The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-06
WHEN
80 to 40 N. Penn. ST.
PHYSICIANS IN COUNCIL.
Opening Session of the American Medical
Association.

CLEVELAND, June 5.-The thirty-fourth an
nual meeting of the American Medical Asso
citation begaE to-day, in Cass Hall, about
1000 distinguished physicians from all parts
of the country attending. General Ed. S.
Meyer delivered an eloquent address of well
come. The programme of the occasion, in
cluding entertainments, was read and DR..
John L. Atlee, of Pennsylvania, delivered
the annual address, consisting largely of
"reminiscences of his early medical life he
having graduated sixty-three years ago. In
his speech he said:
We meet here to engage earnestly in further
ing the interests and objects of the medical pro-
fession. We come together from all parts of our
broad country, charged with these great re-
sponsbties. 1t is fitting to express here our deep
regret at the absence from our councils of the
delegates from the Medical Society Of the State
of New York. Let us hope this absence may be
only temporary, and that at the next meeting
every State may be represented. Let me press
npon the mind of every member of the profes-
sion the necessity of a strict and undivided at
tention to the duties or his high calling. When
you undertake the care of patient, your whole
duty belongs to him. The intermission of a
single visit, which, on your part, may have been
devoted to pleasure, may sacrifice the life of
your patient. Above all things, strive to
maintain the honor and dignity of tine profession.
Let no selfish nor mercenary consideration deter
1obIe cFaie of medical ethics. Cultivate frienoi-
ly relations with your local medical
brethren more particularly the younger, and
regulate your intercourse with all men in such
way as shall cast no stain upon the honor of
our profession which is in your keeping. In
my day, previous TO the establishment of medi-
cal societies, saw many disastrous effects from
the want OF brotherly consideration and kind
ness. Medical men Of that day were often in
difficulties; patients would be taken from one
physician TO another without ceremony; and so
great was the Jealousy that for twenty years
after my graduation it was impossible to form a
medical society in my native city and county.
Instead OF being taken by the hand by older
physicians, every obstacle was thrown in my
path; consultations were refused, and the treat
ment of my patients unfavoraDly criticised. By
the establishment of medical societies and the
adoption of a code OF ethics a wonderful change
las been effected. We now feel it duty to
Sustain our younger brethren; treat them with
courtesy and kindness save them from their
errors; and encourage theil in all other good
work. Had the adoption of the code of ethics
Invaluable blessing to the profession
But 1t has accomplished more. IL has
put the seal Of condemnation upon all "isms,"
and developed an esprit du corps that has en-
larged the boundaries of our science and greatly
increased the usefulness and social standing Of
the profession. At the close of long life de-
voted unreservedly to the study AMI practfce OF
medicine, will say that Notwithstanding its
uncertainties, its fatgues its anxieties, its bit
ter disappointments, l am satisfied that in no
whole duty to God and his felowmen, SO that
when life here is ended it can be truly said of
OF him. as was said of Him whom all should
initiate "He went about doing good"
The afternoon was devoted to the consider
alton of medical and surgical topics. the
members dividing into seven sections and
meeting in different halls for specific work.
DIR. j. c. Hubbard, of Ashtabula, attend
ing the convention, died suddenly this after
noon of apoplexy at the house of Dr. Weber.
Deceased was upward of sixty years old, and
eminent among Ohio physicians