Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-06-07
have not been accepted unchallengei, hut contro-
yarsY has heeu anIiohfenad and tolaranf.


vsrsy has been enlightened and tolerant.
In this life time Of o generation Of men, whicl
has alsO been the life time Of this association wha
has been accomplished under Its influence amid Ell
this restlessness and activity and esrnestness7 TIT
purposes Of the organizati N as expressed at tbs
preliminary convention, we're to cultivate and ad
vance medical knowledge; TO elevate the standard Of
medical education; and to promote the usefulness
honor snd interests of the medical profession. I
is source Of oongratuation that spirit Of har-
mony and friendship has characterized its annual
semblings, and cordially and good feeling existed
among Ito members. The interests Of medca
science have been uppermost In your miuds; aud q
feeling Of common brotherhood has bound you II
bond of syn psthy. This is peculiarly an institu.
profession. 1t IL truly democratic In its workings
Its doors stand Wide opeu to 20 worthy, and by til
laws. every reputable physician in the land can be
heard, either IN person or by representative, upon
all questions within the objects f,r which 1t was
founded
Have the hopes INDUCED In st Its inauguration
been fulfilled? II We listen to some carpess, wbo
speak dspsrasingly Of our efforts aud progress, OF
to the murNured disappointment Of 9th rs, who ex
pected too much at once, our reply would be- de-
spondent. But reoce 10 say such Is not ths feel.
ing. Dor the voice OF the profession generally. 1t
may be granted, that everything aimed at, has not
been accom-, pshed: but certain IL Is the association
has been au active and powerful agent in dissemi-
naing useful medical knowledge: and no similar in
stution has ever been more successful In carrying
out Its caief tbject-the promotion Of soieuce.
It was appreciated at tbs time, that the work
undertaken was difficult, and would requl re
time, labor, sacrifices and united efforts to
accomplish. There was no organ cation. But few
medical societies were IN existence, and their infu
ence was but slightly felt. Each society or comu-
nifty OF pbysicisns Law unto itself; there Sas
no medical code, acknowledged as binding and to
the country was In Its Infancy; there were compara
lively few professional works, and Of these scarcely
any were by homo authors. The medical mind was
conservative, inert, slothfal. This association
ov,ds -~da ~ oh An
desire for promised improvement aud reform was
awakened. State. aud county aud city societies
were formed In every state Ii tbs Union. The an
nual meetings Of this body have increased IN i'm
association occupies an advanced position, not only
among philosophical associations, bat also among
the dedb.rative assemblies Of the world.
Toe subject which has engaged most Of your
time and attention, has been that Of medical educa
zion, and reform in medical teachings; one we'll
worthy Of all the talent, aud thought and energy de-
voted to 1t by some Of the sblest aud most erudite
scholars Of the age. No language Is too strong to
express It's importance to the profession, and the
vel being Of society no iteration too frequent to
spur on endeavor IN this caIae. The reports OF
committees az published In the annual proceedings
must convince every one Of the great consequence
Of effort in this matter Much has been accom-
plished. Medical schools have been founded, and
the curriculum of studies extended; the standard
for admission to the profession raised FinRl,, to
put into effect the many devised and conflicting
views offered year after year without any practical
result, the idea Of the American Medical College
sociaton was adopted and its subsequent organiza-
ton effected as the best means Of Carrying into op
eration the wishes and objects Of this association.
It may BE- the association has not done everything
anticipated by Its most sAnsuiEe advocates; but It
cannot be denied that through this fundamentally
uany and i'm oortant changes calculated to advances
and elevate medical educstion have bsen msde
Experience aud experiment will give increasing as
surance Of Its value. Its certain success il only
Q uestion Of time.
But, go!i g beyond this vsxed question Of educa-
ton, much mas been )ne for science. The thirty
two orderous volumes Of your transactions speak
for themselves, containing contributions from
many Of your Thousand members, representing the
medical faculty OF every state and territory. which
have attracted attention, and stimulated thought
both In this country and abroad.
am satisaed that q brief enumeration OF the
valuable additions 70 our literature during the laet
en years, az culed from these books would aston-
sh even those who have been regular attendants ct
lur meetings. Want Of time and tho limited scope
u this add ess will preclude me- from more particu
arly directing your attention to the many orig.
mai essays, mo ographs, aud reports that can be
cad with interest and profit by the profession. All
through these luminous pages are the evidences that
,ur members have besn imbusd with the spirit Of
furious inquisitiveneas which characterizes our
lines, and have made single additions to the great
nxss of facts and knowledgs which every day Is |
nabiing us TO dispei some snsd Is: bare some
mystery. You have made certain your standing IN |
hat great army whose mission ia to combat aud
Iuer disease and improve the condition Of mau.
nd whose power IL increasing every dag. And, in |
ay opinion body OF scientists IN the world has
one more in this dirs3t.on and in tie worth OF |
heir contributions to medical legislation II Is nleo
to believe that these assemblies with |
tuttes through sections aNd committees have been |
owsrful s6muiants to the production CT original |
FORKS.
The establishment of medical journal in lien Of
he present annual volume Of transac ions, has been
rouyht to your attention 90 frequently, and the |
sct NreSentAd
resident a.. Sayreo at tbs NEE ing held IN |
lev YORK. that 1t seems . woyk OF suprerogstion 10
MENTION it SD soon agsia. especially the report Of
he committee read at our last niestu g. vas SO con
inciDg that further argument II its favor seems |
wholly snperduous. I sincerely hope the able COM
nttee which now has tie matter ia charge, vii SEQ
hair way cleSr to earnest unanimous and l
recommendation, for adoption at this /
Meeting. 5
To this citation belongs the honor CT introduce
ng to the attention OF the people OF the different
forts have been in . great .me asure success /
al Is evidenced by the popular appreciation of
anitary organization. Legislatures are now d. |
Getting their attention to- the framing OF
sws bearing upon questions Of hygiore and state |
Medicine as 70 OF their Legitimate and necessary
ubjects for regulation: and boards of health for |
yates, cities and hsnllsts increasing on every |
and The establishment of a national board OF |
ealth wes a natural result from the rspested ana |
ersistent recommendations and the urgent de- |
MAIDS Of this body, speaking as was eecming, with
he voice Of authority. Whilst seferring to this |
natter Of sanitation. there is important snbj ct
deserving your most serious attention. That ier-
ID scourge, the smallpox, has recently been de-
;lared by the national board of health an epidemic
this country 1hs deaths from this
here shouli bs no occasion for this |
,reat mortality. Vaccination and re-vaccination |
July performed and under proper conditions are |
eore az well as the profession have been neglect
al in this matter Many who admit the advsa- |
iity are criminsly careless: and others from ,g-
oranoe and superstition refuse to take advantage
1 this preventative. Some wsy should be arrived
whereby the lives of the of the people
nay be protected from the deluded obstinate in
ivdusie who neglect this great boon for saving hu-
nan life. II possible provision should be made by
hat compulsory vaccination would be on infringe.
aent OF human rights. But this position Ia uu,eua-
lie. governments sre establis he'd and laws enacted
or the protection aud happiness Of the greatest
lumber of the people The liberty and free action
4 the individual should be interfered with as little
8 ssible. But something of natural right must
70 given up to the state; some restrictions must be
lscsd upon si. Some trades can he carried only
certain places, and In certain manners Property
lights have 10 be violated for the common veal
iouses are blown up to save di astrous confsgra-
Ions. Trade is impeded, and commerce delay ed BY
quarantine laws. The yellow asg Of pestience, ana
ne Cross marx Of DANGER exhibited III infected
aud the Inhabitants confined to
hose quarters. This compulsory education to q GER
!
reest, most hberaliEed aud most enli9hteped couu-
ries. The principle seems firmly established. that
Ia the duty OF the state, In its effort towards the
highest civilization, to pass laws whose
bject Ii to stay disease, to prolong human
fe to prevent the recurrence of those plaques and
'estilences which havs their seat and growth
mong bsrbarous nations, and to cuItivats within
essonsble limits, the mental nature Of the sub
ect
At various times the attention o, physicians has
een called to the proprety OF efforts for the relief
# their medical brethren, disabled and helpless:
md especially for assistance to the widows and
hildrsn OF those Of them who after lives
4 sacrifice end exposure and
!aegeo die leaving no legacy ct
heir families but the swoet-smeling record Of their
lnselash lives. We the contrast around us, IN
he establishment Of aid societies by other profee-
ions, and in the numerous benevolent societies,
notices Of which daily crowd out news.
,apers. Without simplifying ths subject
seems to me that deliberance upon 1t, setting
orth Its advantages and devising common
scheme for operation, nights be the means of &C.
,omplishing much god and removing an ever
PRESENT anxiety from the life Of mapy struggling
brother.
We have code Of medical ethics the best ever