The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-05
MEDICINE AND LAW
FIRST SESSION OF THE INTERNA-
TI0NAL MEDICO-LEGAL CONGRESS.
Address by DIR. Forbes wfnslow-Mfs-
sissfppf Valley Medical Assocfa-
tion-scientists Adjourn.

NEW YORK, Sept 4-The first section of
the International medico-lesai congress was
held in the United States Court room. in
the federal building. this morning. Ex-
Surrogate Rastus s. Ransom presided and
made the opening address He warmly
welcomed the visitors in the name of New
York and Brooklyn. He also paid a high
tribute to the genius of Clark Bell. the
president-elect OF the society, for the inter-
est he has always taken in maintaining
its prestige and for giving it name and
fame in this and other lands. He then
introduced ex-Judge Noah Davis. Ex-Goy.
Roswell p. Flower was to have spoken
first. but at the last moment he had to send
his regrets. Ex-Judge Davis said the first
profession in the world was that of medi-
cine, He would place the church next and
the law In third place. He said that those
who had devoted their wisdom to the de-
velopment of truth were the real benefac-
tors of mankind. He thanked the congress
for its courtesy.
Mr.. Davis was followed by DR.. Forbes
Winslow. who said: 81 do not regard my
self as STRANGER to America or her citi-
zens. one or my ancestors came over with
the pilgrims. and yesterday met one of
his descendants in this city. So you see
l am almost at home. Graduates in, law
1t is we'll that the two professions Should
establish a sort of twinship between them"
DR.. Winslow then reviewed the lunacy laws
of England and argued that connection
between law and medicine is valuable DR..
Winslow, in conclusion, said: "Hypnotism
. play Of moss in
you success and am glad to be here"
Senator h Charles 1a = Guy dg spoke of what
and organized society. Prof. R. Ogden
Doremus, of New York spoke of the great
change which chemistry had effected in
jurisprudence He was followed by DR..
William. J. OSullivan. who. said that the
far-reachins Importance OF the congress
could not be overestimated.
The following officers were unanimously
elected: Prof Clark Bell, president: legal
vice presidents. Judge Abraham DaIt
Judge Noah Davis DR.. W. j. Sullivan
5ndge r Pratt. Judge e A. z; nddn Palmer. Ct New
Charles L. Guy; medical vice presidents.
DR.. T. D. Crothers. Of Hartford; Prof. r.
Ogden Doremus, DR.; Paul Gibier. DR.. Hub
bard w. Mitchell: DR.. w. B. Outtel, all of
New York; DR.. Irving c. Ross. of Washing
ton; DR.. l. Forbes Winslow, of London.
and Mrs. NJ. Louise Thomas, of New York.
The secretaries elected were DR.. Moritz FL
linger, New York; DR.. F. b. Downs Hart
ford; Albert Barr. New York; DR.. Clarence
A. Lightner. of Detroit; Prof. Charles A.
Doremus, of New York, and DR.. Geo. CluP-
When the congress resumed its session
this afternoon the congratulatcry proceed
;ngs of the morning were supplanted by the
regular business of the programme The
chairman introduced DR.. Talcott superin-
tendent of the Middletown insane asylum
whose Interpretation of insanity was that
''the imagination got the better of the
Judgment" Dr. Winslow, of London the
celebrated alienist. was then called on to
read his paper on Insanity" He traced
the history of legislation for the care of
lunatics in Great Britain and the United
States, and said: I'm Great Britain. on
Jan. l. 1895. there were s4.osl persons reg ,
istered as Of unsound mind in the various
institutions Of England and Wales. The
ratio per 1000 of lunatics TO the popula-
ton OF Great Britain is 29.06 males and
32.73 females, or gross total OF 30.95. The
increase in pauper lunacy has been very
general throughout the country"
DR.. Albert Bach. ex-yice president of the
society, read a paper on the Necessity of
Amendment to the Law of New York Ap-
pertaining to the Commitment OF the IN
sane" DR.. T. d. Crother read paper on
Legal Responsibility in Inebriety."