Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-04


II was a magnificent piece Of work view
ed as an historical study. and abounded
In vivid and dramatic descriptions
At the conclusion of DR.. Atkinss al
dress the audience were dismissed.
THE ALUMNrS ANNUAL MEETING.
Scientific observation-disclosures and Election
Of Officers.
The annual meeting OF the Alumni So
ciety of the college was held at the col
lege building at IL o'clock yesterday MORN
Ing, and in the absence of DR.. c. V. Rob-
inson. OF Petersburg. was called to order
by DR.. 3. b. Barham. of Surry. There
were seventy-fve members present, ana
twenty-six new members were enrolled.
The scientific discussion on aibumenuria
was lead by DR.. j. s. Wexford, Doctors
W. w. Parker and J. N. Upshur follow
ing Professors Page, Massie. j. w.
Long. DR.. Basil Spaulding. and DIR.
Thomas s. Barnes were elected honorary
members OF the society, and recess was
taken until $50 T.. NJ.
DIR. DICKINsoN'S ADDRESS.
When the society reassembled there was
another good attendance. The president,
DR.. Robinson, presided. Six new active
and several honorary members were elect
ed.
The President then introduced DR.. S.
w. Dickinson, of Marion, the alumni ora
tor. DR.. Dickinson opened his address
with a pleasant allusion to his college
days, and an earnest appeal for the re-
newal of affection. He made reference 10
the members of the faculty who have died
since he was student, and then entered
upon the subject of his address. THE De-
lusions OF Medicine" Around all know
ledge there was, he said. a border-land OF
ignorance. He spoke of the difficulties
through which medical science had strug-
gled to rational conclusion. and showed
by genealogical illusions how medicine
had been mixed I'D with mythology and
all sorts of supersttions. DR.. Dickinson
also dealt upon the association of medi-
cine and prIestcraft, and said that the
clergy continued to have a fancy for medi-
cine. remarking, par parenthesis, that
preachers took more patent medicine than
any other class.
MEDICINE AND ASTROLOGY.
Next he took up the connection between
medicine and astrology and withcraft, anA
pointed out how i'm the past a desire for
protection from evil spirits led TO belief
IN talismans, the virtue Of gems, colors,
etc, and ridculed the wearing of red
coral necklaces, carrying of buckeyes,
electric amulets. etc. DIR. Dickinson read
his address. but departed from his MSS.
TO narrate some interesting incidents that
had come under his own observation. He
made a thrust at the Kelley cure. and
gave the ingredients of a number of pre-
scriptIors Of the Dark Ages. Mesmersm,
DR.. Dickinson said, should also be classed
o,popp tha daiueiona of medicine His
address indicated a wide range OF study
into the superstitions of all ages, and their
relations TO the art OF healing. He con-
cluded by citing the great advances medi-
cine had made since its emancipation
from decisions.
The address elected hearty applause,
and vote of thanks was rendered DR..
Dickinson.
BACK TO BUSINESS.
The Committee on Scientific Discussion
for the next meeting reported that they
had appointed Or. NJ. l.. James to read
a paper on the Heart and Its Relation
to Kidney Diseases"
DR.. Stratton offered a resolution con-
graduating DR.. Newton. who is an eX-
president Of the society. upon his eleva-
ton to the assistant bishopric of this
Episcopal diocese. The resolution was
adopted.
The Committee on Nominations made
the following report. which was adopted
President. Or. w. a. Thorn. of Norfolk
First Vice-President, DR.. s. w. Dickinson.
of Marion, Va: Second Vice-President,
DR.. William o. Baskerville. of oxford, y.
c.; Third Nice-President, DR.. William a.
Drewry, of Petersburg; Fourth Vice-Presi-
dent, DR. Herman Anderson. of Hewletts
Va; Secretary, DIR. W. 4. Mercer OF
Richmond: Treasurer. DR.. Edward Nc
Carthy, of Richmond; Orator. DIR. William
Woodleigh. of Greensboro, n. c.
Upon taking the chair, DR.. Thorn made
a neat speech thanking the society for
the honor conferred upon him.
The society then adjourned
\ SURGEONS DELICATE WORK.
At the conclusion of the morning session
the alumni were invited 10 the amphi-
theatre TO witness a "laparotomy' by DIR.
]. w. Long. professor diseases women
and children. The case was that of a
young woman who has had several at
tacks of peritontis. The operation was
an extremely difficult one. because of the
many adhesions which were present. Ii
was noticeable that the surgeon and lis
assistants were very careful In all tho
details OF what is known as asepsis. With
out which no surgeon can do good work.
The patient took ether, which Is super
ceeding chloroform as an anaesthetic. She
reacted splendidly from the operation, and
Is doing well.
The Alumni banquet.
The Alumni Association of the college
gave its annual banquet at Zimmerman s
after the commencement. The affair was
a respondent success There were in at
tendance about lis physicians, old and
young. and representing every branch OF
the profession. Among these were doc
tors from all parts OF Virginia, and from
several other States.
The dinner was served In elegant style.
1T embraced everything from oysters on
the half shell to the French coffee, and
from plain sherry TO champagne punch.
DR.. W. 4. Thorn, of Norfolk, the newly
elected president OF the association, was
POSTMASTER. and right we'll did he grace
that position.
The toasts were appropriately and grace
fully responded to. They were as follows:
1.-THE Board OF Visitors" by Mr.. Wynd-
ham r. Meredith: 1.-THE Alumni" DIR. W.
W. Puryear; THE Old Faculty" by DR..
]. s. Wexford; Richmond College" Pro-
fessor Il. Puryear; THE University Col
lege OF Medicine" by DR.. W. T. Open
himer; 1.-The Richmond Physicians" by
DIR. c. w. p. Brock; THE Press" by MIR.
X. C. Murray. of the Norfolk Landmark;
1.-THE Richmond Press" by Dispatch re-
preventative.
Drs ]. n. Upshur. George Ben Johnston,
G.. 7. Collins. and others were called upon,
and responded in happy and hitting re-