The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-03
DOCTORS HAVE
 FINE BANQUET. Jefferson Medical Society at Festive Board Last Night THE RESPONSES ID TOASTS A Delightful Affair at the Metropolitan HoteI--About 100 Physicians Were
 Present and Most of
 Them Spoke.
THE RESPONSES 10 TOASTS

 hundred physicians who occupied seats around the festive board.
 The medical society enjoys banquet every year, when the doctors meet to- gether in fraternal and friendly inter- course. For half hour before the ban quet began the members of the society were engaged with one another in con- versation in the reception room of the hotel.
 The table decorations were strikingly beautiful and the menu embraced many tempting courses. pr. W. II. Wilder presided as toastmas- ter of the occasion. He called on large 1 number present for toasts, and In each instance they were responded to in a happy manner. The following were the toasts: pr. Ira J. Sellers Our County Medical l Society"
 pr. c. II. Jernigan, Half Century in Harness"
 Dr. W. F. Black, solo. l pr. T. l.. Robertson, "Uses and Abuses of Alcohol"
 Dr. w. D. B. Davis, "Birminghams Future Charity Hospital"
 
 Health Laws"
 pr. II. N. Rosser. "our Hospital" pr. B. l.. Wyman "rhe Birmingham Medical College
 Dr. R. c. Bankston, poetry
 Dr. Mack Rogers, How to Break Sad News Gently"
 Dr. E. P. Riggs, "st vincents Hospi- tal."
 pr. T. D. Parke Babies"
 Mir Eli P. Smith, Southern and Vest ern Girls"
 Dr. J. c. LeGrand, "The Alabama Med ical Journal
 Dr. D. A. Jones, obedience of Young Husbands"
 Mir R. F. Johnston. "Denver Doctors"
 pr. L. c. Morris. "Young Widows
 Dr. c. A. Fox, Our Host"
 Dr. T. F. Talley, "The Ladies'"
 Dr. D. II. Sholl, "The History of Medi- cine'
 Dr. T. F. Robinson, '"The Society in Bessemer"
 Some Speeches. I In responding to the toast, "Our County Medical Society," Dr. Ira J. Sellers paid glowing tribute to the medical profess sion in Jefferson county and in Alabama. "We have" he said, ''some of the best and most eminent physicians in the coun- try in the medical society of Jefferson county. Eighteen years ago this socie- ty was formed with a very small mem bership and it has steadily grov'r until It's membership is nearly 15O is the largest society in the state. I feel proud of being a member of this society, this noble band of workers in Jefferson coun- ty." He spoke of the history of the or ganization, it's object and accomplish ments.
 Dr. T. F. Robinson, In speaking to the toast, "The Society in Bessemer," said that it had twenty-two members, and that meetings were held every two weeks, when papers were read or reports on cases were made. "The society at Bes- semer is really larger than many of the county societies in Alabama. We hope to keep up with the society in Blrming- ham," he said.
 | pr. C. II. Jernigan Is the veteran mem- Der of the society. Tn the response to the toast Half a century in harness" he said he had practiced medicine for forty | eight years, and in this connection re- marked: T would like to repeat that | length of time in the service" l Dr. D. H. Sholl gave many interesting facts concerning the earlier history of the medical profession. In opening his talk 1 he wished every one present a happy and prosperous New Year and happiness, he said, 'such as you are entitled to-" He referred to Bible illustrations of medi- | cine as contained in the books of Esther and Genesis. Upon being repeatedly requested Dr. w. F. Black sang the first verse of Way Down Upon the Swanee River" those present joining in the chorus. | In the toast "Our Hospital responded to by Dr. H. N. Rosser, the speaker said. "I am proud of our hospital. Hospitals in Jefferson county were not discussed before a few doctors got together ana formed this society many years ago. From this discussion was erected the beautiful hospital at Smithneld, which was destroyed by fire. and one on Fourth avenue and now we have the Hillman hospital and it Is the offspring of the worx promulgated in this organization" He referred to St. vincent's and the good accomplished there and closed by paying tribute to the ladies who worked faithfully to build the Hillman institu- tion.
 Public Health Laws. The toast Our. Public Health Laws was responded to by Dr. R. M Cunning ham, who returned from New York Thursday. He spoke of the evolution Of civilization and of government and their respective relations to health and laws Of health. He spoke of the laws of nature, and said that on health there was no trust or monopoly, and that as natures laws are observed so will be the health of the individual or the general commun- ity. He said 1t would be lar better If the doctors made the health laws ana they were voted on officially by the legislators; that then there would be no politics in the making of them and they would be made in the manner in which they were really needed. He thought the state health officer should receive a large compensation. and also the county health