The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-08
FIRST MEDICAL JOURNAL Publ ISHED WEST
OF MISSISSIPPI WAS BORN IN kEOkUk|
Bound is in
Much of Q ateandCit
About Situated Here

The first medical Journal to be
published west of the Mississippi
was the Western -Chirurgical
Journal. A bound volume of the first
twelve numbers of this work, pub
lished in 1850 and 1851 is in the
library of DR.. Frank M. Fuller in this
city. The volume is almost price
less because it is probably the only
complete volume of this work. The
book was formerly in the collection
owned by the late c. F. Davis.
The first number, volume one, was
published in September, 1850. In the
salutatory published on page 80 is
an interesting bit of information
concerning the birth of this work.
We take pleasure" the salutatory
reads, in presenting to the medical
profession OF Iowa and the west the
nrst No. Of a Journal devoted to the
interests OF Medical Science which
VIII be continued two years under
definite arrangement, and longer, if
the patronage realized will Justify
the effort. This is the first Medical
journal ever issued west of the Faith
er OF Waters, north Of the Missouri,
in that boundless region, the com
1nerce and power of which is destined
to affect the American continent,
and which in its rapid, almost magi-
cal transition from natures wildness
to cultivated fields, the flourishing
villages and popnlous cities of civil
lied and enlightened man, presents a
subject of reflection unsurpassed in
interest in the annals of the world"
After some further discussion the
Salutatory goes on with Shall we
not then, in the spirit of science,
concentrate our efforts to the ac-
complishment of this end, and in the
erection and institution of medical
learning the formation of societies
for medical improvement and the gen.
erous support of medical press, Sc
cure the speedy fulfillment of a des-
tiny we have feebly tried to Indicate"
The first article in volume one is
by John Forrest Dillon, M. D., Of
Pennington. who afterward became
Judge Dillon OF New York. 1t is on
rheumatic carditis.
Iowa Medical Society.
In the October number Of the Jour
nal is an account of formation of the
Iowa State Medical and Chirurgical
society. The mention of this first
meeting and organization of the Iowa
State Medical society says: THE
proceedings of this society in the
form of a neat pamphlet came to
hand too late for notice in the first
No. of the Journal; but it gives us
great pleasure now to transcribe such
items in connection with the organ
ization OF the society as will be most
n to thn NJ III, -
fort has been expended by several
eminent members of the profession in
this state during the past few years
in directing the minds of medical
men to this important subject, but
the call issued in May last was the
first to which there has been any
satisfactory response. We are happy
to say, however, that although the
profession have been slow to move in
reference to this matter, when they
did assemble in convention in Bur
lington, June last, their action was
and efficient About
twenty-five physicians met pursuant
to this notice and entered upon the
duty of organizing state medical
society with commendable zeal"
Those who were present: Drs. ].
F. Sanford, J. F. Henry, ]. D. NJ.
J. Ebert, E. r.. Ford, J. H. |
Rauch, A. S. Hudson, D. l.. McGugin, |
]. W. Flint G. R. Henry. J. F. Dillon,
j. B. Latta, w. F. Grubb, H. NJ. !
ID. V. Cole, N. Steel, E |
Lowe, J. NJ Witherwax, G. Anderson .
Hull, ]. W. Broohbank, p. NJ. McLar-
en-, E. d. Ransom and c. Cutter DR..
Sanford presided at the meeting.
The officers elected for the coming
year were: President, DR.. E. Lowe;
vice presidents, DR.. d. J.. McGugin
and Dr. J. d. Ebert; recording secre-
tary, DR.. H. NJ Mathews: CORES
bonding secretary, DR.. J. F. Sanford:
treasurer, DR.. G. r. Henry; librarian.
Dr.. J. F. Dillon.