Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-25
EVENING SESSION.
Address OF DR.. Reeves I'm the Hall OF
the House of Representatives at the
CaDIfOi RuildIng.

Address OF Dr. heeSeS HI the Haih VI
the House of Representatives at the
Capitol Building.
At7:3O o'clock DIR. Reeves, President
of the State Medical Society, took the chair
and delivered his address. The hall was
we'll filled with many of our prominent
citizens and members of the Society. The
Doctor said:
Fsllo,cs of The Medical Society Of tie State Of
West ITgiRid:
| am very sensible of the high honor con-
ferred by your suffrages, which makes it
my duty to welcome you to this the tif-
teenth annual meeting of the society, and
preside over your deliberations; and | do
welcome you with all the fulness and sim
cerity of my heart.
The Death Of DIR. Brock.
But our greetings are damped by the
shadow of death! The King of Terrors has
again visited the society and this time
plucked one of the brightest stars from the
galaxy of our ex-presidents.
On the morning of the 24th of April, soft
and gentle as the last faint sound OF a
seraph's strain, the happy spirit of Hugh
w. Brock fed 10 join the Society of the
Just, where the Master Physician presides
and, from behind and through the baptism
which the eternal law requires of all our
race, says: "Inasmuch as we have done it
unto one of the least of these my brethren,
We have done it unto me-
By the death of DR.. Brock this Society
and the medical profession in West Vir-
ginia have sustained loss which no words
of mine can fittingly portray. He was one
of our greatest physicians; and as good as
he was great. Indeed, he was one OF the
purest men | have ever known-kind-
hearted, afIectionate and gentle as woman
vet when moral courage was necessary TO
defend and enforce the right, he was bold
and brave as lion; and the impress of his
high professional ability, noble and fearless
manhood, enriches the records of this
Society.
Or. Brock was well and favorably known
by the most distinguished physicians and
surgeons in America, and thus he reflected
credit upon the medical profession gener-
ally in this State and the membership of
the Society in particular. In every relation
of life his excellent qualities both OF mind
and heart shown forth. and marked him rs
an upright, noble man!
On learning of his serious illness. |
fastened to visit him at his pleasant home
in Morcantown. Our friendship, aye,
brotherly love, had covered period OF
nearly 80 years. during all which time our
hearts had never been estranged; and l
knew him intimately and in all the grandeur
of his exalted character. His last Sabbath
on earth, but one, spent with him. His
faculties of mind were unimpaired, and
from the windows of his pure great soul
he looked ont upon bis rapidly approach
ing death without a murmur OF complaint,
or fear, or doubt,
When babe him good bye" he knew
VIC should never meet again on earth; and
he pressed my hand to his lips in token OF
his love and to seal the uninterrupted
friendship that had bound us so closely for
so MANY years He had hoped to be pres
ent at this meeting, and able to interest
YOU with report of his experience and OBJ
| servatiOns last year among the great men
of the profession in the countries OF
Europe who assembled at the international
Medical Congress in London, and, no doubt,
| in his heart he gave me this message to de-
| liver to you-"rell my brethren my prayer
! is for their harmony-for the prosperity of
| the Society-for the preservation of the
| honor and dignity of the medical profess
| sion in West Virginia.
"HiS work Is DONE not finished: like a song
HuShed in the midst OF grandeSt symphony
flushed upon lips that seemed 80 brave and
strong
We dreamed not death would stay their har-
mOnN."
Itis impossible soon to turn away from a
| character of such exceeding beauty as that
| We have been contemplating. In imitation
| of Dr. Brooks blameleSs life-his industry
| and exalted professional example, let us so
| forward with renewed vigor toward the
Mount of the object and aim of the found.
ers of the Medical Society Of the State OF
West Virginia.
To encourage industry and original re.
| search, and in honor of his memory, here.
| after there shall be known The Ii. w.
Brock Prize for the best original paper
accepted by n committee of this Society.
The Value OF Associate Effort.
Many of you. no doubt, have made con-
siderable sacrifices 10 be present at this
! meeting with your offerings of facts and
| observations fresh from your arduous tolls
| and study at the bedside of your patients
| thus giving and receiving, teaching and
] being taught, each deriving from the ac'
| cumulated stores OF knowledge of other
minds the wisdom that can come only from
| associate effort and collective learning. In
I this way, we elevate the standard of medi-
| cine and surgery, and contribute something
| towards the perfection of the art of ameli-
| Grating and healing the sufferings of the
sick and afflicted.
1t is one of the distinguishing character
| isticS of our profession that its disciples
stand ever ready to obey the call OF duty;
| for them dis ease and pestilence have no
| terrors that frighten other men, and in,
stead of intimidating, only serve to call
| forth the brighter dictates of humanity
Like the Old Guard of Napoleo n at the bat.
tie of Waterloo. no sooner does one fall
than another takes his place in the ranks
Medical Prosress.
Medical literature of the present age is
| richer, more various and instructive; is
| the record and exposition OF larger mum.
Der of wellascertained, important facts
bearing directly on the prevention and cure
| of diseases than that Of any former one.
! This literature is not only the transcript or
| fresh records of the most interesting phe.
nomena connected with and illustrative OF
organization and life, but it consists also
OF sharp historical retrospection in which
| all that was really useful and material in
| former sges has been selected, carefully re.
studied and incorporated with the new ma.
terials furnished BY the present; henc, the