Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-03
VIRGINIA DOCTORS.
rwENTv-FlRST ANNUAL MEETING OF
THE MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Address Of Dr. John s Approximations
Of the Growth and work of the
Bcdy-ts Good Results.
rspsc,., Telegram to the pi.p..oA.l

RocxRRrpGE ALUM SrnrSos. VA, Septem-
her 2.-The Medical Society OF Virginia
convened In its twenty first annual session
here tonight with DIR. Oscar Wiley, OF ga
lem, Va, in the chair. The spacious hall
was packed to overlooking with the beau
tiful and charming fair ones which have
ALWAYS eraced this fashionable resort In
addition TO the large number OF represent
alive medical men from all parts OF the
State there are present many distinguished
invited guests among them Drs; Lanuoh
Carter GRAY. OF New York, Joseph Prlce,
and j. Hoffman. OF Philadelphia, ana Ed
ward Picketts, of CINCINNATI.
come bv DIR. ]. Edgar Chancellor, OF Char
iottesville. the resident physician at the
SPRINGS and chairman of the Committee OF
Arrangements. DIR. John S-sApperson, OF
Marion. Va. delivered the address to the
public and profession.
After q pleasing introduction. in when
he referred to the beauty of this popular
health resort aud the pleasant memories
that cluster around the meeting held mere
seven years ago, he announced as MS SUD
iect. ''The Medical Society OF 'irgilla,I
Retrospective and Prospective, ana sa'u
This is its twenty-frst BIRTHDAY. ana u
has reached an epoch when we eau iooA
back with pride and ask ourselves IL as
tho consolidated representative OF VIZ
pin,a's noble and liberal profession, IL mas
been true TO itself in advancing the inter-
ests of the people and profession.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY.
Twenty wears ago ninety physicians met
In the civ of Richmond and the Medical
Society OF Virginia was organized. At
tins meeting only nineteen counties. ten
cities aud towns were represented, pelhg
less than one fifth of the State by counties
and less than one twentieth Of the physl-
cians residing therein. Since that time
nearly every county has been enrolled ana
more than twelve hundred have been
olaced upon its register. At the last an
nual meeting the total number of fellows
was 1879. Death has taken from. our ranks
more than II per cent. of the whole num-
Der enrolled, leaving vacancies IN iaithiu,-
ness fidelity, usefulness, ana love Wnlch
We cannot hope viii ever again be filled
The rapid growth of the society ID due
in mari tot its Methodistic itinerancv." lie
believes that no departure should be made
from this plan Of meetin. III different
parts of tho State.
MEDICAL EXAMINERS.
The most difficult task perhaps ever I'M
dertaken by the society was us enort 10
establish the State Board OF Medical *
aminers. because public opinion had Dlth-
erto been unfriendly 10 the movement
Formerly q majority Of the people at large
Looked upon medical societies as COM
binations having evil intent. In the
sick room you may be as mystic
rious ne you please-exacting IL you
wish-snd ignorant witnai, Dut OUT
side If YOU met your brethren IN an OF.
cnnized body although for the purpose of
deylsing plans by which suffering humani-
ty might be more successfully relieved or
protected from invasion by diseasel, It
was regarded AS treason. When the Medi-
cal Examining Board bill came before the
Legislature many politicians declined 10
risk vote by supporting the measure.
Members OF the medical profession IN diff
ferent parts of the State, differed among
themselves and opposed the bill. Even
some OF the physicians who were members
of the Legislature did not encourage 1t.
THE GUIDE-PosT.
II NAV be of interest to some TO know
that that scholarly man and beloved phy-
stefan the late DIR. A. VI. Fauntleroy,, OF
Staunton. was the first 10 offer a resoiu-
ton in this society IN 1870, which became
the guide-post for future action by the
friends of the medical examiners bill.
Subsequently, every legislature found
representative of this society knocking at
its door with earnest appeals for the pas
sage of some law that would protect the
people from quackery. Alter hfteen years
fit Jaw WAS Sttuttu, anu IL Nbo NiStCAl
for an Improvement in the knowledge and
practice of medicine over self-satished lg-
norance and grovelhng pretensions; VIC
tory for the people over imposition ana
yillainous deceit; victory tor the society
over one of the most unreasonable preJu-
dices of the day.
GOOD RESULTS.
Opposition has broken away. The people.
the real benefclaries of the enactment. are
4 g.. liz. ,r,,1,racSaH wit "a
its good results. The young practitioner
Just entering the profession accepts and
approyes; the old fossil. who was practicing
nj the time the bill was pending and who
opposed its passage because he fancled
that it was plan to deprive him, OF ms
rights, has passed away. As further evil
dence that this was a move IN the rlght
direction. look at the examining laws that
have been enacted by adjoining States.
RELIEF OF SUFFERING.
In full harmony with this movement the
society has labored earnestly IN other
WAYS for the general good of the whole
community. Look at the records, and no
where can there be found suggestion
leading TO personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or
power or unjust discrimination against the
people; but, on the contrary, every al
dress or scientific paper and every resolu-
ton has had for its object the reliet OF hu-
disease. This, too. regardless of the fact
that. in proportion as disease is prevented
and the health OF the country improved,
the income of the physician is reduced.
In what other avocation is found similar
line of action?
good portion Of the address showed
that the society had given opportunity for
the exhibition of the country doctors
capabilities and achievements. and that 1t
is no longer the opinion that scientific
treatment can be obtained only In the
cities.
FEMALE PHYSICIANS.
Taking a prospective view, reference was
made TO the question of the admission OF
female physicians as members OF TINS so
ciety. FIRST, referring in general way TO
female physicians. he stated as hls behet
that {" for every woman who left her own
peculiar station and assumed the duties
heretofore allotted TO her brother a man
was displaced and made an idler. Never
theless, he admitted that change Is
coming and that public sentiment VIII IN
time accord to the female physician the
place she deserves.
EXPENSES.
Reference was made in the early part Of
this address 10 the good that had been
done by the Medical Board Of Examiners.
DIR. Apperson here outlined course OF
action for this society III behalf OF the
members of the Examining Board. who de-
fray their own expenses in attending its
sessions. These expenses are IN some IN
stances a hardship when the fact Is con-
sidered that the work is for the public
good and not individual profit. He cited
one instance from his portion OF the State
TO show that the expense of attendance
1.-TWO annual meetings) In the loss of time,
hotel bills. railroad fare. &C.. amounted to
nearly one hundred dollars.
LEGIsLATIyE BELIEF.
The relief he suggested is this: Appeal
10 the General Assembly 10 make an ar-
preparation 10 meet the actual expenses OF
this board State which can afford TO
expend 81 800, 600 annually for the support
of her public schools. $500, 900 per year foi
her insane hospitals, ought surely be will
Ing 10 contribute for the protection Of her
sane people from incompetent physicians,
Legal fees amounting 10 thousands Of dol.
lars are paid almost every year In adJudica.
tion OF questions growing out OF the debt
R,arIs Of I,rePtora for each