The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-10
THE STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY,

ID STATE MEDlCAL SUUlEI4,
Organized in June, 1849, with less than fifty
members, the State Medical Society opens its
thirty-fourth annual session this morning. 1t
has grown to a membership of l, 400, including
seventy-six county organizations. The annual
attendance averages 500. Its thirty four re-
ports sum up over 5000 pages of practical
medical literature. In the National Associa-
ton Indiana ranks as the banner State. 1t
has the largest aggregate membership, and is
acknowledged to be more thoroughly organ
lied for medical work than any other State III
the Union. The association has always con-
Quoted its business tremendously, has stood
by the code, both of medicine and honor. Its
objects are now as stated in it's first c~onstitu-
ton: association for mutual recognition and
fellowship, the cultivation and advancement
of medical science and literature, and the eleva-
ton of the standard of professional education.
Its members took a leading part in the late
war, both in hospital and field. For three
years it was impossible to get a meeting, as
the leading physicians were in the army. Of
its fifty charter members most have passed to
the silent majority, and but five remain of the
early Indianapolis members. TIL first presi-
R. J. Patterson, J.. II. Sanders, L. Dunlop, J..
L. Mothershead, G.. W. Mears, A. Gall, R.
Curran, T. Billiard, Charles Parry, A. M.
Hunt and j. s. Bobbs, well-known names to
the old residents of Indianapolis, have passed
away.
The family doctor, cheerful and perennial,
ready always to do his work and take his
chances on the pay, is a constant factor in
every community. AS in every profession,
competition is sharp, but there is always room
at the top, and, sooner or later, the scientific,
studious and faithful family physician
secures a living and a foothold
in the community. Honest of heart and
purpose, he brings with him hope; he embod-
les courage. The intelligent and conscien-
tons physician stands equal with the preacher
in the reformation of the world. They are
freer from superstition than most men, although
they nave often been made the victims of it.
can measure things at their true value. Their
discoveries have been made light of, but if
right they triumph. Sir James Simpson, who
first used an@sthetics in the trying ordeal of
childbirth, received excavations from every
pulpit in Scotland except that of DR.. Chal-
mers, because it was written in Scripture as
the curse of Eve, and, through her, of all
women, that in sorrow she should stand at the
gates of birth. The Great Physician first
cured the body, and then addressed Himself
to the spirit.
1t has been said that if three physicians
come together, two of them will be atheists;
but whether in Christ's name or not, the
family doctor exercises many devils, and by
his calm hope and courage, incites to life.
There are charlatans in every trade and pro-
fession; medicine is not exempt. But they do
not belong to the State and county societies;
they are medical guerrillas and bushwhackers;
they seek seclusion rather than association.
1t behooves the community to support only
reputable physicians. Some doctors study
the structure of the human body, others the
gullibility of the human mind. A travelling"
doctor comes to a city and proelaims himself
the seventh son of an Indian doctor; his office
is crowded. A street fakir forsakes his business
and advertises that he has magnetic powers;
he rides over the efforts of scientific and con
scientious physicians, and the public employ
him. Not till the people exercise Judgment
and common sense in selecting their doctors,
can medicine take the place to which it is en-
titled and good physicians receive the merit
they deserve.