The record-union., 1893-01-25


experience and power, but as a rule its
effect has been beneficial to the physi-
clans and surgeons concerned, who now
attend to, their private matters and give
places to sons and younger men ever
anxious to enter into life's activities.
"Our friend does not need French
edict to remind him that he has worked
very hard, and that as he approaches the
slXty-year limit it is wise to conserve his
strength and stop the incessant drain
upon mind and body involved in the
general practice of medicine. The field
he Will occupy in San Francisco concerns
the vital interests of a large and growing
company, and we may congratulate the
doctor that, in a special medical depart
ment, with luxurious surroundings, ne
Will find full scope for his best faculties,
and at the same time have sufficient
leisure to enjoy life with his family and
friends.
In closing, 1 can but wish that my
language were adequate to convey to our
guest the feelings OF each of our members
upon the subject of his separation from
our society. / can only say that we all
feel his retirement to be a serious loss to
its influence and prosperity.
"Known as be is throughout the State,
almost as well as in our midst,
with mind ripened by scholarly attain
ments and long experience; with pro-
1essionaI record unstained by atfiliatiOn
with quackish practices or neglect of the
Code of Ethics; with an influence and
standing in our community surpassed by
none-he carries with him as he leaves
the interior to abide by the sea the good
wishes OF all for his future prosperity.
"Gentlemen, give you the first toast
OF the evening: Our HOnored Guest, w.
k. Cluness, Nj. d."
A wise physician, skilled, our wounds to heal.
Is more than armies TO the public veal.
The Chairman concluded by proposing
DR.. Cluness' health, which was drank
with enthusiasm.
DIR. CLUNEss' RESPONSE.
DR.. Cluness in replying said that for
nearly thirty years he had lived and prac-
hced his profession in this city. 1t was
really in justice to himself and family,
and in view OF his duty to the latter, that
he was prompted to remove to San
Francisco and relinquish very actiy e
life. For nearly twenty-five years he had
been accustomed tomeet with the Sacra-
mento Society, and the memory of its
gatherings would always be among the
brightest in his life.
In conclusion, addressing the younger
members OF the society, he urged upon
Them the necessity OF attaining the high
est standards OF professional life, the op-
portunities of which were greater than in
former years.
OTHER TOAsTS.
DR.. Harkness, President of the Califor-
MIA Academy of Sciences, responded to
the toast, Science and Medicine" He
expressed an abiding faith in the future
OF the society, and joined with the mem
bers in regretting the removal of their
esteemed fellow-member, DIR. Cluness
he believed that this society was the peer
Of any in the State, and felt that its use
fulneSs, of which in the past he was
aware, would be continued in the future.
He advocated the pursuit of scientific in
vestigation outside the mere professional
routine.
In response to the toast, 1.-The Pioneers
of Medicine in California;" DR.. Il. L..
Nichols said he was not a pioneer, having
come to Sacramento only forty years ago,
Immediately after the great fire that had
devastated the city. The Ievee'on which
he aIghted from the steamer was then
january, 1883 about the only dry ground
in town. He found here in practice DR..
Harkness, whose kindness in illness in
these early days he should never forget.
Among those who were in practice then
many had now passed away. He recalled
the names of Morse, Stillman, Nixon.
Oatman, Logan, Johnston, Price and
Williams, some of whom had been MEM
bers of this society. The departure of DIR.
Cluness LETT bat two or three of those who
were present at the organization of this
society, and while he regretted the in
evitable severance of ties, he felt that the
reasons given were sufficient, and he
wished him God speed.
1.-THE Southern Pacific Railroad Hos
pital of the Future was responded to by
DR.. L. w. Huntington. He said that his
association socially with the guest of the
evening had always been of the pleas
ATTEST and happiest. Speaking more
directly to his subject, he felt that the
Southern Pacific Hospital of the future
would still be the Southern Pacific Hos
pital Of the past. Changes had been
mooted and plans discussed, but he did not
think anything would be done at pres
ent. DR.. Cluness had spoken of nearly
thirty years experience in practice in
this city. This professional retrospect
meant great deal. 1t meant virtually
the divesting of medicine of much of its
empiricism and its elevation to that of an
almost exact science.
To the sentiment, ''Sociability Amongst
Physicians" DIR. j. r. Laine said that in
obedience to general laws medical men
had combined in societies to discuss and
to interchange views on professional
topics. Oliver Wendell Holmes had said
that in choosing a physician, not alone
his professional attaiEments but his gem
eral culture should also be considered.
He believed that the daily social experi-
ence of the profession was of the widest
kind, reaching all ranks of society. Med
lcal men, 1t was true, were human, yet he
felt when they met together, as thev had
in this society, that many asperities had
been softened and misunderstanding
righted. He felt that his association with
the society had always been interesting
and profitable. He closed by alluding 10
hn
plimented the survivors on tie position
they had attained.
Medical journalism. In response to
this subject DR.. j. H. Parkinson alluded
to the establishment and subsequent
progress of the Medical Times. 1t had at
all times been closely identified with this
society and the association had been mu-
tually advantageous. The guest Of the
evening, DR.. w. r. Cluness, had been
for several years member of its staff
and though his removal from the city was
inevitable his association with the Jour
nal, which had in the past proved most
valuable, would, in the future, still be
maintained.
DIR. w. A. Briggs, in response to a call.
said he had not come to speak but to eat
and-to watch the rest of the company
drink. When brother practitioner.
well and widely known and highly es-
teemed, prepared TO leave an extensive
practice, he felt that the sentiments that
had been expressed tonight were those
really from the heart. He goes forth to
new field as father, physician and friend.
DR.. Cluness had said this evening that he
had not 'burned his bridges' behind
him, and he trusted that all here would
frequently see him again.
DR.. g. A. White said he had known the
doctor for more than twenty years. He
had, professionally. been often associated
with him since, and he felt with others
that all would regret his absence and
wish him success in his new field.
DR.. w. II. Baldwin, DR.. w. E. Briggs