of the names of all those persons who have become fellows or honorary members of the Society during that period, counsellors are elected in each of the ten departments into which the State is divided for that purpose; reports of committees are then received, and afterwards attention is given to any proposals for alteration in the by-laws, and to such scientific communications as the counsellors may have selected to be laid before the Society, and to any propositions or suggestions of the fellows which may be thought conducive to the welfare of the Society or to the general interests of medical science. At one o'clock, a discourse is delivered by a fellow previously appointed for that purpose, at which medical students and all persons interested in medical science are invited to attend. The counsellors hold three stated meetings annually: the first on the day following the annual meeting of the Society; the second on the first Wednesday in October, and the last on the first Wednesday in February. At their first meeting they elect by ballot a president, vice-president, corresponding and recording secretaries, treasurer and librarian; also five censors for the Society at large, and censors for each of the districts respectively. No person can be balloted for as a fellow or honorary member unless he shall have been nominated at least three months previously. Every fellow is required to pay an assessment of three dollars annually, and no one is perimitted to withdraw from the Society without permission of the counsellors, for reasons which are satisfactory. This permission is required to be given to any fellow who applies, provided he has arrived to the age of sixty years. Any fellow may be expelled for any gross or notorious immorality or infamous crime against the laws of the land; for any attempt to overturn or destroy the Society; for the breach of any by-law of the Society for which expulsion is made the penalty; for furnishing to any person a certificate in respect to his character and studies as a student of medicine, if the same be proved to be false, and shall tend to deceive the public or the censors of the Society. With irregular practitioners it shall be unlawful for fellows to consult, or in any way to aid or abet them in a professional capacity; and any fellow who shall publicly advertise for sale any medicine the composition of which he keeps a secret, or who shall offer to cure any disease by such secret medicine, shall be expelled. By the act of the Legislature passed in 1803, the counsellors, on the application of any five members of the Society, were authorized to establish within such districts and portions of the Commonwealth as they should think expedient, subordinate societies and meetings, to consist of the fellows residing within such districts respectively, wherein the communication of cases might be made, and the diffusion of knowledge in medicine and surgery promoted. Such district societies when established are holden to report to the counsellors of the general Society all such cases as shall be selected for that purpose on account of their importance or utility. They are empowered to appoint their own officers, make their own by-laws, not inconsistent with those of the general Society, to hold property, real and personal, and to dispose of the same exclusive of any authority of the general Society. To encourage the formation of such local societies, and to aid in promoting the object of their establishment, they are allowed to retain one-third of the amount of the annual assessments collected from their members for the purpose of increasing their libraries, and also to receive books on loan from the general library, to be recalled however and exchanged whenever the counsellors shall deem it necessary or expedient. Publications. The publications of the Society consist of five volumes, of about 500 pages each, and two parts of a sixth volume, selected from the dissertations delivered at the annual meetings; reports of committees appointed to investigate the character and appropriate treatment of various epidemics which have from time to time appeared in the cominunity; also selections from such cases of importance as have been communicated by the fellows directly or through the district societies. Of late medical communications are less frequently made than formerly through the publications of the Society, being ordinarily given to the public through some of the numerous periodicals, which are more appropriate channels, inasmuch as they have a more extended circulation. The Society, as early as 1806, took measures for the compilation of a Pharmacopea, which was soon after published, and continued to be a standard in New England until it was superseded by the publication of a United States' Pharmacopea in 1820. For some years past, in addition to other publications, the Society has annually sent forth to its members a volume of practical medicine, which has proved eminently useful and acceptable. These volumes are selected by committees chosen for the purpose, and by directing the attention of the whole profession simultaneously to subjects of great practical importance, have been instrumental in promoting medical science and conferring lasting benefits on the community. The investigations of Louis on Fever, which have thus been communicated to the public, with the subsequent communications of Dr. Jackson on the same subject, giving the results of his experience for many years in the Massachusetts General Hospital, together with the dissertation of Dr. Hale, are leading to investigations which, however they may be appreciated at the present time, are adapted to shed new light on a disease hitherto but partially understood, and in the end to result in a safer and more successful mode of treatment than has hitherto been adopted. In this connection it is due to the Society to say, that in every petition to the Legislature for an extension of privileges, and in all its publications, the public good, rather than any personal advantage to the members, has been the object sought. From all the arts and emoluments of empiricism the members pledge themselves to abstain. In their refusal to associate with those who are not duly qualified for the practice of their profession, or who neglect to produce evidence of such qualification, they seek not a monopoly, but are influenced by higher and purer motives. With their knowledge of the evils which arise from the use of nostrums and from the employment of ignorant empirics as medical advisers, they could not pursue a different course from that which they have adopted, without the sacrifice of moral principles, which in a liberal profession are fundamental to its usefulness and success. The time will come when that system of legislation which allows unprincipled men for their private benefit to send forth patent medicines under the great seal of the nation, will be seen to be no other than a licensed imposition on the public. Health and life are too valuable to be thus sacrificed. Any man who really believes that he has discovered the means of mitigating human suffering, is bound by every principle of morality and benevolence to publish it to the world. The power to do good implies and involves an obligation to do it, and the fact of an attempt to conceal from men that which is represented to be of paramount importance for them to know, is presumptive evidence of want of integrity. The triumph of ignorance over science is the precursor of the downfall of our Republic. The whole community is deeply interested in sustaining every institution and association which has for its object the increase and diffusion of useful knowledge. It would be doing injustice to the Society to close this brief sketch without some allusion to its efforts for the promotion of temperance. So long ago as 1827, at the annual meeting, which was very numerously attended, a preamble and resolutions, involving the following principles, were adopted nemine contradicente. Whereas there is reason to believe that the habitual and intemperate use of ardent spirits is often the consequence of an opinion that such liquids contribute to the health of men, and whereas it seems to be a duty peculiarly belonging to this Society to oppose and correct so insidious an error, therefore Resolved, That the constant use of such liquors is not a source of strength and vigor, but that it is generally productive of weakness and disease ;-that the Society agree to discourage the use of such liquors as much as may be in their power, discontinuing the employment of spirituous preparations when they can find substitutes, and when compelled to use them for any great length of time, warning their patients of the danger of forming an unconquerable and fatal habit;-that the excessive and constant use of wine is a cause of many diseases, and although useful in some of them, as in the stage of weakness in fever, its use in these cases is often carried too far and continúed too long;that the most salutary drink for the general use of man is water;-and that the Society will use the skill of its members in ascertaining the best mode of preventing and curing the habit of intemperance, and for this purpose offer a premium of fifty dollars for the best dissertation on the subject, to be approved by the counsellors and read at an annual meeting, and published at the expense of the Society;—a premium which was awarded, and the dissertation published. At the last annual meeting a proposition was made by the lamented Dr. Lemuel W. Belden of Springfield, since deceased, that such a modification of the constitution of the Society should be adopted as would secure greater advantages than they now enjoy to those fellows who reside at a great distance from the place of the annual meeting; the whole subject was referred to the counsellors, and subsequently to a special committee of one fellow from each county, who met at Worcester in July last, and after a most pleasant discussion, adopted a report, which has been accepted, with some modifications, by the counsellors, and will be acted on by the Society at the annual meeting. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. Elected in May, 1839. GEORGE C. SHATTUCK, M. D., President. NATHANIEL MILLER, M. D., Vice-President. CENSORS. For the First Medical District, and for the Society at large. A. L. Peirson, Edward Reynolds, Jr., John Ware, Woodbridge Strong, John Jeffries. For the Second Medical District. John Green, Benj. F. Heywood, Charles W. Wilder, Benjamin Pond, William Workman. For the Third Medical District. Stephen W. Williams, Elisha Mather, Bela B. Jones, David Bemis, Matthew B. Baker. For the Fourth Medical District. Henry H. Childs, William H. Tyler, Asa G. Welsh, Charles Worthington. Committee on Publications. Enoch Hale, John Ware, John Homans. Committee on Resignations. Walter Channing, Zabdiel B. Adams, John Jeffries. Abel L. Peirson, M. D. of Salem was chosen to deliver the next annual discourse. A LIST OF THE FELLOWS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY, MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY. Residence. Date adm'n. 1803 Gardner, James 1825 Gardner, John F. 1839 Gerry, Samuel R. 1832 Gould, Abraham, Jr. 1830 Grosvenor, John F. 1838 Grosvenor, Augustus Lenox 1836 Herbert, Richard Rowley Pittsfield 1836 46 1781 Holton, Samuel Danvers 1781 Holyoke, Ed. A., Pres. Salem 1829 100 & 8 ms 1816 Howe, Abner Beverly 1826 47 Bristol. 1813 Hubbard, Oliver Salem 1832 1830 Hunt, Ebenezer Danvers 1818 Johnson, Jonathan G. 1822 Johnson, Samuel 1835 Jones, Nathan 1838 Kinniston, Timothy 1796 Kittredge, Thomas 1814 Kittredge, Joseph 1827 Kittredge, Ingalls Newbury port Salem Wenham Haverhill Andover 1833 Swansey 1830 Kittredge, Ingalls, Jr. Beverly Taunton 1830 82 1838 Kittredge, Edward A. Lynn 1840 Crary, William H. A. Fall River 1837 Lamson, Josiah Essex Fall River Taunton Taunton New Bedford New Bedford Raynham Fall River Seekonk New Bedford Taunton New Bedford Seekonk 1839 Glazier, Amory 1805 Godfrey, Jones 1823 Gordon, William 1835 Gordon, William A. 1839 Greene, Edward W. 1835 Gushe, John H. 1839 Hooper, Foster 1823 Johnson, Artemas 1839 Ladd, Azell P. 1819 Leonard, George 1824 Mackie, Andrew 1819 Martin, Calvin 1822 Mason, William B. 1830 Mayhew, Julius S. 1803 Perry, Samuel 1835 Perry, William F. 1832 Randall, Menzies R. 1816 Reed, Alexander 1836 Sawyer, Samuel 1839 Sisson, Benjamin B. 1821 Spooner, Paul 1831 Stone, Jeremiah 1833 Swan, Caleb 1795 Swift, Foster 1835 Talbot, Charles 1803 Ware, George 1838 Wells, Thomas P. 1838 Wells, William R. 1838 West, Benjamin H. 18:2 Whittredge, Wm. C. 1839 Wilbur, Thomas 1834 Wood, Alfred Dartmouth New Bedford New Bedford Mansfield Rehoboth New Bedford Fair Haven Westport New Bedford New Bedford Pawtucket New Bedford Fall River Dighton 1831 Lummus, John 1804 Manning, Joseph 1805 †Manning, Thomas 1836 Manning, John H. 1832 Merriam, Royal A. 1832 Mighill, David 1831 Moriarty, John M. 1838 Newhall, Asa T. 1811 Nichols, Andrew 1832 Nichols, Adams 1803 Nye, Samuel 1800 Oliver, Benjamin L. 1781 Orne, Joseph 1833 Osborn, George 1803 Little, Moses 1824 Longley, Rufus Haverhill Lynn Gloucester 1811 Ipswich 1836 Ipswich 1837 Topsfield Georgetown Gloucester Lynn Danvers Gloucester Salisbury 1819 Salem 1835 Salem 1786 1797 1823 1815 1808 Osgood, George Danvers 1830 Osgood, Joseph 1821 Parker, Frederic A. Danvers Salem 1836 Parkhurst, Chester Salem 1838 Parkhurst, Gurdon R. 1811 Peabody, Nathaniel 1821 Peirson, Abel L. 1830 Perkins, Henry C. 1803 Pierson, Abiel 1832 Perley, Daniel 1803 Pickman, Thomas 1837 Pierce, Charles H. 1837 Phelps, Ebenezer 8, Middleton 1800 Prescott, Oliver Newburyport 1827 65 Dukes. 1833 Prescott, William 1835 Reynolds, Joseph Lynn Gloucester 1837 Richardson, William P. Salem 1815 Robinson, Dean 1829 Robinson, Horatio 1834 Root, Martin 1785 Saltonstall, Nathaniel 1781 Sawyer, Micajah 1817 Smith, Nathaniel, Jr. 1830 Smith, Isaac P. 1837 Spalding, Reuben 1804 Spofford, Amos 1810 †Spotford, Moses D. 1817 Spafford, Jeremiah 1820 Spotford, Richard S. 1840 Spofford, Charles M. 1781 Sprague, John 1838 Stone, James, Jr. 1825 Story, Asa 1837 Strong, Simeon E. 1781 Swett, John Barnard 1816 Swift, Nathaniel 1804 †Torrey, Joseph 1830 Torrey, Augustos 1801 Treadwell, John D. 1831 Treadwell, John G. 1806 Vergnies, Francis 1815 Wardwell, Daniel 1837 Wheatland, Henry 1833 Whiting, Augustus 1803 Whitney, Elisha 1839 Wildes, Asahel H. Newbury Salem Newbury Haverhill 1815 Newburyport 1815 Danvers Ipswich 1820 Gloucester Haverhill 1806 32 52 1829 1784 74 1807 1828 Barrett, Benjamin 1819 Bell, Reuben 1806Bryant, Peter 1839 Clapp, Sylvanus 1817 Clark, Atherton 1812 Collins, Daniel 1815 +Cowles, Chester 1815 Cowles, Rufus 1804 Cutler, Robert 1813 Cutler, Isaac G. Westfield Springfield Southwick Springfield Wilbraham Palmer Springfield 1828 West Springfield Westfield Chester Springfield Palmer Hampshire. 1834 Denniston, Edward E. 1835 Dorrance, Gardiner 1822 Goodhue, Jozish 1781 Kellogg, Giles C. 1837 Orcutt, Henry 1819 Peck, Gustavus D. 1831 Peck, Addison S. 1806 † Porter, William 1837 Prescott, Joseph 1800 Segur, Charles L. 1827 Shaw, Samuel 1835 Shelden, Benjamin 1803 Starkweather, Ezra 1819 Stickney, Caleb H. 1811 Stone, William Northampton East Hampton Williamsburgh Granby Amherst Amherst Amherst 70 1822 Hildreth, Benjamin W. Marlborough Northampton Plamfield Hatfield 1914 1834 Kittredge, Theodore Waltham 1834 Leach, J. S. Gilman Lowell 1838 Lyon, Henry Charlestown 1823 1810 Manning, Samuel 1832 Mansfield, George 1837 Mansur, Moody 1824 70 1839 Marsh, Austin 1834 Morse, Julius H. 1839 Mowe, Daniel 1812 Mulliken, Isaac 18:6 † Mulliken, Isaac W. 1826 Nelson, John Lowell Lowell Carlisle Stowe Newton Cambridge 1922 42 Charlestown Lowell Townsend Stowe Lexington Cambridge 1838 |