Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-05-15
ADDRESS OF WELCOME .
He spoke as follows:

ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
He spoke as follows:
MIR President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Hi.
nos State Medical Society:
In behalf of the medical profession of
Rock Island and vicinity and the people
of Rock Island generally, greet you and
extend to you hearty welcome to our
city. They wished me to do this because
they feel that it is right and appropriate
to do so; because they feel under obliga
tions to you, and honored by your press
encc among them; also because they rec
ognlze you AS worthy representatives of
various sections of the great state of Hi
nois. They recognize among you
worthy, able and distinguished repTesen-
tatves of the great metropolis of our
state; city which as IIinoisans, we are
justly proud; which in its growth and
development and in everything pertains
ing to it is wholly phenomenal; city
that is no "pent up Utica" but is eX-
panding and will continue to expand un-
til in the near future will become not
alone the metropolis of our state, but
also of this continent. and if its members
of the medical profession, together with
those of the state at large, prove true and
faithful to the opportunity that is offered,
will make it the center of medical SCI
ences and literature in this country, Our
people wish me to welcome you for the
reason they recognize you as worthy rep
resentatives of profession they respect
and delight to honor; to whose members
they have been accustomed to look for
aid during the time of sickness, pain and
death; a profession whose unrequitted
abors have increased the aggregate
length of human life; profession that
has done more than its full share In the
development of those conditions which
tend to a higher, better, happier civiliza-
ton. Our people extend you their cons
CALCULATIONS for the privilege you again
ENJOY of meeting together and partlcipa>
ting in the transactions of the thirty
eighth annual meeting of your society.
They hope you will all live to enjoy the
same privilege for many succeeding years.
The work of your society during
the thirty-seven years of its past
existence has been recorded, and has beN
come a part of the medical history OF
the state. What effect this work has had
upon our profession and the people gen.
orally is impossible to estimate. That it |
has been great and beneficial, no one will
question. That it might have been better
and more good accomplished, is highly |
probable. Our profession today within |
the limits of our state. in general intelli- |
gence, ia scientific requirements, in prac> |
teal skill and efficiency, occupies vastly |
blgher plane than 1t did thirty eight years |
ago when your society was first organ |
lied. What influence the work of your |
society has had in bringing about the de |
sirabe result, as already stated, is diff |
cult to estimate. | think it reasonable to |
assume that it ranks as one of the im> |
portant factors. Your organization has |
reached reputable age, much older than |
the average of human life; it has had a
good deal of experience, has accom-
p!ished a noble work, resulting in great |
and lasting good. Nevertheless the ques-
lions are constantly arising in the minds
Of the profession, has it accomplished as
efficient work as should be reasonably |
expected2 If not, wherein has been the |
failureP Are the means and methods for
doing its work the best that can be de
vised2 This, of course, is not an apprs-
pirate time to discuss these questions, but
il seems to me they are of sufficient i'm.
portance to receive some consideration at
your hands when the proper time arrives,
The work of your society is constantly
Increasing in amount and importance.
To accomplish it will require earnestness,
energy, patience and perseverance
Abuses which come within the sphere of
your legitimate action are constantly
,pringing up all over the state as rapidly
rs toad stools. When one swarm of cor
norants who pray upon public credulity
n the form of quack doctors, is van
pushed and driven from the state. am
1ther brood under different form is
PATCHED and ready to take their place.
)ne important work of your society
should be to discourage in every possible
way, the establishment of any more med
cal schools, either inside or outside the
state. 1t should labor to strengthen
Did schools already well established
and reputable, always giving that
school the preference which main
aims the highest standard of
sducation. Your society should place
tself in such position as will enable it
% speak authoratively aud have its voice
upon all subjects pertaining to
he profession within the state. In order
% do this you should have the strongest
possible organization that can be secured
Inder the laws of the state. and equip
hat organization with the best possible