The record-union., 1891-04-22
STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The First Day of the Twenty-frsi
Annual Session.
An Able Address by the President, w
p. Cluness-Mayor Comstock
Welcomes the Doctors.


The twenty-first annual meeting of the
Medical Society of the State of California
commenced yesterday in the Senate
Chamber of the State Capitol.
There was an unusually large attend
ance for the opening day, representatives
being present from all parts OF the State.
The doctors We're on hand at A. NJ,
and two hours were consumed in receiv-
ing annual dues and in the registration
of members by the Secretary, DR.. Will
lam Watt Kerr.
The regular session was called to order
at IL o'clock by the President, DR.. W. K.
Cluness, of this city.
DR.. G.. i. Simmons, of Sacramento, was
introduced to the society by the Presi-
dent, and on behalf of the Sacramento
Society for Medical Improvement that
gentleman welcomed the visiting NJ. DIS.
DIR. SIMMONS REMARKS.
''I have been requested" said DIR. Sim
mons, ''as one of the original members of
the Sacramento Society for Medical I'M
proyement, through whose invitation you
have met here to-day, to extend to you
their cordial greetings upon this, the
twenty-frst anniversary meeting OF the
State society. On their behalf L bid you
welcome to Sacramento. We feel hon
ored by your presence, and look with
pride upon this gathering, representing
as it does the profession of medicine III
California; all assembled for the same
great obiect-the accomplishment of the
game great ends. Although our State So
ciety has reached the age of manhood, it
seems TO me but yesterday since / saw It's
organization perfected and its labors in
the cause of medical science and phllan-
thropy first entered upon. At that period
the work devolYed upon a few earnest
men, and it may not be inappropriate,
and / may be pardoned for referring on
this occasion to the fact, that to member
of our local society more than To any
other one man is due its reorganization.
This Sacramentan was also largely IN
strumental in forming the first State
Medical Society in this city in 1856. He
spent years of his life not only in keeping
alive the sacred fire of pure medical sci
ence, but III maintaining meteorological
and sanitary records of the greatest value
to California, all without pecuniary re-
ward, and at time in the history OF our
State when the rush for wealth was the
absorbing passion. and when time was
truly money" 1t should be said for him
chat these pioneer records, so long and so
faithfully kept, first advertised to the
world the fact that we have in our State
those inestimable climatic conditions
which are necessary for the best develop
first President of the State society, and
the subsequent head of our national or
ganiZation, the name OF our departed
Logan has been duly honored; but his
best monument may be seen in connec-
tion with the
EARLIER SANITARY RECORDS
OF the State and the powerful influence
he always exerted in favor Of the local,
State and national organizations Of medl-
cal men. Through this influence, with
that of his coadjutors, our local society
was organized and has been in successful
operation for longer period than the
State association. 1t has upon its roll a
larger per cent of the practicing ply
sicians of this city than is known TO be
the case in any other place of equal or
greater population in the United States.
All its members believe in the advantages
of medical associations and discussions,
not only for themselves, but for the good
of their patients. They believe that the
science of medicine of to-day is not that
of yesterday, and that we should be con-
stantly advancing in medical knowledge.
In closing, allow me to hope that the
spirit and professional zeal and pride
which always animated our first PreSi-
dent may always pervade the ranks of
the State society, and that at this session
old friendships may be strengthened and
new ones formed; that local prejudices
may be overcome and pleasant memories
encouraged, and that all may work to-
gether for the welfare and highest eleVa-
ton OF our beloved profession"
MAYOR CoMsToCK's WELCOME.
On behalf of the city of Sacramento
Mayor ComstOck also welcomed the visit
ors. 1T is with much PRIDE" he said, that
appear before your large and intelligent
body to tender in behalf of Sacramento
our hearty welcome, offer you our hospi-
tality and extend the freedom of our city.
or Xyn no
adopted is the most honored of all. You
promptly respond to the call of duty and
faithfully minister TO the wants of the
sick and suffering. Let me urge that
while you are here you make our city
your city, our homes your homes. hope
the impressions you will receive of us
will be so favorable that you will often
visit us, and that we viii show you that
our people and city appreciate its visit
Ors."
Dr. Parkinson, of the Committee on Ar
rangements, addressed the members
briefly upon the work done by the COM
mittee and the programme arranged
THE PRESIDENTS ANNUAL ADDRESS.
The feature of the opening day of the
session was by all means the annual adj
dress of President w. r. Cluness. 1t was
an able effort, and was frequently inter
Fupted by enthusiastic applause.
After a few preliminary remarks, the
President entered boldly upon the sub
ject of the obligations and derelictions of
medical practitioners to professional
character. "Is the practice of medicine
profession or a trader" he asked ''To
this / assume that all regular physicians
will give the same answer, though they
may not agree upon definition of the
terms. Here, then, is the important
point at issue, and few words are appro-
pirate in its elucidation. What is the
distinction? The code Of ethics of the
American Medical Association and the
Hippocratic oath throw some light upon
the subject. The golden rule is more con-
spicuous in a profession than in trade;
but let us look further
Before the decadence of the French
nobility, the dictum HObleSSe obtiqe was
pledge TO honorable conduct. We have
no such motto, but most of us feel an IN
ward prompting TO habitual acts of
beneficence. The universal brotherhood
of mankind finds more recognition
amongst us than with any other calling,
Tor our services are rendered to all classes
and conditions of men. From time inn
memorial the poor in their sickness have
asked relief at our hands, and their calls
nave been heard; the highest of the land
give us their confidence, and it is not be-
lrayed; victims of their own misconduct
come to us in their troubles and we are