West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-12-18

Ry William W. p ,i,t. Va. ID. Pre.t-
dent OF the Medical society OF the
State az W.. a..

"e"'cwet NJ u,s Uct,cA Sjcie,y of ne
"1'clf J'e,t l6ruja:
Abandoning y"ur orfi1aJ pu-W.t., you
ia" ne, resentsiiyos OF progressive med,
cine, have assembled In this beautiful
city To 10y your tribute on the common
"'ar Of science. [ extend % vsu ,
friendly and cordial greeting: In ,bes..
times when lhshncss and love Of gain.
no" riot over the land, Upd pollute IN.
well spring II All that is noble, good and
pure, men Who are eager 10 devote their
lime ard energies to the encouragement
OF the high aims Of this Soc ETY.. men VINO
leaving The imperative demands of i'm
poriant home duties, gather hers, intent
on promoting the interest Of their cbcs u
calling. Such men are worthy r,prcsep-
laiiycs OF profession whose lof,iest rs
pirstions haYe been for the welfare M
mankind, snd-whose sacriGcess in the III
ierest Of humanity illumine the p,pes. q,
history from the time their Grea, Muster
himself offered the illuslriou5 cx.mnle ~
patriotism 20 tho present day. when nun
oers lay down 'h,irsvery lives amid the
gASStly scenes of pes;ileDce, lcaying to va
a proud heritage sof noble valor. which
though uuheralded,by historians pen. VIII
ioHi down.into thc-turbid waters of b.so
human'psssons "a genial stream ln:us,
lng,wer'nihsand parity into i.s depths.
by the Constitution OF the Sjcie,v II
becomes my duty to address you upon
sono subject pertaining to medicine; with
your permission, will deviste from this
prescribed duty end address you. very
ori'ny, onsuhjects connected with our
selves, the opponents Of medicine in
Wcsla Virginia. Ia looking back over
matters connected with the history Of our
Society during The past year, have been
painfully struck 10y several circumstances
which concur TO render these annual ro.
unions lees beneficial than they should be
among iae circumstances may be men
TONED The snail attendance and tho zen
eral lacE u interest unaffected By the
majority OF our professions, brathern vho
never attend these meetings. hoajr
tAere 10 want Of harmony and mut;cI
support which, il not romedied, must
inevitably result in the down fail of urr
institution; without union and concerted
action, our best objected efforts must re-
sun In failure. Is this state Of .fTdrs
iFremediable ? Arc there no means AZ orr
disposal whereby the influence of this
ooclety;in. common with that OF similar
institutions, may be brought 10 bear
lr,c'Iy On the members of the medical
p''i;ss'"n, and indirectly on tie public at
!a:ger L Is difficult in the present con
axiom OF the medical profession of West
virginia, TO rcc,gGiZe this influence which
nevertheless exists although seldom exer
ciN'd' wen has regent winter (by no
means friend Of the profession re-
marked: There. is no, denying the
power OF the great medicine order 10 these
days; 1t occupies strangely close analogy
TO the position of.thcTpriesthooI.rn former
times, It assumes the same authority
enteTs. every familytwiih latch key of
private Information, only comparable with
that obtained by the confessional. The
lpiluence OF the family medical man ON
wives and mothers, and through them. on
husband and children ID almoat I'M.
bounded, and If it were To DO exerted
uniformly in matters of physica! oducs-
ton, there is little doubt that i. would be-
effective" That there is truth in the
passages cited can6Ot be denied VIM
thcn should not this power be uniformly
exercised for he advancement of cur
prof, scion, and The general good Of hu.
manly?
The TINE is sDot far distant, aud may
possibly be at hand, when by unanimi,v.
energy and pTeconoerted action tho med
ical professlon ofthis. State, may ma,er-
ally advance not only their interest bp,
also accomplish something towards the
instruction Of Legislators in their duties 10
suffering humanity. Are phy.ioians or
hucksioring politicians, Dc facto the
guardians Of the public health ? As sp
instance Of The uLfiiness of politicians 10
deal with medical matters, may be cited
The action OF our last Legislature. in reI.-
Ton TO the non passage of the "biln TO
establish a State Board Of health. the
history Of which is familiar 70 every MEM
Der ci this Society. In commeotipg ON
this failure OF tho Society to secure the
passage OF the "Dill, it must however he
borne IN mind 10 simple justice, that not
all The blame accrues from the Ignorance
OF the Legislature. Analysing without
prejudice the various causes which led To-
the defeat of the measure, there is one
which cannot be overlooked. Was the
influence OF the mCdic,. profession of the
State, Individually and collectively brought
To bear upon our Legislators? without
being fuzzy informed ON This poinf. I y,.
gfe' to sis'e it appcors TO me, that few
adequate ct .rts 10 this direction have
been instituted bu, a., deed s done. and
81 that remains for us .o 80 "a. present ,s
' n.kn1F .s.r az .s'ur. Fl. advance ibo
interest %. .ul Society and place ON rccori
ono nnre e.'ahc. "a ruckscrry polite.
bfrrinz thc road 90 advancing civilization
and lrgisla'iog agains. the health and
happiness OF pfoplc
hodin order Co increase the ,ficiercy
oil our state organization. it is of the uf.
most importance tbaf auxiliary sociciia,