LAWS 
OF THE 
PHYSICAL SOCIETY, 
HELD AT 
GUY’S HOSPITAL. 
LONDON: 
Printed by H. Reynell, No. 21, PICCADILLY;
Printer to the Society. 
M.DCC.LXXXVII. 



LAWS, &c. 
CHAP. I. 
Of the Society.-Its Meetings, &c. 
Rule I. 
THE Physical Society shall consist of 
Honorary, Ordinary and Corresponding 
Members; together with the Officers here- 
after specified. 
II. 
The Society shall be convened on the first 
Saturday in October, and continue to meet on 
the same day of each succeeding Week, 'till 
the last Saturday in May. The meeting shall 
commence at Seven o’Clock, and close at Ten. 
III. 
The Names of the Ordinary Members shall 
be called over at the beginning of each Meeting, 
when such as are absent shall forfeit Six-pence, 
unless they shall have sent a written Excuse:
and every Ordinary Member leaving the Room
B2 during

(4)
during the Trasaction of Business, without 
Permission from the President, shall forfeit 
One Shilling. 
IV. 
Five Members, legally assembled, shall be 
entitled to transact any Business of the Society 
except repealing, suspending, or altering the 
Laws; for which Purposes, at least Ten Mem- 
bers must be present. 
V. 
The Business of the Society, shall be of two 
Kinds; Public and Private, The Public 
Business shall consist in the Communication of 
Cases and Opinions; and in the reading and 
discussion of Dissertations. The private Busi- 
ness shall include all other Matters in which 
the Society may be concerned. 
VI. 
In every Question relating to the Business 
of the Society, and not previously settled in 
the Laws, any Member may demand a deter- 
mination by Ballot. 
VI I. 
To decide any question where a Ballot shall 
not be demanded, the mode shall be by Shew 
of

(5)
of Hands. Any Member refusing to hold up 
his Hand on one Side or the other, shall be 
fined Six-pence. 
CHAP.II. 
ELECTION OF MEMBERS.               
RULE I, 
No one shall be admitted a Member, un- 
less he shall have been regularly proposed, 
seconded and balloted for. Such Proposal, 
specifying the Name and Residence of the 
Candidate, must be made in Writing, and shall 
remain for the Inspection of the Members, in 
some conspicuous Part of the Theatre, till the 
ensuing Meeting, when it shall be determined 
by Ballot. 
II. 
A Candidate having nine-tenths of the 
Votes of the Members present in his Favour
shall be admitted; if less than nine-tenths, he 
shall be rejected. 
III. 
To obviate any Mistake in Elections, the 
Ballot shall in every Case of Rejection, be had 
Twice

(6)
Twice during the same Meeting. If in the 
second Ballot the proposed Member should 
also be rejected, he shall on no Account be 
again proposed during the same Session. 
CHAP. III. 
ORDINARY MEMBERS.
RULE I. 
Each Ordinary Member shall, on his Ad- 
mission, pay Ten Shillings and Six-pence; and 
the further Sum of One Shilling every 
Fortnight. 
II. 
Any Ordinary Member being indebted to 
the Society, and not disharging his Debts 
shall be fined One Shilling for every Month, 
and if he further neglect to discharge them till 
after the last Meeting of the Session, he shall 
be expelled. 
III. 
An Ordinary Member absenting himself for 
Five successive Meetings, without a sufficient 
Excuse, shall be expelled. 
IV.

(7)
IV. 
Each Ordinary Member shall in Succession, 
deliver in a Dissertation on some Physical Sub- 
ject, under the penalty of Ten Shillings and 
Six-pence. 
V. 
Ordinary Members removing from London, 
shall, on expressing their desire to the President 
in Writing, be considered as Corresponding 
Members. 
VI. 
Ordinary Members having attended the 
Meetings of the Society for two Sessions, and 
read two Dissertations, may petition for 
Honorary Seats. Such Petitions must be in 
Writing, and having been read from the 
Chair, shall, on the ensuing Meeting, be deter- 
mined by Ballot. The Candidate having three- 
fourths of the Votes in his Favour, shall be elected. 
VII. 
Every Ordinary Member not subscribing to 
the Laws for three Meetings after his Election, 
shall forfeit his Seat. 
CHAP.

(8)
CHAP. IV. 
Corresponding Members, 
Rule I, 
Men of Eminence in the Profession, not resi- 
ding in London, may be proposed as Corre- 
sponding Members 
II. 
Corresponding Members shall be exempted 
from paying Contributions, they shall enjoy 
the Privileges of Ordinary Members; and 
when in London, and attending the Society,
they shall be considered as such. 
CHAP. V. 
Honorary Members. 
Rule I. 
Physicians, Surgeons, Apothecaries, and 
Men of Eminence in any of the Sciences, may 
be proposed as Honorary Members. 
II.
Honorary Members shall not be obliged to 
attend the Meetings of the Society, or to fur- 
nish

(9)
nish Papers for Discussion: they shall be ex- 
empted from the payment of Contributions and 
Fines, except in such Cases as shall be specified 
to the contrary: they shall enjoy all the pri- 
vileges of Ordinary Members: the power of 
writing for the Prizes alone excepted. 
III. 
An Honorary Member having engaged in any 
Office, is rendered liable to such Penalties, as 
may be incurred by neglect of Duty in that 
Office. 
CHAP. VI. 
Presidents. 
Rule I. 
Six Presidents shall be annually chosen by 
Ballot. 
II. 
Each shall preside alternately; and if absent 
at the time or Meeting, without having pro- 
vided a Substitute, shall be fined Two Shillings 
and Six-pence. 
C In

(10)
III. 
In the absence of the Presidents, the oldest 
Ordinary Member present, shall supply the 
Place, under the penalty of Two Shillings and 
Six-pence, on refusal. 
IV. 
The President in the Chair shall regulate and 
direct the Debates; he shall check any unpro- 
fitable Disputes; and be invested with autho- 
rity sufficient to conduct every part of the 
Society’s Business, with becoming Decorum. 
V. 
In any Question, where the Votes of the 
Society shall be equally divided, the acting 
President shall, beside his Vote as a Member, 
have the Privilege of the casting Vote. 
VI. 
The Presidents shall be upon all Committees.
CHAP.

(11)
CHAP. VII
Library, and Librarian. 
Rule I. 
Such Sums of Money as the Society may 
from Time to Time think proper, shall be 
employed for the Purpose of establishing a 
Library, 
II. 
Such Books only shall be purchased as shall 
have been proposed by the Committee or Pre- 
sidents, and afterwards approved by the Society 
at large. 
III. 
Every Member shall be entitled to have in 
his Possession one Set of Books; for which, at the 
Time of receiving them, he shall deposit in the 
Hands of the Librarian, their full Value; and 
shall return them, if Octavos or under, within 
a Fortnight; or within a Month if above that 
Size. On failure, he shall forfeit Six-pence for 
every Day he keeps them beyond the Time al- 
lowed. If any Book be injured, the Money 
deposited shall be forfeited. 
C2 IV.

(12)
IV. 
The Librarian must be an Honorary Mem- 
ber. 
V. 
His Business shall be, to take Care of the 
Books; to keep a correct Catalogue of them; 
to deliver them to the Members; and to re- 
port at each Meeting, the Names of such 
Members, as by retaining Books, may have 
incurred Fines. He, or his Deputy, shall be 
present in the Library, on every Monday, 
Wednesday, and Friday, from Five till Six 
o'Clock. 
VI. 
The Librarian shall be answerable for any 
Books which may be lost. 
VII. 
In case of neglect in Attendance, or in any 
other Business regarding the Library, the Li- 
brarian shall forfeit Two Shillings and Six- 
pence. 
VIII. 
He shall appoint his own Deputy.
IX.

(13)
IX. 
At the End of every Session, a Gratuity 
shall be given to the Deputy Librarian. The 
Gratuity shall not be less than Five Guineas 
nor exceed Ten; the particular Sum to be 
determined by Ballot. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Treasurer. 
Rule I. 
The Librarian shall also be invested with 
the office of Treasurer. 
II. 
At the first Meeting in every Month, the 
Treasurer shall deliver in the State of the So- 
ciety’s Accounts; on failure, he shall incur 
the penalty of One Shilling. 
CHAP. IX. 
Secretary. 
Rule I. 
A Secretary shall be annually chosen from 
those who were ordinary Members the pre- 
ceding Session.
II.

(14)
II. 
He shall be present in the Theatre before 
the time of Meeting, to furnish Tickets, &c. 
His Business shall be to keep Minutes of the 
Society’s Transactions; to read the Minutes, 
and call over the List of Members; to collect 
and keep an Account of Fines, Admission, and 
Subscription-Money; to be accountable to the 
Treasurer for such Sums as he shall receive; and 
to collect Ballots and Votes. He shall like- 
wife inform Members of their Election, and 
furnish them with the Laws. He shall attend 
all Committees. 
III. 
Previous to the first Meeting in every Month, 
he shall require from the Treasurer, an Ac- 
count of the Society’s Money, &c. 
IV. 
In case of Neglect in any part of his Duty, 
he shall be liable to a fine of One Shilling. 
CHAP. X 
Committee. 
Rule I. 
At the Commencement of every Season, a 
Committee shall be appointed, consisting of 
Eight

(15)
Eight of the Members; One half to be chosen 
by the sitting President, the other by the So- 
ciety at large. This Committee shall trans- 
act such Business as cannot conveniently be 
done by the whole Society, and shall make 
regular Reports of their Proceedings to the 
Society. 
II. 
The Gentlemen of the Committee may 
themselves fix the Time of their Meeting: 
But, after it is determined, any Member of 
it, who fails to attend at the Time appointed, 
shall forfeit One Shilling.  
III. 
The Officers of the Society shall be on all 
Committees. 
CHAP. XI. 
Printing Committee. 
Rule I. 
Beside the Committee above specified, a 
Committee shall be annually appointed, whose 
Office shall be to inspect the Cases delivered to 
the Society, and to select such of them as may 
be deemed worthy of Publication.
II.

(16)
II. 
This Committee Shall consist of the six annual 
Presidents, the Librarian, and Secretary, four 
Honorary, and four Ordinary Members; to 
be chosen by Ballot on the first Meeting of 
each Session. 
III. 
The Committee shall meet occasionally, ac- 
cording to the appointment of the Majority of 
its Members. Any Member who fails to at- 
tend at the Time appointed, shall forfeit the 
Sum of Ten Shillings and Six-pence. 
IV. 
All Papers referred to the Decision of the 
Committee, must be legibly written by the 
Authors of them. They must be read at two 
separate Meetings of the Committee, and af-
terwards approved or rejected by Ballot. 
V. 
No Paper shall be published, unless two 
thirds of the Ballots be in its Favour. 
VI.

(17)
VI. 
No one shall be present while the Propriety 
of publishing his own Paper is under consider- 
ation. 
VII. 
No Business shall be transacted unless nine 
Members of the Committee be present. 
CHAP. XII. 
Dissertations. 
Rule I. 
At each Meeting of the Society shall be 
read a Differtation on some Physical Subject. 
No Subject to be brought before the Society 
twice during the same Sessions. 
II. 
The Member, whole turn it may be to 
write, shall deliver in his Differtation at least 
one Week previous to the Meeting, at which 
it is to be first read. If he neglect to do 
this, he shall forfeit Two Shillings and Six- 
pence; and the further Sum of Ten Shillings 
and Six-pence, if it be not delivered before the 
Meeting next ensuing. 
D III.

(18)
III. 
Each Dissertation shall remain at least one 
Week in the Library, for the Inspection of the 
Members; at the expiration of which Time, it 
shall be read in the Society by the Author, and 
afterwards be kept by the President, till the 
ensuing Meeting; when it shall be discussed. 
IV. 
The President shall at that Meeting, again 
read over the Dissertation, and point out such 
Parts as may appear proper Subjects for Debate; 
when any Remarks which may be offered 
shall be received. 
V. 
No Dissertation shall be the Subject of 
Discussion at more than two Meetings. 
VI. 
Each Ordinary Member intending not to 
write, and neglecting to give Notice of such 
Intention, till within one Month from the Meet- 
ing, at which his Dissertation is to be received, 
shall, exclusive of the Penalties already spe- 
cified, forfeit Two Shillings and Six-pence. 
VII.

(19)
VII. 
Honorary Members, having engaged to 
furnish Dissertations, are subject to the above 
Regulations. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Prize Dissertations. 
Rule I. 
Two Sets of Books, value Three Guineas 
each Set, shall be annually given to the Au- 
thors of the Two best Dissertations on some 
Physical Subjects. 
II. 
The Subjects shall be fixed on by the Pre- 
sidents, and given out on the first Meeting of 
each Session; and not presented to the Society 
for Discussion during that Session. 
III. 
The Dissertations shall be delivered to the 
Librarian, on or before the last Meeting of 
that Session. 
IV.

(20) 
IV. 
The Presidents shall determine, which Dis- 
sertations have gained the Prizes, before the 
first Meeting of the ensuing Session; at which 
Meeting, the Dissertations shall be read by 
the Authors, or by the President. 
V. 
The Dissertations after having been read, 
shall be deposited in the Societys’ Library, 
VI. 
A Motto shall be prefixed to each Disser-
tation, and with it shall be delivered a sealed 
Packet, with the same Motto on the Outside, 
and with the Author's Name on the Inside. 
VII. 
All the Dissertations, the successful Ones 
excepted, shall be returned, with the Packets, 
containing the Names of the Authors, un- 
opened. 
VIII.

(21)
VIII. 
Ordinary and such Correspondent as have 
been Ordinary Members, shall alone be Can- 
didates for the Prizes.
CHAP. XIV. 
VISITORS. 
Rule I. 
Each Member may, at every Meeting of 
the Society, introduce one Visitor; but not 
more than one, under the Penalty of One 
Shilling. The Presidents shall not be limited 
in this Respect. 
II. 
The Name of each Visitor shall be delivered 
in Writing to the President, by the Member 
introducing him, under the Penalty of One 
Shilling. Under the same Penalty, the Mem- 
ber shall also insert the Visitor's Name in a 
Book kept for that Purpose. 
III.

(22)
III. 
Any Member introducing a Visitor after the 
Society has met, shall forfeit Six-pence. 
IV. 
The same Gentleman shall not be introduced 
as a Visitor, more than twice in a Session, under 
the Penalty of One Shilling, to be paid by the 
Member introducing him. 
V. 
The Visitors shall be entitled equally with 
the Members, to join in the Debates of the 
Society.
VI. 
No Visitor shall be present during the Trans- 
action of private Business. 
N.B. The above Regulations respect Honorary, 
as well as Ordinary Members.
CHAP.

(23)
CHAP. XV. 
Expulsion of Members. 
Rule I. 
Any Member dissatisfied with the conduct of 
another, may accuse him. The Accusation 
must be delivered to the President in Writing, 
and by him be read to the Society on the 
Meeting previous to that, on which it shall be 
determined. 
II. 
The accused Member shall be informed by 
the Secretary, of the Charge made against 
him, and of the Day appointed for its Determi- 
nation. 
III. 
The Determination shall be by Ballot; two- 
thirds of the Society present approving the Ac- 
cusation, the accused Party shall be expelled. If 
less than two-thirds appear in its Favour, the Ac- 
cuser shall forfeit One Guinea. 
IV. 
Members improperly disclosing any De- 
bates or Resolutions of the Society during 
private Business, shall be liable to the Penalty
of


(24)
of Ten Shillings and Six-pence; to be deter- 
mined by the Majority of the Society. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Altering of Laws. 
Rule I. 
No Proposal for Alteration in the Laws shall 
be made, except in a Meeting consisting of at 
least Ten Members. 
II. 
Such Proposal must be delivered in Writ- 
ing to the President, and by him be read to the 
Society. It must then be entered on the 
Minutes, and remain a Fortnight before it 
can be balloted for. 
III. 
If three-fourths of the Society appear in 
Favour of the Proposal, it shall be received 
as a Law; if less than three-fourths, it shall 
be rejected, and the Proposer fined Two Shil- 
lings and Six-pence. 
ORDER

(25)
Order of the Business at each Meeting. 
Public Business. 
1. The Chair shall be taken at Seven o’Clock. 
2. The Names of the Ordinary Members 
called over. 
3. Visitors declared by the President. 
4. The Public Minutes of the preceding Meet- 
ing read. 
5. Medical News and Observations received. 
This to conclude at Eight o'Clock. 
6. The Dissertation intended for Discussion 
at the ensuing Meeting, read by the 
Author. 
7. The Dissertation read by the Author at 
the preceding Meeting, discussed, 
This to conclude at Ten o’ Clock, 
Private Business. 
1. The private Minutes shall be read and con- 
firmed; the Visitors having previously 
withdrawn. 
2. The Dissertation received by the Secretary. 
3. The Author of the Dissertation next to be 
delivered, declared. 
E 4. New

(26)
4. New elected Members introduced, and Laws 
signed by them. 
5. New Members proposed. 
6. The Ballot declared. 
7. Reports of Committees, or other miscella- 
neous Business of the Society, attended 
to. 
8. The Money collected, 
9. The Society adjourned. 
INDEX.

(27)
INDEX. 
CHAP. I. 
PAGE 
Of the Society.—Its Meetings, &c-3 
CHAP. II. 
Election of Members-5
CHAP. III. 
Ordinary Members-6 
CHAP. IV. 
Corresponding Members-8 
CHAP. V. 
Honorary Members-ibid 
CHAP. VI. 
Presidents-9 
CHAP. VII. 
Library and Librarian-11 
CHAP. VIII. 
Treasurer-13 
CHAP.

(28)
CHAP. IX.
PAGE  
Secretary-13 
CHAP. X.
Committee-14
CHAP. XI. 
Printing Committee-15 
CHAP. XII. 
Dissertations-17 
CHAP. XIII. 
Prize Dissertations-19 
CHAP. XIV. 
Visitors-21
CHAP. XV. 
Expulsion of Members-23 
CHAP. XVI. 
Altering of Laws-24 
Order of the Business at each Meeting. 
Public Business-25 
Private Business-ibid 
FINIS.