concerning some one of the departments of medical science. Such papers and reports as might be presented and referred to the several sections, which though neither complete as deductive essays, nor clearly establishing new facts, yet containing fragmentary items or cases of value, or suggestions worthy of further investigation, should be recommended for publication in such regular medical periodicals as their authors might choose; while such only as were found worthless should be returned to their authors. It might be feared by some, that the adoption of such a rule of proceeding would make our annual volume of Transactions very small. Be it so. It certainly is not the bulk of the volume, but the quality of the matter it contains, which is to affect both our reputation and our usefulness. Perhaps one of the most important topics connected with medical science, which still needs elucidation, is the connection of atmospheric conditions with the prevalence of certain forms of disease. But to properly investigate that subject, it is absolutely necessary to have a perfectly reliable register of the thermometric, barometric, hygrometric, electric, and ozonic conditions of the atmosphere, kept in each important geographical section of our country through a series of at least ten consecutive years, in direct connection with a corresponding record of the prevalence of the various forms of disease in the same localities. And I suggest whether, if the rule just mentioned in regard to the publication of papers in the Transactions should so far diminish the size of the annual volume as to leave a surplus in the treasury, it would not be far more profitably spent in furnishing the necessary instruments and establishing the necessary records, to determine with accuracy, in a few years, the actual relations of appreciable atmospheric conditions to the prevalence and character of diseases than in the publication of such papers as serve little other purpose than to increase the size of the volume of Transactions. Indeed, if capable and zealous members of the profession, furnished with the necessary instruments, could be employed in each section of the country, and the results of their observations carefully arranged, tabulated, and reported to this Association annually; where, in the section on meteorology and epidemics, those results could be closely scanned, and have added to them the more desultory observations of the profession generally, it could not fail to throw a flood of light upon the etiology of a large class of most important dis eases. With becoming deference I submit the foregoing suggestions for your consideration. They contemplate no changes in our Constitution or plan of organization; they propose the introduction of no new or untried schemes; but they have for their sole object. the removal of obstructions and objections, which the experience of the past has demonstrated to exist, and the development of a more complete, systematic, and efficient method of transacting all the important business of the Association. The great object is to perfect and perpetuate, what has been already so well begun. This great National Medical Organization has already existed long enough to have passed the dangers and uncertainties of its childhood, as well as the fickleness of its youth. It is time that its principles, its modes of action, and its important objects, were clearly defined, methodically arranged, and matured to the steadiness and vigor of early manhood. Many of the most renowned members of our profession, who took part in its organization and watched over its earlier years, have been gathered to the home of their fathers; and the nineteen years of active toil that have been added to the lives of many others have carried them beyond the period of ardent active labor, to the more quiet era of ripening age. They still mingle with us, and, at each returning anniversary meeting, we hail their presence and crave their counsel with the same joy and reverence that characterize the meeting of the filial son and virtuous father. But the important question, whether this Association, which has already accomplished so much for the advancement of the educational, scientific, and social interests of our noble profession, and maintained a vigorous and unsullied career during the nineteen eventful years that are passed, shall be maintained, its modes of action perfected, and its beneficial influences constantly extended, depends entirely upon the generation who are now in the active, vigorous period of early manhood. If those of this class, whom I now see before me, have imbibed the spirit of the founders of this Association, and will come forward with alacrity to the work of sustaining and perfecting what their fathers in the profession have begun, its existence will not only be perpetuated from generation to generation, but its beneficent influences will widen and deepen with every returning anniversary. Candor compels me to admonish you, however, that such a result can never be accomplished by any amount, either of good wishes or fault-finding; but by prompt, per severing, disinterested action. Let all those who desire to see the standard of medical education steadily elevated from year to year, continue to concentrate, and give expression to public sentiment through the morning session of each anniversary meeting. Let all those who have been complaining for years past, that sufficient attention has not been given by the Association to scientific matters, appear promptly in the several section rooms this afternoon, and aid in organizing and putting into efficient operation each of those subdivisions of our organization. The very complaints and criticisms, in which you have heretofore indulged, have demonstrated your appreciation of the work to be accomplished. Hence I feel the more freedom in cordially inviting you to an active participation in the work. If the generation, into whose hands are now passing the labors, the honors, and the responsibilities of our time-honored and most beneficent profession, will give faithful heed to these things, the American Medical Association will not only outlive whatever changes and convulsions may be in store for our loved country in the future, but its members will annually come up from the North, the South, the East, and the West, to sit in social harmony, and plan additional means for alleviating human suffering, so long as civilization itself shall continue to bless the tribes of earth. Finally, let us all remember, not only while transacting the business of this annual session, but also in all the work that is before us in the future, that the great object of a virtuous and happy life is neither worldly honors nor worldly treasures, but an inward consciousness of doing good from day to day. |