in favor of the adoption of the report of the Joint Committee, and the consummation of union with our sister Society. It only remains for the formality of the vote to be taken at the general meeting to-morrow to make this an accomplished fact. Thus, I am able to assure you in advance, that our pledges to use our best endeavor to consummate union has resulted in its successful accomplishment. It only remains for the Association tomorrow to receive this vote and instruct executive officers to legally execute this resolution, and action in the process of amalgamation will have been completed. I need not assure you with what satisfaction I make this announcement. Satisfaction to myself Satisfaction to myself because it means the consummation of an impassioned desire in my own heart that has burned steadily throughout the year, but satisfaction because I know that most of you, too, have waited just as impatiently for this happy moment and hail it with glad and welcome hearts. Even now, at the last moment, although there have been some mutterings of opposition, I cannot repress the hope that this vote in favor of amalgamation may be a unanimous one; that with our flags joyfully flying at the masthead and ourselves buoyant with the thought that with whatever self-sacrifice may be necessary, and we know there is much on the part of many, we are keeping step with the march of progress and promoting the best interests of our beloved profession. ABSTRACT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. Mr. President, Council and Fellows: In view of the fact, that an unusual amount of business has been transacted by the Council during the past year, and that the volume of business before the meeting of Council and Fellows would preclude all possibility of reading the entire detailed report of the Council, I have been requested by the President to give an abstract of the principal facts in relation to the work of the year. The full account of the Council proceedings will be printed in the JOURNAL, subsequent to the meeting, but if, during the reading of this abstract, any one wishes more explicit information, I shall be pleased to read in detail from the full report, a copy of which is at hand. The Council has held six meetings during the year, as follows: On October 19, 1904, at which most of the members of Council were present. The principal business transacted was the appointment of committees for the coming year by the Chairmen. The appointment of a special committee on Finance by the President, consisting of Drs. Goffe, Denison and Baldwin, and the election of Dr. C. E. Denison as acting assistant secretary. The Secretary desires to publicly acknowledge the very efficient aid which Dr. Denison has given him in the discharge of his duties during the year. The meeting of the Council on January 5, 1905, consisted of: Report of two polls of the Council, one in favor of the defense of Dr. G., of New York, for malpractice and the other in favor of a resolution introduced by Dr. E. E. Harris, seconded by Dr. Ferguson, authorizing the purchase and distribution of copies of medical ethics to the profession of the State. Some discussion was had upon the advisability of excluding certain objectionable advertisements from the JOURNAL on the ground that they were unethical. A resolution was made that the Publication Committee take measures to cancel any contract with an unethical advertiser. Dr. Lambert reported that the plan of a circulating library for the use of the members was not practical in view of the fact that many of the books were now obsolete and it would not pay to catalogue them. A resolution was adopted requiring the counsel for the Association to render a report of the disposition of all malpractice cases during each year. Also a resolution authorizing the Finance Committee to make a new contract with the counsel, and, if possible, increase his salary. Two new members of the Finance Committee were appointed, namely, Drs. Lambert and Townsend. A resolution was passed requiring a statement of the finances of the Association by the Finance Committee at the end of the year. Dr. White resigned from the Committee on Arrangements and Dr. Kopetzky was appointed in his place. Dr. Quinlan resigned from the Publication Committee and Dr. William R. Stone was appointed in his place. At the meeting of the Council on February 25, 1905, the Secretary reported having sent letters to the members of the Senate Judiciary and Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States, asking them to vote in favor of the Bill for National Incorporation of the American Medical Association. A number of replies had been received and a resolution was made to have copies of these replies sent to Dr. Joseph D. Bryant, chairman of the Committee on Incorporation of the American Medical Association. The Secretary reported that a poll of the Council had been taken upon the defense of Dr. R., of New York, and had resulted in favor of such defense. A resolution authorizing the publication of the 1905-1906 Directory was passed. Dr. Harris, chairman of the Committee on Legislation, read an extract from an argument he had prepared in opposition to the Osteopathic Bill, and a resolution was passed to authorize the expense of the printing and distribution of copies of his argument. A resolution authorizing the President to employ associate counsel in the amalgamation proceedings was passed, as was also a resolution that the President was to incur no expense in this con nection unless the consent and approval of the Finance Committee was first secured. At the meeting of Council, April 29, 1905, the Secretary reported that two polls of the Council had been taken in two suits for malpractice and that each applicant had received thirteen votes in favor of defense by the Association. The President gave a detailed account of the opinion of the counsel and associate counsel for the Association upon the matter of securing a legal meeting in October, also as to how to obtain a vote on the three questions: 1st, the revision of the By-Laws as proposed at the last annual meeting; 2d, as to the continuance of the Committee on Conference; 3d, as to ratifying the agreement between The New York State Medical Association and the Medical Society of the State of New York. The President stated the expense of the associate counsel and requested the Council to express an opinion in the matter. Dr. Ferguson made a motion that the President's action be approved and that the expense of special legal advice and the printing and mailing of notices be authorized, which was unanimously carried. A loan of $425 which was made by the New York County Medical Association on February 6, 1903, to the State Association, was ordered returned to the County Association. The Secretary was instructed to employ an official stenographer for the annual meeting in Oc tober. A meeting of the Council was held on September 11, 1905. The Secretary reported that since the last meeting Dr. J. W. Grosvenor, of Buffalo, had resigned as delegate to the American Medical Association, and by a poll of the Council, Dr. George F. Cott, of Buffalo, had been elected to fill out his unexpired term. According to instructions, the Secretary had. secured the services of Dr. A. L. Gnichtel as official stenographer and his action was approved, and the expense thereof authorized by the Council. The Secretary reported that there were still 168 members who had not returned acknowledgment of notice of the annual meeting, and the Council accord ́ngly passed a resolution empowering the counsel, Mr. Lewis, to cause legal notice to be served upon the delinquents. The Treasurer was requested to confer with the Trustees of Mott Library in regard to the lease of the business office for the ensuing year. A committee of three, namely, Drs. Townsend, Lambert and Denison, was appointed to confer with the Secretary of the American Medical Association with reference to this Association furnishing data for the new National Directory, to be published by the American Medical Associa tion. A meeting of the Council of The New York State Medical Association was held at the Academy of Medicine, on Monday, October 16, 1905. The Secretary reported that since the meeting of the Council on September 11, 1905, the Association had suffered a great loss in the sudden death of our late treasurer, Dr. F. A. Baldwin, which occurred on September 21st. A poll of the Council had been taken and Dr. William G. Le Boutillier, of New York, had been elected to fill out the unexpired term of the late treasurer. There had been a second poll of the Council taken upon the application of Dr. G., of New York, for defense in a malpractice suit recently brought against him. The poll had resulted in the Council voting to take up his defense. A letter from the secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Mott Library Building, relative to a new lease on the rooms used as a business office, was read. The matter was referred to the new Council. The secretary reported that all the members of the Association had returned notice of the annual meeting or had been served by our counsel. The annual report of the Council was read and ordered placed on file. The Secretary reported that a circular letter and a copy of the principles of ethics had been sent to every member of the Association according to the resolution passed by a poll of the Council in November, 1904. The chairmen of the various committees presented their reports. They were ordered received and placed on file. The Special Committee appointed to confer with Dr. Simmons reported progress. A committee consisting of Drs. Townsend, Harris and Denison was appointed to draw up resolutions on the death of Dr. Baldwin, and the Secretary was instructed to communicate with the widow, informing her that the accounts of Dr. Baldwin had been found absolutely correct by the public accountant engaged to examine the accounts of our late Treasurer. The Finance Committee presented the Auditor's report as the report for the year. This comprises in as brief a manner as possible the principal business of the Council during the past year. The reports from the district branches are as follows: The First District held no meeting and the same officers hold over. The Second District held a very enthusiastic meeting at Saratoga Springs. Dr. E. D. Ferguson was reelected president, and Dr. William Hogeboom, secretary. The Third District held a large meeting at Cortland, at which resolutions on the death of Dr. Higgins were presented by Dr. Sornberger. Dr. Harris, of New York, was present and explained. some of the legal difficulties of the amalgamation, and also introduced a resolution favoring the establishment of one medical examining board for State license to practice medicine, instead of three boards as at present, which was unanimously carried. The officers elected were: President, C. W. Greene; vice-president, S. J. Sornberger; secretary, Julian C. Smith; treasurer, Frank Kenyon. The Fourth District held a large meeting at Rochester. Dr. Goffe, president of the State Association, was present and gave a résumé of the amalgamation question. Very valuable scientific papers were read. The officers elected were: President, James C. Davis; vice-president, Herbert F. Gillette; secretary, William I. Thornton. The Fifth District held two meetings of great interest-one at Newburgh, and the annual meeting at Poughkeepsie. At the special meeting at Newburgh, scientific papers were read and a resolution was passed endorsing the bill for national incorporation of the American Medical Association. At the annual meeting papers of great value were presented. Notwithstanding that the principal theme of Association work this year had been the union of the medical profession of the State, and how to legally accomplish the same, the Association has had time to increase its membership, which is as follows: Total number of members, October Hoople, Heber N., Brooklyn, N. Y. RECORD OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES, OCTOBER 1, 1904, TO OCTOBER 1, 1905. In accordance with the By-Laws, I submit to you at this time the record of the receipts and expenses for the year, 1904-1905, as taken from the figures in the Treasurer's books, as follows: Receipts from advertisements, dues, sales of Directories, etc., October 1, 1904, to October 1, 1905.... Balance on hand, October 1, 1904. ... Expenses, October 1, 1904, to October 1, 1905.. $13,644.41 4,073.16 $17,717.57 13,081.12 dropped, October, 1904..... This record shows that in spite of the fact that we have lost through death and other causes 167 members there has been an accession of 195 members, an actual increase in membership of 28. The following is a list of those who have died during the year, from October 1, 1904, to October 7, 1905, among whom I would especially call attention to the deaths of Dr. Baldwin and Dr. Didama. Asch, Jacob H., New York. Elebash, Clarence S., New York. Greene, Cordelia A., Castile, N. Y. REPORT OF CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH. The Committee on Public Health has very little to report as the result of its year's work. In the early part of the year another determined effort was made to secure the passage of what is known as the Coroner's Bill, but the attempt was again unsuccessful. The greater part of this work was done by the member from New York County, who deserves great credit for his persistence in this aim. According to the constitution of the Association, the Committee on Public Health should present to the Council and Fellows recommendations for action in regard to matters of public health. Under existing circumstances there does not seem to be any occasion for such recommendations, but if there are any subjects which the Association desires the committee to take charge of it will be glad to be so employed. Respectfully submitted, REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION. The JOURNAL of the Association at the beginning of its fifth volume was facing a serious problem. The number of papers furnished by the members at the annual meeting was small, due to a short program, and it became necessary to secure papers that would be satisfactory to the members. Your committee therefore sought the best papers read at the meetings of the district branches, county meetings and the numerous societies throughout the State. We were thus able to publish a larger number of valuable papers, and we are pleased to know this has met with your approval. The reports from the secretaries of the district branches and county associations have been received and published promptly; it is a pleasure to acknowledge the evident interest of the members in these reports, which indicates the value of the JOURNAL to the profession. Many letters have been published on subjects of current interest; we have rejected some that were not acceptable for publication, but believing that a State journal is open to all members, we have endeavored to be fair to all, showing no favor or partiality. Many letters received were in relation to amalgamation, both for and against. Acting on the wishes and advice of the officers and certain members of the Council, we have purposely withheld some of these latter from publication. The cost of publication-that is, the expense of printing, postage and wrapping and addressing amounts to $2,654.42; to this must be added rent, stationery, commissions on advertisements and salaries of $821.78, making a total expenditure of $3,476.20. The receipts from advertisements were $2,889.69; sales, $4.75, a total of $2,894.44. Thus the actual cost to the Association was $581.78, and the cost per member for twelve numbers is 32 1-3 cents. The Medical Directory has met with the usual satisfaction of the members; the list of registered physicians is increasing every year, and to keep the volume within reasonable size it has been necessary to limit the data therein. The same plan as adopted in the last volume has been carried out in Volume VII, and has met with universal approval. The expenses of the 1905 Directory are: For stationery and sending out cards for data, data, $690.66; rent and salaries, $734.02; for printing, 1904 Directory, about $2,839.18; for delivering the 1904 Directories and commissions on advertisements, $350.42; the total expense being $4,614.68; the the receipts for advertising, $667.50; sales of Directories, $1,216. Total receipts, $1,883.50. Cost to the Association, $2,730.78, making the cost per volume about $1.84. The Business Office.-The amount of work in this business office has increased very materially in the past year. The necessary work of the President, Secretary and Treasurer has been enlarged by the labor bestowed on the members to bring to a successful conclusion the amalgamation of the State Association with the Society. The expense of the Business Office has, consequently, been greater, about $1,500 having been spent for amalgamation, which includes printing, postage, legal fees and serving of notices of the meeting on the members. I have not attempted to give in detail all the expenses and receipts of the JOURNAL, Directory and Business Office, as that will be included in the report of the Treasurer. C. E. DENISON, Chairman of Committee on Publication. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY. The two chief objects of a medical association, from the standpoint of pure medicine, are to afford opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and also means for the ready dissemination of knowledge. The first object is obtained by the exchange of views among members and guests at the stated meetings of the county and district branch associations, and the annual meetings of the Association as a whole. The second object is obtained in some measure by the maintenance of a journal, but cannot be completely fulfilled without an active library. In the city of New York, the library of the Academy of Medicine and the library of the Medical Society of the County of Kings, and the Buffalo Medical Library fulfil all needs for reference and for the current literature. But this is but a small area compared to the res of the State which is thus reached. The library of The New York State Medical Association is at present in a crystallized condition, and will soon become fossilized unless some active measures are undertaken to render it more accessible to the members of the Association. It contains many valuable and interesting books of the past, some still unsurpassed by books of the present, and which are valuable as reference books. But the need of this Association, in order to reach each and all members alike, is to possess a circulating library on the plan of one of the modern circulating libraries for current literature. This plan is feasible with the present library for a nucleus. Such a plan has been considered during the past year, but it was not considered wise by the Library Committee, nor by the Council, to endeavor at that time to develop fully such a plan. Whether, during the coming year, it will seem wise to develop such a circulating library must remain for a time undecided; but the convenience of such a plan to the physician and surgeon living away from the large libraries is self-evident, and the advantage of having for a nominal annual fee the opportunity to read at home and at leisure the standard, current medical literature, is too evident to need discussion. Such a library is sure to come in the future, and The New York State Medical Association possesses the opportunity to add to the practical benefits which a membership in the Association confers. (Signed) ALEXANDER LAMBERT, Chairman, Library Committee. 1904. THE NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION In Account with F. A. Baldwin, M.D., Treasurer, for the Year Ending September 30, 1905. DR. Oct. 1-To Balance on hand, per last report of Treasurer 1905. By Balance on hand.. 4,636 45 $17.717 57 ===== Schedule "B"-Payments, $13,081 12. AS SHOWN IN SUBSCHEDULE. (a) Council Expenditures: Council $1,321 37 Secretary 140 70 57 49 $1,599 53 52 06 (b) Treasurer's Office Expenses. 255 79 (c) Legal Department Committee Expenditures, viz.: (d) Committee on Arangements. $114 65. (i) Journal Account 288 42 1,898 61 4 75 583 33 228 85 268 00 9 25 1,204 08 $3,476 20 4,614 28 8,090 48 Directory, 1904 Edition: Advertisements 427 50 $13,081 12 $1,898 61 Fees for legal services Rent of rooms Telephone service $84 00 84 90 $1,454 46 1,898 61 |