Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-24
DOCTORS IN SESSION.
PROCEEDINGS OF STATE MEDICAL
ASSN AT NEWPORT NEWS.
PHASES OF. MODERN MEDICINE.
This the Theme of DR.. r. L. Payne
People DON'T Appreciate Phys1-.
clans, Say. He-A whac.z Mt Chris
tan Scientists and Osteopaths.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, September %.
(Specal.)-The thirty-third annual ses-
sion of the Virginia Medical Association
was Called to order in the Casino at s
o'clock this evening by the president, Dr.
R. S. Martin, of Stuart. Divine invoca-
ton was made by the Rev. Mr.. Hub
bard. DR.. J. w. Aylor, of Newport News,
delivered the address of welcome.
The address to the public and profession
was made by DR.. r. l.. Payne of Nor
folk. His subject was, Some Phases Of
Modern Medicine" Commencing with the
statement that even the best efforts of
medicine were for many centuries but
groupings in the dark-a mixture of facts,
fancies, and superstitions-he traced the
evolution of the art in the face of the
ignorance and intolerance of the people,
and the antagonism of the church.
THE PEOPLE UNAPPRECIATIvE.
Yet, notwithstanding the results it has
attained. modern medicine is hindered,
as of old, by lack of appreciation on
the part of many people. This is due
partly to lack Of intelligent understand
ing Of the high aims of the profession. and
partly to the lack of intelligent discrimi-
nation, as shown by the ease with which
people are gulled by all sorts of unedu-
Gated and misguided men-Charlatans.
who under the guise of Christian Science,
osteopathy, and like cults-prey upon the
diseased and suffering in our commune
ties until hindered by the law which
should protect the ignorant and help
less.
In this connection he referred to the
failure of the bill brought forward at
the last meeting of the Legislature, to
regulate the practice of osteopathy and
Christian Science. Regular and homeo-
pathic physicians are compelled to pass
rigid examination as a prerequisite to
practice.
UPHOLDS VIVISECTION
Regarding the effort to pass a national
anti-vivisection law, he adduced evidence
showing the value of experimentation up
on animals; e. g., vaccination for small
pox. the use of antitoxins in diphtheria,
!ocl1jaw, and blood-poisoning. After re-
ferring to various experiments made by
many physicians upon themselves. at the
cost of their lives. he urged that these
were many times more valuable than the
lives of the lower animals. us it not bet
ter that a few animals should die that
thousands of human beings may be
saved?"
He urged the endowment Of laborato-
ries and hoped that the newly-created
Department of Public Health would prove
as valuable as the Department of Agri-
culture and Bureau Of Animal Indus
try.
THE MOSQUITO MENTIONED.
The agency of the mosquito in produc-
ing malaria and yellow fever; the accu-
mutation of evidence showing that con-
sumption may yet be banished; and the
vast strides made in preventive medi-
cine were mentioned.
In conclusion, he named few of the
Southern physicians who have contri-
buted to the glory of medicine: Long, Of
Georgia, who discovered anesthesia; Nc
Dowell of Kentucky, who devised and
executed the first ovariotomy; Sims, EN-
NETT, Thomas, Sayre, Kirlock. Chisholm,
Wyeth, and our own Manson and Nc
CURE.
FORAULAE FOR PATENT MEDICINE
The next order of business was the ad-
dress of the president who, among other
things, urged that the government COM
pei the publication of the formulate upon
every bottle of patent medicine sold.
There is not one he said, which does not
contain alcohol in large proportion, and
often cocaine opium, and other harmful
agents. He often wondered that maky
persons, so strictly honest in other things,
should be SO dishonest in their use of
nostrums.
The applications of two colored med-
cal associations for recognition by the
society was laid on the table.
The Richmond physicians present are:
Drs. Bosher, Johnston, Davidson, Peyser,
tBaughman L. B. Edwards, Beadles,
Moseley, Edward and Stuart Mcclure,
and Newton.