The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20


 lege course. He entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of his brother, Dr. J. D. s. Davis, and later pursued his studies in Nashville and Louisville, finally graduating from the Bellevue Hospital Medical college 1884. Impatient to engage in active and pro- ductive life, he formed a partnership with his brother and entered upon the prac- tice of his profession Tn Birmingham. Ala. Thus was initiated a career marvellous in its brillianey glorious in it's achieve ments and unutterably sad in it's sudden ending. AS lightning bolt from out the clear sky came the terrible accident which nshered Into eternity the noble spirit of Dr. Davis. And what was left? A young and desolate widow engulfed in the despair of this horrible calamity; broken-hearted brother bereft of the strong sustaining influence and tender affection which welded their two lives as one; and two lovely Title girls, not yet old enough to realize the magnitude of their misfortune. Nor was this all; i; terrible gloom fell over all our south land-the theater of his achievements Thousands of hearts throbbed in sorrow. Nor yet, indeed, was this all. We, the fellows of this association had lost our founder our leader, our friend and claim the sad privilege of minglng our tears
 
 There Is Hope.
 Shrouded in the gloom of this bereave- ment is there no hope, no consolation? 1mperishable in the ashes of this mag nificent ruin He resplendent the jewels of virtue, honor humanity and success. These adorn the crown of his career and in their refulgent rays we find comfort and encouragement If to be honored by his fellowmen was part of the ambition of Elias Davis, then he attained the fruition of his widest dreams
 Mark you how success attended every undertaking. He has been active in the medical councils of his state and the nation for fifteen years. As early as 1891 we find him succeeding Robert Batty as president of the Tri-State Medical Asso- citation of Alabama, Georgia and Ten nessee. In 1893 he was chairman of the surgical section on abdominal surgery and gyneeology in the first Pan-American con- gress and vice president of the second congress. Tn 1900 we find him elevated to the presidency of the American Asso- citation of Obstretricians and Gyneco1o- gists-an exalted position attained in a body where merit alone prevails Some idea of the scope of his reputation Is suggested by the fact that he was hon orary fellow of the state societies of New York, Louisiana and of the British Gyne- cologica1 society. Alabama, a pioneer in educational requirements for license to practice. placed him upon her state hoard of medical examiners. These were all notable honors; but the last and great est or all came to him in 1901 when he was chosen president of this distinguished body.
 Must Possess Character.
 A man so eonspicuously and constantly ,f h L. possess unusual traits of character, tran scendent elements of success These honors may occasionally fall by accidents Of circumstance or political trickery upon the unworthy. but the profession does not reaffirm it's judgment except upon the basis of merit. Individualizing the ele- ments in the character of Dr. Davis, we find sufficient reason for his ascendency.
 This young doctor located in the active village of Birmingham, needed not the eloquence of an Osler to teach him "1'he master word in medicine" Work he had always done. work of masterful kind he was destined to do. Who can say what the initial incentive may have been; perhaps necessity, or maybe an ambition for wealth and it's luxuries, or possibly In his boyish dreams he was allured by the goddess of Fame. These, one or all may have induced him to enter into the
 
 naught in his whole career to belle the statement that he battled for the ad- vancement of science in the cause of hu- manity Early in his career we find him seeking knowledge at the side of the greatest clinical teachers in this country and abroad. Returning to his practice, he improved every available moment by laborious study. His restless and inquir- ing brain was not prepared to accept un- ha ad find their way into medical literature By close observation. experimentation and diligent research. he sought out the real truth for himself Remote from university halls or laboratories he pursued after his own way, amid inconceiyabe difficulties original investigations. The association with Dr. Batty for a brief period, devel- oped his taste for gynecology and ab- dominal surgery; and to this special field of work he devoted all his energies.
 Joined Medical Societies.
 Recognizing the educational value Of medical associations. he allied himself with the principal special and general so- cieties In this country Impatient be- cause of their infrequent meetings. he and his brother organized the Alabama Surgical and Genealogical society. Meet ing with only indifferent support. he con- ceived the possibility of an organization of wider scope. To the accomplishment of this purpose, he bent all the energies of his enthusiastic nature and as the re- suit, the Southern Surgical and Gyne- cological association was organized In his office September, 1888; he Rev. Dr. w D. Haggard, father of our honorable secre- tary was elected the first president and Dr. W. E.. B. Davis secretary and active executive officer. From this hour Dr. Davis became the most active man in medicine In the south. His conception of the needs for and advantages of such a society. was grand in its comprehensive ness By personal appeals, tireless cor respondence and frequent public addresses he elicited the cooperation of every sur geon of present or prospective ability in the south; and throughout the period that he was most concerned in the up- building of this association, 1t had come to pass that he had in some way. either through kind and encouraging words or felcitous act. elicited the personal inter- est and individual aid of every member of our body. It must be remembered that. as secretary, Dr. Davis ideas of expan- sion ran counter to many. His motives were often misunderstood and sometimes impugned. Upon occasions he has de- feated the wishes of his best friends when he believed they were opposed to the best interest of the association.
 Was an Evangelist.
 It must not be inferred that Dr. Davis gave himself up to this evangelical work in society organizations and attendance. His character and reputation were at- tracting to him a large and laborious practice. He was recognized as a surgeon of clear conception, marked conservatism and unusual skill. His achievements in