The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-18
SMALLPOX THREATENED.
A Note of Warning Sounded at
the Meeting of the
Doctors.
Doctor WinSloW Anderson Repri-
manded for "Unethical
Conduct"

At Yesterdays morning session of the
Medical Society of the State of California,
in Golden Gate Hall, the first paper read
was that on ALTITUDE in California in Re
lation to Immunity from tuberculosis"
by DR.. J. II. Dawson of Los Angeles. 1t
stated that the varied topography,
the long stretch of sea coast-ex-
tending over ten degrees of lati-
tude-the numerous mountain ranges,
the beautiful and fertile valleys, the i'm
IN ense number of natural springs of vary
ing temperatures and potencies, the per-
petual SHOWS IN the distance, the fine
scenery, the southern latitude, with almost
perpetual sunshine, with an equable
climate and other consequent meteorologic
conditions, make California not only a
State of the most varied possibilities as a
perpetual pleasure resort, but a perpetual
health resort as well.
Tuberculosis was almost unknown
among the aborigines or American In
dams in California, and also among the
native Spanish and Mexicans.
"Some would-be climatologists, as DR..
Andrew Davidson and others, have prated
about the prevalence of consumption and
the high mortality of the disease in Cali
fornia, as if such a condition of affairssdid
not obtain at every famed health resort on
the face of the globe. This state of affairs
has its analogue in the large number of in
sane in California.
"And in like manner a number of peo-
pie ascribe it to the climate; but the fact
is that insanity is not essentially indigo
nous to California, or due to the elm attic
conditions or attitudes, but is rather the
result of the influx of mental, moral, finan-
cial and physical wrecks, many of whom
come because of their neurotic conditions
which had beginning i'll the East and in
foreign countries, and a large proportion
OF these are paupers and dissipated in
habits. And the further fact must be re-
membered that in California we lock up
the insane, whereas in the East and in
many foreign countries they are left at
large.
'iMany of our insane have an asylum
record before coming TO California, and in
sanity is essentially incurable."
After showing that high altitude is not
essential to effect a cure in pulmonary
diseases, the author concluded that "the
varied topography and equable climate of
California are such as to constitute it an
ideal home for the invalid-a natural sani-
tarium for pulmonic diseases"
This was followed with paper on "The
Medical Topography of Northern Califor
mia" by DIR. 3. NJ. Gill of Dunsmuir.
One Of the most interesting essays was
that of DR.. W. r. Cluness of San Francisco
on progress in State Medicine" 1t stated
that since the discovery of the bacillus tu-
berculosis, pulmonary phthisis had
materially declined in Germany. Figures
with reference to the larger cities OF that
country were quoted IN corroboratlon of
the statement, and it was added that SINH
lar improvement had undoubtedly been
made in this country, England and France.
perhaps the most noteworthy advance
in curative medicine during the past year"
continued the essayist, "is the anti-toxine
treatment of Behring and RouX for diph-
liberia, by the simultaneous in lection of
blood-serum of horses, rendered immune
by successive injections of the virus in in
creasing strength"
Farther on the alarming averment was
made that "during the past year small
pox has manifested unusual prevalence
throughout the country east of the Rocky
Mountains, indicating another cycle of
activity, and in my judgment we have
reason to apprehend the same experience
on this coast. Since its disappearance
about seven years ago material for its raw
ages has rapidly accumulated from neg
lect of vacinating the children born since
that date"
A paper on "Peripheral Neuritusn bv
DR.. II. Y. Brainerd of Los Angeles and one
on Suggestion as a Therapeutic Agent
by DR.. J. w. Robertson of Livermore
closed the morning session.
Nearly all of the afternoon session
was occupied in hearing reports of officers
for the ensuing year. The election of
officers resulted as follows:
President, Dr. William lie Moyne Wills Los
Angeles; first vice-president, DR.. George C.
Chisholm, San Francisco; second vice-presi-
dent, DR.. H. G. Brainerd, Los Angeles; seere-
tary, DR.. William Watt Kers San Francisco:
assistant secretaries-Dr. H. Bert Ellis Los An
geles, and DR.. C. c. Wadswoth, San Francisco;
treasurer, DR.. J. H. Parkinson, Sacramento;
board of censors-Drs c. l.. Baird Ventura
J. HeltIey, Los Angeles, Walter Lindley, Los
Angeles, w. B. Levitt, San Francisco and j. H.
Davidson, Los Angeles; board of examiners
III. II. Hart, w. b. Levitt, c. c.. Wadsworth W.
E. Hopkins, E. J. Fitzgibbon, w. f. Cheney, J.
NJ. Williamson.
Los Angeles was selected as the place for
holding the next meeting of the society,
and the third Tuesday in April, 1896, as
the time.
Immediately after the adjournment of
the afternoon the society went into execu-
tive session to hear the charges preferred
against DR.. Winslow Anderson, one of the
most prominent local physicians, and edi-
appears that some time ago he
wrote a letter to man at
Colorado Springs Colo, stating that he
had cure for consumption and could Sc
store him to health. This letter fell into
the hands of the physician who was treat |
ing the patient, and he brought the matter
before the society. After hearing the tes-
timony in the matter DIR. Anderson was
found guilty of 'unethicaI conduct and
was reprimanded by President Simmons.