REPORT. ARTICLE I. Homœopathic Medical Society of the State of New York. Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual Meeting. The Society convened pursuant to statute in the County Court room, City Hall, February 11, 1868. Punctually at eleven o'clock, the President of the Society, Dr. B. F. Cornell, of Moreau Station, called the meeting to order, and requested the Rev. Dr. Elmendorf to offer prayer. The President proceeded to read his inaugural address. Gentlemen of the Homœopathic Medical Society of the State of New York-In assuming this Chair to which I have been elevated by your confidence and suffrages, permit me to tender my warmest thanks for the honor conferred. I believe it is in order, and perhaps not inappropriate, to make such suggestions as occur to my mind calculated to perpetuate our organization, extend its influence and increase its usefulness. The result of my observation has been, that we lay out too much work for the time we have for its successful accomplishment, and that much of the time at our command is frittered away and wasted by idle and uninstructive discussion. The delegates to this Society are many of them from the rural districts and remote villages, where they are the only homœopathic physicians within a circle of many miles, and hundreds of miles from this place of meeting. While in attendance here, their business must necessarily be neglected at home. Many of us thus situated find it very difficult to leave the field of our labors to spend more than a single day here. That we may all be benefited by our meeting, and be induced annually to return, it is important that as much of the business before the Society shall be attended to the first day of the session as possible. To effect this object, [Senate, No. 77.] 1 I suggest that all communications, reports of committees, and other valuable papers, shall be read and laid upon the table for future action, till all have been read. If these papers are of importance to this Society, let us have the benefit of them now, and not wait till next year, when the proceedings are published, their value outlawed, and many of them strangled by the publishing committee. I would not restrain, but invite, the fullest discussion and the closest criticism of all papers to be presented to the public. What I propose is, that discussion be postponed till all the communications are read, then taken up in their order for discussion and further disposition. This is simply for the benefit of those who cannot remain through the session. The subject of the finances should receive our early and earnest attention. It has been too frequently the case, that the ways and means have been deferred to the close of the session, when the seats are nearly empty, and a few have to contribute liberally to keep the machine in motion. Many who would cheerfully bear their share of the burthen, have left for their homes without having an opportunity to do so, and the treasurer has to send his bills to every corner of the State to get the means to defray expenses. To obviate this, I would suggest that the finance committee be instructed to report at the earliest possible moment, the condition of the finances, and that their report shall always be in order and take precedence of all other business. The treasurer should always be on hand to urge the payment of the annual assessment by every member early on the assembling of the Society. Every member of the State Society should feel a personal interest in the finances. On these depend the existence and prosperity of the State organization. The subject of a Lunatic Asylum in this State, to be under the supervision of homeopathic trustees, and the medical care of homœopathic physicians, has already been agitated and circulars sent to the members of this body, by several gentlemen of the profession. I call your attention to this subject and urge action by the Society. I recommend that a committee be appointed to take this matter in charge, and that they be instructed to report some feasible plan to carry the same into operation. The present opportunity should not be lost. The Governor has recommended an appropriation for such an institution, and it is for us to determine its medical character. Gentlemen, we have besought the ruling powers in all humanity for positions in the army and navy; for a representation in the Board of Health in the city of New York; for a Cholera Hospital, in which we might test the superiority of our practice in that dangerous disease, but we have been treated with contemptuous rejection. Let us ask, once more, and perhaps in the present political muddle we may have justice done us. If not, let us warn ourselves and law-makers that we are a power in the land; that the time has arrived when we no longer beg for, but openly demand, right and justice. The editor of the New York Times never uttered a truer sentiment than (when speaking of the expulsion of Dr. Gardner from the Academy of Medicine, for daring to consult with a homœopathic friend), "that the homoeopaths were nearly as numerous and quite as respectable as the allopaths." This is not only true of the profession, but doubly so of our patrons. We have a large portion of the wealth, talent and influence on our side. In fact the greatest cause of enmity of the allopaths is owing to the fact, that we tie our horses to the best hitching posts. It is only necessary to present this fact vividly before the politicians, and our cause is won. Then let us still press our claims upon the consideration of the Legislature, not so much for the influence it will have upon us, the representatives of a principle, as for the benefit of those unfortunate wrecks of humanity for whom the institution is intended. There is no system of medicine that treats successfully a mind diseased but ours, and none other that presents specifics for its cure. I trust the subject may be acted upon and pressed to a successful issue. The controversy on the subject of dose that is creating jealousy and enmity and undermining our strength, should not be permitted to mar our harmony. Leave this to the experience of every scientific physician. It matters not whether we use the high or low attenuations in medicine. If we cure, it is all our patients ask, and we shall have the satisfaction that attends success. It is not the dose that constitutes homœopathy; but the principle that "Like cures like." I trust this session of the Society will be pleasant and harmonious, and that we shall co-operate in making it remarkable for the amount of labor performed, business accomplished and benefits received. The meeting is now organized for the transaction of business. On motion of Dr. Holmes, the reading of the minutes of the last meeting was omitted. On motion, Drs. Searle, H. D. Paine and Holmes were appointed a committee to consider and report on the suggestions set forth in the President's inaugural address. On motion of Dr. Searle, the usual order of business was suspended for the purpose of considering certain proposed changes of the by-laws. Dr. Searle proposed a change in the order of business so as to provide for sessions of three days' duration. The several suggestions offered by Dr. Searle, after extended discussion, were adopted. Amendments of the by-laws: Section 7: Annual Dues.-Three dollars shall be due annually from each permanent member and delegate. Section 11: Order of Business.-At the meetings of the Society the following shall be the order of business: FIRST DAY. 1. Communication from the President. 2. Reading of the minutes of the last meeting. 3. Appointment of the nominating committee. 4. Report of the executive committee on credentials. 5. Election of permanent and honorary members previously nominated. 6. Report of the treasurer, and the auditing of his accounts. No other business shall be considered by the Society until the foregoing items are disposed of, when subjects of a miscellaneous character may be entered upon. Annual address of the President, in the evening. SECOND DAY. 1. Report of nominating committee, and election of officers. 2. Reports of medical committees. 3. Presentation of reports, and communications on medical and surgical subjects. THIRD DAY. This day shall be devoted to the discussion of a group or groups of medicines which shall be selected by the President of the previous year. |