The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-06
MEN LEARNED In MEDICINE
In the State Society They Tell What
They Know of Diseases and Practice.
Routine Business, Professional Papers and
General Discussion-Good Cheer at the
Banquet Table at the New Denison.

Banquet Table at the New Denison.
The Indiana State Medical Society, having q
membership Of over one thousand, began its
thirty-ninth meeting. 10 Plymouth Church. yes
terdsy morning. The attendance from every
portion OF the State Is unusually large. and the
interest in the various papers read. and in the
proceedings IN general, has been very gratifying.
The officers of the association are: president,
DR.. s. Fl. Charlton, Of Seymour; vice president.
DR.. G. W. Burket, Of Warsaw; secretary. DR..
E. s. Elder. of this city; assistant secretary,
DR.. John Nixon, of Farmland; treasurer, DR..
z. B. Higgins. of Peru. The early part of the
morning was spent in the transaction OF the
regular yearly business OF the convention, such
as the appointment Of committees and hearing
Of reports DIR. Elder, the secretary, in refer
rig in his report TO the growth and strength of
the society, said: "a: the time of our last
meeting, ffty-four auxiliary societies had re-
ported 500 members. fifteen societies. reported
sos additional members. making q total Of J. 44
paying members, and sixty-nine auxiliary socie-
ties for 67, gain of two societies and five pay
ing members. During the past year especial
aew societies. in counties heretofore unrspre-
sented, and the reorganization of old ones. We
now have upon our roll seventy-four county So
cieties, and 200 contributing members. Fifty
three auxiliary societies have reported present
membership OF 764 net gain Of a. The NOR
tality list includes nineteen. including one ex-
president Of the society"
The treasurer, DIR. @. B. Higgins, of Peru.
reported that the total receipts for the year
were 81 266 GO, and that the balance in the treas
ury at the present time was $27036. The COM
mittee on arrangements. however, reported
expense Of Sl25.N. The following papers were
read before the convention At its morning ses-
sion: DR.. George Rowland. Of CovingtoL. us
Craniotomy Legally or Morally JustifabeP Dr.
II. o. Painter, Indianapolis, "Exophthalmic
Goitre;' DR.. G. c. Smythe. Greencastle, Acute
Articular Rheumatism"
The first paper in the afternoon was one by
DR.. L. n. Davis. of Farmland. on THE Progress
and Practice of the Country Doctor" He said
progress in medicine was the watchword OF the
day with physicians. Empericism has led to
many blunders In the past and may be COM
miting many at present, for it still. holds an i'm
portanr place in the practice of medicine. The
recent application of the forces of nature in in
vesteation and in the Capitalization OF human
thought and effort has greatly increased
the facilities for advance in every science.
He then discussed the surroundings Of the coun-
try doctor, showing how all avenues OF informa-
ton at the present tims, are open TO him, but
he claimed that hook ability did not always win
in country practice. Experience taught that
such is not always tantamount to professional
prosperity In his business. His work was
humdrum labor. surrounded with many diff
culties. causing him TO fall behind in the recent
progress of his profession. The speakers paper
was OF considerable length, and was discussed
warmly az its close, especially some valuable
statistical information which 1t contained.
The committee on credentials reported that it
had examined the constitutions of Davis, Shelby,
Orange, Parke, Greene and Fulton county medi-
cal societies AID found them ia accord with the
constitution of the State society. IL therefore
recommended that they be received into mem
bership.
Dr. I. B. Harvey, of this city. then read one
OF the most interesting and able papers of che
meeting so far. He is eminent 40 . specialist,
and his paper 10 the line of his chosen work.
II called forth considerable discussion and was
highly commended by several members Of the
society.
Dr. Walker Shell. of Spencer, then read
brief paper on "Gastros tony for the relief Of
osophageal structure with a report of q case"
The case reported was one that came under DR..
Shelps treatment about year ago, where a
little child, three and half years old, had swal
owed some concentrated lye some time before.
causing narrowing in the passage TO the stom-
ach so that a small cherry seed was caught In 1t,
scribed the operation performed in the case.
showing that treatment should be applied at
once and not defer the surgical operation longer
than eighteen or twenty-four hours at furthest.
This was m uncommon case and for that reason
was very interesting one to the convention.
DR.. Wagner followed with paper on "Hyp-
onitsm.D in which he said that is his pur
pose to prove that so-called mesmerism was not
n myth. He described first the means Of pro-
duciug mssmerism, and said that he had never
lad IN hoSn fwn AMI NJ
then went into scientific explanation OF the
phenomenon of considerable length. he
followed by DR.. w. T. Bateman with paper on
'.Chosra, after which the society adjourned un-
I'll evening.
In the evening there was large audience
present TO hear President Charlton's address.
The 6rst business OF the evening was the read
ing of the nominating committee. Aftor this
had been completed DR. Charlton was intro
duced. and said thirty-nine years ago the
fathers 10 medicine organized this society with
only thirty members. six Of whom remain to-
day. This society has, since then, grown
to membership OF 1000. He
then spoke of the early history of the
profession in the State, of the hardships en-
countsred by early physicians. of the limited
library and scientific appliances Of the doctors
of that time Discussing medical education. he
thought physicians ought TO rejsn student Is
who are not sufficiently prepared. Medical So
ceties are responsible for the poor men who get
into the profession. He spoke also of the en-
| trance OF women into the profession, and CON-
mspded their work. The fact that the practice
| Of medicine was now going hand in hand with
| Christian missionaries in evangelizing the
| world Was also touched on. the speaker regard
| ing this Of the chief glories Of the art
| He discussed the slow advance of the profession
IN remote ages and contrasted it with the
rapid advance of the present The differ
ence. though, was not 90 much on
account of brain superiority as in greater oppor-
| tunitiss. Speaking Of the State society he said
| it responsible for the present Board OF
Health and all the organizations of that kind in
the State. He urged greater development in
| this field and advocated q thoroueh teaching OF
anatomy in the public schools. In conclusion,
| he spoke of the work Of the past year and ex-
pressed hope for the future good OF the So
ciety.
i