^^^^sfe^:3&^^!^5fe^S&5l6^^&; THE ACT OF INCORPORATION, 1 i «lj\ *ir\ ♦fl) *0^ TOGETHER WITH THE MEDICAL POLICE, BY-LAWS AND RULES, RHODE-ISLAND MEDICAL SOCIETY. i* PROVIDENCE : .; CRANSTON & CO. 1838. VH, Vtf» $ 78* ^RRg^R^g^Sgi^R^i THE ACT OF INCORPORATION TOGETHER WITH THE MEDICAL POLICE, BY-LAWS AND RULES OF THE rhWde-island medical society. PROVIDENCE : B. CRANSTON & CO 1838. ACT OF INCORPORATION, STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND, A. D. 1812. An act to incorporate certain Physicians and Surgeons, by the name o/*"The I^hode-Isla^d Medical Society." AS the Medical Art is important to the health find happiness of society, every institution, calcu- lated to further its improvement, is entitled to public attention: and as Medical Societies, formed on liberal principles, and encouraged by the pat- ronage of the laws, have been found conducive to this end: Section 1. Beit therefore enacted by the Gener- al Assembly, and by the authority thereof it is en- acted, That Amos Throop, William Bowen, Far- don Bowen, Levi Wheaton, Rowland Greene, Sam- uel Hudson, Daniel Barrus, Joseph Comstock, Niles Manchester, John Wilkinson, John M. Eddy, Thomas M. Barrows, Charles Eldridgc, Jacob Ful- ler, Moses Mowry, Peleg Clark, John Mackie, Jer- emiah Williams, WilliamC. Bowen, Joseph B. Pct- tes, Walter Wheaton, Stephen Harris, Sylvester Knight, Abraham Mason, Ezekiel Comstock, Au- gustus Torry, A. Waldron, Caleb Fiskc, Solomon Drown, Comfort A. Carpenter, Thomas Nelson, Thomas Warren, John W. Richmond, W7illiam G. Shaw, Cyril Carpenter, Thomas Carpenter, Gor- ton Jerauld, Chillingsworth Foster, Lemuel W. 4 Briggs, John Aldrich, Eleazer Bellows, Eleazer Bellows, jun. Jonathan Easton, Benjamin Waite Case, Enoch Hazard, David King, William Turner, Edmund Thomas Waring, and Jonathan Easton, jun. be and they hereby are formed into, constitu- ted and made, a body politic and corporate, by the name of" The Rhode-Island Medical Society ;" —and that they and their successors, and such oth- er persons as shall be elected in the manner here- after mentioned, shall be and continue a body pol- itic and corporate by the same name forever. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the mem- bers of said society may, from time to time, elect a President, two Vice-Presidents, one or more Sec- retaries, with such other officers as they shall judge necessary and convenient; and they, the members of said Society, shall have full power and authority, from time to time, to determine and establish the names, number and duty of their several officers. and the tenure they shall respectively have in their offices. Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the mem- bers of said Society shall have a common seal, and power to break, change or renew the same at their pleasure. Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said Society may sue and be sued, in all actions, real, personal or mixed, and prosecute and defend the same unto final judgment and execution. Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said Society shall have full power and authority to make and enact such rules and by-laws, for the better gov- ernment of said Society, as are not repugnant to the laws of this State, or of the United States, and to annex reasonable fines and penalties to the breach 5 of them, not exceeding the sum of fifty dollars, to be sued for and recovered by said Society, and to their own use, by action of debt, in any court, having cognizance of the same ; and also to determine the number requisite to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; and to establish the time, place and manner of convening the said So- ciety. Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That said Society, at any stated legal meeting of the same, may, by a majority of the votes of those present, elect any suitable person or persons to be a mem- ber or members of the said Society: Provided, That all practising Physicians, or Surgeons, resi- dent within this State, who shall be so elected, shall within one year after such election, subscribe the by-laws of the said Society, or otherwise de- clare in writing their assent to the same, or such election shall be void : and all persons, not prac- tising Physicians, or Surgeons, or not resident with- in this State, who shall be so elected, may be deemed honorary members of the said Society ; and at any such meeting, the said Society shall have power, in like manner, to suspend or expel for im- proper conduct, any member of said Society. Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the Pres- ident and members of said Society, or such officers or members as they shall specially appoint for that purpose, shall have full power and authority to ex- amine all candidates for the practice of Physic and Surgery, who shall offer themselves for examination respecting their skill in their profession ; and if up- on examination, the said candidates shall be found skilled in their profession, and fitted for the prac- tice of it, they shall recieve the approbation of the 6 / said Society, in letters tcstiijKJhial, under the seal of said Society, signed by the President or such oth- er person or persons as shall be appointed for that purpose. Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said Society may and shall forever be deemed capable in law, of having, holding and taking, in fee-simple, or any less estate, by gift, grant or devise, or oth- erwise, any land, tenement or other estate, real or personal, provided that the annual income of the whole real estate, that may be given, granted or de- vised to, or purchased by the said Society, shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars, and the an- nual income >r interest of said personal estate shall not exceed fifteen hundred dollars, and the annu- al income or interest of the said real or personal es- tate, together with the fines and penalties paid to said Society, or recovered by them, shall be appro- priated to such purposes as are consistent with the end and design of the institution of the said Soci- ety, and as the members therof shall determine. Sec. IX And be it further enacted, That a meet- ing for the organization of the said Society, shall be held in sorm.; convenient place within this State, and that Dr. Amos Throop be and he hereby is authorized to appoint the time and place of holding the said meeting, and to give notice of the same in two oi more newspapers printed in ihe towns of Newport and Providence. Passed February Session, A. D 1812. MEDICAL POLICE, BY-LAWS, &c. Whereas it is granted and declared, in and by the Charter for incorporating a Medical Society in the State of Rhode-Island, that the fellows may en- act such By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, relative to the affairs, concerns and property of said Socie- ty, and relative to the duties of their several offi- cers, as they may think proper; it is therefore or- dained, that the following be the Medical Police, By-Laws and Rules of the said Society: CHAP. 1. Of Meetings, &c. Sec. 1. Annual Meeting. J There shall be an annual meeting of the Rhode* Island Medical Society, to be held alternately in the towns of Newport and Providence, on the last Wednesday in June, at ten o'clock, A, M. at such place as the President may appoint; fourteen days notice being previously given in two public papers, one printed in the town of Newport and one in the city of Providence ; at which meeting, ten fellows shall constitute a quorum for transacting business. Sec. 2. Order of Business. At the opening of the annual meeting, the Re- cording Secretary shall read the proceedings of the last meeting ; and the proceedings of the cen- sors, and shall receive the report of any committee or committees. A discourse or dissertation on some medical subject shall then be delivered by the per- son appointed for that pupose. The Society shall then make such alterations in the by-laws as may be judged expedient—after which at every trienni- al meeting, the election, by ballot, of officers for 8 the three ensuing years shall take place, in which a majority of votes shall constitute a choice. The Society shall then proceed to the admission, by ballot, of the candidates, as fellows, or honorary members of the Society, and no person shall be ad- mitted a fellow or honorary member, unless he shall obtain two thirds of the votes of the fellows present. After which the Society shall attend to such communications as it shall be thought proper to make, and to any propositions, which may be considered as conducive to the welfare of the So- ciety, or the general interest of medical science. Sec. 3. Election of Fellows and Honorary Members. Every person elected a fellow of this Society shall be notified thereof by the Corresponding Sec- retary, and upon declaring his assent in the man- ner required by the act of incorporation, and pay- ing three dollars to the Treasurer for the use of the Society, shall receive from the Recording Sec- retary, a certificate in the following form, viz : STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND. This may certify, that A. B. of C. in the county of D. was elected a fellow of the Rhode-Island Medical Society on the----day of------, A. D. ----, and is entitled to all the honors and privi- leges of the Society. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the Society to be af- fixed, at------, this----day of------ A. D.---- E. F. President. Attest: G. H. Recording Secretary. Sec. 4. Assessment. Every fellow of this Society shall annually con- tribute one dollar to the funds of the Society, and shall pay the same to the Treasurer thereof, and 9 no fellow shall be allowed the loan of any book or other article belonging to the Society, nor be al- lowed to vote at any meeting, or hold any office in the gift of the Society, until he shall have made such payment, and subscribed his name to the by- laws, or expressed his assent in writing, directed to the Corresponding Secretary. Sec. 5. Resignation. The Society may, for satisfactory reasons, per- mit a fellow to resign his fellowship. Sec. 6. Expulsion. No fellow of the Society shall be expelled there- from, but by a vote of two-thirds, at least, of the fellows present, at the annual meeting of the So- ciety. Sec. 7. Consultation. To promote the laudable designs for which the Society was formed and incorporated, to prevent, as far as may be, all unqualified persons from prac- tising medicine or surgery, and in order to dis- courage empiricism, it shall be deemed disre- putable and shall be unlawful for any fellow or licentiate of this Society, in the capacity of either Physician or Surgeon, to advise or consult directly or indirectly, with any person whatever, who shall hereafter commence the practice of medicine or surgery within this State, until he shall have been examined and approbated by the Censors of the Society—and any fellow of the Society, who shall assist any person not so qualified, by affording him advice or by consulting directly or indirectly with him, in the capacity of physician or surgeon, shall for each and every such offence, be fined ten dol- lars, shall be disqualified from giving his vote at ' 2 • 10 any meeting of the Society for two years, shall be liable to the censure and reprimand of the Society, and in aggravated cases, to expulsion. And any li- cenciate who shall be guilty of the above offence, shall be liable to be deprived of all the rights and privileges which he derives from the Society. And it shall be the duty of the Censors ex officio, to examine into every case of the violation of this law, that may come to their knowledge; and if they should neglect to do so, they shall be liable to a fine of ten dollars for every case. Sec. 8. Quackery. Whenever any fellow of the Society shall public- ly advertise, for sale, any medicine, the composi- tion of which he keeps a secret, or shall offer, in like manner, to cure any disease, by any such se- cret medicine, he shall be liable to expulsion, or such other penalty as the Society, at their annual meeting, may think proper to inflict. CHAP. II. Of Medical Police, Sec. 1. Consultations. Consultations should be encouraged in difficult and protracted cases, as they tend to produce con- fidence, energy, and more enlarged views in prac- tice. On such occasions no rivalship or jealousy should be indulged; candor, justice, and all due respect should be exercised towards the Physician who first attended; and as he may be presumed to be best acquainted with the patient and his fam- ily, he should deliver all the medical directions as agreed upon in the presence of the consulting Phy- sician. It should be the province, however, of the senior consulting Physician to propose the neces- sary questions to the sick. The consulting Phy- 11 sician is never to vi: it without the attending, unless by the desire of the latter, or when, as in sudden emergency, he is not to be found; nor is he to dis- continue his visits without the knowledge and ap- probation of the patient or family at the time. No discussion of the case should take place before the patient or his friends; and no prognostications should be delivered, which were not the result of previous deliberation and concurrence. Theoret- ical debates, indeed, should generally be avoided in consultations, as occasioning perplexity and loss of time ; for there may be much diversity of opin- ion on speculative points, with perfect agreement on those modes of practice which are founded not on hyptohesis, but on experience and observation. Physicians in consultation, whatever may be their private resentments or opinions of one another, should divest themselves of all prejudices, and think of nothing but what will most effectually con- tribute to the relief of those under their care. If a Physician cannot lay his hand to his heart and say, that his mind is perfectly open to conviction, from whatever quarter it may come, he should in honor decline the consultation. All discussions and debates in consultation are to be held confidential. Many advantages may arise from two consulting together, who are men of candor, and who have mutual confidence in each other's honor. A remedy may occur to one, which did not to the other; and a Physician may want resolution or confidence in his own opinion, to prescribe a powerful but precarious remedy; on which, however, the life of his patient may depend: in this case, a concurrent opinion may fix his own. But when such mutual confidence is want- 12 ing, a consultation had better be declined, espec- ially if there is reason to believe, that sentiments delivered with openness are to be communicated abroad, or to the family concerned ; and if, in con- sequence of this, either gentleman is to be made responsible for the event. The utmost punctuality should be observed in consultation visits. Sec. 2. Interferences. Medicine is a liberal profession ; the practitioners are, or ought to be, men of education ; and their ex- pectations of business and employment should be founded on their degrees of qualification ; not on artifice, intrigue and insinuation. A certain unde- finable species of assiduities and attentions, there- fore, to families usually employing another, is to be considered beneath the dignity of a regular prac- titioner, and as making a mere trade of a learned profession ; and all officious interferences in cases of sickness in such families, evince a meanness of disposition, unbecoming the character of a Physi- cian and a gentleman. No. meddling inquiries should be made concerning them, nor hints given relative to their nature and treatment, nor any sel- fish conduct pursued, that may directly or indirect- ly tend to weaken confidence in the Physicians or Surgeons who have the care of them. It shall be the duty of the Physician who may be called to a family usually attended by another gen- tleman of the faculty, to ascertain whether he is so called from an actual preference, or in consequence of the absence or inability of the family Physician to attend ; and if the latter should prove to be the case, it shall be his duty to inform them of the pro- priety of repeating their call upon him as soon as his services may be procured. 13 When a Physician is called to a patient, who has been under the care of another gentleman of the faculty, before any examination of the case, he should ascertain whether that gentleman has dis- continued his visits, and whether the patient does or ought to consider himself as under his care ; in which case, he is not to assume the charge of the patient, nor to give his advice (except in instances of sudden attacks) without a regular consultation ' and if such previously attending gentleman has been dismissed, or has voluntarily relinquished the patient, his practice should be treated with candor, and justified so far as truth and probity will permit; for the want of success in the primary treament of the disorder, is no impeachment of professional skill and knowledge. It frequently happens that a Physician, in incident- al communications with the patients of others, or with their friends, may have their cases stated to him in so direct a manner, as not to admit of his declining to pay attention to them. Under such circumstances, his observations should be delivered with delicacy, propriety and reserve, and with the greatest care that they shall not interfere with the curative plan pursued. Sec. 3. Differences of Physicians. The differences of Physicians, when they end in appeals to the public, generally injure the contend- ing parties ; but what is of more consequence, they discredit the profession, and expose the faculty it- self to contempt and ridicule. Whenever such dif- ferences occur, as may affect the honor and dignity of the profession, and cannot immediately be termi- nated, or do not come under the character of vio- lations of the special rules of the Society otherwise 14 provided for, they should be referred to the arbi- tration of a sufficient number of members of the Society, according to the nature of the dispute ; but, neither the subject matter of such references, nor the adjudication, should, if it can be avoided, be communicated to the public, as they may be per- sonally injurious to the individuals concerned, and can hardly fail to hurt the general credit of the fac- ulty. Sec. 4. Discouragement of Quackery. The use of quack medicines should be discour- aged by the faculty, as disgraceful to the profession, injurious to health, and often destructive of life. No Physician or Surgeon, therefore, should dis- pense a secret nostrum, even if it be his invention or exclusive property; for if it is of real efficacy, the concealment of it is inconsistent with benefi- cence, and professional liberality; and if mystery alone give it value and importance, such craft im- plies disgraceful ignorance, or fraudulent avarice. Sec. 5. Conduct for the suyport of the Medical Character. The esprit du corps is a principle of action found- ed in human nature, and when duly regulated, is both rational and laudable. Every man who en- ters into a fraternity, engages by a tacit compact, not only to submit to the laws, but to promote the honor and interest of the Society, so far as they are consistent with morality and the general good of mankind. A Physician, therefore, should cau- tiously guard against whatever may injure the gen- eral respectability of the profession, and should avoid all contumelious representations of the facul- ty at large, all general charges against their selfish- ness or improbity, or the indulgence of an affected 15 or jocular scepticism, concerning the efficacy and utility of the healing art. CHAP. III. Of Officers. Sec. 1. Officers. Triennially there shall be chosen a President, and two Vice-Presidents, a Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, and Cabinet-Keeper for the Southern, and Libra- rian and Cabinet-Keeper for the Northern District, and eight Censors, four for the Southern and four for the Northern District. The President and Vice- President shall be ineligible to the same offices for the next ensuing term of three years. Sec. 2. President. The President shall have power to call a special meeting of the Society, whenever he shall deem it expedient, or whenever five Fellows shall request it in writing—shall preside at all meetings of the Society—shall regulate all debates thereat—shall state and put questions—shall call for reports of committees—shall enforce an observance of the by-laws and regulations—shall have custody of and use, on proper occasions, the seal of the Society— shall have a casting vote—shall perform all such duties as may be assigned him, and shall be ex of- ficio first orator at the next annual meeting after his election. Sec. 3. Vice-Presidents. The first Vice-President, in case of the death, resignation, disability or absence of the President, shall have and exercise all his powers, until a new choice shall be made ; and in the absence of those two officers, the second Vice-President shall offic- iate as President. 16 Sec. 4. Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall have charge of the charter, by-laws and records of the Society— shall notify all meetings of the Society—shall keep a fair record of their proceedings—shall receive and record the proceedings of the Censors, which he shall read at the next annual meeting ; and also such communications as have been made since the last meeting—shall, after any person is elected a fellow or honorary member, transmit information thereof, together with a copy of the charter and by-laws of the Society, to the Corresponding Sec- retary within ten days from the time of said elec- tion—shall notify the chairmen of all committees, furnish the names of the committee, shall within ten days after every annual meeting, certify to the cashier of the Union Bank by a written notice, that the Rhode-Island Medical Society has contin- ued to hold its annual meetings as authorized by charter—who its President and Vice-Presidents are; and also, if such be the fact, that the Society is constituted of more than twenty members exclu- sive of honorary members, and perform any other services which may be assigned him. Sec. 5. Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary shall have the charge of all letters and communications transmit- ted to the Society—shall cause papers written in any foreign language to be translated into English— shall prepare and transmit answers to correspon- dents, in such language and form as the Society shall direct—shall within thirty days from the time of receiving the requisite information from the Re- cording Secretary, notify every person elected a fellow or honorary member, of his election and the 17 time when it was made, and at the same time trans- mit him a copy of the charter and by-laws, and perform such other duties as may be assigned him. If, at any time, either of the Secretaries should be absent, the one attending shall perform the services of both, but shall, as soon as may be, arrange and deliver over the papers of their respective depart- ments. The Secretaries may also, with the con- sent of the President, furnish attested copies of papers and transactions belonging to their respec- tive departments, for which such fees may be de- manded as the Society shall establish. Sec. 6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall give security for the trust reposed in him, whenever the Society shall judge it requisite, and the funds will admit a compensa- tion for his services—shall demand and receive all monies due to the same, together with all bequests and donations—shall demand, and if necessary, sue for and recover all fines due to the Society—shall, under the direction of the Society, sell or lease any estate belonging to them, and execute the necessa- ry papers—shall, in general, have the care and management of all fiscal concerns, and keep an accurate statement of all receipts and expenditures —shall pay no money out of the Treasury, but by an order from the President,und shall make a report of the state of the Treasury at every annual meet- ing. His accounts shall also be examined and re- ported annually to the Society, by a committee ap- pointed for that purpose. Sec. 7. Librarians and Cabinet-Keepers. The Librarians and Cabinet-Keepers shall have in their charge and custody, the books, instruments 3 18 and apparatus of the Society—shall keep an accu- rate register of and arrange them in a proper man- ner—shall make such disposal of them from time to time, as the Society may direct, and make an annual statement of the business of their depart- ments to the Society, and shall carefully record all donations made thereto. Sec. 8. Resignation, Removal and Replacement of Officers. Every officer of the Society may, for sufficient reasons, resign his office, or may be removed there- from by order of the Society, for neglect, inatten- tion, or malconduct; in either of which cases, or on the death of any officer, the President shall ap- point a fellow to the office so vacated, who shall serve until the next triennial election. CHAP. IV. Of Censors, Examinations, and Licenses. Sec. 1. Censors' Meetings. There shall be three meetings of the Censors for the examination of candidates for the practice of medicine, surgery and midwifery, and for the trans- action of such other business as may come before them. The four Censors for the Southern Dis- trict shall meet in the town of Newport, on the last Wednesday in October, and those for the North- ern District shall meet in the city of Providence, on the last Wednesday in February. And there shall be a general meeting of the Censors of both districts, on the evening next preceding the Annual Meeting of the Society, to be held alternately at Newport and Providence ; ten days at least pre- viously to these meetings, notice thereof shall be given in two public papers, one printed in the town 19 of Newport, and one printed in the city of Provi- dence, specifying the place and time of day, at which such meetings are to be held. Three Cen- sors shall constitute a quorum at the district, and five at the general meetings ; and the senior Cen- sor present shall preside and may appoint either of the other Censors present, to officiate as Secre- tary, whose duty it shall be to keep a faithful re- cord of all the proceedings of the Censors, and from time to time transmit a copy of the same to the Recording Secretary. Every Censor, who shall neglect or refuse to attend any of those meetings which he is bound to attend for the examination of candidates, Censors. II. Li. j M. N. J By virtue of the power in me vested, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Rhode-Island Med- ical Society. O. P. President. Attest, Q. R. Recording Secretary. Or if the approved candidate should choose to have his credentials in Latin, they shall be in the form following:— Omnibus ad quos hse litcrao prevenient, salutem —Notum esto, quod nos—Censores, A. B. in C. comitatus D. in Republica nostra habitantem, do ratione et progressu ipsius studiorum in re---- exquisivimus ; et quod cum, ad omne munus facul- tatis----paratum ; et instruclum esse censemus ; nos, itaque, merito, potestatcs omncs ac privilcgia ----excrcendi et profitendi, pro auctoritatc, nobis (legibus Reipublicse) concredita, damus ei, et con- cedimus. 22 In cujus rei testimonium nostra nomina sub- sio-navimus, apud B. die---- A. D. 18— E.F. ^ C1 TT ' t u } Censores. L. M. J In quorum omnium et singulorum, fidem ad pre- sentes literas, sigillum Societatis manumquc meum apposui. ri N. O. Prcescs. Atestat, P. Q. Protonotarius. The Censors of the Society, upon application from any person, who has been educated in, or who shall come from any other State, or foreign coun- try, shall examine such evidence or letters testmo- nial, as he shall offer for the purpose of proving himself to be duly qualified to practice Medicine, Surgery or Midwifery ; and if, upon due enquiry, they shall deem him to be properly qualified there- for, they shall certify the same; and the person so licensed, shall be entitled to all the privileges of those, who have been regularly examined and ap- probated, and for every license so granted, the Censors shall receive the sum of three dollars, to be paid to the Treasurer for the use of the Society. And the person so licenced may be received into the Society without paying any other admission fees. Sec. 4. Nomination. It shall also be the duty of the Censors to re- ceive applications for the admission of any person or persons, as fellows or honorary members of the Society, to make a report of the same, if approba- ted, to be transmitted by the Secretary of the Cen- sors to the Recording Secretary; which report shall have the effect of a nomination, and be acted 26 upon at the next general meeting of the Society , Provided the application for the admission of any candidate into the Society shall have been made three months previous to such meeting ; and no application shall be received by the Censors and reported for consideration, unless it is in writing and signed by one or more of the fellows of the Society. Sec. 5. Specification of Authors to be studied by Candidates. It shall furthermore be the duty of the Censors, for the time being, once in every three years at least, to specify such authors in Anatomy, Chem- istry, Materia Medica, Botany, Surgery, Midwifery, and the Theory and Practice of Medicine, as they shall judge proper and necessary, to be studied by Medical and Surgical Pupils, previously to, and to qualify them for, an examination before the Cen sors. Sec. 6. Discourse. With the concurrence of the President, it shall also be the duty of the Censors, to appoint annually a suitable person or persons, to read a discourse or dissertation on such Medical subject as the per- son so elected, may choose, before the fellows of the Society, at their annual meeting, excepting when the President is ex officio first orator, and a copy of every such discourse or dissertation, when read, shall be deposited by its author, with the Corresponding Secretary. Sec. 7. Regulations for the Libraries. The first applicant for a book or books shall have the preference. No member of the Society shall be allowed to take out more than one folio, oue quarto, two oc- 24 tavos, or three of smaller size, (including pamph- lets,) at any one time. A folio or quarto may be kept out six weeks, octavos four weeks, books of smaller size (includ- ing pamphlets,) two weeks. For detaining the books beyond the time per- mitted^ the fines are thus : for a folio or quarto twenty cents, octavos fifteen cents, smaller size (including pamphlets) ten cents, and for every week after the first, the same fines to be added. No member shall be allowed the privilege of taking out any other book until the return of those which he may have in his possession. The Librarian shall keep an account of all books taken out of, and returned to the Library, shall no- tice the condition of every book returned, shall make a memorandum of any damage that the books may have sustained in the hands of any member, and shall present a catalogue of the books at every annual meeting. For injury or loss of books, such compensation shall be made as the Librarian shall adjudge equit- able, subject, however, to the revision of the Society. Fiskc Fund, for Prize Dissertations. The late Dr. Caleb Fiske, formerly President of the Rhode-Island Medical Society, with a munifi- cence that does honor to his memory, bequeathed in his last will for the benefit of the Society, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, directing the pro- ceeds thereof to be applied to the payment of premiums for Prize Dissertations and for contin- gent expenses, as set forth in the following extract from his will : Item. «I give arid bequeath to the President and two Vicc-Presi- fiends arising from forty shares of stock which I own in the Union Dank in Providence, the amount thereof two thousand dollars, in trust for the uses herein limited ; use the first; nine twelfths of said dividends shall constitute a fund to be applied in the manner follow- ing, to wit: The said Trustees or cither two of them, shell select at every annual meeting of said Society, such subject or subjects for investigation as they may judge most conducive to the advancement of Medical science, and give notice thereof in one of the newspapers published in Newport., and one published.in Providence, for the term L;f six weeks, offering such premium'or pemiums, as the annual. product of said funds will justify, to be awarded and paid out, by said trustees for the best Treatise on the subject proposed by them for investigation, to be communicated to said trustees one month previous to the next Annual Meeting of said Society. And in order that a laudable spirit of emulation may be excited and maintained, the trustees shall not only suitably reward the authors of the fortu- nate productions but also prescribe such rules for receiving the com. munications and deciding on the merits of the several performances as will shield the unsuccessful competitor from obloquy or reproach ; Use the second-, two twelfths of the profits or dividends of said stock. are tb'remuncrate said trustees for their services, in the execution of the several trusts, herein ■confided.to them.' Use the third ; one twelfth of the profits of said stock is to be ap- propriated to printing and supplying each member of said Society with a copy of such Treatise for which premiums haye-becn award- ed. . If is "believed however, that -the copy right of those productions may be so disposed of by said Trustees, as not only to furnish the mem- bers.of.said Society with copies gratis, but also to make some addi- tion to the aforesaid fund ; and it is- also believed that said Truotecc, m consideration of advantages which said Society may.derive from a discreet management of said fund, will frequently, if not uniformly, render their services gratuitously, whereby a further addition.may be made to said fund. If these anticipations should be realized, in part or in whole, whatever sums remain unappropriated shall be ad- ded to said fund for the uses aforesaid. And my.will further- is, and I hereby, ordain, that the aforesaid forty shares of stock, the norm- ■ nod amount whereof is two thousand dollars, shall remain registered in my name, in the books of said Bank, but the dividends or profits arising therefrom, shall be subject from time to time to thcoxders of ;;uid Trustees, for the uses above limited; but every order drawn on said bonk, shall express the uses to which the money is to be ap- plied.' Furthermore the said Trustees shall cause their proceedings in the premises to be recorded in a book or books from year to year and deposited in the archieves or cabinet of said Society for safe keeping, inserting therein the annual amount of said fund and the ad- ditions if any made thereto, the subject or subjects proposed for inves- tigation, the amount of premiums offered, the names and place of abode of persons to whom premiums are awarded, with such other fuct3 and remarks relative to the application ef said dividends as ihev may judge expedient, .u;J the proceedings or such parts-thereof as 26 shall have accrued each preceding year shall be audibly read be- fore said Society at their annual meeting and also be subject to the inspection of any member of said Society, and also be free for ex- animation by my heirs at law ; provided nevertheless, and I do hereby order, that if the said dividends or profits arising from the aforesaid slock, or any part thereof, should at any time hereafter be used for any other purposes than those before limited, or applied in any other manner than is above directed, or if said Trustees, or either two of them for the time being, shall neglect or refuse to ex- ecute the aforesaid trust in manner and form before specified, sickness and other unavodable incidents excepted, for the term of one year, then in either of these cases, this bequest shall thenceforth cease and determine, and said stock and the dividends arising therefrom, shall thenceforth descend to, and vest in, my heirs at law. Provided al- so, and I do hereby ordain, that if at any time hereafter, said Med- ical Society shall discontinue its Anniversary Meetings, authorized by its Charter, or in case its members (fellows,) exclusive of honor- ary members, should decline in number, and at any time hereaf- ter be reduced to twenty, then, and in either of those cases, this be- quest shall thenceforth cease and determine, and said stock and the dividends or profits arising therefrom shall descend to, and vest in, my heirs at law." The foregoing bequest having increased in amount, by interest and otherwise, enables the Trustees to offer two premiums annually, of Fifty Dollars each, for the best essays on the questions they propose. RUL.ES. 1. No fellow shall speak in any debate, without rising and addressing himself to the President. 2. No fellow, having spoken once in any debate, shall speak, to the prevention of another, who has not spoken, and manifests a desire to speak. 3. Every fellow, as soon as he has done speak- ing, shall sit down. 4. No fellow shall interrupt another while speak- ing, unless it shall be to call him to order, or to correct a mistake. 5. No motion shall be considered unless sec- onded. 6. No fellow shall nominate more than one per- son, for the same Committee, provided the first person nominated by him be chosen. 7. No vote shall be reconsidered at the same meeting, by a smaller number than were present at its passing. 27 At the Annual Meeting of the Rhode-Island Medi- cal Society, held in Ncicport, June 28, 1837, The following named gentlemen were elected officers for the three ensuing years, viz. Usher Parsons, Providence, President. *William Turner, Newport, 1st Vice-Presdenl. Ezekiel Fowler, Smithfield, 2d Vice-President. Johnson Gardner, North-Providence, Recording Secretary. Thomas H. Webb, Providence, Corresponding Secretary. Jacob Fuller, Providence, Treasurer. David King, Newport, Librarian and Cabinet. Keeper for the Southern District. IsaacII vrtshorn, Providence, Librarian and Cab- inet-Keeper for the Northern District. Theophilus C. Dunn, Newport, \ ~ r ,i T TT „ . . , 4 Censors for the Jabez Holmes, Bristol, f SoutJkern James Turner, Newport, C District. Peleg Johnson, South-Kingston, } Richmond Brownell, Providence, } Censors George Capron, Providence, f for the L. L. Miller, Providence, ( Northern Jeremiah Williams, Warren, 3 District. * On the death of Dr. Turner, in 1837, Dr. Niles Manchester, of North-Providence, was appointed to fill his place during the re- mainder of the three years. FELLOWS or THE RHODE-ISLAND MEDICAL SOCIETY. f Aldrich John, South-Kingstown. * Allen Stephen, West-Greenwich. ■Allenton Goodwin, 'Provider.cc. ; Arnold S. Augustus,, ditto. •"■•'■.' Allen Wiliiam H. .ditto. Armington Harvey, ■ ditto. * Ames-J. Fisher, ditto. Allen Hiram, Smithficld. Andros James T. Warwick. fAdams Asa M. Cvmbe-rLmd. ' '■ • Aldrich James, II. Greenwich. ;. Narrows Thomas "M.: Provide ;te>-' ; ' {Barrus Daniel, Warren. . , ' . '■ Bellows Eleazar, Smithjidd. '"- . . .-. #Bcllows Eleazar, jun. DvmllHk "Bow-en William, Providence. .*Bowen Pardon, ditto. -Bowen William C. ditto, j Bowen Horatio G. diit> *B0w.cn Joseph, Glocesivr. JBriggs Lemuel W. .Bristol. tBrownell Pardon, Provident. • Brownell Richmond, ditto. Ballou Asa N. SmithhcH. fBrainard Austin, Providence. Bray ton Lloyd B. ditto. BaHou Ariel, Smithjidd. '■Bicknell Howland V. East-Greene.id: BuCldin Hiram, Smithfd-.l liullock Otis, Warren. Carpenter Thoruns 0. H. C^cntnj. 3eceus..:d, f K-moved out ofthe LiMe. t Kesi^p»>.i 29 'Carpenter Ccrrdort'A. Cranrton. •Carpenter Cyril, Coventry. •Case Benjamin W. Newport. JClarke Pclcg, Cranston. • ,. fColegrove Bela H. Coventry. .- Cole Jeremiah, Providence. fComstock Joseph, So-uihrKin^toicn. *Comst'jck Ezekiel, ditto. fComstock John L. ditto. ..,'/' Cook Dennis,- Tiverton. '- • '&"\ ■ Colwell Francis, Providence. Cotton Charles, Newport. Church George H. North-Ki;.^<;n. Carpenter Thomas 0. H; jun. Foster.- Capron George, Pi evidence, . ; Cleavcland Hiram, North'Providence. Crook William, Newport. fChanchVr. Charles, Scitucite. fCartee Cornelius S> Providence. 'Drown Solomon, Foster". - Dunn Theophilus C. Newport. *Easton Jonathan, ditto. Easton Jonathan, jun. ditto. "*Eddy John M. Providence. ^Eldndge Charles, East-Grce^nd- Eldridge James H. ; ditto,- *Fiske Caleb, Scituatc. *Foster C. Bristol. Fowler-Ezekiel, Smithficld. Fuller Jacob, Providence. Fearing Joseph W. l'n>d.dcncc. . fFales Joseph P. ■ Newport. Fuller Joseph B. F, Prcvidmee, Fuller John P. ditto. {Greene Rowland, Sdtr.uU: . 'fGriffin Stephen F. Chark^toem. fGilbert George O Providence. Grosvcnor William, ditiu. 3C Gardner Johnson, North-Providence {Harris Stephen, Warwick. {Hazard Enoch, Newport. fllazird Jonathnr F. North-Kingstown. Holmes Jabez, Bristol. Holmes Thomas D. Smithfield. Hartshorn Isaac, Providence. *Hudson Samuel, Warwick. f James Silas, West-Greenwich. f Jerauld Gorton, Warwick. Johnson Peleg, South-Kingstown. Knapp Ephraim K. Cumberland. Knight Sylvester, Providence. *King David, Newport. King David, ditto. Keith John M. Portsmouth. fLee Samuel H. Providence. *Mackie John, ditto. Manchester Niles, North-Providence. *Mason Abraham, Cumberland. Mauran Joseph, Providence. *Mowry Moses, Coventry. Miller Lewis L. Providence. fMoore Alexander B. ditto. f Moore William B. ditto. Marsh Metcalf, Smithfield. Manchester Charles F. Providence. Millar James N. North Providence. Mowry Samuel, Glocester. *Nelson Thomas, Bristol. Needham John G. Cranston. fOsgood Charles, Providence. {Peckham Hazael, Glocester. {Pettcs Joseph B. Providence. #Potter Nehemiah, Cumberland fPeck William, Providence. Parsons Usher, ditto. Potter Allen, Smithfield. John W. lJ7Ci IVUUH1BUH T Richardson^?' ditt°- Shaw William <£ AfortlT-K^ro^ fSimmons Thomas ft Mwport. fStone John, Providence. Sexton Jonathan, PortsmovMi. Slack David B. Providence. f Shaw Joseph L. ditto. Shaw William I. North-Kmgstown. SmithJarvisJ. Glocester. Sumner John N. Providence Thompson William, Warren. •Throop Amos, Providence. •Tibbets John W. Warwick. •Tillinghast Wilbour, West-Greenwich. fTillinghast Thomas, East-Greenwich. {Tillinghast George H. Providence. fTorrey Augustus, Glocester. •Turner William, Newport. •Turner Peter, East-Greenwich. fTurner Henry E. ditto. Turner James, Newport. Tvler George W. Pawtuxct. Tobey Samuel B. Providence. Thayer Henry W. ditto. Turner Oliver C. Newport. Turner Hiram E. ditto. Utlcy Leander, Providence. •Walcott Micah, Cumberland. tWaldron A. Glocester. •Waring Edmund T. Muport. fWarren Thomas, Bristol. •Webber Richard M. Twerton. no L Gardner Johnson, North-Providence {Harris Stephen, Warwick. {Hazard Enoch, Newport. fHaznrd Jonathan E. North- W"~-* Holmes Jabez, Brisf^'rt ,r? Holmes Thome ", „ v> ,»; ft ♦ u . #i" Joshua B- - Hartshorn Ji _ . c. •-. -»^ ^'ylicy Aaron 'C. j sw-Shoreham. Webb Thomas FJ. 'Providence. {Wadsworth John A. efttfo. Walcott li.B. Curnltrhmd. f Wheaton F. L. Providence. Wells William R. Newport. '^^ Total, 156. .Dcad/37. . HOI^OKAIJY MEMBERS. Wdlam Ingalla, Boston. William Clift, F.R.S./ omfow. * John P. Mann, Nmp-jrt. Zacchcus Bartlett, Plymouth. •Thomas Hubbard, Pom/,-rt; George McClellan, P/«7r,rfd- John C. Warren, Boston. phiu. James Thatcher, P/,,WOu<,,*. Andrew Harris, Canterbury. * Wright Post, JVew- For*. Thomas Miner, Middleiown. ■ -Philip S. Physick, PAifodcJ- George C. Shattuck, Zfoto:. PRESIDENTS OF THE SOCIETY 1812 Amos Throop, 181 i William Bowen, 1815 Pardon Bowen, 1823 Caleb Fiske, 1824 Levi Wheaton, 1829 David Kin-, 1834 Charlee Eldred^ to 1-14. to 1815. to 1823. to 1824. to le;20. to 1834. to io57.