BY-LAWS i -*#B^2 M ^l I 1ST E fc ~*->; DR. BASCOM'S OFFICE IS NO. 15 MIDDLE STREET, PORTLAND, ME. , ARMY MEDICAL PORTLAND PKINTED BY DAVID ^UCKB»J ■ ffl. 3 18 65. f IB^ ^ ^ V BY-LAWS M A. I 1ST E t m PORTLAND: PRINTED BY DAVID TUCKER. 1865. OFFICERS OF THK paiue ^jcljcjctijc pnlual ^0jcijety, Klected Juine 28, 1865. PRKSIDKNT, HORATIO G. NEWTON, M. D., of Portland. VICE PRESIDENT, George H. Day, M. D., of Bangor. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, A. W. Hobbs, M. D., of Lisbon Falls. RECORDING SECRETARY, Joiin Parker, M. D., of Biddcford. TREASURER, N. R. Martin, M. D., of Saccarappa. LIBRARIAN, S. C. Libby, M. D., of Saco. COUNSELLORS, Drs. S. Anderson, of Bath, W. R. Wright, of Durham, and E. F. Bascom, of Portland. 3 4 The next Annual Meeting of the Society will be held in Portland, on the fourth Wednesday in June, 1866, at 10 o'clock, A. M. Dr. S. C. Libby was appointed to deliver the Annual Address. Drs. N. R. Martin and G. H. Day were appointed Essayists. Communications of interest to the profession are solicited from oth- ers,—who will please give seasonable notice of their intention to present the same. Physicians wishing to be admitted as members of the Society, will please attend the meeting of the Counsellors, for examination, to be held on Tuooaoy, the day piupiouijiro the annual meeting, due notice of which will be given as provided in the By-Laws. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. What is known as the Eclectic System of Medicine is based on tb^e following cardinal and distinctive principles. I. That every physician should be thoroughly educated in all the branches of Medical Science, previous to his commencing to practice medicine, and in addition to what is taught in the absolute or exclusive Systems of Medicine, he should be familiar with the various means and remedial agencies employed by the different classes of physicians, in order that such of those means or agencies may be rendered available in any case, in which, in the exercise of an enlightened judgment, and with due regard to the welfare of his patient, he may consider best adapted to fulfil the indications therein presented II. That it is the duty and should be the privilege of every physi- cian, to make a rational selection from the laboratory of nature of such remedial agents, as he may consider best* adapted to each particular cise which may come under his professional care,—and that he should do this without prejudice, fear or favor,—having due regard to all the attending circumstances. III. That while claiming for and conceding to each physician the largest liberty in the selection of remedies, and holding that he alone is responsible for whatever results may accrue from such a course, we believe that any theory or course of treatment that may be adopted, should be based upon facts, and should be such only as can be supported by science, reason and common sense. 6 6 IV. That when any physician may see from his own, or the expe- rience of other reliable and candid persons, that any remedy, not offi- cinal or in general use, is valuable, it is his duty and privilege to make use of the same, and to introduce it to the profession ; and that when convinced that the general use of any agent is on the whole, produc- tive of more evil than good effects, and its place can be filled by other, less objectionable and more sanative remedies, he should dispense with it in practice, and supercede it by such other agent or agents as may most acceptably supply its place. V. That we should, in the exercise of a spirit of true liberality, endeavor to cultivate friendly relations with all honorable minded phy- sicians, by observing scrupulously such ethical rules, as are sanctioned and approved by the moral sense of the profession, and of mankind generally ; and that by all means in our power, we should endeavor to make improvements in the art and science of medicine, and to ad- vance and promote its interests,—elevate, and make it more progres- sive, and more radiant with utility to suffering humanity. BY-LAWS OF THE f§fM« €&utk fffMial jfansty. I. This Society shall be called the Maine Eclectic Medical Society. Its object shall be to promote the interest, and aid in the advancement, of Medical science. MEMBERSHIP. II. Any person who has received the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine from any legally authorized medical institution, and sustains a good moral character, may become eligible to membership, after being examined and approved by the Board of Counsellors. Every mem- ber shall be elected by ballot, by a two-thirds vote of all the members present at any stated meeting, and, after his election, shall sign the By-Laws. III. Any respectable practitioner of Medicine or Surgery, who has been in practice not less than five years, not having been graduated as Doctor of Medicine, may be eligible to membership, on passing a satisfactory examination before the Board of Counsellors in all the branches usually taught in Medical Colleges. Such persons thus ex- amined and approved may be elected members of this Society by a three-fourths vote of all the members present at any regular meeting, and, after his election, shall sign the By-Laws. 8 HONORARY MEMBERS. IV. Persons may be elected to honorary membership by a three- fourths vote of the Society present at any annual meeting, provided the said person shall have been approved by the Executive Committee V. Every member shall be entitled to the Diploma of the Society signed by the President and Recording Secretary, by his paying to the Treasurer Five Dollars for the same. VI. Any member in good standing shall have the privilege of withdrawing from the Society, by giving notice, in writing, of such intentions, and paying all arrearages due the Society. Any member removing out of the State shall have liberty to retain his member- ship, on paying his annual assessment. VII. Any member may be expelled from the Society by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting, upon charges of the following description, provided the charge or charges against him have first been considered by the Executive Committee and provided he has been notified of the same by the Recording Secretary, and an opportunity has thereby been given him to make his defence before the Society :— 1st. For any gross and notorious immorality or infamous crime under the laws of the land. 2nd. For any attempt to subvert the objects or injure the reputa- tion of the Society. 3rd. For advertising or publicly vending any secret nostrum. 4th. For neglecting to pay his assessments for two years or more. VIII. Every person who becomes a member is understood to take upon himself an obligation to communicate to the Society any dis- coveries he shall have made relating to the science of Medicine or Surgery ; and on his refusing to do so, he shall be subject to expulsion by a two-thirds vote of the Society, at any stated meeting. IX. Every member of the Society shall be assessed annually 9 three dollars (S3), and such other assessments as a majority of the members, at any annual meeting may determine. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES. X. The Society, at its annual meeting, shall elect, by ballot, the following officers, viz: a President, Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Libiarian, and three Counsellors, who shall together constitute an Executive Committee, to whom shall be entrusted the general business of the Society, when it is not in session ; the appointment of all standing committee-;, and such other committees as they may deem expedient; and ths selection of some suitable person to deliver an address at the next annual meeting of the Society, on some subject connected with medical science. They shall also designate, by vote, in what city or town within the State the anniversary of the Society, for the next calendar year, shall be held ; and ^hall choose, fiom amorg the members of the Society, an anniversary Chairman, whose duty it shall be to act as Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements for the anniversary, and to preside at the annual dinner for that year. In case of the non- acceptance, death, or absence of the anniversary Chairman, it shall be the duty of the President of the Society, with the Committee of Arrangements for the Anniversary, to appoint another in his stead. At every annual meeting, they shall present a report of their pro- ceedings during the past year. The officers shall continue in office one year or until others are chosen in their stead. XI. The President shall call all meetings of the Society and of the Executive Committee, and shall pioide at the same. He may aLo appoint one or more physicians, to present short essays at the annual meeting next after his election. In case of absence or other disability of the President, his duties shall devolve on the Vice President. No member shall be eligible to the office of President more than once in three years. XII. The Corresponding Secretary shall have the charge and custody of all letters and communications transmitted to the Society ; 10 and to him tbey should be addressed. He shall give notice of the meetings of the Counsellors, and of the Society, and shall prepare and transmit whatever communications the Society or Executive Commit- tee may direct; and he shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him. XIII. The Recording Secretary shall keep the seal of the Society, and he shall have charge and custody of the records of the Society, and of the Executive Committee, and of all papers directed by them to be kept on his files. He ?hall attend the meetings of the Society and of the Executive Committee ; keep a fair record of their proceed- ings respectively ; and read, at the meetings of the Society, all such communications as the Executive Committee may direct to be made. He shall receive and record the nominations of candidates as honorary members, and lay them before the Executive Committee at each stated meeting. He shall notify the chairman of every committee appointed by the Society or Executive Committee, of his appointment, in each case stating the commission and the names of the committee ; and he shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him XIV. If at any meeting of the Society or the Executive Com- mittee, one of the Secretaries be absent, and the other present, the latter shall perform the service of both, so far as may be, but, as soon as possible, he .-hall arrange and deliver over to the absent Secretary the papers belonging to his department, with a copy of records or orders, as the case may be. XV. The Treasurer shall give security for the trust reposed in him, whenever the Executive Committee shall judge it to be requi- site. He shall solicit and receive all money due to the Society, together with all bequests and donations. He ,>hall keep an accurate account of all receipts and expenditures. He shall pay no money out of the treasury without a written order from the President, lie "shall subject his accounts to such examination as the Executive Committee may order. He shall annually make a statement of his doings, and of the state of the funds in his hands, to the Society : and he shall per- form such other duties as may be assigned to him. 11 XVI. The Librarian shall have in his custody and charge all the books and apparatus of the Society. He shall keep an accurate register of the same, and arrange them in a proper manner, and shall make such disposal of them, from time to time, as the Executive Com- mittee may direct, for the benefit of the members. He shall make an annual statement of the business of his department to the Society. He shall carefully record all donations made in his department, to the Society ; and he shall perform such other duties as mav be assigned to him. XVII. The Counsellors shall examine the qualifications of all per- sons presenting themselves for membership, and report the same to the Executive Committee. They shall hold their annual meeting for this purpose, on TT3r*«d'fty noxt—pnacwi^ig the fourth Wednesday in June, at 10 o'clock A. M., in the same city or town in which the annual meeting of the Society is to be held. At all meetings three Counsellors shall constitute a quorum. The Vice President and Librarian shall, ex-officio, be members of the Board of Counsellors,— the former shall act as Chairman, and the latter shall act as Secretary. These meetings may, any of them, be continued by adjournment; and if there be not three Counsellors present, no vote shall be taken except on question of adjournment. The duty of the Secretary shall be to keep a faithful record of the meetings of the Board, and to give immediate notice to the Executive Committee of the organization and doings of such Board. XVIII. The meetings of the Counsellors shall be notified by the Corresponding Secretary, as follows : He shall give public notice, by advertising, by three insertions, in three newspapers within the State, one of which shall be in the city of Portland,—the first insertion to be one month at least before the time of such meeting, stating the time and place of said meeting. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. LP-( XIX. The Executive Committee shall holdiss- meeting^annually The -fifeV^annual meeting, shall be held on the day fcttowmg- the 12 annual meeting of the Society v and in the same city or town in which the meeting of the Society waf>Mft*Uield. /The'secor^l-ffteetiTig~Tskall beJi£ld^oiL-the second Wednesday of Jarraapy^at-such-time ami }4aca asJhe President may appoint. XX. At the annual meeting of the Executive Committee they shall appoint all Standing Committees, the Orator, and the Anniver- sary Chairman for the ensuing year. They shall also designate, by vote, in what city or town within the State, the next anniversary of the Society shall be held. A special meeting of the Executive Com- mittee shall be called by the President on the written application of three of its members, at such time and place as the President shall appoint. MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY. XXI. The annual meeting shall be held on the fourth Wednesday in June, at 10 o'clock, A. M. All meetings of the Society shall be held in some one of the cities or towns of the State as the Executive Committee may determine ; and in such suitable place in said city or town as they may select. XXII. The President shall call a special meeting of the Society, on the written request of five of its members, stating the object, time, and place of said meeting, and transmitting a notice of the same to the Corresponding Secretary, in time for him to give the required notice to the members. Notice of all meetings shall be sent to each member of the Society, by the Corresponding Secretary, at least fifteen days prrevious to the meeting. At any meeting of the Society, six members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business ; but a smaller number may adjourn the meeting. COUNSELLORS AND MEMBERSHIP. XXIII. lit shall be the duty of the Senior Counsellor to designate and notify in writing, each Counsellor, as soon as may be after his 13 election, of the particular branch or branches of medical study in which he will be required to examine candidates applying for admis- sion to membership. Such Counsellors, thus appointed, shall examine all candidates separately, in those branches, and none other, except as hereinafter provided. When any Counsellor shall be absent from a meet- ing of the Counsellors, and there are candidates for examination, the Senior Counsellor may designate some other member to supply the place of the absent Counsellor. XXIV. The division of branches for Counsellors in examining candidates, shall be as follows : Obstetrics and Medical Jurisprudence; Anatomy and Physiology ; Theory and Practice of Medicine; Sur- gery ; Materia Medica and Chemistry. NXV. Each Counsellor shall report in writing, to the Secretary of the Board, the result of his examination in each individual case, which report shall be transmitted, together with the transactions of the Coun- sellors, to the Recording Secretary, and by him laid before the Execu- tive Committee. E.iA CouiiM-lroi «h;rH be untitled *o roooivo fwm tho Trrvury, thrrr dollar.; ami ncrinrn-r- li i""ll-"- ,'iri'"" ""' ~f"" h"> atteedftttcc at the mutual mming ul' tho'Duaid. XXVI. Any officer of the Society may, for sufficient reason, resign his office, or may be removed therefrom by the Executive Committee, for neglect or misconduct; in either case, or when from any other cause a vacancy exists, the Executive Committee shall supply the office vacated, as soon as may be convenient. XXVII. The election of all officers of the Society shall be Ly plu- rality after the first ballot. XXVIII. All proposals to alter or amend the By-Laws shall be presented in writing, and read before the Society ; and no vote shall be taken upon such proposition until the next annual meeting, without 14 the unanimous consent of all the members present at a regular meet- ing, when the proposed amendment may be acted upon immediately. No alteration of the By-Laws shall be made except by a two-thirds vote of all the members present at a regular meeting. FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION. We, whose names are hereunto annexed, agree to a strict compli- ance with the By-Laws of the Maine Eclectic Medical Society. RULES AND ORDERS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY. Rule 1. At the Annual Meeting of the members, the following order shall be observed in the transaction of business : First, the pro- ceedings of the last annual meeting, and of any other meetings that have been held within the year, shall be read by the Recording Secre- tary, who shall also lay before the Society the records of the transac- tions of the Counsellors, and Executive Committee, for the year pre- ceding, and shall report the names of those who have become members of the Society during the year. Rule '2. Reports of Committees shall be called for by the presid- ing officer, and action shall be taken on each report when presented. Rule 3. The President shall appoint a Committee of Three to receive, assort, and count the votes for the Executive Committee, for the year ensuing, in the order as laid down in By-Law No. 10. Rulk 4. The President shall call upon the person appointed to deliver the Annual Discourse, at 1 o'clock, P. M.. and other business shall be suspended until the discourse shall have been delivered. Rulk .">. On the day of the Annual Meeting, a dinner shall be provided at the expense of the Society, under the direction of the An- niversary Chairman and the Committee appointed for that purpose. Rule 6. An invitation to the dinner may be given to such profes- sional strangers a- the President or Anniversary Chairman may think proper to notice in this manner. 13 16 Rule 7. Literary gentlemen interested in medical science, and students in medicine, shall be publicly invited to hear the Annual Discourse. Rule 8. Attention shall be given to any scientific communication which may be presented by any member of the Society. Rule 9. Any propositions, or suggestions, which may be thought conducive to the welfare of the Society, or to the general interests of medical science, may be brought forward by any member; upon such proposition^, or suggestions, the Society shall decide by vote, whether to engage in the consideration of the same. Rule 10. A publication shall be issued annually, under the direc- rion of the Executive Committee, as early as may be after the annual meeting. Such publication shall contain the Annual Discourse, (unless otherwise directed by the Society.) and such other medical communications as the Society, or Executive Committee may think proper; and, in an Appendix, an abstract of the proceedings of the Society, of the Counsellors, and Executive Committee ; comprising the names of all Counsellors present at each meeting of the Boatd ; the record of their transactions, excepting such as are of a private or personal nature ; a list of the officers of the Society, together with the name and address of each member, and honorary member, for the time being. Rule 11. All printed publications of the Society shall be in octavo, and distributed by the Librarian to such members only as have paid their dues for the corresponding year. RULES AND ORDERS, For all Meetings of the Society and the Executive Committee. Rule 1. Every member, when about to speak, shall rise and ad- dress the President; shall confine himself to the question under debate, and avoid all personality, and shall sit down when he has finished. Rule 2. No member shall speak more than once on one question, to the prevention of any other who has not spoken, and is desirous to speak, nor more than twice without first obtaining permission of the Society, or Executive Committee, as the case may be. Rule 3. No member speaking shall be interrupted by another, but by rising up to call to order, or to correct a mistake. Rule 4. After a question is put to a vote, no member shall speak to it. Rule 5. A vote shall not be reconsidered, at the same meeting, by a smaller number than was present at its passing. Rule 6. When two or more members happen to rise at once, the President shall name the member who is first to speak. Rule 7. All Committees shall be appointed and announced by the President, unless otherwise specially directed by the Society, or Ex- ecutive Committee, as the case may be, and the person first named shall be Chairman. Rule 8. Every person admitted a member of the Society, shall be balloted for separately, and no candidate for membership shall be present while the subject of admission of members is before the Society. Rule 9. When a question is under debate the President shall re- ceive no motion but to adjourn, to lay on the table, to postpone to a 17 18 certain time, to commit, to amend, or to postpone indefinitely ; which several motions shall have precedence in the order in which they stand arranged; and a motion to adjourn shall be decided without debate. Rule 10. The President shall declare all votes ; but if any mem- ber rises to doubt a vote, the President shall order one of the Secre- taries to return the number voting in the affirmative, and in the nega- tive, without any further debate. Rule 11. Every motion shall be received and considered, and shall be reduced to writing if the President shall direct. Rule 12. Any rule or order may be altered, dispensed with, or rescinded, two-thirds of the members present consenting thereto.