The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-04
THE ALUWNI SOCIETY.
Interesting Address by DIR. s. w. Dickin-
son OF Marion.

The sixth annual meeting Of the Society
of Alumni OF the Medical College Of Vir-
ginia was held yesterday afternoon at $50
o'clock at the college building, DR.. c.
v Robinson, of Petersburg. in the chair
There were about seventy-five or more
members of the society present, and quite
a number Of outsiders.
After the election of several members
10 the society, DR.. S. W. Dickinson, of
Marion, Va. delivered the annual adj
dress before the body. Or. Dickinson com
menced with a brief sketch of his career
at the Medical College of Virginia. after
which he referred TO several OF the mem
bers of the faculty in feeling terms. lie
then took up the discussion of the delu-
sions of medicine, which, he said, was
not the only science or study which had
decisions In the ordinary walks Of life
many people were Influenced by decisions,
such as superstitions, as the tendency to
shrink from getting married on Friday,
and the like. Medicine preserved in its
terms and names much that carries us
back to ancient mythology. Such exam
pies he cited as Saturnine poisons, mer-
curry. the words lunacy, and many others
that might be mentioned. With the medi-
cal terms could be traced supernatural
ideas as to the cure OF various remedies.
There was a time, said the speaker, when
these terms denoted struggle between
the patient and disease.
Dr Dickinson then traced the early
rise of the medical science, referred to
The connection between the medical science
and the priesthood In olden times. and
d,yelt at some length upon the influence
az s,lnerstition upon the rise of the medi-
cal profession.
THE sneaker called attention TO a num-
her of instances I'm which he had been APP
pued to by superstitious people to know
what effect the moon had upon certain
physical ailments. and he stated in this
connection that house on MS place mad
attracted attention because the shingles
had turned I'D at the ends like the
feathers upon certain kinds of chickens,
and some attributed the fact TO the moon.
when the real cause was that the shingles
were too thin. and were put on when
green.
He referred 10 the prevailing supersti-
ton that certain gems would cure dis
eases, while as late as the seventeenth
century, said he many people attributed
similar influences TO different colors. Even
I'm these days, people tied bags of arsenic
and other substances around their necks
10 keep off diseases, and quite number
Of people. among them prominent people
carried buckeyes and rabblt-feet In their
pockets.
Charms and Numbers.
He referred to the theories of charms
and numbers. such as the use OF certain
words and the theory of ones being the
seventh son, and said that the early
scientists believed that the whole world
had Il soul, and that If the spirit OF
the various substances could be obtained
the troubles of diseases would be re-
moved.
Among the decisions of medicine. DR..
Dickinson mentioned mesmerism. Of which
he gave a detailed explanation. as es-
tablished by Mesmer
Popular opinions, said the speaker, had.
even in these days, some influence upon
the medical practice. and that free Inquiry
had rot become settled until the Eighth
century Since that time no science had
been so progressive as the medical
science.
He closed with a word as to the i'm
portance OF taking advantage of all the
opportunities held out 10 the medical
profession, and yet not being too hasty
10 take up new ideas and new remedies
until thorough investigation.
After the close OF DR.. Dickinson's ad-
dress vote Of thanks was rendered him
by the society.
A resolution was adopted extending con-
CALCULATIONS TO Rev. DR.. John Il. Newton,
ex-president OF the society. for the honor
conferred upon him by the Episcopal
Council in electing him assistant bishop,
after which the treasurer submitted his
report.
Ofacsrs E'ecfed
The committee on nominations sub
mitted the following report, which was
adopted:
For President, DR.. William A. Thorn,