The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-11-13
Physiciansof
South to Meet
MEMBERS FROM ALL CITIES OF
WEST VIRGINIA WILL BE
IN ATTENDANCE.

markable gathering of physicians
ever assembled in the south. The
program which has just been receiv-
cd shows that every one of the SIX
teen southern states is represented
by number Of its most distinguish
cd physicians. The subjects to be
discussed cover the whole field OF
medicine and SURGERY but through
out the program subjects of particu.
lar interest to southern physicians
predonderate. West Virginia is well
represented on tho program.
Any association that doubles its
membership every year must have
good reasons for its existence. par.
ticularIy when it lacks the elements
Of selfishness that underlies so many
other organizations. The Southern
Medical association has made that
phenomenal record. Three years ago
it had only 300 members. two, years
ago It boosted of 600 and one year
ago the membership had reached l.
200. One thousand new members
have been added to its roll since last
November and Il is cOnfidentially ex-
pected that before the coming meet.
ing ut Lexington the record of dou-
bling its membership each year will
be maintained.
Yet this organ ization is entirely
devoid of financial, political or So
cal inducements to join its rank. 1t
is purely scientific body and is COM
posed OF physicians who are the lead
ers of their profession in every south
crn state. The inevitable result Is
that the papers contributed at tho
meeting and the discussions thereon
are of an unusually high order. II
is believed by those interested that
this meeting will prove an epoch In
southern medicine. 1t will demon
strate beyond dispute that the rHps
Sentutives of the medical profession
in the south are the equals of any
others without exception, that the
work they are doing for the advance
ment OF medical science is as thor
ough and important as is being pros
ecuted anywhere, and that there IS
no occasion for going out Of the south
for the best Of everything in medt-
cine and surgery
But there is an element connected
with the work Of the Southern Med
zeal association that is not always APP
prcciated. and that is its influence
upon public opinion for public well
fare. which extends to the remotest
ncighborhod in the south. By lead
ing the opinions Of its members in
such way as 10 arouse their inter-
est in questions Of hygiene and SAM
tatiOn it has been a powerful agent
in supporting the remarkable re-
vival Of public attention In such
matters. So that everywhere we see
the people wide awake to necessity
of local sanitation. Since the or
ganization of the Southern Medical
association and the publication Of its
official organ, the Southern Medical
Journal, this revival has swept the
southern states with a power that Is
without precedent in such cause.
Since the south has suffered more
than it's share from unsanitary condt-
tiOns there can be no doubt that the
interest in the prevention OF dis
ease that is being fostcred by the
Southern Medical association and It's
Journal will prove Of material value
In the wonderful industrial develop
mcnt that is everywhere sen in our
favored Southland.
An attendance Of one thousand Is
expected at the Lexington meeting
a number OF prominent physicians
from this city and surrounding towns
dncoutry will so to the meeting
and there can be no question but
that the state will be well represent
cd in this distinguished gathering Of
southern physicians
Among the speakers on the pro-
gram from West Virginia are: &. C..
Rodgers and L. R. Mcintosh, EIkins;
Henry d. Hatfield, Charleston; II. y.
Linsz, Wheeling; George a. Mcqueen,
Charleston.