The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-30

Official report of Past Assistant Surgeon
/ o. H. Cox, to the Surgean General.
Washington, D. c.. on the meeting of the
Florida Medical Association, which was
held in Miami last week:
Sir. have the honor q. report my
Florida Medical Associatio-l in Miami
during the days of May 20, 81 and O.
On the whole it was good medical
meeting. There were on an average Of
SO to 20 persons present at each session
and the total attendance was somewhat
higher. A glance at the map of Florida
is sufficient to emphasize the fact that
the majority of the 500 or more members
out OF about 1900 physicians in the state
! would have to travel hundreds of miles
to attend at any given meeting place.
However practically every section nab
representation. AS the enclosed copy Of
my paper states I was the sole represen-
tative for Escambia county and Pensa-
cola.
1t will be noticed that my paper came
first Copy enclosed. entitled Organ
tzing a Community for Healthy. The
central idea was to use as illustration
a community (Pensacola) with which
most of the audience were familiar and
as demonstration of what had been the
steps taken to promote better health con-
ditions. As was expected. various phases
were discussed by more than a half dozen
members.
DR.. B. L. Arms talked on the function
of the laboratory of which he is director
for the state board. The special refer
ence to biologic products as therapeutic
la agents was made because there have been
occasions when good logic did not prevail
in their use. He especially emphasized
the questionable use of shot gum vac
cines and advised caution il any use of
diphtheria anti-toxin routine phophy-
Tactic.
DIR. S. G. Thompson took this occasion
to present to this comparatively large
group of physicians the work of his di-
vision under the state board He has
here and the future looks better vet.
He has his district registrars well lined
up all over the state on births and deaths.
He is gradually effecting methods where
by morbidity reporting may be done To-
cally by someone as health officer who
will assume responsibility These pa
pers were discussed by several members.
A number of points were made clear by
direct answers to concise questions.
Midwife Obstetrics. presented by DIR.
w. w. Macdonald. came from man
who speaks from the view points of ne
experienced physician as well as the
health officer. He stressed the great neg
lact of child bearing women everywhere;
our national mortality of 1900 deaths
year which rate does not get better; and
stature still in session, only recently de-
feated bill which would give some Sill
perviSion over those who profess to at
tend women, black or white, In child
birth. He cited the great Improvement
accomplished in his city by licensing only
those widwives who show some degree
of intelligent ability. His figures locally
and for the state had been compiled by
Dr. Thompson. Discussion on this topic
was very free. 1t gave DIR. Grace Whit
ford. director of the Child Welfare bu-
reau of the state board. opportunity
to explain the aim and object and scope
of her work.
1t was voted to accept me as the rep
resentative for the Escambia County So
ciety. of which I am of course only an
honorary member. on personal recognize
a.lce and presentation of credentials from
the PRECEDENT and secretary.
The president brought to the attention
of those present the need for recognition
by the association of the work that is boz
ing done throughout the country on
medical education and hospital standard
isation.
The annual address OF the president, DR..
+. j. Walter. of DatonG WIS scholarly
ana masterful presentation of the many
responsibilities and opportunities of Or
gAnized Medicine 1t could really be
considered the summary of years
reading by a studious physician. Notes
as follows were taken:
Andrew Jackson, first governor OF
Florida. was an example of what organ
lied effort would do with an idea. It
was explained that he was defeated FOR
the presidency OF the nation the first
time he ran because he was opposed by
"a perfect organization, while he sue
ceeded in his second effort because he
had perfected an organization to support
him.
Dr. w. Herbert Adams Is considered
enc of the best specialists. in Jacksonville
and takes only ophthalmological cases.
He was very well qualified therefore 70
present the subject of senile contact.
he subject of "Neuro-Physhiat and
the War as presented by Major Ralph
Greene was probably the most valuable
and interesting paper of the meeting.
The author is still in the army. being
stationed at San Antonio. and has had
a abundant opportunity to treat and OBJ
aga ri IIa k. :