National Republican., 1884-05-07
First Days Session Of the Convention Of
American Physicians.
Dr. Flint, President OF the Association,
Delivers His Annual Address.
Effect Of the Code Of Medical Ethics Upon tho
Profession.
Arrangements for Future Action and
General Gossip of the Convention.


annual session of the American Medical asso-
citation is being held. In front of the church
wero numerous carriages belonging to prom
jnent district physicians, and large number
of delegates formed in line and awaiting
their turns to register and pay their dues.
Crowds Of persons passing the church stopped
to look upon the scene. The American Medi-
cal association, next to congress, is the largest
deliberative body that has ever assembled at
the national capital. AS before reported, tho
aggregate number of delegates registered
now, and who will register during the four
days in which the business and section meet
ings arc to be held, will be 1000.
Postmaster Conger has established branch
postoffice in the spacious vestibule of the
church, which is In charge Of Mr.. William L.
Turpin, of the city postofiice
The first session of the association COM
menced shortly before IL o'clock yesterday
morning and was called to order by Dr.
Alexander Y. Z. Garnett, of Washington,
chairman of the committee of arrangements
Prayer was offered by Rev. John II. Elliott,
rector of the Protestant Episcopal church of
the ascension, followed by the address of
welcome by Dr. Garnett. He spoke of Wash
ington as place of eminent find renowned
gatherings, where the supreme interests of
the whole country are studied and discussed
by ITS greatest intellects and closed with q
prediction of Washington's future grandeur.
The president of the association, Austin
Flint, M. d., upon arising to deliver his an
nual address was received with cheers. He
is gentleman of fine physique, about 80 or
80 years of age, has gray hair aud gray side
whiskers clear, resonant voice, ana speaks
with animation and proper emphasis. He
has distinguished reputation as q physician
in the metropolitan city of the United
States, which he represents in the cOnven-
tion. rt
The remarks of DR.. Flint were more es pc
cally directed to a higher standard of mcdi-
GAL education, the honorable social status to
which it has been elevated, and its higher
pretensions for the future, He admitted that
there had been some sweeping charges
against some schools Of medicine, but that
such institutions had not been endowed In
a preliminary education, previous TO tho
study of medicine, DIR. Flint was of the
opinion that every student should have q
thorough knowledge of the moro liberal arts
and sciences. He did not think that the
study of tho dead languages was absolutely
essential to medical education, but rather
the study of physics. biology, and the German
language.
There are some colleges" continued the
speaker, (which may be guilty of tlagrant
abuses which do injustice TO students seeking
higher standard of medical knowledge, by
allowing other students to gain a knowledge
of the profession cheaply and too hastily. In
an experience, however, of forty years among
students l am prepared to say that they
favorably compare with students of tho other
sister professions"
In tho standard of medical education /
have no disposition to apologize for some
abuses and evils complained of by my pro-
fessors. A large number of medical colleges
place their reliance upon state legislation,
oh. dali.
misplaced in their means of instruction and
lack the requirements for giving proper aud
thorough medical education. Our duty is to
promote more and more and elevate our pro-
fession, and to do this tho profession must
rely upon itself, recommending changes aud
improvements in certain measures of immedi-
ate practicability. In this the national asso-
citation must take the initial step,
at the same time cooperating with the medi-
cal colleges with an earnest desire for har-
monious views and united action, uniformity
in the different states, and opposing all diff
ferences. To this end l would suggest that
standing committee be appointed upon the
uniform action of tho colleges. IL is not to
be expected that all Of these desirable i'm
provements can be accomplished at once, but
with earnest efforts the result of u higher
standard of medical education can he achieved
through board of examiners not engaged in
medical education.
the medical profession the manifold difficult
ties and peculiarites of the calling. In order
to practice the profession, a physician must
both honor himself and the profession. The
same code of medical ethics which was
adopted in 1887 at the convention held in
Philadelphia is still held intact by the
medical societies throughout the United
States. Tho excellence of the code has pro-
duced a salutary influence upon the lives of
the profession, and far more SO than the
medical ethics of any other country.
The oppositions to this code merely involve
question of taste. 1t forbids consultation
with irregular practitioners, and presumes
that every practitioner must possess the
professional ability and requirements of
physician who has received a regular educa-
tion, and who does nothing that is prejudicial
to the honor and usefulness of tine profession.
Continuing, DIR. Flint alluded to the
humane principles of their society and its
higher laws of philanthropy. He referred
to the advancement in the diffusion of med-
cal knowledge through the medical journals,
and the work of its several systems.
Referring to the international medical con-
gress of 1887, Dr. Flint thought it should be
held in this country, rather than at Copen-
hagen. He feelingly alluded to the serious
illness of Prot. Samuel ID. Gross, of Phila-
dephia.
In conclusion, DIR. Flint spoke of the great
advantages TO be derived from the American
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION meeting In washington,
where the Army Medical museum, and Il
medical library, the largest, most valuable,
aud most practical in the world, were Mt
hand. He hoped that congress would provide
for tho erection of a new library building in
which this valuable medical collection could
be safely stored. Here also was the National
museum and the department of agriculture,
all of which were of interest to tho delegates.
Dr. Flint was frequently applauded during
his speech,
DIR. Joseph NJ Toner, of Washington, moved
that a dispatch be sent to Prof S. ID. Gross,
of Philadelphia, Informing him of the sym
pathy felt for him by tho association in his
illness and hopes for his speedy recovery,
Unanimously adopted.
Ii was announced by the secretary that the
Alabama and Georgia delegations would meet
at the Metropolitan hotel ut 2 p. IN.
Dr. Sayre, of New York, moved that that
part of President Flint's address relative TO
the international medical congress of 1887 be
referred to special committee. Adopted.
DIR. Quimby, of New Jersey, moved that
5000 copies of the Presidents address be
printed. A substitute to the resolution Of
fered by DIR. Ferguson, of New York-that
the address be referred TO IA committee of
seven, TO report to the committee as speedily
as possible-was adopted.
announcements were made of certain
papers submitted to be read before tho asso-
citation, upon state county hospitals by DIR.
Suttens, of Aurora, Ind; one by DIR, TheO-
bold; another by DIR. John T. Roberts, upon
the use of the trepan in head injuries;
NhAu hxV nR nj ~ H..