Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-11-21
The Doctors in CounciI-The an.

nual meeting of the Medical Society of this
county was held here on Tuesday last, and
was well attended The following officers
were chosen for the ensuing year q. j.
Maddox, President Z. L. Stonestreet, LIST
Vice President; E. G. Iddings, ST., I'd Vice
President; Charles Farquhar, Secretary /;
Edward Anderson, Treasurer; Frank Elgn,
Censor. At the close of the meeting the
members were handsomely entertained at
the residence OF DR.. L. E. Stonestreet.
Upon taking the chair,..to which he had
been reelected, DR.. Charles j. Maddox de-
livered the following address:
Gentlemen:
Another year has rolled by since our an
nual meeting. A retrospective view of the
last four years is decidedly pleasing and en-
couraging. Originally composed of very
few members, we have gone on in the faith
and spirit Of our work, until over one.third
of the physicians In the county have united
with US. The great objects contemplated
In the formation of our society have so ia
vorably and strongly commended them
selves that the propriety and necessity OF
its establishment are conceded, and we may
consequently indulge in the hope that at
every annual meeting we will receive ad-
ditional strength.
tated the public mind for more than two
months in regard TO the propriety OF bury
ing the dead within the corporate limits OF
Rockville--a very large number contending
that 1t is prejudicial TO health, and a tslo en-
tertaining contrary opinion.
If germs are the cause of most of the dis
eases that flesh is heir to- "a theory which
is believed by all the great medical minds
| in the world, and has taken captive the ply
siciaps Of the present day. then must con-
Mess zsSaf cemeteries are Contributing causes
Of disease. Bury dead body and what is
the result? Fermentation begins before the
sod covers the remains, followed by decom-
position and putrefaction. During this pro-
cess Of nature, by which "dust is returning
to dust" other residuums are LETT besides
dust and ashes-foul odors, noxious gases,
liquid filth and minute organisms. Where,
may ask, can you find a filter habitation
for germs than grave yard? They breed
in filth and revel in corruption.
But there are many other contributing
causes besides cemeteries, such as bad drain
age, manure heaps, filthy water closets, cess
pools and stagnant water, that abound in
Rockville. Consequently offensive odors
are waited 10 our nostrils in many parts of
the town. The drainage, by percolation
from these nuisances, gets into our wells
and carries along the germs which are the
cause of so much typhoid fever in our viii
lage. During the last three years this fever
has prevailed more extensively and out of
all proportion for population OF 1,l9S in
habtants, according to the census OF 1880.
When thckly settled population de-
pend for supply of drinking water from
wells with such surroundings ievers must
be prevalent. Good water is as necessary
for health as pure air, nourishlng food and
proper raiment. When nuisances abound,
as they do here, it is the imperative duty OF
the corporate authorities TO abate them at
any cost. ! will promise to give them all
the aid that can command to Danish all
contributing causes of disease from the
town
If proper sanitary steps are not taken in
the Spring of the coming year il is more than
likely we may be visited by an epidemic OF
typhoid fever or diphtheria, which might
decimate this town, thus depriving us by
death OF many valuable citizens, besides re-
tarding the growth of this place and thereby
running its prosperity for years TO come.
The specific typhoid fever germ is taken
into the system by drinking water contain
ing these germs. You generally find them in
polluted fountains and other water supplies.
Acting upon the principle that an ounce
of prevention is worth pound OF cure, and
believing that it is the duty of a physician
to prevent disease as well as TO cure it,
have submitted these remarks in the 'cause
of humanity and for the benefit of all the
inhabitants of this town where ] live and
in the welfare Of which | am personally
identified
am proud to say eminent scientists have
opened an extensive field for the physician
and the student. Let me invite you to en-
ter this fied-you will not be clbowed or
josted-there will be room enough for all
who may seek TO enter. This field is the whole
world AT present very few workers are
found in it--you will encounter very pleas
ant company-men Of world wide reputa
ton and learning and Of deep research;
such scientists as Koch, Klien, Klebs, Stern
burg, Cohn and Pasteur. Why may not some
OF the members of this Society during their
leisure hours devote some time to the study
of germs. Much of the investigation de-
ponds on eyes and the microscope, your eyes
are rs good rs theirs and you can obtain
glasses just as strong. Avail yourselves OF
every opportunity TO make postmortem ex-
aminatiOns, cut out the diseased tissue, sub
ject it first to the critical inspection of your
eyes, then your microscope and You will
find what you are looking for--germs. See
ing is believing, and once seen you will
recognize the different varieties by study
ing their conformation, their movements, size,
color. &c More light is desired upon this
subject Enter the field Of investigation
Gentlemen If you don't try you will never
accomplish anything-don't be discouraged
or bashiu OF your own abiity-"a light in
the hands of "a child will shine az brightly
as il uplfted by giants arm" and TO
him who kindles it he all the honor and
glory.
The Montgomery County Medical Socie-
ty by motion, which was carried nnani-
nously, resolved that the above address be
published in the county papers and with
their consent and endorsement
CHAs FARQUHAR, Secy.