The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-18
GATHERING OF THE DOCTORS
THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF
GEORGIA N SESSION.

Its welcome 90 the city by the Mayor.
Hon. }. =. d. Beckwith's Address.
The Response by DIR. Frank ".
Ridley of La Grange-SOme of the
Papers Read at the Opening ses-
sIOn-TO-day's Programme.
The opening exercises OF the forty
sixth annual session OF the State Medical
Association We're held yesterday morn
ing in the han Of the Guards arsenal.
The convention was called to order at
1880 O'Clock by the president, DR.. Willis
r. Westmoreland Of Atlanta. There were
about 100 members and guests present.
The opening prayer was offered by DIT.
J. F. Dripps Of the Independent Presby-
terrain church, who thanked God for the
noble work Of the physicians and be-
sought his blessing upon their delibera-
tfOns.
Mayor Myers was introduced and well
coined the physicians IN a short address.
lie said that he voiced the sentiment
of the entire community when he assured
the doctors Of a hearty welcome to Sa-
yannah. He recognized them, he said.
as members Of a profession receiving and
deserving the highest esteem from all,
for their innumerable sacrifices in the ad-
vancement Of their profession, their un-
fiinching courage in combating the COM
mon enemy Of mankind and their con-
tlnuous charity TO those who are unable
to make any return for the services rem
dered, for which reason, he said, they
would not be cIassed as ordinary visit
ors. but would be welcomed as members
Of the family.
Fortunately for you and happily for
ourselves" said Mayor Myers, this large
family Is enjoying excellent health at
present; in fact some of our local physi-
clans may think 1t distress ingly healthy;
so we shall not have TO call upon you
for any professional work, but desire
you to devote your time to pleasure and
recreation which you no doubt need"
Mayor Myers said in conclusion that
he trusted the entertainment commit
tee would strive to add laurels to the
city's reputation for hospitality IN order
that the visitors might carry to their
homes pleasant "reminiscences Of their
VISIT
The formal address of welcome by Hon.
j. +. b. Beckw.th was a gem of compo-
sition. Mr., Beckwith begun his address
with an anecdote Of two ply
sicians in Nashville during the
cholera epidemic of 1873. who
couldn't agree as to whether cholera was
contagious or infectious, and who. after
long discussion in the newspapers, finally
came TO blows, after which the point
being still unsettled, it was referred to
an old patriarch who declared the dis
ease to be both "a catchin' and a KILN"
Mr.. Beckwith humorOusly recounted
the feelings experienced by him when
called upon by DR.. NJ. l.. Boyd TO deliver
the address of welcome. He decided after
discussing the subject with himself that
the only thing to do was to turn
the tables on the doctors and prescribe.
To this end he advised the doctors to
treat their naturally morbid tempera-
ments with cooling and diluent drinks
during their stay in the city. This he
called the doctrine of concoction," which
he defined as a "dtluent, dietetical disser-
tation."
Mr.. Beckwith assured the doctors that
both the medical fraternity and the peo-
pc pie of Savannah extended them the
heartiest welcome. our homes and our
said. 1T Is not often that our city Is
honored by so distinguished and so po-
tent body of men. Our citizens realize
that in you we have the strongest natu-
raj friends of the human family Without
you life would not be worth living. Nor
could we live without you. You are with
us at the first dawn of light and appre-
ciatiVe life; you are with us through
the evolutons of nina and sense; you
are with us through middle life; you are
with us as we catch the earliest rays of
the western sun; you are with us when
the orb of DAY sinks into perpetual rest.
How near to the hearts of the home and
loved ones Is the family physician. How
anxiously we strain with bated breath to
catch the first rays of hope from the
eyes and lips of him upon whose skill de-
ponds the lives of those we love.
THE man of God in gentle. persuasive
voice tells of the seed of life let fall from
the hand of the Heavenly Father upon the
gardens of our hearts, to quicken int ,
spiritual life our temporal natures that
we many be in touch with the Eternal
One-that the protective and loving eye
of Him may ever as a stream of light
guide and govern our moral lives Sid3
by side walks the man of science. His
keen and cultured eye detects the scythe
skirts of life. Watch him as he parties
with the Dread one" in the struggle for
the victims life.
See him now as he turns back the
deadly point and with keener wit ana
stronger weapon drives the avenScr from
the field of life. Is il not grand? Ave
it is magnificent; But the time comes
when the giver Of life calls for his chilli
and then all your arts and offices cease
and like the balance of the human family
you must, and you ought TO. bow in
humble submission and say Thy will e
done
"A distinguished Georgia judge has said
that he would rather be a fiddler on the
coast Of Georgia than a harpist in the
kingdom of heaven
During your visit you will be given
an opportunity to meet the fiddler and
perhaps you will appreciate his festive
and ubiquitous nature
"Old Madeira and terrapin stew tho
salt breeZes that kiss the Georgia marshes
and the sweet music of honest welcomes
may make you yet yearn for eternal
homes upon the shores of dear old Geor-
gia."
Mr.. Beckwith was enthusiastically ap-
plauded
DIR. Frank NJ. Ridley of LAGRANGE who
responded to the address of welcome made
a most eloquent address His response was
couched IN warm and hearty terms The
hospitality of Savannah, he said, was char
acter!stiC of the old south. He recognized
no new south. he said. in any sense as
aibrOg8ting the old south. THE same chiv-
S1lrous, loyal and honorable manhood tho
same true and pure and beautiful woman
hood characterize our citizenship as in
days gone by" he said. There is no new
south. There is only difference of invest
ment The hospitality then of the old re-
g'ime you preserve, we this day enjoy and
most graciously acknowledge.
we are glad to be in your midst Around
your historic city cluster sacred memories.
the mere mentioning Of which uuickens
the pulse beat and lifts US to higher plana
OF sentiment and of thought. All about us
lie the immemorial hunting grounds of
that noble savage. TouOeh5rhi and bfe