The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-26

ltitbNs
 And while we cannot as yet claim that the practice of medicine is an exact science in all it's branches. there is around and about us a gratifying large num- Der of intelligent, earnest workers, labor ing diligently to that end and to tle end that the science of medicine may be ele- vated to the highest possible standard Of efficiency. and those who practice it to moral plane that will permit of no devil ation from the code of a gentleman.
 Limitations of State Societies.
 Owing to the natural limitations of our state societies and the absolute impos- siblitY of an equable division of the scientific work in the National association, there is an imperative need for Just such an organizat ton as this. An association that will give us better opportunity for that self-improNement and greater achlVe- ment in the realm of scientific endeaVor, which are required of, and should be the natural heritage of the progressive and cultured physicians of this section
 Aside from these arguments in It's favor attendance at the annual meetings of the American Medical association involves q larger expenditure of time and money than the majority of us can afford every year.
 Therefore. we go, now and then. and in the meantime Stagnate. Realizing these facts and condition. extensive cor respondence Originating in that most eX- emplary and progressive body, the Nash vile Academy os Medicine) was carried on last year between the presidents of the state societies of Georgia. Florida. Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, eliminating in a meeting of delegates from these six societies at Chat tanOoga last October, in conjunction with the Tri-State Medical society of Georgia. Alabama and Tennessee for the purpose of perfectng such an organization. After three days session the Tri-State unani- mously resolved itself into the new or Gan2a tion which vas enthusiastically launched on it's career under the name and title of the Southern Medical associa- ton, Southern Branch of the American Medical association, in accordance with article of the constitution of that body. This action has been endorsed by each state society mentioned and by the Amer ican Medical association. Similar organ izatons have been effected in the south west and in the northwest. and in an- other twelve months all of the proposed districts will have completed their nr- ganiZation.
 God forbid that differences. sectional or otherwise, should ever arise between this
  we must be left free 10 exercise our own discretion in any event.
 Chattanoo9a's Regulation.
 As you probably know, provisional construction and set of bylaws were adopted at the Chattanooga meeting un- der which we are at present operating. These articles, with a few alterations will be presented tc you this evening for ratification.
 Your president, secretray and council have gone over them carefully and pains taKngly and we believe that they are fully adapted to the requirements of this association. The time for the annual meeting was only determined upon after mature dellberation, and we believe, all things considered, that We have chosen for the best interests of the association and it's members.
 l beg to call your attention 10 the provision in these articles for altering or amending at any annual meeting.
 The scientific work of this association has been divided into three sections. Medi- cal, surgical and ophthalmological. with chairman and secretary for each, and it vii! be the duty of these sections to elect their officers for the ensuing year at their last session Of this meetlng as provided Tor in the ny-laws. ,l
 Publication of Transactions.
 No provision has been made yet for the publication of our transactions, the council not having reached that subject in their deliberations But it is the opin ion of your president that some provision should be made for such publications. I've no doubt that the Journal of American Medical association will publish them, if asked to dc so. And l would suggest that when you consider the question of annual dues you make them SS instead of S2. thus providing for the publishing of our transactions in book form.
 In closing l wish to express my .entire satisfaction with tue unqualified success of this, our first annual meeting, and to publicly thank the various section officers for the most excellent programme furn- lshed for this meeting. lhaVe never seen q better one in any medical association in this country. The Southern Medical as- sociation Is tonight an accomplished fact. It's future is in your hands to make of it what you will. To the medical pro fession of Birmingham my message is. thank you. gentlemen, for having eNtend- ed to us that hospitality for which Bir- mingham is famous.