The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-05-07
WITH THE PHYSICIANS.
Obion County Medical Society Has
Important Meeting.

Union City with President DR.. Matlock
In the chair. Those responding to roll
call were Drs. Matlock, Butler, Pearce,
Blanton, Darnall, Havner, Roper,
Marshall, White and Watson. The Wis
ting physicians were: Dr. Morris, Full
ton; DR.. Matlock, Jr., Mason Hall; DIR.
Capps, Kenton; DIR. Tull, Kenton; DIR.
Sellers, d. d. The Rev. Sellers open
ed the exercises with prayer DIR.
Pearce, of Union City, discussed The
Importance of the Study of Measles and
Scarlet Fever" His analysis of the
subject was thorough and was attentive
1y heard. In contemplation of the evil
consequences resulting from these APP
parently simple diseases, the impor-
lance of careful study of them grew
in vast propositions. The subject of
measles was first considered, DIR. J. B.
Havner, of Troy, leading in the discus
sion. Cause, mode of transmission,
periods of incubation and diagnosis were
dwelt upon in detail. No specific germ
is known to cause it. The mode of
transmission is by direct contagion.
Average period of incubation-fourteen
days. The essential points in diagsosis
were clearly stated, special stress being
put upon Koplik's Sign" 1t is of
interest to know that this sign was first
discovered in America only thirteen
years ago. Complications and sequelle
-prognosis and treatment was then
considered by DR.. NJ A. Blanton, of
Union City. His presentation of this
phase of the subject was clear and
pointed and his suggestions sane and
rational.
t.. Scarlet fever was then considered, |
DR.. F. W. Watson kindly consented to
discuss the topics assigned to Drs. Rob
erts and Sharp, both Of whom were alb
sent.
The cause, mode of transmission and
differential diagnosis were each present
ed in a systematic way, no specific
causative germ having as yet been $50
lated by the student of medical science,
the mode of infection being by direct
contagion and by contact with persons
or objects infected with the specific
poison. DR.. Watson emphasized the
difficulty frequently encountered in di-
agnosis, owing to the similarity in
many respects of the great family of
exanthematious diseases. Due consid-
Grafton of the more salient points would
usually point to a positive conclusion
DR.. H. 7. Butler reviewed the COM
plications and sequelle most frequently
occurring in scarlet fever, emphasizing
the importance of their early recogni-
ton by the physician. DR.. Buffers
suggestions along the line of treatment
were timely and good Diet, ventila
ton and hygiene were of prime impor-
lance All measures of prophylaXis
should be rigidly enforced as to the
spread of the disease itself and avoid
ance of complications with attendant
sequelle. In all cases complete isola-
ton of the patient and rigid quarantine
measures should be established and ems
forced.
Continued Malarial Fever" was dis
cussed in well prepared paper read by
DIR. T. E. Marshall, of Union City. The
doctor could not accept without some
degree of mental reservation the mos
quito theory of causation. He would
urge the importance of screening all
buildings of habitation against this pes
tiferous little enemy to bodily comfort
and health, and the avoidance of undue
exposure in malarial districts.
His paper was discussed by Drs. But
Ter, Blanton and Tull Many good sug-
gestions were offered us in the line of
treatment. This closed the discussion
of topics purely medical.
DR.. P. n. Matlock, the venerable
president of the Society, opened the dis
cussion on the topic, The Welfare of
the County Medical Society" by read
ing a splendid paper. It's scope in
general way embraced the whole field
of medicine. He would seek Nature as
his authority in counsel and heed her
suggestions in laws of practice. The
Golden Rule would be his code of ethics
in life.
THE Business Side of the Question"
was discussed by DIR. E. H. White, of
Riyes. He stressed the point of organ
ization as an essential in all the depart
ments of the society work. General
discussion followed and was entered in
to by all members present The spirit