Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-19
DOCTORS AT A FEAST.
ANNUAL BANQUET or THE ACADEMY
OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY.
Speech Making INDUCED in by All, and
Medical Lore Discussed Over tho
Flowing Bowl.

There was no skeleton at the annual
feast OF the Academy OF Medicine and
Surgery which was held at thinner
mann's last evening.
A sumptucus repast was served. and
wine and spurious fermenu of all de-
scriptions lowed freely.
There were present about forty members
OF the profession. and each one seemed
TO vie with the other In trying to dis
pose OF the greatest amount of both food
and drink. After the edibles and drink
ables had been cleared away. and tho
fragrant weed produced. the real enjoy
ment OF the evening was entered into with
zest.
THE SPEAKING BEGINS.
Or. J. S. Wexford acted as toast-mas-
ter. and after a short Introductory speech.
in which he referred to the medical pro-
fesslon of Richmond in laudatory terms,
called on DR.. lie Cato, a member OF the
Legislature from Aocomac county, who
responded In n few words Of thanks for
the honor conferred upon him, but stated
that 1t was unfair TO bring n man TO a
banquet and fill him too fun for utterance
and then call on him for a speech.
DIR. w. W. Parker was called upon to
respond TO the toast, "The State Society
OF Virginia" and said, "As usual with me
on such occasions. I propose 70 attack
my bachelor friends who are strewed
down the table" He then proceeded 70
relate several amusing anecdotes, which
referred to the unmarried men, and closed
his address with warning TO all OF them
that IL they did not want TO lose num-
Der OF fees, their best plan was TO talk
I'm a business-like manner to some large,
healthy. buxom, robust girl without delay.
Giving as an excuse for such advice That
the people in general, especially the 'fe-
male people," placed more dependence in
in married doctor than in a single one.
The bachelors, of whom a great majority
were present, called by reclamation on
DR.. Hoge TO defend them. This the DOC
tor gracefully declined TO do for the rea-
son, as he expressed himself. that there
was no defence for them.
FOR THE NORTH STATE.
The toast, North Carolina, Our Sister
State" was responded TO by DR.. j. A.
Hodges, n recent acquisition to the Rich
mond medical fraternity from that state.
He said: II feel assured that l voice the
sentiment OF my people when L make the
statement that Virginia and North caro-
lima are welded together In one common
cause-that of the advancement OF the
interest of the southern half Of this
Tnion-by ties everlasting in their tenacity
TO each other. Our soldiers on the battle
field went down linked together IN
union of brotherly love. and we OF the
medical fraternity, whether from VIZ
ginia or North Carolina, VIII go down as
brothers in a cause than which there Is
none nobler."
The speaker closed his remarks amid
great applause. by an allusion 10 the
"proverbial modesty" OF Richmonds sur
geons.
DR.. Oppenhcimer, who was called upon
TO respond TO the toast THE City's Health
DEPARTMENT" delivered himself OF
rather humorous address. "The Health
Department" said he, has always been
n. painful subject 10 the members OF the
medical profession in Richmond, ana
have to bear the brunt of their pains. If
there Is a marked improvement in the
health of the community they hold me
responsible, and claim that l am de-
fraudng them out of their fees gained
bv their honest, / should saw laborious,
efforts. We are on an era or prosperity
now. however. The grip that greatest
boon to the medical profession, has again
nut in its appearance, and people VINO
have not needed medical attention Tor
wears are seeking out their doctors. There
is nothing that will show doctor ms
friends sooner and more rapidly than thls
same 'grippe.'" The President OF the
BOARD of Health closed with some practl-
cal suggestions. ,
.sThe Railroad Surgeons OF the United
States" was responded TO by Dr. Ross
who stated that he was not speech-
MAKER. but in order TO humor the as
- fu-O one composer
by himself and the other by a physician
In a neighboring city.
OTHER SPEECHES.
Or lew when called upon to speak
on the subject Of digestion, said ne was
not ready 10 di-gest-yet, and believing
that the result of an attempted speech
NV him would result disastrously Tor hln'
he most respectfully declined TO run any
risks. 1900.
The representative Of the Dispatch was
called on by DR.. Wexford to respond 10
the toast ''The Press of Richmond but
being Of rather a diflident nature, ne con-
fessed that he was unused to speech-na
ing. and promised TO use his talents II
anv be possessed. in giving an accurate
account of the banquet.
Or Parker. following out the scrlptu-
raj text. "'The poor ye have always with
vou." made n motion that the treasurer
~ the academy be instructed, after pay
ing the expenses Of the banquet, to turn
over all moneys remaining in the treasury
TO Superintendent Carter for distribution
omong the needy. This motion was
heartily seconded by DIR. a. l.. Wexford
and upon the reminder Of the toastmas-
ter that a motion at a banquet was not
eerrnane. the matter was laid on the t abe
DR. Moore responded to the toast c
Medical Professions" DR.. Massie TO that
of woman" Dr. Stuart Mcclure 10 the
toast younger Members OF the froIes-
sion" and several other snort speeches