Whereas, In the appropriation bill now pending in Congress is a clause donating to Dr. W. T. G. Morton, of Boston, the sum of $200,000, as a recognition of his services in introducing sulphuric ether as an anæsthetic agent; and Whereas, The said Dr. Morton, by suits brought against charitable medical institutions for infringements of an alleged patent covering all anæsthetic agents, not claiming sulphuric ether only, but the state of anaesthesia, however produced, as his invention, has by this act put himself beyond the pale of an honorable profession and of true laborers in the cause of science and humanity; therefore, Resolved, That the American Medical Association enter their protest against any appropriation to Dr. Morton, on the ground of his unworthy conduct, also because of his unwarrantable assumption of a patentable right in anesthesia; and further, because private beneficence in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and other places has already sufficiently rewarded him for any claim which he may justly urge. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, if passed, be forwarded to the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. Dr. MAURAN, of Rhode Island, moved the adoption of both resolutions, which was carried. The Association then adjourned, to meet in Boston the first Tuesday in June, 1865. GUIDO FURMAN, M. D., NEW YORK, June 23, 1864. Secretary. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. THE Committee of Publication respectfully report : That, owing to unavoidable circumstances, the minutes of the last meeting, and the various papers referred to them, were not received until late in the month of August, 1863, and that, in consequence, the present volume (No. 14) was not issued until early in 1864. The edition issued was smaller than usual, from the fact that the amount of funds in the hands of the Treasurer would not justify a larger one. The whole number of copies printed was five hundred, at an aggregate cost of $890 19. Of this edition, two hundred and fifty seven copies have been distributed to members, to medical journals, and sold, leaving a balance of two hundred and forty-three copies in the possession of the Association. The items of expenses incurred will be found in the report of the Treasurer. The following schedule exhibits the number of copies of each volume now possessed by the Association. Proceedings of first meeting, held at Philadelphia Vol. I. Out of print (5 copies held by the Association). 37 copies. Vol. VI. Out of print (5 copies held by Association). |