsmpness about the
house would not produce it. The germ of diph-
iberia. he considered was able to be carried and
preserved for long time.
Dr. Bell thought it was in 4 cold season of the
wear that the disease prevailed to greater extent.
He had never seen any effect from medicines in
case of dptheric Group
The meeting then adjourned till seven clock,
evening