New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-14
TO ELEVATE THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
INTERESTING PAPERS BEFORE THE AMERICAN
ACADEMY OF 'MEDIcINE-THE OPIUM
HABIT SPREADING.

ACADEMY OF OflOM
HABIT SPREADING.
At the opening session OF the twelfth annual meeting
the American Academy of Medicine in the Governors
room of the New York Hospital yesterday, about fifty
wcre present from various parts OF tho country
Among them wero Frederick Henry Gcrrish, Me-.
Trail Green, Easton, Penn. Lewis II. Sterner, Bald
more, Md. Henry Marcy, Boston; Albert L. Gihon,
United states Navy r. Lowry Sbbett, Carlisle, Penn
W. B. Atkinson, Philadelphia; l.. Duncan Bulkley.
New York Charles c. Bombaugh, Baltimore: T. H.
NJ Sell, Allentown, Penn; Thcophilus Parvin. Phila-
delpha J. C. Wilson, Philadelphia; Charles Mclntire
Easton, Penn. r. I. scvis. Philadelphia; Richard
T. Dunglison Philadelphia; J. Preston Morris. Phila
delpha; W. S. Todd Bridgeport, Conn.,; Charles E.
Webster, Portland, Me- Peter D. Keyler Philadelphia
and William d. Garfield, Baltimore, Md
DR. Frederick Henry Gefrish, of Portland Me-,
presided An interesting report OF the requirements
for preliminary education I'm tho medical colleges Oh
the United States and Canada read by Dr. Lcartus
Common, OF Detroit Mich. Valuable suggestions were
made In regard to the subject Dr. Conner referred to the
large number OF medical colleges which did not adhere 10
The requirements announced In their annual registers an
spoke In a cOmmendaory way Of the rigid preliminary
examinations lately enforced at the College OF Physi
clans and Surgeons In this city. He urged the
Academy to take all possible steps 70 enforce better
prep aration for medical work. Then followed the
reading Of instructive and exhaustive paper entitled
" The Causes and Prevention of the Opium Habit
and other Allied Affections by DR.. James c. Wilson,
OF Philadelphia. He gave example, suggestion and
prescription the three forces which f0stered the
abuse of OPIUM and enumerated instances in which
people contracted the habit by association. He said
that the injection of morphine in France was to-day
amOst matter OF fashion. As TO suggestion, the
habit was often induced by reading such books as
De Quinceys "ConfessIons Of an Opium Eater In
regard to the third method prescription he said that
the responsibility of the physician 10 his patient be-
apparent he in so many cases the
convalescent and even tho restored patient cnging
10 its use stimulant DR.. Wilson recommended
that proper statements OF the evil effects should appear
In the medical journals, and that there should be
severely restrictive legislation on the subject. Or.
Theophius Parvn, of Philadelphia, read Interesting
paper the subject of The Importance OF Practical
Obstetrics In the Course Of Instruction given by Medical
Schools
AT the afternoon session the chairman read an
address to the Academy setting forth the abso-
lup necessity for the good OF The profession OF re-
curing decidedly more thorough preliminary course
for all practitioners. number Of other papers were
read
Thc annual dinner of tho academy was held at
Martinelfs, Fifth ave. at p M, at which iuiy my
was toastmaster, and the speeches were IN paIicu
larry happy vein, all seemed glad 10 throw oil FOR
the time the seriousness which pervaded the DAYS
sessions. Or Gerrish. the academys president spoke
In fitting manner upon ne American Acdheiy ,b ol
aCGuLtry Doctor made speech fun Of wit and
humor from beginning to end, which delighted his
academy made eloquent address upon Literary
Education the Foundation Stone Of Liberal Medical
makers adjourned at an early hour to be rested in
time for -morrow's closing session, which Will open
be read by DIS. c. C. Bombaugh Baltimore, Nd.
"; F; Waugh. Philadelphia Charles MclntlTe Phila-
delphia; George j. Fisher sing Sing, and Charles e.
the academy will be held at Chicago.