Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-29
WHAT PRESIDENT PARKER SUGGESTS.
How to Make the Society Meetings More
InterestinC and Attractive.

DR.. W. w. Parker. of this city, who was
elected president of the Medical Society OF
Virginia at its last annual meeting, prefaces
the minutes of the meeting, which have re-
Gently been printed, with the following
note to the members of the society:
Having been elected your presiding
officer for 1S90-'91, l beg to offer few
thoughts for your consideration.
THE question How TO make the meet
ings of the society hereafter more interest
ing and attractive?' was much discussed,
both in private and public. at our late
meeting at Rockbridge Alum Springs.
Il requested several gentlemen present
land now ask those who were ABSENT TO
give this subject special attention during
the year so as to have some well-deyised
plan to submit to the next meeting at
Lynchburg. Papers hereafter might be
read either by title or, what would be
more satisfactory, by briefs sufficiently
comprehensive to elicit discussion, and, If
need be, criticism.
1t has occurred to me to suggest that
part of the session might be devoted to the
discussion of new and original ideas, or
what we regard as new ideas-including
new medicines. their action and value. To
do this successfully would suggest that
we begin at once TO observe more closely,
and. if need be, take notes with the view
eAhCLilb0o VI tNtIy
interesting In the cases that come before
us in our practice, searching for the causes
of certain forms of diseases, ETC., etc.
1--WE have now 500 members in our society.
This increase Is due in great measure to
the untirlng energy OF our Secretary. Let
us aid him in this good work. If each
man will bring but one new member to
the next meeting we will have 1,600 men,
bers-the largest body of professional men
ever before organized in this good old
Commonwealth. IL well distributed
among the counties, it would lgiVe us say
sixteen members in each of the 100 coun-
ties of the State, 30 that our society could
speak TO every family in the Common
wealth.
"We want power, but only for good.
without conceit we can clam that al the
efforts made by physlcians here and else
where 10 prevent sickness have been in be-
half OF the public veal and TO the diminu-
ton of our own income. Everywhere the
profession Is trying to stamp out disease
Whether this disinterestedness be appre-
ciated or not We expect to continue TO
labor in this field II 1t yield only good
conscience
pLet us strive honorsbly TO have the
best State Medical Society in this Union;
not for Boosting, but, if may coin aword,
to beaconize' the societies IN our sister
States.
1t may fall TO the lot OF the youngest
and humblest man in our society to wit
ness some phenomena in disease that may
lead TO great and untold good. There may
be Q Jenner among us. Let US watch
and hope"
DIR. Parker, as psesident Of this society.
which represents nearly one thousand ply
sioians. has written letter to Professor
Koch asking for some OF his lymph, and
Governor Mckinney has forwarded the
communication to the care Of Minister
Phelps at Berlin. In his letter DR.. Parker
refers 10 tho address quoted above.