The Portland daily press., 1884-06-12
OUR DOCTORS.
Second days Proceedings of the Maine
Medical Association.

The association assembled promptly at $50,
and were, In few minutes, called to order By
the president. After reports from the publica-
ton committee and the committee having In
charge the question OF new diplomas, very
interesting paper upon the Induction of pre-
mature labor to relieve threatening symptoms
OF blindness and commissions, was presented BY
DIR. Sarah Ellen Palmer of Portland; this was
accompanied by a valuable paper from DIR. j.
A. Spalding, explaining the morbid changes
in the eyes of DR.. Palmer's patient, before and
after treatment. This was copiously illustrat-
ed By six large diagrams, portraying retinal
changes.
A short discussion was participated IN By
Drs. O'Brien of Bristol Dunn of windham,
Crandsll and Warren of Portland, and Dono-
van of Lewiston.
DR.. Bray Of Portland, reported case Of APP
oplexy, in girl 10 years of age, an unusual
occurrence. This was accompanied by notes
on the post mortem and microscopical exami-
nation of the BRAIN
The board OF censors reported, recommend
ing for membership DR.. L. d. bennett Of Saeo,
and G. E. Phioon of Auburn.
DR.. j. A. Donovan Of Lewiston, reported
three interesting surgical cases. The first was
of injury to the skull and limbs Of a boy 10
years Of age, who was caught in belt and
thrown over the pulleys some forty times. A
portion of the right femur had been removed,
giving useful limb, with but little shortening,
showing the good results Of conservative sur
gerry. The patient was exhibited. The second
was description of post mOrtem after death
from brain disease, following nOn-suppurativo
Inflammation OF the middle ear. Portions Of
diseased bone were shown, as we'll as the same
bones in healthy condition, for purposes OF
comparison. The third case was a report
OF an autopsy after death from an abdomi-
nal tumor connected with the kidney.
DR.. Alfred Mitchell of Brunswick read q
paper, on preventive treatment of periD1al
laceration during labor. A long and interest
ing discussion ensued between Drs. Mitchell
Gordon, Craudall, Thayer of Portland, Dana,
Bates of Yarmouth, and O'Bren OF Bristol.
DIR. Merrill Of Portland, introduced case of
tumor OF the throat aud the further discussion
OF DR.. Mitchells paper was deferred to the at.
ternoon session.
Adjourned to 3 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The meeting was called to order By the pres-
ident at 8 20 o'clock.
The committee ON the presidents address re-
ported recommending that the association ap-
point committee OF three to confer with the
trustees of the Maine Medical School as to the
removal Of the school to Portland.
The question of reaffirming the resolution Of
1877 with reference to the prescribing OF alco-
holic liquors, was on motion of DIR. Gordon,
laid upon tho table.
Proceeded to the election of officers with the
following result
President-Dr. I. A. Foster, Portland.
LIST Vice President-Dr. s. Laughton, Ban
gor.
ID Vice President-Dr. Abial Libby, Rich
mond.
Corresponding Secretary-Dr.s.w. johnson,
Belfast
(The Recording Secretary holds office as per-
manent secretary for ten years.)
Board of Censors-Dr. G. Fl. Cummings,
Portland; Dr. b. F. Sturgis, Auburn DR.. Z.
Hersey, Oxford.
Publication Committee-Dr. Chas. d. Smith,
(ex-oficio) Portland; q. 0. Hunt, Portland;
.. A. Packard, Bath; @. G. Adams, Portland:
j. o. Webster, Augusta.
business Committee-Dr. L e. Kimball and
G. ID. Smith, Portland.
DR.. A. L. Hersey of Oxford then delivered
the annual Grafton,
This was in substance a resume of mod
ern medical theories Many of these are in
deed far from being proven. The bearing Of
the germ theory was especially considered in
all its bearings. There has been too much OF
the theoretical and too little OF the practical,
but nov the old questions are reassertng their
to be hungry for new ideas to the exclusion Of
well established facts. While seeking in new
and untried paths we should not lose sight Of
old landmarks. Preventive medicine is rapidly
asserting itself. The proper education Of the
people in sanitary and hygienic matters should
originate in our public schools. There Is no
reason why our profession should be covered
by mysticism. No physician be too highly
educated, not alone in medicine, but in all
branches of study. The public good must be
paramount to private interests.
On motion OF DR.. Gerrish, vote OF thanks
was passed to DR.. Hersey, and a copy requested
for publication.
The necroogist being absent, the discussion
of DR.. Mtchell's paper was resumed
DIR. Cammett Of Portland presented notes Of
case bearing upon the question under dis
cussion.
DR.. Laughton Of Bangor exhibited an instru--
ment devised for making applications to the
cavity of the uterus.
DIR. G. r. Crandall oil Portland read a paper
on the early and radical removal OF carcinoma
OF the breast The doctor took strong ground
against the multitude Of qaack remedies de-
vised to swindle suffering victims, and held up
to just condemnation any attempt TO remove
cancer by plasters, linements or ointments.
In the discussion DR.. A. P. Dudley gave an
interesting description Of an operation BY
which growths in the breast might be removed
without the Disagreement Of scar.
The board of censors reported the name OF
DIR. Ehen Alden of Waldoboro for membership
and ne was elected
The paper expected from DIR. Marston Of
Monmouth was referred to the committee on
publication by title.
DIR. Gordon, necrologist, reported the names
of DR.. j. L. Gilman of Portland, DIR. O. w.
Whitmore OF Gardiner, DR.. j. s. Goodwin Of
Portland, DIR. VIM. Swasey Of Limerick,
deceased during the past year, and present.
ed an obituary sketch of DIR. Whitmore pre-
pared by Dr. Geddings of Gardinec.
Adjourned to o'clock.
EVENING SESSION
The Association was called to order by the
President at 8.15 O'Clock.
The president announced as the committee
to confer with the trustees of the Maine Med
ieal School as to the removal of the School to
Portland: Drs. M. c. Wedgewood of Lewiston,
j. b. Walker Of Thomaston and #. q. ThayeT
of Waterville
The report of the visitors to the Portland
School for Medical Instruction was referred By
title to the publication committee.
DIR. s. H. Weeks of Portland read paper
on monocular diplopia (or double vision in ono
eye), the result of blow from bat. A sup
Elementary paper was read by DIR. j. A.
Spslding, who saw this patient with DR..
Weeks.
DR.. ]. 7. Dana spoke Interestingly upon
cases of typhoid which do not follow any typi-
cal course. A long and interesting discussion
ensued, participated in by Drs. Dana, Weeks,
Foster, Wedgewood, Thayer, O'Brien, Mich
OILS of Cambridge, Perry of Exeter and Others.
II should be stated that DR.. Laughton's
the Maine Medical School, not pathology.
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