The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-05-05
County Medical Society,

the minutes Of the last meeting by Secretary
John j. Taylor, Of Streator. President Dyer
delivered his address:
Gentlemen of The La Sale County Medical
Society: On the third annual meeting Of the
Revived Society, as President, | welcome
you, and will only occupy few moments Of
time in addressing you.
What l have to say think should proper.
y be confined to the subject matter ofques
tons Of interest solely to this society.
Situated as we are, as individual members,
constantly liable to meet each other profess
sionally, socially, politically, and perhaps
financially, we sustain very different rsla
tons toward each other than the members Of
state and national societies. Therefore, as
members Of this society, it becomes abso.
lutely necessary, in order TO maintain har-
mony and good feeling. that the highest type
of gentlemanly department toward each
other should be rigidly maintained under
all circumstances. think you will all
admit the reasonableness Of this statement.
Now, in order to maintain such relation
what principles are in the main involved?
The ethics of the profession comprise the
groundwork Of our qualifications to be call ed
a physician that we should be of good moral
character; that we should be qualified in onr
profession that we should be devoted, and
using our knowledge diligently and honestly
for the benefit of our patients; that we shall
conduct ourselves toward our patrons and to
each other in the spirit Of kindness, honor
and geniality. Under this head may be com
prised the duty of the physician in regard to
every question that involves the best inter
ests Of every citizen, such as family, social
and governmental relations. For who better
than the physician knows the needs Of all
called by duty as he is into the palace and
the howell, to administer to the suffering of
all humanity, in all its forms, both physical
and mental, to cheer, advise and comfort,
demands of him the highest type of moral
and mental qualifications.
So much could be said on this point alone,
and its collateral subject relations, l must
refrain, as it would unnecessarily prolong
my remarks.
Under the head of financial relations, il
seems TO me that the question of general
fees ought to be considered carefully by the
society. The county Of La Sale, the second
largest and wealthiest in the commonwealth
comprising several embryo cities, wherein
the physicians in practice are undoubtedly
equal in ability in their profession. think
the time has arrived when committee of
the society should be appointed to devise
and formulate fee bill to be adopted by
this society, which will be just to its mem
bers and their patrons.
While it may be urged that the physician
should and ought to be the judge of the val.
ue Of his or her services, the theory is very
plausible, but very impracticabe
That there are kinds of service rendered
wherein undoubtedly the scale should be a
sliding one; such cases are provided for in
all fee bills. If this society should think
this matter of sufficient importance to com
mand attention, the details can be left in the
hands of the committee, to be finally sub
mtted to the action of the society. There
fore, | would advise that such committee be
appointed, to report Mt the next annual
meeting.
There are other matters, such as the adj
mission of members. The board Of censors
should closely sorutinize the qualifications of
ptrties applying-that they possess the
qualifications order that every
act of this society shall move forward in
such manner as will put it on sure and
shNiSpy uhi'ih6 Wv
society and social relations of each member,
80 as to make US happy family.
The programme was then taken up, and
Drs Blacke, Bonar and Bower being absent,
DR.. j. G. Hathaway, who was farther down
the list, read very interesting, instructive
and intelligent paper, upon C@ssrian and
Craneatomy Operations:
DIR. HArHEwAY.
"Cesarian operations said the Doctor,
date back to the time when the memory of
nan runnsth not to the contrary, although |
he fondly cherished claims Of Cesar's his
orisns are decidedly mythical. | have
hree times come face to face between two
Casarian or Craneatomy.
For many centuries the teachings Of the
catholic church have been, in case Of mother
'r child, invariably in favor Of tho child
while, on the other hand, most Of the medi.
,al world has contended that it is the moth
,r's right to be saved The nineteenth cen
ury, with its improved surgical apparatus
md anasthetics, comes forward and saves
both, where in olden times one would be
sacrificed. Centuries ago Casarian opera.
ions were performed, but the masters of
'uTgeTy nave ever COnblueTeu inem hihoot
certainly fatal. As we come down nearer to
he nineteenth century they become more
'requent and more successful, generally
growing cut Of the fact that the opening Of
he abdomen of living human being, which
generally resulted in death, has, owing to
he triumphs of the master minds Of Ameri-
IAN, English and German surgeons, become
ess dangerous than the taking off of an arm
below the elbow. Pasteur, that great French
nan, has shown that dust and foul air are
he seed of Inflammation and modification,
md thus, by the inventive genius Of the
century, the Cesarlan is robbed
If its terrors"
The Doctors views and authorities on
were clear and concise, and his
address met with no criticism The medical
erms and phrases, being understood by few,
IRE omitted.
Discussion by Drs Taylor, zeising, and
,thers.
DR.. BUTrERFIELD
olowed Dr. Hathaway IN very intelligent
PAPER upon indigestion" The Doctor des-
ribbed the location of the stomach, its rela-
ions to other organs, and general tructure
1T has four coats, the inner ono mucus
,ost, pale straw or ashy in color, smooth,