The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-05-29
DOCTORS AND GOVERNOR.

l ooNcEhOE An AhOpdLAAC DOSc OA AACAE
Indignation-The Eclectic Physicians of
Illinois Congratulate the Governor, and
the Same School in Missouri Wants to Be
on the State Board of Health.
At the closing session of the annual
meeting of the Missouri Medical So
ciety, held in st. Louis, the matter of
greatest interest was the adoption OF
the resolutions censuring Gov. Stephens
for his policy toward the Fulton insane
asylum.
The committee having the matter in
charge was composed of physicians
from the Is congressional districts OF
the state. In the numerical order OF
the districts they were: Doctors A. B.
Miller, ]. Fl. P. Baker, w. L. Brosius,
Jacob Geiger, R. T. Sloan, W. V. Smith,
n. S. Wright, o. A. Williams, E. ).
Cave, w. G. Moore, W. j. Langan, E.
Fl. Gregory, J. P. Sebastian, NJ. Rosen-
thai and Robert d. Haire.
There was a faint protest from some
of the members, who thought that it
would be wise to pass over the matter,
despite the feeling in the profession
against the governor, and then the
resolutions as reported by the commit
tee were adopted unanimously. They
read as follows.
1.-THE unfortunate and afflicted have ever
been the objects of the solicitude and care Of
the medical profession. The highest evolu-
ton Of the science OF medicine is typified In
no department more than in the management
and conduct Of asylums for the care and
treatment OF the insane, to the maladies OF
which are added the misfortuneS of poverty.
They are the wards of the state. Human
ity and a just regard for their rights
as citizens who are unable to choose for
themselves demand that those to whom is as
signed the treatment and supervision Of these
unfortunates bring to the discharge of their in
tricate duties scientific learning and special ex-
p~erience. The medical profession. from the
days of Pinel, who first struck the Shackles
from the insane, to the present day, has shown
itself competent and efficient in the successful
treatment and amelioration of the condition OF
those bereft of reason.
W have learned with profound regret tn at
the chief executive of the state OF Missouri has
taken it upon himself to displace the medical
profeSsian without Just cause or provocation
from the management of the oldest and largest
asylum in this state, and to place it in the hands
Of persons who neither by experience nor SCI
entifc training have fitted themselves to as
sumo responsible duties which their positions
entail.
I'VE protest in the name of humanity and OF
scientific medicine against the unwarranted
action of the board of managers. 1t is a stain
upon the fair eScutcheon OF our state, a detri-
ment to the best interests Of society, and Il
crime against the unfortunate inmates of the
institution"
The auditing committee reported that
it had examined the books and reports
of the officers and found them IN ex-
cellent condition. 1t also reported that
the society had S2S5 in the treasury ex-
elusive of the dues paid by the MEM
bers at the present session.
A committee was appointed to revise
the bylaws and constitution of the So
ciety, and also a committee to work for
the success of the bill providing for the
establishment of a home for feeble
minded children.
DIR. Jacob Geiger, of St Joseph, was
elected president, and Excelsior Springs
chosen as the next place of meeting.
The doctors enjoyed an excursion
down the river. During the trip 100
gallons of ice cream was consumed, and
there were cries for more. There was
q band on board, and many of the
younger members of the party danced,
while others stood upon the decks and
enjoyed the beauty of the landscape.
The ladies seemed to be the life of
the party. One of them o had a
group of physicians about her by vol
unteering the information that a small
town to which the boat vas bound was
remarkable for the fact hat measles
had existed there for So years. The
group rapidly increased in proportions,
and she vas soon parrying questions
from all sides. Just as she rose to leave
the center of the group she volun-
teered the information: Yes, gentle,
men, it is true. There is q family Of
Measles there