Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-21
DOCTORS NIGHT.
Second Anniversary of Water
Vile Clinical Society.
An Able Address by the President,
DR.. F. c. Thayer.
All Present Vote II The Best Meeting the
Society Has Yet Held.

Waterylile Clinical Society was held at
the Elmwood hotel, this evening and
proved very successful affair. Some OF
the members were obliged to be absent on
other business, but there was very fun
attendance.
The society during the past two years
has been most successful thing and has
served the purpose designed for, that of
disseminating better knowledge of the
profession among its members. Monthly
meetings have been regularly held, at
which one or another of the members has
delivered practical essay dealing with
some particular phase Of the great ques-
tions which are continually arising in the
medical profession The address of the
retiring president, DR.. +. G. Thayer, to-
night, dealing as it does, with one of the
most recent discoveries in medical science,
and coming from one of the most skillful
physicians in the State, is not only most
interesting thing to the practitioner of
medicine but to the public at large as
we'll
The society has grown in membership,
so that now not only are the leading
physicians Of the city included in the
society, but the leading doctors of the
neighboring towns as well, there being
about 20 members at present
The meeting was called TO order by DR..
+. c. Thayer president of the society.
The reports were submitted and the fol
lowing officers elected for the ensuing
year: DR.. f. c. Thayer, Waterville,
president; DR.. f. j. Taylor, Pittsfeld,
vice president; DR.. J. l.. Fortier, Water
vile, secretary and treasurer.
The following resolutions touching the
death of the late Dr. Henry II. Campo IL,
who was an honorary member IF the
society, We're presented and unanimously
adopted:
Whereas, In view of the loss we have
sustained by the decease of our friend and
associate, Dr. II. II. Campbell, and of the
still greater loss sustained by those who
were nearer and dearer to him; therefore
be 1t
Resolved, That it is but just tribute
to the memory of the departed to say that
in regretting his removal from our midst
we mourn for one who WAS, in every way,
worthy of our esteem.
Resolved, that we sincerely sympathize
with the family of the deceased on the
dispensation with which it has pleased
Divine Providence to afllict them, and
commend them for consolation to Him
who orders all things for the best, and
whose Establishments are meant in mercy.
Resolved, That this heartfelt testimonial
of our sympathy and sorrow be spread
upon the records of this association and
copy be forwarded to the family of our
departed friend.
The retiring president then read his
annual address, which was as follows:
At this celebration of the second ami
vcrsary of the Waterville Clinical Society,
it becomes my duty, us retiring president,
by the demand of customs imperial code.
to again address you May be pardoneG
for a single personal allusion, | have ar
rived at that period Of life when the past
is more than the probable future, and, IL
active work, when retrospection is,at least
equal TO probable prospection, for | have
recently passed my 50th birthday and Will
soon celebrate my 2Sth anniversary as
practitioner of medicine, From such an
attitude it is quite natural that the nina
.hould turn backward And it would DE
a pleasure to review with you, this evening
The great advances which have been made
i'm medicine since I first saw the light.
So long as man is compelled to submit
to the surgeons knife, so long should the
10th of October, 1916, be enshrined in the
hearts of such sufferers. For it was upon
that day that one of the most memorable
scenes which this century has produced
WAS enacted in the old ampitheatre of the
Massachusetts, General hospital.
A table, upon which lies n patient ready
for the removal of vascular tumor OF the
neck. is the central figure; around it are
gathered group of surgeons-the opera
for standing with knife in hand. ready To
begin the work of mercy. Under the table
driven into the floor are iron staples
through which ropes are carried to BIND
down the half-frantic, struggling victim
Close Mt hand are several stalwart assis-
tants. whose strong and sinewy arms will
serve to supplement the binding cords
4 look of impatience and disappointment
is Denoted upon the operators face as he
turns to those present and says: Dr.
Morton has not yet arrived: / presume he
;s otherwise engaged. These meaning
words had scarcely been uttered when
young man, slight in stature, tall ana
graceful in manner, enters.
1t is DIR. Wm. T G. Morton, who, after
inst, ucting the patient how to breathe
and lnSpirlUS ~! % We NANNN--
word, safely conducts him into that state
of Inconsistencies which is so familiar to
us now, and says 20 the operator, Your
patient is ready, sir = The missions are
made, the tumor is removed, the vessels
are ligated, the sutures are taken. There
has been no outcry. there is no sign oil
distress. The patient sleeps as peacefully
rs n tired child in its mothers arms ana
the great discovery of sulphuric ether, as
an anacsthetic, is given TO the world-one
If the most inestimable gifts that man
has ever vauchsafed To man.
1t would be of interest 10 inquire what
has been accomplished as result OF the
discovery and use of anaesthetics.
Volumes have been written upon the pro
cross Of medicine. in all its lines, since
came into its fold. And would like TO
recount to you some of the changes which
have taken place in the medical mind as
~ the course. pathology and management
- disease / could tcllyou OF diseases and
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