The Washington herald., 1907-05-08

and international reputation. representing
fifteen societies devoted to some branch
OF the profession, gathered in the large
han Of the Arlington yesterday afternoon
at the opening Of the seventh triennial
session Of the Congress of American
Physicians and Surgeons More than LOCO
members Of the congress and hundreds
OF interested nonmenbers filed the hail
TO overlooking and stood ten deep IN the
doorway.
Papers were read by four distinguished
men-Dr William Osler DR.. Lewellys f.
Barker, professor of medicine at Johns
Hopkins; DR.. Alfred Stengel. professor of
pathology at the University, and Or.
Richard C. Cabot. professor of clinical
medicine at Harvard. The topic was THE
Historical Development and Relative Val
ue OF Laboratory and CltRicaI Methods in
Diagnosis" -" and proved of general interest
to the distinguished gathering OF medical
men,
In the evening the members of the
congress were addressed by the pres
tdent Dr. Reginald Il. Fitz, after which
reception was held at the Arlington
Coming but once in three years, the
congress brings with il a distinction
that sets it apart from all other gath
erings Of medical societies. 1t brings
10 its sessions the biggest men in the
various specializations Of medical sci
ence that this country has produced
men to whom the whole great medical
profession turns for advice and greater
knowledge and power
Big Men in Societies.
Each of the constituent societies is
an exclusive organization. and on its
membership role appear no names but
those of men who have accomplished
big things. There are about 100 mem
bers to each of the fifteen societies in
the congress. Fully two-thirds of
these are now in Washington.
The congress is here for three days.
but with only two general sessions
yesterday and to-day-the convention
ending with a smoker tomorrow night
at the Arlington. During the morning
the constituent societies hold individ-
ual meetings at the different hotels
when questions relating 10 the particu-
lar branch Of medical science represent
ed by each society IS discussed. All
meetings are open 10 physicians.
Fourteen societies Of the congress held
r
After luncheon the congress was received
by the President at the White House The
President received the medical lights
cordially and chatted with some Of the
most prominent of the visitors for nearly
al hour. After the reception the mem
bers returned directly 10 the Arlington
where the congress was called 10 order
at 4 o'clock by the president, DR.. Fitz.
DIP. FitZ introduced DIT Osler, the first
speaker, IN most fattering terms. and
the former Johns Hopkins professor re
ceived an ovation when he stepped for
ward to read his paper. Dr. Oser has
become quite Anglicized since his sojourn
IN England as professor at oxford Uni
Versity and he used his newly acquired
OXfordian infections TO excellent ad-
vantage.
Evolution of Experiment,
Dr.. Osler's paper dealt with the evolu-
ton Of the idea Of experiment in the
study Of medicine. He reviewed the his
tory Of medical science from ancient times
10 the present era, showing the gradual
recognition by the masters of the pro-
fession of the need Of continual experl-
ment IN the advancement Of the science
He said that experiment is the basis OF
the present advanced state Of medical
science and put in a plea for an in
creased number Of clinical laboratories
where the many problems Of medicine
may be best studied and solved.
IN speaking of the recognition OF the
need OF continual experiment, Dr. Osler
said that each dose Of medicine is really
an experiment as it is often impossible
10 tell what the result viii be Dr. Oslar
deIended the practice Of yivisectiOn and
Vancement Of science, saying that the
limit OF Jusuiable experimentation upoD
our feilow-creatUres is clearly defined
ana that as the reduction of risk TO the
patient should be one of the main aims
OF medical science, experiments upon
animals is a necessity.
DIT Parker, who succeeded DR.. Osler to
the chair of medicine at Johns Hopkins
University, read an interesting and thor
ougnly scientific paper upon neurological
ana psychiatrlc diagnosis. He dwelt upon
the advancement made in recent wears in
the Held Of neurology and psychiatry. and
stated mat laboratOrial experiment is in
dlspensable 10 this branch of the medical
profession.
Diagnosis Is Discussed.
DIT. Stengel spoke upon chemical and
biological diagnosis, and illustrated his
talk with charts. He was followed by
Dr. Cabot. Of Harvard. who talked ON
physical diagnosis. Dr. Cabot dwelt upon
three tendencies of modern diagnosis
first, q tendency toward greater exact
ness; second, a tendency toward greater
directness, and third, a tendency toward
functional as contrasted with anatomical
diagnosis.
He deplOred an eXaggerati0n Of the
benefits of the tendency toward greater
exactness. saying that II was of import
ance only relatively 10 the matter in
hand Dr. Cabot gave as an example
OF this tendency the count of blood cor
puscles when carried into four figures
When 1 hear that a man saws there
We're 5Z3i corpuscles in a certain quantity
OF blood, said DR. Cabot, Il consider that
he has loaded himself up with a useless
mass of befOgging details. 1t is pseudo
science" Dr. Cabot closed by saying that
Of all methods of diagnosis the old-fash-
Toned methods at the bedside of the pa
tient We're the best.
The subject then came under general
discussion, opened by DR.. George Blu
mer, who sided with DR.. Cabot on all
points and was carried on by several
members of the congress.
Address by President FItz.
In the evening the hall was comforta-
bly, filed with members Of the congress
and their wives. Dr. Fitz. president of
the congress. and hersey professor of The
theory and practice of physlc at Harvard
University. read a lengthy and thorough
address on the topic. The BorderIanl
Of Medicine and Surgery" DR.. Fitz COW
cred his subject from every vfevrpofnf and