A D D It E S S
JOHN  W .  FRANCIS, M . D .,
LATE PRESIDENT
mfmxdik mjudishht (Dir  ihiem<ciihib,
7th of FEBRUARY, 1849.
THE PRESIDENT ELECT,
VALENTINE M0 T T,  M.  D
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         New-^ork :
PRINTED BY HENRY LUDWIG & CO., 70 VESEY STREET.
             1849.

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ADDRESS
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OF
JOHN  W.  FRANCIS, M.D.,
LATE PRESIDENT
HOT"YdDmi&  MABBUnr  (DIP  mbbiudihb,
    7lh of FEBRUARY, 1849.
              /
              TO
       THEyPRESIDENT ELECT,
       /
VALENTINE MOTT, M. D
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Ncw-^ork
PRINTED BY HENRY LUDWIG & CO., 70 VESEY STRKBT
             ...................          %
               1849. 
 
ADDRESS
                        or
    DR. FRANCIS TO THE PRESIDENT ELECT
                       OF THE
        NEW YORK ACADEMY  OF M E DIC I N E .


 Associates of the Academy :

   This is a joyous meeting. The occasion which has
 brought us together is one of peculiar interest.   The
 Academy of Medicine is convened according to con-
 stitutional  provision,  with the expressed intention of
 inducting its newly-elected Head  into  that  office
 which your suffrages have chosen him  to occupy.
 It may, therefore, well be considered an epoch in our
 annals.  While it admonishes  us  of the march  of
 time, while it notes the progress of our labors in the
 advancement of philosophical truth, it  reminds us of
 the associations of friendship which we have formed ;
 it awakens recollections of the  pleasures which flow
 from intellectual culture, and of that harmony which
 at all times has characterized our deliberations, alike
 honorable to science and humanity.  But while I am
 not permitted to indulge in any lengthened expres-
 sions of my individual feelings on the prosperous ca-
 reer of the  Academy  during the year just terminated,
as relates to its order of business, the subject-matter
of its  discussions, and the nature and  spirit of the 
4
ADDRESS.
communications of its  members which  have come
under its cognizance, yet I am allowed to say, in all
truthfulness, that  our  academic sittings demonstrate
that we  have  among us  observers and recorders,
members of zeal in research, astute  in  reasoning,
and faithful in deduction ;  individuals who know how
fruitful is the field of medical science, in all that per-
tains  to  man's  physical and  intellectual  happiness,
and disciples in knowledge whose ardor is  not to be
chilled in exploring new regions for new results, the
better to enlighten the path of philosophical investi-
gation for the benefit of our successors.
  Such is briefly the view which I have taken of the
proceedings of the Academy, derived from  personal
observation and  the  ample and faithful minutes of
our Secretly,  from its first foundation down  to the <•
present time.   A new era is now opening for our
contemplation.   From among its many distinguished
associates,  the  Society  in  its judicious canvass has
called you, Sir, to preside over its deliberations.  In
the wisdom of their choice all will concur.  They
have, indeed, manifested a promising acumen in their
selection.  If medical science has been  sometimes
deemed by the  superficial vague and indeterminate,
there  are  positive results  in  surgery which  en-
force the admiration of the most unthinking, as well
as erudite minds.   As the  recognised  leader in this
noble branch of our profession, on  this continent, and
as  the honored recipient  of a transatlantic reputa-
tion, in placing you at  the head of the  New-York
Academy of Medicine, we virtually claim*for  a new 
ADDRESS.
5
and  important society, the respectful recognition of
the cultivators of medical and chirurgical knowledge
both at home and abroad.  Your wide experience
and professional  skill need not the rhetorician's power
to make them known.    Fortified  in all  that  deep
investigation, long study, and an almost unexampled
observation can  furnish,  you are enabled to become
the just umpire  in questions involving the principles
and  advancement  of our art,  while the deference
which  acknowledged superiority ever secures  must
enhance the salutary influence  which this Academy,
we confidently trust, is destined to exert upon the in-
terests of  medical science,  and the welfare of the
community.
   I know not how it may be with you, Sir, in the ac-
cidental hours of relief  from your professional re-
sponsibilities, when you  cast a  retrospective survey
over the history  of our art from the period when you
first took an interest in  its welfare :  I  assume  with
Boerhaave, that the art of healing, in common with
all elevated pursuits, under proper regulation, is ca-
pable of purifying the  affections and spiritualizing
the mind;  that it is an indication of a higher destiny
that awaits us,  and disciplines the intellect for the
sublimest enjoyment.   That it has encountered many
trials and  overcome them; that  its conquests are
many, and have  crowned it with signal lustre in behalf
of humanity, are undisputed facts.  Notwithstanding
the  incredulity  of the  ignorant,  its march is on-
ward, and  you  will tolerate  me  when I add,  that
your achievements in your special  province,  v/ith 
6
ADDRESS.
 which your  fame is entwined, are  alone  sufficient
 to stamp veracity on my declaration.   Yet, for my
 own part I must admit, that at  times  I feel  deeply
 concerned for  the  conduct  of some who call them-
 selves physicians, as well  as for  others wdio  are of
 the uninitiated.  The valuable and the  positive seem
 to be too often supplanted by the worthless and the
 uncertain; and hence our therapeutics, so signally
 enlarged  even  of  late, by remedial agents  of  the
 greatest  powers, are  often,  without scruple,  igno-
 miniously rejected for the exploded materia medica
 of by-gone days, or subjected to that wretched mini-
 mum practice which  robs them  of all  their  effi-
 cacy.
  But we are not to stop  short in our  endeavors at
 improvement, because  of obstacles which  a mis-
 chievous theory interposes;  they are hindrances  to
 be overcome ; they are extraneous  to the science it-
 self,  •tnd  perseverance and energy will assuredly in
 due season free it of them.  We do not the less esti-
 mate the character  of the real statesman,  because
 many who aim  at the philosophy of government  are
disfigured by vulgar associations, with the  corrup-
tions of  party politics; and parental authority early
taught you that mere doctrinal theology is a widely
different  affair from  the pure doctrines of primitive
Christianity.   Let it be  our consolation to  derive
hope  from reflections  of this nature, and  believe
that  medical  science,  after  all, proffers claims  to
our regard, equally commanding  as  those  of other
essential  departments of knowledge. No cross, no 
ADDRESS.
7
crown,  should  be as  much the watchword of the
physician as  of William Penn:  While we sedulously
guard against the reproach  of lukewarmness, let us
conscientiously estimate the  blessings of a benignant
spirit and demeanor.   After  all, it is  not improbable
that many who, with seeming satisfaction,  still persist
in stigmatizing the great principles of the  art, by the
absurd  novelties of the day,  will live  to repudiate
their error and repent of their folly. If I mistake not,
I occasionally detect instances of this nature, the re-
sults of a contrition  sufficiently disturbing  to any
honest  heart.   It is, too, a  gratifying consideration,
that of our  numerous  Medical  Schools  throughout
the  Union, not one has yet ventured to  abjure the
saving  principles which  the  investigations  of two
thousand years have established;  an instructive de-
monstration  of  their  excellence and purity; thus
securing the  great truths, already reached, for higher
and still more  practical inductions, and perpetuating
the inestimable legacy of wisdom, obtained at so great
price for the alleviation of suffering mortals.
   But the feelings  which originally prompted the
foundation of this institution  afford the best guarantee
that its objects will  ever be  of vital consideration in
your estimation, and render any further remarks on
my part superfluous.   I deliver to you, Sir, the Con-
stitution and By-laws  of  the  Academy:  I feel as-
sured they are  safe  in  your  trust:  You will cherish
inviolate the  one, and give  all proper deference to the
other.   They have been found  effectual  in rearing
our  institution  to its  present eminent consideration ; 
8
ADDRESS.
they will prove  adequate to  our continuance in the
noble cause which we are pledged to elevate and ad-
vance.  Indeed, when I cast a glance around me, and
witness the injustice  which our calling receives from
ignorance  and delusion,  from  empiricism  and the
crafty devices of the times ;  how life is cut off by the
concerted views and sordid expedients of those aliens
to  science, whom the recent iniquitous laws of our
State Legislature, (the offspring of an inscrutable ig-
norance,) still permit to annoy, unmolested, our voca-
tion, the better, however, setting forth the excellence
of medical philosophy,  when illuminated by sound
culture, and fortified by institutions like our own, I
am authorized to affirm that no prophetic  power can
 foretel the delightful results to the common weal ulti-
 mately consequent upon our united efforts, upon our
 faithful devotion  to  Hippocratic  science,  and the
 proper exercise of the advantages which this Academy
 proffers to its enlightened disciples.
    It only remains, therefore, that I congratulate you,
 Sir, most sincerely, upon the enlarged opportunity to
 advance its interests, which the office into which you
 are now inducted gives ; and the members  upon the
 felicitous auspices  under which, by  their judicious
 election,  our  academic year  commences.   With
 pride and satisfaction I resign to you a responsibility
 dear from the kino1 consideration  which has solaced
 its duties, and honorable from its grateful  associa-
 tions and elevated aims.