The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-06-22

new epoch in medical education. The schools
can then fix and maintain proper standard
for naturalization and can modify and i'm
prove it in the light of experience and advanc-
ing professional sentiment With increased
patronage our institutions will be encouraged
and enabled to increase their facilities and
stimulated to greater excellence in teaching.
There will at once arise a desirable increase
in the sympathy and interest of the p1o-
fession and of the public generally in the
schools Responsibilities will be focused def
nitely and the whole scheme susceptible of
steady improvement.
quickened by strong faith in early realiza-
ton, the working of the better plan, and to
picture its results even with the old term of
study-three years-although a lengthening of
the time will inevitably follow in the near
future. Think of medical classes composed
entirely of educated men spending all their
time under opportunities for the best work
and compelled to do it. REGULATIONS, lectures,
chemical lessons, reviews, laboratory work,
microscopic, physiological, chemical, anatomi-
cal-each and all In proper time and place.
Picture to yourselves the change that few
years will bring to the tone and character Of
the profession under this.system
Then we shall have some approximation
to proper balance between demand and sup
ply as regards numbers.
Then, it is to be hoped that knowledge and
skill will find such remunerative employment
and honorable recognition, that necessity can
|
questionable methods of practice.
Then shall we begin to sec suca general ex-
cellence in the regular profession and such
average uniformity in results among different
practitioners in ordinary diseases as shall
strengthen the confidence of the people in
scientific medicine
Then shall medical experts display such
| knowledge and judgment on the witness stand
and testify with such unity of opinion on all
| ordinary matters, as to remove the stigma of
| QISOraGA 10 n1occ of xr7.f
nesses, and medico-legal inquiries shall attain
to the dignity and importance they deserve
Then, the false and disgusting speciaiism so
prevalent now shall pass away, and beside the
main and earliest natural division of medicine
and surgery, he who selects smaller division
OF labor will do so because of some special fit
ness or opportunity superadded to a thorough
general knowledge and broad and ripe ex-
| p9rience.
| Then, both profession and people will learn
that with properly educated physicians and
| surgeons speclalties are not necessity but
| matter of taste or convenience
In snort then, will the scope and scheme OF
medical education begin to be in some degree
commensurate with the needs of suffering
humanity; and to give something nearer a fit,
ness for the noblest and most sacred work that
falls to the lot of man.
Fear not my brethren that any invidious
comparisons will be drawn between then and
now. Prof. Morse of Geographic fame still
wears his historic laurels unchallenged though
the telephone has made the message vocal.
The reputation of fthe fathers in medicine
rests on the same sure foundation and the ex-
ampies OF untiring zeal, sublime devotion and
heroic self-sacrifce that they left for us shine
with undimmed lustre although,the truths that
they with prophetic eye saw dimly Swallowed
fullness.
The question between the now and the old
80 far as merit goes will always be not what
was tne opportunity as compared with now,
out now was that opportunity improved, and
the same honor and praise awaits the man |
VINO does his best no matter in what day no |
lived or under what system he worked.
so we who were educated in a time of fewer |
privileges and more imperfect methods shall |
ever claim credit for whatever of earnest, |
honest endeavors was made and for all attain
ed and accomplished under less propitious cir |
cumstances; nor shall the spirit of jealousy or |
envy ever for one moment find place here |
But in the true scientific spirit every member |
OF our profession shall hail with glad acclaim |
the dawning of better day, and shall lend |
willing influence and hearty aid to every |
movement that tends to enlarge the sphere |
and ennoble, and strengthen the character of |
scientific medicine.
Gentlemen, all that is necessary to accom-
plish this great change is conviction No |
money, no legislation, no organization of forces |
is needed Simply let every member of the |
profession realize the need and act and advise
accordingly and the work is done, or rather
we'll begun. believe that if every member
OF this Association would from this time forth.
take this position, in three years from now
there would not exist such thing as private |
precepsorship in this State. Still more, if this
Association as a body should put itself plainly |
On record as endorsing the new way the effect
would be incalculable.
The profession, the world over, is ready to
give hearty assent 1t only needs that some
would Immediately take up the theme and the
schools could afford to and would promptly
settle the matter by refusing all private certif-
Gates OF time. The movement once started, SO
ripe are the times for it, / believe it would |
very soon become universal.
IL hes IN the power of the Maine Medical
ASSOCIATION to-day to give such emphatic con-
demnatlon to the old plan and such cordial en-
dorsement OF the new as shall awaken the pro-
sessonai mind generally to the great impor-
lance of the change. believe that such awak-
enlng would surely and quickly be followed by |
profound conviction of the needs of the pres
ent Time, and that within a few years private
preceptorship would be a thing of the past
To organizations as to men great occasions for
good seldom arise. Opportunities to make his
tory that shall rebound to the honor and high
est welfare OF the race rarely come. Fortunate
are tney VINO are equal to the occasion: who
improve the opportunity.
On motion of DR.. Gordon tie address was re-
ferred to the committee on publication and to
special committee of three.
Drs Gordon. Packard and Wedegwood were
appointed as that committee.
The Secretary presented the report of DR..
Laughton, delegate to the Massachusetts, Medi-
cal Society.
The Secretary also read resolution relating
to color blindness, adopted by the Massachus-
etts Medical Society, which, on motion of DR.. |
Fuller, was assigned to 10 a. m. Thursday.
DIR. S. P. Warren presented paper on new
remedies.
DIR. B. F. Dunn reported q case of vegetat-
ing epithelioma of the uterus
DIR. T. FL. Gerrish presented a case of curya-
ture of the spine.
The auditing committee reported that they
had examined the accounts of the Treasurer
and found them correct and all bills duly |
vouched.
The board of censors reported in part and |
recommended the following applicants for
membership: James Craig, Unity; f. j. |
Robinson, Fairfield; Amos w. Plummer, Ban
gor; G. Fl. Cumston, Brunswick; Martin L.
Porter, Danforth; Horace F. Hanson, Bangor;
Payson T. Huckins, Bangor, and they were
unanimously elected.
The secretary presented report on malaria |
by DIR. Haskell, now of Minnesota, which was |
read by title and referred.
The President announced as the nominating |
committee, Drs. I. 7. Daua A. P. Snow, A. J.
Fuller, VIM. Osgood and j. L. Bennett
DIR. Weeks reported two cases of injury to |
the eye. The remainder of the session was de- |
voted to discussion of the cases presented
Adjourned to 8 p. m.
EVENING SESSION.
The association was called to order at 8 D. m.
The report of DIR. Dickson, delegate to the |
Connecticut Medical Society. was read by title
and referred to committee on publication.
DIR. I. T. Dana presented d paper on Inham-
nations of the Coecum, and gave a brief alb |
stract of it, Considerable discussion followed, |
and several cases in point were reported
Adjourned to 9 a. m.
The Press Excursionists.
Yesterday morning at o'clock the Massa- |
chusetts Press Association embarked on board |
the steamer Gazelle for sail among the |
islands They were accompanied by Mayor