INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
By the President, Rudolph Matas, M. D., 
New Orleans, La. 
[Extract from Proceedings Louisiana State Medical Society, Session 1895.] INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
By the President, Rudolph Matas, M. D. 
New Orleans, La. 
Fellow Members of the Louisiana State Medical Society, Ladies 
and Gentlemen—A wise and time-honored custom has made it a 
ride of this society that at these annual meetings a portion of our 
time should be devoted to the more open or direct cultivation of 
the relations that exist between the medical profession and the 
public. In the furtherance of this object it is specified in our 
constitution that the President shall deliver an address designed 
“to promote the objects of the society and to report what has 
been and is likely to be accomplished during his Presidency to 
promote these objects.” 
The essential part of this duty lias already been complied 
with in my executive message, which deals in detail with the ad- 
ministrative or domestic affairs of this society, as they have 
developed during the course of my incumbency, and with it have 
also been presented the recommendations that have been sug- 
gested by my study and experience in its affairs. 
With the same purpose in view, the distinguished and ac- 
complished speaker who has consented to enrich the memories of 
this occasion with his abundant wealth of research, eloquence 
and logic, is to further strengthen the common cause by deliver- 
ing the annual oration. 
Immediately after, our learned fellow-member, Dr. Gustavus 
Devron, will introduce a new and welcome feature in our pro- 
ceedings by delivering an historical address on the Physicians of 
the Colonial Period of Louisiana, with which we hope to begin in 
chronological sequence a series of annual discourses which shall 
epitomize with time a most interesting history of the medical 
profession of this State. 
In still further illustration of the profound concern of 
medical science in the welfare of humanity, our distinguished and 
genial fellow, Dr. Powell, of the Army, will demonstrate the effect 2 
of the latest and most destructive addition to the armament of 
nations, the Krag-Jurguesen Kifle, and the measures devised by 
the medical corps of tlie army to minimize its frightful ravages 
on the battle-field. 
Thus we shall be called to witness the extraordinary paradox 
of our modern civilization in the spectacle offered by man, 
striving, on the one hand, to concentrate his genius in the destruc- 
tion of his species, and, on the other, struggling, by his most 
devoted and intelligent efforts, to preserve it. 
With this abundance of preparation for a most profitable 
evening’s entertainment, I feel that I must not trespass upon 
your indulgence by an exhaustive discourse upon the innumer- 
able subjects which identify the mission of this society with the 
public weal, to which I am restricted by the traditions of my 
office. 
I cannot resist the temptation, howei er, to linger for a few 
moments upon a few of these, hoping that by so doing the general 
objects of this organization will be best illustrated and promoted. 
In May, 1841), a convention, composed of some of the most 
distinguished representatives of the medical profession of the 
United States, drew up a series of resolutions which declared, 
among other propositions, that it was expedient “for the medical 
profession in the United States to institute a national medical 
association; and inasmuch as an institution so conducted as to 
give frequent, united and emphatic expression to the views and 
aims of the medical profession in this country must, at all times, 
have a beneficial influence and supply more efficient means than 
have hitherto been available for cultivating and advancing medi- 
cal knowledge; for elevating the standard of medical education; 
for promoting the usefulness, honor and interests of the medical 
profession; for enlightening and directing public opinion in 
regard to its duties, responsibilities and the requirements of 
medical man; for exciting and encouraging emulation and con- 
cert of action in the profession, and for facilitating.and fostering 
friendly intercourse between those who are engaged in the prac- 
tice of medicine,” it was resolved, that in May, 1847, the conven- 
tion would meet in Philadelphia under the title of the American 
Medical Association, where it would adopt its constitution and 
begin its official existence. 
This was the origin, and these the broad and altruistic 3 
principles that have guided the career of our national organiza- 
tion during the forty-five years of its existence; this the plat- 
form upon which we have built our constitution, as adapted to 
the needs of our State, and that we, together with the medical 
organizations of all the States and Territories of our grand Repub- 
lic, have pledged ourselves to sustain. 
In the sixteen years that have elapsed since the organiza- 
tion of this society, in 1878, to the present session, it has undergone 
many trials and vicissitudes which have more (ban once threat- 
ened its existence; but the record of the last few years, and 
especially of the years 1891-95, prove that the anchor of our 
expectations is now firmly imbedded in the undying rock of pro- 
fessional and public recognition. 
With an active living constituency of over 400 members, 
and a territorial representation in our membership embracing 79 
per cent, of the parishes in the State, it must be admitted that 
our success as a society is permanently insured and that the veil 
of the future should hide from us no cruel disappointments.” 
Having stated the general aims and objects of our organiza- 
tion, it may be asked, what results have we accomplished ? what 
claims have we as a society to permanent recognition as a bene- 
ficial factor in the social, material arid intellectual progress of 
this State ? 
In what manner, apart from the great and enduring benefits 
which accrue from the technical and professional advancement 
of its members, has our society identified itself with the welfare 
of the commonwealth ? 
The answer is ready and at hand. 
If we bear in mind that the Louisiana State Medical Society 
is affiliated with and is one of the constituent branches of the 
federation of State Medical Societies in the United States, and 
that it has, in compliance with the conditions of its affiliation 
and through its delegates to the national convention, as well as 
through its associate membership, indirectly participated in all 
the great movements undertaken by our national organization to 
promote the welfare of the people in all matters appertaining to 
public health, you will admit that in this sphere alone we have 
already served the State. 
The annual sessions of the American Medical Association, 
which are composed largely of delegates, have greatly promoted 4 
scientific research with the cause and treatment of diseases of 
every character, the formation of State Boards of Health, higher 
medical education and the publication of treatises on preventive 
medicine and medical practice which form a continuous line of 
medical progress in the last half of this century. 
In accomplishing this great work the Louisiana State Medi- 
cal Society has joined with her sister societies in giving moral 
support and material aid to the parent organization. 
When we turn from the wider arena of the nation to our own 
special province, we are met by the query: What have you as a 
State society accomplished for the good of the medical profession 
and the people of Louisiana ? This question was answered in part 
by one of my predecessors, President Elliott, who quoted from 
the reports of Professor Stanford E. Chaille, chairman of the 
Committee on State Medicine, from 1878 to 1886, and whose in- 
valuable and imperishable services we must ever gratefully re 
member, in securing the following legislative enactments that 
constitute the strongest historic claim that this society has to 
public as well as professional recognition: 
(1.) Art. 178 of the Constitution of 1879: The General As- 
sembly shall provide for.the interest of State medicine in all its 
departments, for the protection of the people from unqualified 
practitioners of medicine ; for protecting confidential communi- 
cations made to medical men by their patients while under 
professional treatment, and for the purpose of such treatment; 
tor the establishment and maintenance of a State Board of Health. 
This enactment, it is seen, is mandatory, and affords a consti- 
tutional basis upon which we can claim the attention of the 
General Assembly to any question deemed by us of importance to 
the public welfare. 
(2.) Art. 176 of the Constitution of 1879, in which practi- 
tioners of medicine are given a privilege-on property for the 
medical expenses of a last illness. 
(3.) Art. No. 31 of 1882, regulating the practice of medicine, 
being the law of registration as now carried on in Louisiana. 
(4.) Art. No. 82 of 18S2, defining and punishing the adul- 
teration of drugs, food and drinks. 
(5.) Art. 92 of 1882, providing for the organization of local 
Boards of Health throughout the State. 5 
(G.) Art. No. 3 9 of 1884, ordering compensation to medical 
experts. 
(7.) An act compelling the teaching of physiology and 
hygiene in the public schools of the State. 
(8.) Art. GG of 1888, pharmacy law, by which the practice of 
pharmacy is placed under the control of an examining board. 
All of the above were advocated by the Louisiana State 
Medical Society, but the passage of these last two were also due 
to additional influences. 
(9.) Finally, Art. No. 49: 
To regulate the Practice of Medicine and Surgery and Mid- 
wifery and to create a State Board of Medical Examiners, which 
was promulgated July 31st, 1894, which is, without a doubt, 
the greatest legislative concession that for the good of the people 
has been obtained by this society. 
I have on different occasions referred to this law as the 
magnum bonum that our society has striven to secure, ceaselessly, 
patiently and in the face of many discouragements, since its 
origin. It would be impossible for me to insist further upon the 
benefits that must accrue in the near future from the efficient 
operation of this law, without tiresome repetition. All my pre- 
decessors have, individually, and with increasing vigor, advised 
this society of the urgent need of restrictive legislation to sup- 
press the evils of charlatanism and quackery and to purify the 
medical body of this State of a horde of imposters who had 
sought refuge in its hospitable soil. The clear, logical and forci- 
ble argument in behalf of the enactment of the bill which created 
the present law must remain indelibly impressed in your memo- 
ries as the last public utterances of my deeply regretted prede- 
cessor. 
The address of the able President of the Board of Examiners 
has already so irrefutably demonstrated the utility of the Board 
of Examiners, in the short period of its existence, that to dwell 
further on this subject would be unpardonable. 
In the brief outline of the legislative work accomplished by 
the society and in its abundant contribution to medical knowl- 
edge, we have found sufficient evidence of a solemn determination 
to redeem the implied promises of our founders and to continue 
in the discharge of our duties as plainly laid down in our con- 
stitution. 6 
But the work of the Louisiana State Medical Society lias 
only begun. 
The success thus far achieved, gratifying as it must be to all its 
members, should prove only an incentive to more perfect organi- 
zation in order that the work so well commenced may be finally 
rewarded by the complete realization of our ideas, which have 
ever been the advancement of State medicine, the cultivation of 
professional knowledge and of professional worth, and the pro- 
motion; of the public welfare. 
A word, now, to my fellow-members, the medical men of 
Louisiana. 
The Louisiana State Medical Society was organized for the 
benefit of every medical man in the State. Through its annual 
sessions and its annual volume of transactions it brings him in 
touch with the great professional problems that interest him 
most. Its work and its iniiuence belong to all alike. The coun- 
try doctor and the city physician, the general practitioner and 
the specialist, the theoretical and the practical man, all meet 
here on the same level and have equal voice in the control of 
the society. It should be a source of pleasure and of pride to 
be a member of this society; for, by so doing, the physician not 
only contributes to professional advancement, but by affiliation 
with the American Medical Association he takes part and aids 
in the growth and progress of American medicine and thus ma- 
terially contributes his share to the fund of general knowledge 
ajad the cause of civilization. 
It should be every man’s ambition to elevate the standard of 
his profession among his brethren and in the estimation of the 
public, and to gain such eminence as he may, by upright con- 
duct toward his fellows, by honesty to the public and by literary 
and professional industry. A man may, by his ability and by 
his professional traits, rise to the highest pinnacle of local and 
public esteem. His reputation as an able and successful prac- 
titioner may be merited, but his profession demands something 
more from him. He is not living up to his professional duty if 
he does not endeavor to enrich the field of professional knowledge 
by the ripe results of his own investigations and experiences. 
If he, by writings and contributions to his medical societies 
and to professional journals, gives to his fellow-physicians the val- 
uable knowledge which he is continually gathering, he has a claim 7 
upon the gratitude of his fellows and his reputation is estab- 
lished. But if he lives content with the wealth he can acquire, 
not only his name and his fame die with him, for he lias failed in 
his highest mission, and is justly forgotten by his professional 
brethren. 
It should be a pleasure and a duty to attend the meetings 
and take part in the many discussions of the interesting questions 
which are here presented for consideration. The larger and 
more widely extended the membership the more valuable its 
meetings become. It is from the opinions of physicians from 
different sections of the State that a true conception of our local 
pathology and of the sanitary needs of the people is obtained. 
The discussions which follow the reading of papers often contain 
far more truth and practical suggestion than elaborate text-book 
chapters. In many of the papers received we are sure that much 
information is given which is far beyond the teachings of the last 
text-book. We should, furthermore, aim to make this society a 
tribunal to which any member may bring his opinions for test 
and comparison, and may sit in judgment on the views of others. 
No medical man can possibly fail to sympathize with its mission 
or contribute to its purposes without incurring the just reproach 
that he has been guilty of indifference to his highest professional 
and public duties. * 
Finally, permit me to repeat again what you have so often 
heard before, that the advancement of our society depends upon the 
life and action of its individual aggressive forces. The future 
is glistening with glorious possiblities; let us act so as to secure 
its richest rewards; concert of action, harmony of feeling and 
unity of purpose will win for us a magnificent victory and make 
us triumphant in years to come. Let us then accept the obliga- 
tions of the hour and acknowledge this time as an opportunity in 
which we can awaken to deeper interest, renew our fealty and 
pledge our earnest co-operation in that work which will best 
develop the great and beneficent, ends we are striving to accomp- 
lish. 
Adapting to this occasion the language of a gifted speaker, 
I would say: “It was the boast of Augustus, that arch traitor to 
the liberties of his country, that he had found ltome of brick and 
left it of marble; and of Bonaparte, that he found France without 8 
law, and left it tlie Code Napoleon—a monument to his matchless 
ability, before which the splendid triumphs of Austerlitz and 
Marengo sink into comparative insignificance.” 
How much nobler might be the boast of the Medical Society 
of Louisiana when, in future years, we shall be able to say: 
“ Though we found the profession in this State the prey of the 
charlatan and empiric we left it distinguished by science; we 
found it chaotic and discordant, we left it organized and har- 
monious; we found it with the education of its members below 
the requirements of their calling, we left it with physicians in 
the foremost ranks of science and learning; we found it without 
its due weight or intluence in society, we left it honored by the 
rich and sustained by the blessings of the poor.” 
If to the consummation of this glorious end I have con- 
tributed in any manner, I am profoundly grateful, and repeat my 
thanks to you for the opportunity.