INAUGURAL AND ANNIVERSARY 
ADDRESSES 
DELIVERED BEFORE THE 
MEDICAL SOCIETY 
OF THF STATE OF NEW YORK, 
AT ITS 
SIXTY-NINTH SESSION, 
Held at the City of Albany, February 2d, 3d, and 4th, 1875. 
BY THE PRESIDENT, 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER, M.D., 
OF SING SING, N. Y. 
NEW YORK: 
G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS, 
Fourth Ave. and Twenty-Third St. 
1875. INAUGURAL AND ANNIVERSARY 
ADDRESSES 
DELIVERED BEFORE THE 
MEDICAL SOCIETY 
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 
AT ITS 
SIXTY-NINTH SESSION, 
Held at the City of Albany, February 2d, 3d, and 4th, 1875. 
BY THE PRESIDENT, 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER, M.D., 
OF SING SING, N. Y. 
NEW YORK: 
G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS, 
Fourth Ave. and 28d St. 
1875. INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
Delivered February 2d, 1875, at the Opening of the Sixty-Ninth Session of the 
, Medical. Society of the State of New York, by the President, George Jackson 
Fisher, M. D., of Sing Sing, Westchester County, N. Y. 
Delegates and Members of the Medical Society of the State of New 
York: 
It is alike my duty and pleasure to offer you cordial greetings 
on this, the sixty-ninth, anniversary of our venerable and beloved 
Society. 
The interval of our sessions is long, and distance separates us 
widely from each other; stern, demanding and responsible duties, 
and endless and perplexing cares absorb our minds and sympathies 
throughout the tedious year. How eagerly do we look forward 
for the appointed day when, laying aside our cares, committing our 
patients to the charge of friends, commending them and our 
families to a kind Providence, regardless of distance or the rigors 
of an almost arctic mid-winter, we converge from every section of 
our great commonwealth that we may sit down together in medical 
council. We come in the interests of humanity, in the name and 
for the love of science, to lay our offerings on the altar of progress; 
we come to celebrate the annual feast, to greet our old friends, to 
refresh, renewT and increase our acquaintance with less familiar 
associates; to inspire our ambition and quicken our enthusiasm in 
all that relates to the profession of our choice. Albany has been 
the Mecca to which the profession has made an annual pilgrimage 
for an age. Let us hope and strive to make the present session no 
less pleasant and profitable than any that have hitherto been held 
in this good city. 
Permit me to take this first occasion to express my gratitude, 
gentlemen, for the distinguished compliment of having been 
unanimously elected to preside over the deliberations of the 
largest, most active and important State Medical Society in the 
Union. While I appreciate the honor which you have conferred 
upon me, I am not insensible of my inexperience, and my inability 
to perform the duties of the office with the dignity and grace 
which has characterized so many of my very illustrious prede- 2 
GEORGK JACKSON FISHER. 
It is a matter of congratulation and thankfulness that the past 
year has been one of general prosperity and signal immunity from 
diseases of an epidemical or pestilential character. 
I am not aware of any brilliant discoveries in any of the medi- 
cal sciences which specially characterize the period since our last 
meeting, yet there is abundant evidence of increasing interest 
among the mass of physicians ill the more purely scientific inves- 
tigations, as well as in the literature of the profession. This is 
manifested by greater activity in the older medical associations 
and the formation of new societies, both general and special; also, 
by the increase of medical, chirurgical, therapeutical, gynecologi- 
cal, neurological, electrological, opthalmological, dermatological 
and syphilographical archives, reviews and journals. 
It may be well to sustain them all, though I must confess the 
tendency to minute subdivision of medical topics and the multi- 
plication of special journals and special societies may be carried 
too far, and thus beget a spirit of clannishness and disintegration 
of the corps medicale. Perhaps a lesson can be learned from the 
past history of medical journalism in this country. A recent 
reviewer of the catalogue of the library of the Surgeon General's 
Office, U. S. A. (American Journal, of the Medical Science, April, 
1874), says: “The large number of short-lived journals which 
have been from time to time published in our own country has 
often been commented upon, but we confess we were somewhat 
surprised to learn that the grand total of distinct medical journals 
issued up to the present time in the United States and British 
America is more than 450, and that the average number of vol- 
umes for each journal is somewhat less than five. In view of 
this rather melancholy record of brief existences, we may perhaps 
be pardoned for a little feeling of gratification in the reflection that 
this April number completes the ninety-third consecutive volume 
of our own American Journal. ' 
Would it not be better for us to sustain, by our subscriptions 
and scientific contributions, the well-established journals, all of 
which have special departments, instead of giving to a limited 
medium what should interest the profession at large? Let us 
never forget the mutual dependencies existing between all the 
various organs and functions of the body, and the consequent 
unity of medicine. 
This reference to the medical journals leads me to speak of our 
volume of “ Transactions.” One reason why our Society has been INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
3 
favored with so small a number of medical papers in years past 
is undoubtedly owing to the inexcusable tardiness with which our 
“ Transactions ” have been hitherto published. This is an evil 
which calls for immediate reform. We had hoped that the first vol- 
ume of the new or independent series would have been issued soon 
after the anniversary meeting, but for several causes, and perhaps 
chiefly the old-time custom of Albany printers, it did not reach 
the hands of the subscribers rfntil the eleventh hour of exhausted 
patience, or literally the eleventh month of the year. Papers 
intended for this Society should be in complete readiness for the 
committee of publication without requiring subsequent revision, 
and a printer should be found, here or elsewhere, who will issue 
our annual volume with becoming promptitude. There is a 
popular opinion, not altogether without foundation, that an article 
printed in the transactions of a medical society is literally buried 
alive. If our volume is brought out promptly, and a copy pre- 
sented to each of the leading medical journals of this country, and 
a few of the British, their bibliographical notices and reviews will 
be certain to create a demand for it equal to its merits. The 
papers in the various “ Transactions” and “Hospital Beports” of 
London and Edinburgh are by no means lost to the professional 
world. Where there is merit there will be notoriety. 
I hope the Society will authorize and direct the secretary to 
present, hereafter, from twenty-live to fifty copies to such journals 
as the committee of publication may designate. 
And now, since I have taken it upon myself to make sugges- 
tions, I would respectfully ask if it would not be better in future 
to require but one address of the president. The so-called “ In- 
augural Address ” is a somewhat modern innovation, having been 
first proposed in 1845. I see no good reason for setting apart an 
evening in the middle of our session for a formal “ Anniversary 
Discourse." It has a look of consequence and pretension, and 
implies great expectations, which sends terror to the head and 
heart of presiding officers, who, like your humble servant, are 
unaccustomed to public speaking. Would it not serve the pur- 
poses of the Society quite as well to have but one address, which 
should be delivered at the opening of the session, or immediately 
after dinner of the first day, when the attendance would be greater, 
and the confusion consequent upon the organization of the Society 
and the arrival and registration of members would be avoided ? 
The address should be upon the past, present and prospective 4 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
state of the profession, with such suggestions as would be best 
calculated to direct the action of the Society. It should be to the 
Society what the Governor’s message is to the Legislature. 
I have prepared an address, to be delivered to-morrow evening, 
which consists of a brief history of this Society, from the com- 
mencement to the present time, with here and there a few com- 
mentaries and some suggestions which may be of value to the 
members should they be disposed to discuss the matter of change 
of plan in the election of permanent members, and to the com- 
mittee on nominations before they decide finally upon the choice 
of officers for the ensuing year. * 
There are many subjects to which I would be glad to direct 
your attention, such as the importance of systematic drainage, 
and the various agencies in the production of disease over which 
enlightened science and intelligent art can exercise a potential 
influence, and thus ward off pestilential diseases, which ought to be 
generally understood and regarded as “ God’s protests against 
nastiness.” Time will not permit me to more than glance at a 
few of the matters which should engage your attention. 
It is my melancholy duty to announce that death has entered 
our ranks during the past year and removed two of our late presi- 
dents, and several of our worthy permanent members. Two of 
the latter, Caleb W. Haight, of Pleasantville, and Philander 
Stewart, of Peekskill, were my intimate personal friends and 
immediate neighbors, both being residents of Westchester county. 
The other permanent members, who have died during the past 
year, are Peter P. Staats and John Furgerson, both of Albany; 
William Tibbitts, of Mechanicsville, and Samuel Shumway, of 
Essex. 
It is with peculiar grief that I announce the death of our dearly 
beloved brethren, who were ever-present, cheerful and genial 
members and former presidents of the society—two gentlemen 
whose absence makes a sad void in our assembly, and whose 
memories will long and affectionately be cherished by us—Prof. 
James McNaughton, of Albany, who died in Paris, France, June 
11, 1874, aged 78 years, and Daniel P. Bissell, of Utica, who 
died October 29th, 1874, at the age of 72 years. 
* On reflection, it was thought best to read, from the anniversary address, that 
portion relating to permanent members, officers, change of time of meeting, &c., 
with a view to securing the early action of the Society, should it be deemed desirable 
to change the mode of electing permanent members, or altering the time or place of 
meeting. INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
5 
Of the forty-nine persons who have been elected presidents of 
this society, death has taken every one from 1807 to 1851, inclu- 
sive ; the entire list, for a period of forty-five years, is marked 
with the little emblematic asterisk, denoting that every one has paid 
the debt of nature, and that his star has set forever. Previous to 
1861 five only are living, thirty-two in all are dead, and only 
seventeen survive. 
At the head of our published “ List of Permanent Members,” 
the following resolutions, which were passed in 1849, will be found : 
“ Resolved, That in case of the death of a member of this 
Society, it shall be the duty of the nearest censor in the district 
in which he resided to transmit to the secretary a professional 
obituary, of suitable length for publication in the ‘ Transactions of 
the Society.’ 
“ Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the secretary to cause 
to be published in the yearly 1 Transactions ’ of this Society, a list 
of living members thereof, with the above resolution appended 
thereto, and at each meeting to call the roll of members, and if 
any are reported as having died during the year, the presiding 
officer shall appoint some member to perform the above duty.” 
I am disposed to believe that these resolutions have been over- 
looked, and heretofore not carried out. 
I think it would be an appropriate little mark of respect for the 
memory of our departed brethren to introduce into our annual 
volume one or more memorial leaves, headed by the words, 
“ In Memoriam," and surrounded by a black border, on which the 
name, age, date of death, and place of residence of all permanent 
and honorary members who have died during the previous year, 
should be printed in large and handsome type. This is not 
intended to supersede the necessity for the usual biographical 
notices, but merely as a memorial tablet. 
One of the most important matters that has perplexed the pro- 
fession during the past year, has been the question of the value 
and practicability of the new medical registry law and the best 
means of carrying it into satisfactory operation. In several coun- 
ties it has been entirely ignored, while in others it has been but 
imperfectly executed. No standard of professional knowledge 
has been laid down in the provisions of the bill, the candidate 
being merely required to furnish “ a certificate from the censors of 
some one of the several medical societies of this State, either from the 
county, district, or State society; which certificate shall set forth 6 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
that said censors have found the person to whom it was issued 
qualified to practice all of the branches of the medical art men- 
tioned in it.” 
If a doubtful candidate cannot find an easy entrance into one 
society, he can try another, and thus go on “ prospecting” until he 
finds a society of easy Regulars, easier Homoeopaths, or easiest 
Eclectics, whose censors will readily find him qualified to practice 
any branch of the “ medical art ” for which he may have a prefer- 
ence; being thus armed with a “certificate" he is duly and legally 
prepared for registration in the county clerk’s “ book,” the public 
in the meantime having no “ Register, printed by authority,” in 
which to learn his qualifications. 
This is unquestionably a very defective and unsatisfactory law. 
It is my opinion that we want a “ Medical Act ” in this State, if 
not in the general government, of the same kind as that which 
has been in successful operation in Great Britian since 1858, to a 
brief consideration of some of the principal features of which I 
will direct your attention. 
It is founded on the common-sense principle that “ it is expe- 
dient that persons requiring medical aid should be enabled to 
distinguish qualified from unqualified practitioners.” It estab- 
lishes a “ General Council of Medical Education and Registration 
of the United Kingdom,” to consist of one person chosen from each 
of seventeen chartered medical colleges, which are specified, together 
with six other medical persons nominated by Her Majesty with 
the consent of her privy council. 
This council publish annually, “by authority,” a “Medical 
Register ” containing the names of all “ legally” or “ duly quali- 
fied medical practitioners in the United Kingdom, arranged in 
alphabetical order, with date of registration, residence, and quali- 
fication, with the dates of obtaining the latter.” The “Medical 
Register,” as published, is a large-sized octavo of over 500 pages 
containing over 20,000 names. The council supply about 2,000 
copies to the courts, coroners and other government officers for 
their use. It is sold at four shillings. The fee for registration is 
five pounds sterling. No additional fee is required to keep the 
name in the annual revisions of the “ Register.” All money received 
from the sale of the “ Register,” and for penalties for violation of the 
“ Medical Act,” to be applied for expense of registration and the 
execution of the act. Registered persons only enjoy the right to 
practice and collect fees ; they are also exempted from serving on INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
7 
juries, in the militia, or in certain public offices not desirable for 
physicians to hold. Unregistered persons cannot hold public 
medical appointments in the army, navy, or in hospitals, dispensa- 
ries, &c. No certificate is valid unless written by a registered 
person. Severe punishment is inflicted for obtaining registration by 
false representation, or falsely pretending to be registered. Legal 
qualification to entitle a person to registration does not require as 
a test or condition “ an obligation to adopt or refrain from adopt- 
ing the practice of any particular theory of medicine or surgery." 
“ The Medical Register ” is authority in courts of law for “ legal 
professional qualifications.’’ 
A careful study of this law, and its admirable operation in Great 
Britain, leads me to believe that, with slight modification, it could 
be adopted in this country. 
Our Society has, from time to time, published the medical laws 
of the State of New York. As much confusion exists in the minds 
of many of our profession as to what laws are now operative, and 
which have been repealed, it would appear to be desirable that all 
the laws relating to the medical profession should be properly 
codified, and I accordingly recommend that the Society appoint 
some suitable person to perform this duty. 
1 desire to call your attention to a subject which has been dis- 
cussed to some extent in former years. 
This Society has for sixty-nine years, without a single exception, 
held its anniversary meetings in this city, always commencing the 
first Tuesday in February. Recently the question of the propriety 
and advantage of a change of both time and place of meeting has 
been suggested, in view of several considerations. 
The original and chief objects of contemporaneous sessions of 
the State Medical Society and the Legislature was a presumed 
mutual benefit, the former to be consulted in an advisory and 
professional manner upon matters relating to public health and 
required sanitary enactments, and the latter to return the compli 
ment by protecting the medical profession and the general public 
from the pretensions of irregular and unscientific systems of medi- 
cine and every form of arrant quackery, which then, as in all times 
past, now, and perhaps in future, will continue to delude that 
large element of every community that responds to the note of the 
loudest clarion, that enrolls itself under the banner of novelty 
and so-called reform, and whose sympathies are the result of defect- 
ive information and constitutional credulity. 8 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
Now that we have been cast aside by the Legislature, after 
having been reduced to the general level of all medical sects and 
pretenders, our council ignored, all protective legal enactments 
abrogated, our contributions to the science of prolonging life vir- 
tually declared to be trash, unworthy of a place even among that 
mass of questionable legislative literature which annually issues 
from the prolific presses’of the public job printers; having been 
thus compelled to assume an independence which will undoubt- 
edly result in every way to our prosperity, activity and utility, 
and assuredly to our dignity and honor, we now have nothing to 
look for or to expect from our “ most potent, grave and reverend 
seigniors,” our “very noble and approved good masters,” and hence 
it would appear that we have scarcely any good and sufficient 
reason for hereafter leaving our houses and our firesides (stoves, 
registers and steam pipes) in the dead waste and middle of the 
most inclement season of the year, and at an arbitrary and fixed 
date, which invariably brings us in this crowded capital in contact 
with the legitimate and illegitimate branches of the Legislature, 
delegates to the State Agricultural Society, the State Military 
Association, the Court of Appeal, the Conclave of the Grand 
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York, &c., so 
that we, the humble disciples of Aesculapius, are crowded into the 
attics of lofty hotels, and jostled at every turn by honorables and 
dishonorables, by judges and jurists, generals of high and low 
degree, worshipful masters, sir knights and royal archers. 
Yet, with all these objections, I am not fully prepared to say 
that either a change of time or place of meeting will be likely to 
prove advantageous to the best interests of the Society. 
We are, perhaps, singular in this respect, as I am not aware that 
any other State medical society meets in mid-winter, or always in 
the same locality. If our sessions were held in September, as 
proposed by one of my predecessors, we would have the advan- 
tage of the attendance of many medical professors, who are now 
debarred by the occurrence of this meeting at a time when the 
medical colleges are in full blast. 
If the Legislature would graciously grant us a commodious 
room in the new capitol, be it the same that I shall propose in my 
anniversary address for a medical department of the State Library, 
wherein we can in future hold our annual meetings surrounded 
by the accumulated bibliographical wealth of our profession, cab- 
inets of instruments, models, specimens of the materia medtca, INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
9 
portraits and busts of medical worthies, and everything calculated 
to endear us to the spot, I think we would waive the consideration 
of change of place, and at a more congenial season of the year 
continue our annual pilgrimages to what we would then regard 
the medical Mecca and the temple of Aesculapius. 
I am aware of the value of your time, and your impatience to 
proceed to the active business of the Society, and yet I feel 
impelled by the necessities of our profession and the wants of the 
community, to ask your renewed elforts in behalf of the insane of 
the State. 
That nervous disorders have increased very rapidly for some 
years past, is a well-known fact. That insanity, which is the 
highest type or expression of neurotic disease, has also increased, 
would be a logical inference, hardly requiring in its support the 
confirmation to be found in the census returns. 
It is certainly a source of satisfaction that through the efforts of 
our profession insanity has been eliminated from the domain of 
demonology, and placed upon a basis of rational medical treat- 
ment ; that a disease which dethrones reason, the highest attri- 
bute of man, is now recognized as a bodily malady as amenable to 
remedies as other forms of bodily ailment. Dr. Edward Jarvis, 
referring to the curability of insanity, remarks : “ In a perfect 
state of things, when the best appliances which the science and 
skill of the age have provided for healing are offered to the 
lunatics in as early a stage of their malady as they are to those who 
are attacked with fever or dysentery, probably eighty, and possibly 
ninety, per cent, would be restored, and only twenty, and perhaps 
ten, per cent, would be left among the constant insane population.” 
In confirmation of this statement of Dr. Jarvis, I quote the 
following from a recent report of the State Asylum at Utica:— 
“Oneida county sends all her insane here at once, and the result 
is a large percentage of cures and a very slow increase of incur- 
ables. From January, 1843—the opening of the asylum—to 
January, 1865, Oneida county sent 796 patients—489 at public 
and 307 at private charge. Of these 796 patients there were, 
January 1, 1865— 
“ In this Asylum at public charge 32 
“ “ “ private “ 10 
“ Oneida County Asylum 50 
92 
“ Since recovered or now convalescent 7 
85 10 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
“ Of the 85 who remain uncured at public and private charge, 9 
were epileptic, 1 paralytic, 18 chronic cases, and 12 were demented 
imbeciles wlien admitted, and were received only for custodial 
care.” 
From the above table it appears that but 85 out of 796, or 
about ten per cent, of the whole number treated, is left among “the 
constant insane population” of Oneida county, and of these 85 we 
are informed by Dr. Gray that 40 were chronic patients when 
admitted to the asylum. Throwing these out, as not included in 
Dr. Jarvis’ conditions of treatment, and there would remain but five 
per cent. 
The following, from the report of the commissioners appointed 
to select a site for the Hudson River State Hospital, presents 
evidence as sad as it is incontrovertible of the truth of Dr. Brig- 
ham’s assertion that “ it is the neglect of this early treatment that 
fills the almshouses and asylums of the country with incurable 
insane.” The commissioners remark:—“From the report of the 
late Dr. Willard it appears that there were 1,345 insane persons 
in the poorhouses and county receptacles of the State. On the 
basis of Dr. Macdonald’s calculation, seven per cent., or 192, of 
these will recover without treatment, and 1,253 will remain in the 
county houses, a public charge, during the 18 years which the life 
tables of La Cappalain and of the English Lunacy Commissioners 
state as the average duration of life in the incurably insane. 
Estimating the weekly cost of these 1,253 at $1.50 each, the 
expense of maintenance would be:—For one week, $1,879.50; 
for one year, $97,734; for 18 years of lunacy life, $1,759,212. 
Could these 1,345 have received the benefits of early hospital 
treatment, 1,022 would have recovered. Their average period of 
treatment would have been 10 months, and the monthly cost of 
each $16, and the aggregate expense of their care and cure would 
have amounted to $163,000. The expense of providing hospital 
treatment for 18 years of lunacy life in the remaining 323 incur- 
ables would amount, at $16 each per month, to $1,116,288. The 
total cost of the hospital system, applied to the 1,345, would thus 
amount in the aggregate to $1,279,288, against $1,759,212, the 
cost of providing for the insane in almshouses and county 
receptacles, and leave a balance of $479,924, or nearly a half 
million, in favor of hospital treatment. 
In view of erroneous impressions and consequent want of 
sympathy which has of late manifested itself, and found expression INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
11 
in the public newspapers, calculated to disparage the completion 
of certain hospitals for the acute insane, now in course of erection, 
under the plea that too much of the public money is being 
expended in needless ornamentation and luxurious appointments, 
I have felt that it is my duty to bring this subject before you, in 
order to elicit your influence in the communities in which you live 
in behalf of these great charities. 
I have visited the Hudson River Hospital for the treatment of 
acute and recent insanity, now partly built at Poughkeepsie. 
It is intended to serve over twenty counties, which pay two-thirds 
of the taxes levied in the State of New York. This hospital, as 
far as erected, is probably the best constructed and in all respects 
the best adapted to its purpose of any similar institution in the 
world. It should be completed in the same substantial, thorough 
and complete manner in which it was commenced, and that, too, 
as soon as possible. 
The voice of science and humanity demands its speedy comple- 
tion, and the same can be said of all similar institutions undertaken 
by our great and wealthy State. 
There are several minor matters to which I desire to call your 
attention before entering upon the practical duties of presiding 
officer. First, that your president is unfamiliar with parliamentary 
rules and usages, and therefore will be obliged to beg your indul- 
gence and ask your assistance should knotty questions arise in the 
course of our deliberations. It is to be hoped, however, that 
members will avoid technicalities and excessive punctilio. 
That every gentleman who desires to speak or make any com- 
munication to the Society will be kind enough to give his name 
and county, unless he is assured that the president already knows 
him, as it is no small satisfaction for every member and delegate 
to know to whom they are listening, and it will also prevent the 
too frequent practice of whispering to each other to obtain infor- 
mation of personal identity. 
Also, that gentlemen will avoid all conversation within this 
room during the sessions—a little sin of which few, in times past, 
have been guiltless. 
That the Business Committee, and all others in authority, will 
prevent the distribution of catalogues, specimen numbers of 
journals, pamphlets, &c., during the hours devoted to the legiti- 
mate objects and work of this Society. 
All these modes of advertisement should be restricted to the 12 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
ante-rooms, as much confusion and unpleasant diversion from the 
subjects before the Society have been experienced, on former 
occasions, by little “ side shows” of apparatus, books, &c. 
I would suggest that in future, and as far as practicable on the 
present occasion, gentlemen having papers of considerable length, 
requiring over fifteen minutes to read, should present them in 
abstract to the Society, with a brief summary of conclusions, 
sufficient to give an intelligent idea of their value, with a view to 
discussion. It is the interchange of ideas, and the statement of 
experience and personal observation, which render our sessions 
interesting and valuable. ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
Before the Medical Society of the State of New York, at its Sixty-ninth Annual 
Session, by George Jackson Fisher, M. D., President of the Society; delivered 
in the Assembly Chamber, at Albany, N. Y., February 3, 1875. 
Members of the Medical Society of the State of New York: 
Three score years and nine have rolled away since the Medical 
Society of the State of New York held its first anniversary meet- 
ing in this ancient city. 
On the fourth day of April, 1806, the Legislature passed “ An 
act to incorporate medical societies for the purpose of regulating 
the practice of physic and surgery in this State.” 
When this law was enacted, the State of New York was divided 
into thirty-five counties, and now into sixty. The entire population 
was then about 700,000, and now 4,000,000. Then about 800 doc- 
tors, such as they were, practiced without ethics or organization or 
any legal restraint, and now 6,000 physicians, such as they are, make 
up the ranks of our State medical army—not a few of these are 
still sadly in need of “regulating.” Then, according to the old 
“ Gazetteers,” this good city of Albany contained “ a little over 
1,000 houses, and 7,000 inhabitants, with their gable ends turned 
to the streets,” and now it boasts of a population of 80,000. Four 
years subsequent to this period, viz. : in 1810, your then infant sister 
city or village of Buffalo embraced a little neighborhood of but 
1,508 souls; now it is the eleventh in point of population, if not 
in commercial importance, among the cities of the United States. 
It has long since outgrown you by an amount equal to half of 
your present population, having the immense number of 120,000. 
This 40,000, of which Buffalo exceeds Albany, is a moderate 
figure in these days, but in 1806, aside from New York City, it 
would have nearly equalled the combined populations of all the 
other cities and large towns in the State. Then Albany, with her 
7,000, was equal to both Brooklyn and Poughkeepsie combined, 
each having 3,500 inhabitants. Where were Troy, Utica, 
Syracuse and Rochester? They then had no existence! Now, 
this capital city, occupying the site of the second settlement after 
Jamestown, Virginia, made within the limits of the original thirteen 2 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
States, the point where Hendrick Hudson moored his little yacht 
“Half Moon,” in September, 1609, and where adventurous and 
solid Dutchmen settled five years later, this good and ancient city 
of Albany now contains the same amount of population that New 
York City contained when the medical law above referred to was 
enacted. A million pairs of human lungs now breathe the air of 
Manhattan Island, and another million breathes that within its 
immediate neighborhood. 
How rapid and how vast the growth ! Profound hygienic prob- 
lems present themselves to the conservators of the public health, 
and sanitarians are put to their wits to devise means to counteract 
the damage to life which all this condensation of humanity must 
necessarily occasion. In the endeavor to solve these problems, 
the unselfishness of our profession has been strikingly illustrated. 
The public little know how much difficult labor and study have 
been bestowed in this direction, and that too without money and 
without price. The broad field of “ preventive medicine ” 
requires to be extensively cultivated, and by so doing mankind 
will be vastly more benefited than by all that can result from mere 
“ restorative medicine.” 
The selection of the proper theme for the anniversary address 
has been to me a source of much anxiety and perplexity. It is 
difficult to find a subject which is likely to be interesting to a large 
body like this. “ Medical Progress ” has served long and well, 
and for ages has been the favorite text and staple of a large per- 
centage of the annual addresses before medical societies in all 
countries. Notwithstanding that great strides are making in 
every department of the medical arts and sciences, they are or 
ought to be sufficiently well known to every gentleman in our 
profession with the present easy and extensive modes of diffusing 
the results of the most recent activities in medical research and 
experience. 
The press is overwhelming us with periodical and standard 
medical literature, with Reports, Recorders and Retrospects, Mono- 
graphs, Systems and Cyclopedias, Proceedings, Transactions and 
Reviews. Medical progress is our daily study. 
An inquiry, extended through the annals to the beginning of 
this Society, shows that at eight of its anniversary sessions no 
address was delivered, prepared or published, owing to the absence 
or illness of the president. 
Of the sixty which were delivered and published in the “ Trans- 3 
ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
actions,” twenty-six were on the “ Medical Profession," “ Medical 
Education,” and “ Medical Progress,” all more or less pleasant, 
entertaining and useful, no doubt. Two were on subjects relating 
to medical jurisprudence ; two on homoeopathy and quackery; 
eight were on public health and the diseases of the State ; one on 
the study of pathological anatomy ; four were medical biogra- 
phies or on medical history; six on insanity and nervous dis- 
eases ; eleven were on single diseases, including puerperal fever, 
typhoid fever, inflammatory fever, diseases of the digestive organs, 
dysentery, cholera, the liver, small-pox, cow-pox, white swelling 
of the joints. 
In casting about, almost in despair, to find a subject for this 
“ Sixty-ninth Anniversary Address,” I at last resolved to start out 
with a brief history of our venerable Society. In taking a retrospec- 
tive glance at its aims, efforts and results, the early and subsequent 
condition of the medical profession of the State, I shall make no 
attempt at fine writing, elegance of style or rhetoric, but confine 
myself to plain matters of fact, with such practical observations 
as the various topics may suggest. I will first take a cursory 
view of the state of the profession when this Society came into 
existence; then of the Society itself, its presiding officers, its mem- 
bership, the attendance, its more notable acts and suggestions, and 
its contributions to medical literature as found in its publications, 
which I have arranged under specific heads, with a view to the 
diffusion of a more general knowledge of their extent and value, 
and at the same time to facilitate future reference to this repository 
of medical essays. In this manner I have thought that I could 
do the Society the best service, and claim the merit of usefulness, 
even though it be at the expense of weariness, for which I must 
beg your pardon and crave your indulgence during the tedium of 
this hour. 
To whom are we indebted for the comprehensive and far-seeing 
wisdom and the executive zeal required to originate and initiate a 
scheme which should at once unite the worthy members of a noble 
profession, not merely in a bond of common fellowship and for 
protection against the arrogant pretensions of quacks and charla- 
tans, then abounding, and, if possible, exceeding in relative num- 
bers the same class of miserable parasites with which the present 
age is infested, but also associating them for the more exalted and 
laudable purpose of improving the medical sciences and the worthy 
art of healing ? 4 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
Few, if any, in all this assembly, numerous as are the venerable 
heads that I see before me, can remember to have seen any of the 
individuals of that little band of a dozen noble pioneers who were 
the founders of the Medical Society of the State of New York. 
The correct story of the origin of this Society has been told and 
placed on record by one of its most active founders,* its first 
secretary, John Stearns, who served in this capacity and as treas- 
urer during the first eleven years of its existence, and subsequently 
graced the presidential chair during four successive terms. 
Dr. John Stearns, while secretary, hailed from Saratoga county; 
from Albany during his presidential terms in 1818, 19, and '20, 
and at the time of his fourth election to the presidency, in 1821, 
he was a resident of the city of New York, where he continued to 
reside the remainder of his life, which terminated in 1848, at the 
ripe age of three-quarters of a century. I shall quote his own 
words : “ The influence which medical societies have had upon the 
profession, and the general misapprehension of their origin, impart 
to this topic an interest which I trust will not be deemed inappro- 
priate. This interest is enhanced by the consideration that the 
time will soon elapse when those who were concerned in originat- 
ing this law will have passed the confines of time without having 
left a single record of the fact, by which the numerous errors 
which have obtained publicity in our scientific journals might be 
corrected, and justice rendered to whom it is due.” 
It would appear that even in the early years of the Society mis- 
apprehension prevailed in regard to the originators of the medical 
law and the founders of the State Society. In the first volume of 
Silliman's Journal of Science, the credit is given jointly to Drs. Bruce 
and llomayne of New York City, and in the address of the President 
of the Medical Society of the County of New York, in 1824, he 
gives the glory to that body, saying: “This is the parent society 
from which the other institutions of a similar character throughout 
the State have emanated.” Dr. Stearns emphatically denies this, 
and says: “ I take this occasion explicitly to state that neither 
Dr. Bruce, nor Dr. Romayne, nor ‘this medical society,’ nor any 
physician then resident in the city of New York, had any knowl- 
edge of the preliminary measures which led to the formation of 
this law, or the most remote agency in procuring its passage 
through the Legislature. These measures were commenced exclu- 
sively in the county of Saratoga, with a view to reclaim the pro- 
* N. Y. Med. and Phys. Jour., Vol. 7, p. 380. 1828. ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
5 
fession from that degradation and contempt to which it had been re- 
duced by ignorance, professional broils, and the grossest empiricism. 
“ Those who witnessed the original and progressive settlement of 
the northern and western sections of this State since the year 1790 
will recognize the mania that infatuated the emigrants from the 
East, and the ambitious projects formed by those who assumed the 
title of Doctor. Many who had never read a volume in medicine 
were suddenly introduced to an extensive practice and to a reputa- 
tion of such imposing authority as to control the opinions of their 
superiors in science and to prescribe rules of practice for their 
government. Consultations were generally distinguished for gross 
controversies at the bedside of the patient, whose health and life 
were often immolated to the ignorance, prejudices or discordant 
theories of the contending physicians. Their skill was generally 
graduated by their ability to magnify the cures they had made. 
Gratifying, indeed, it would be, at this enlightened period, to be 
able to bear testimony to the total extinction of this relic of 
quackery, and to the abolition of that still more ridiculous and 
growing imposture, that indignity of our profession, which by the 
sign of a common vender converts the medical office, designed for 
the cure of all diseases, into a private infirmary for curing those 
only which belong to a particular organ. But so great has been 
the change in public opinion that empirics now seldom boast of 
their intuitive knowledge, their magic incantations or their initia- 
tion into the mysteries of Indian practice, but are compelled to 
assume the appearance of learning, and to affix to their names the 
fictitious appendage of M. D.—a proof that scientific physicians 
will always be patronized as the public mind becomes enlightened. 
The ignorance of the practitioners had so obscured the science of 
medicine, at the period referred to, that reflecting physicians united 
in the necessity of adopting vigorous measures for radical reform. 
“In 1796 a series of numbers were accordingly published in the 
newspapers of Saratoga which directed the attention of the pro- 
fession to the subject of instituting medical societies, and ulti- 
mately led to the formation of a society in that county, consisting 
of twenty-one physicians. But so discordant were its materials, 
and so incompetent to sustain the character of a scientific institu- 
tion, that the year of its formation became the period of its 
dissolution. This want of success did not prevent the renewal of 
future efforts. 
“ In November, 1805, another meeting was held, at which com- 6 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
mittees were appointed and a resolution passed to invite the 
co-operation of the physicians of the adjoining counties of 
Washington and Montgomery. The following is a copy of the 
printed circular issued on that occasion: 
“Ballston, November 1, 1805. 
“ Sir—At a meeting of physicians of the County of Saratoga, convened this day at 
the Court House in Ballston, for the purpose of devising means to improve the 
practice of medicine, we were appointed a committee to impart the object and wishes 
of that meeting to our professional brethren in the counties of Washington and 
Montgomery. In that capacity we beg leave to recommend to your earnest attention 
the necessity of adopting some vigorous measures for the suppression of empiricism 
and the encouragement of regular practitioners. The evil calls loudly for the united 
efforts of all who sincerely wish to remove from that valuable science the imputation 
of quackery, under which, from the ignorance of some of its professors, it not 
unjustly labors. The wish of the meeting is, to procure from the Legislature of the 
State their sanction to a Medical Society; and we request your attendance at the 
Court House in Ballston, on the 16th of January, 1806, at 10 o’clock A M., either in 
person or by a committee of your county, for the purpose of adopting the best means 
for obtaining an act of incorporation. 
“We remain. &c., 
“ Wm. Patrick, 
“John Stearns, 
“ Grant Powell, 
. “ Committee of Correspondence. 
“ Pursuant to the notice of this circular, a delegation from these 
counties attended the adjourned meeting at the same place, on the 
16th of January, 1806. A memorial to the Legislature was then 
reported, and adopted and signed, and a committee of three, 
consisting of Dr. Asa Fitch, of Washington, Dr. John Stearns, of 
Saratoga, and Dr. Alexander Sheldon, of Montgomery, were 
appointed to carry the same into effect. 
“The committee from Saratoga and Montgomery attended the 
ensuing session of the Legislature, and, fortunately for the cause 
of science, the latter gentleman, Dr. Alexander Sheldon, was 
elected Speaker of the House. Although the meeting at Saratoga 
did not contemplate the extension of the law beyond the limits of 
these three counties, the committee assumed the responsibility of 
making it general, .and of extending its privileges to every county 
in the State. 
“ Accompanied with this explanatory view of the subject, they 
presented the memorial to the House of Assembly on the 25th of 
February, 1806, who referred it to a committee, consisting of 
William Livingston and Isaac Sargeant, of Washington; Gurdon 
Huntington, of Otsego; John Ely, of Greene, and Joel Frost, of 
Westchester. The majority of this committee, being medical ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
7 
men, favorably received the proposed plan for a general law to 
extend the act of incorporation through the State, which they 
finally matured and reported to the House. The powerful opposi- 
tion to this bill threatened its early and prompt rejection by a 
large majority. The Speaker, the committee and several other 
members gave it a very able and vigorous support. But, notwith- 
standing all the exertions and political influence of its friends, the 
danger to which the tranquillity of the State would be exposed by 
the incorporation of forty distinct associations of physicians was so 
magnified by the opposition, and the impression thereby made 
upon the House was so great, that but feeble hopes were enter- 
tained of its success. 
“ At this critical juncture, when a decisive vote against the bill 
was every moment expected to be taken, the late Hon. William W. 
Van Ness rose its most eloquent and powerful advocate. And 
perhaps the pre-eminent powers of his parliamentary eloquence 
was never exerted with better effect. He refuted the arguments of 
the opposition, portrayed the benefits to the profession and to 
the public in such glowing colors and with so much energy and 
zeal, that the opposition became feeble, the friends to the bill in- 
creased, and from that moment the successful issue was rendered 
certain. To his memory do the profession owe a monument of 
marble, with their gratitude deeply engraven upon its tablet. 
“ On the first Tuesday of July, 1806, three months after the pas- 
sage of the law, about twenty societies were organized pursuant to 
its provisions, and within two years scarcely a county in the State 
of any considerable population was without a duly organized 
medical society.’" 
Dr. Stearns, in his account of the origin of this medical law, 
omitted to mention the important fact that it was provided in this 
statute that a central body should be formed, to consist of one 
delegate from each duly organized county society, and that its 
annual meetings were to be held in Albany on the first Tuesday in 
February. This law also provided that medical students were to 
be examined by either the State or county societies, from which 
they were to obtain diplomas, and that no persons should be allowed 
to practice medicine or surgery without a diploma from one of 
the societies. In the amendment of this law, in 1807, a penalty of 
twenty-five dollars was fixed for every violation of this provision. 
The county societies were permitted to hold property to the extent 
of one thousand and the State society five thousand dollars. It 8 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
was u further enacted, That it shall be lawful for each of the med- 
ical societies, to be established by virtue of this act, to cause to 
be raised and collected from each of the members of the society, a 
sum not exceeding three dollars in any one year, for the purpose 
of procuring a medical library and apparatus, and for the encour- 
agement of useful discoveries in chemistry, botany, and such other 
improvements as the majority of the society shall think proper.” 
Having noted the circumstances which gave rise to the important 
law by which the medical societies of this State were established, 
by whom it was originated and carried forward to a successful 
issue, its provisions and authority, as well as its necessity and 
purposes, I will next proceed to the character and extent of its 
MEMBERSHIP. 
This Society is a representative body, composed of delegates, per- 
manent and honorary members. The State of New York is now 
divided into sixty counties; the medical law of 1806, as we have 
seen, provided for the formation of a medical society for each county, 
and in accordance with this requirement we now have fifty-six 
county medical societies, only four counties having failed to organize 
them. It is to be hoped that ere long these few delinquents—- 
Allegan}'-, Hamilton, Putnam, and Wyoming—will awaken to a 
sense of their rights and duties by establishing societies and send- 
ing up their quota of delegates to this central body. 
The representation of the county societies in the State society 
is established on the basis of the representation in the lower House 
of the State Legislature. Each county medical society in good 
standing is now entitled to as many delegates as its county is to 
assemblymen. In addition to this each regular incorporated med- 
ical college in the State can send one delegate, and the New York 
Academy of Medicine five. A full representation, from one hun- 
dred and twenty-eight assembly districts, eight medical colleges, 
and the Academy of Medicine, would give this Society one hundred 
and forty-one delegates. At present we are entitled to one hundred 
and ihirty-seven. Delegates, unless permanent members, are 
required to serve four years, otherwise they forfeit their eligibility 
to permanent membership. 
All of the counties of the State are distributed into eight sena- 
torial districts. The first is entitled to forty-one delegates; the 
second to sixteen ; the third to fifteen; the fourth and fifth each 
to fourteen; the sixth to twelve ; the seventh to thirteen, and the 
eighth to sixteen delegates. ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
9 
These eight senatorial districts are again arranged under four 
cardinal or censorial districts, viz.: The Southern, embracing the 
first and second senatorial districts, entitled to fifty-seven delegates; 
the Eastern, embracing the third and fourth senatorial districts, 
entitled to twenty-nine; the Middle, embracing the fifth and sixth 
senatorial, entitled to twenty-six; the Western, composed of the 
seventh and eighth senatorial districts, represented by twenty-nine 
delegates. I have given these details as a part of the history of 
our Society, and for the benefit of some of our recent members, 
who may not be familiar with our plan of organization. I have also 
prepared a table of the counties included in each senatorial district, 
with the number of representatives to which they are entitled, 
and the number of permanent members each has had up to date. 
Table Showing the Counties in each District. Number of Permanent Members 
and Delegates. 
P. M. Del. 
1. Southern District... 122 57 
First Senatorial District 72 41 
New York. 62 21 
Kings 9 9 
Richmond 1 1 
Five Medical Colleges 5 
Academy of Medicine 5 
Second Senatorial Dist. 50 16 
Westchester 13 3 
Dutchess 10 2 
Orange 7 j 2 
Ulster 6 3 
Rockland 5 1 
Sullivan 4 1 
Queens 3 2 
Suffolk 2 1 
Putnam (no soc.) 1 
2. Eastern District 133 29 
Third Senatorial Dist.. 77 15 
Albany 38 4 
Rensselaer 14 3 
Columbia 10 2 
Greene 7 1 
Delaware 5 2 
Schoharie 2 1 
Schenectady. 1 1 
One Medical College. 1 
Fourth Senatorial Dist. 56 14 
Herkimer 15 1 
Montgomery 11 1 
Saratoga 10 2 
Washington 5 2 
Essex 4 1 
Warren 4 1 
Clinton 3 1 
St. Lawrence 3 3 
Fulton 1 £ 
. Franklin (no soc.) 1 
Hamilton £ 
P. M. Del. 
3. Middle District 106 26 
Fifth Senatorial District 57 14 
: Oneida 32 4 
Oswego 10 ! 3 
j Madison 6 < 2 
Otsego 6 2 
Jefferson 3 2 
Lewis 1 
Sixth Senatorial Dist 49 12 
Chenango 14 1 
Broome.. 11 1 
Chemung 6 I 1 
Steuben 5 ' 2 
Alleghany 4 1 
Schuyler 4 1 
Tompkins, 4 1 
Livingston: 1 1 
Cattaraugus 2 
Tioga 1 
4. Western District— 97 29 
Seventh Senatorial Dist. 52 13 
Onondaga 19 3 
Ontario 11 2 
Cayuga 9 2 
Cortlandt 7 1 
Wayne 4 2 
Seneca 1 1 
Yates 1 1 
One Medical College. 1 
Eighth Senatorial Dist.. 45 16 
Erie 17 5 
Monroe 13 3 
Genesee 10 1 
Niagara 3 2 
Chautauqua 2 [ 54 
Orleans 1 
Wyoming 1 
One Medical College. 1 10 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
The importance of understanding these two classes of districts 
will be seen by the fact that four district boards of censors are 
annually elected for the grand districts; and that several very 
important committees are chosen from the senatorial districts— 
that on nominations, on correspondence, on statistics, &c., consist- 
ing of one member from each. Two permanent members are 
elected from each of the eight districts. 
Dr. Nicholas Romayne, who was the third president of this 
Society, and Dr. Samuel Bard, the founder of the New York 
Hospital, were the first two permanent members and were elected 
in 1813. From that year to 1845, only two permanent members 
were elected annually. At the end of thirty-eight years the Society 
had but sixty-four permanent members. The following statute 
passed February 6, 1845 : 
“ It shall and may be lawful for the Medical Society to elect 
annually, such a number of permanent members as they may, 
from time to time, determine by their by-laws, not to exceed two 
annually from any one senatorial district.” 
During the following nine years, to 1853 inclusive, from five to 
ten were elected annually, sixty-eight in all. From 1854 to 1874, 
both inclusive, the Society has availed itself fully of the above 
statuatory privilege, by which it has added, during twenty-one 
years, three hundred and twenty-nine permanent members. Of 
the whole number, four hundred and fifty-eight, it is presumed 
that about three hundred are living, while it is known that one 
hundred and thirty-six have paid the debt of nature. 
Of late years there has been no small amount of dissatisfaction 
in regard to the relative number of permanent members to the 
representation of the different senatorial districts, and reform in 
this particular has been called for. That the annual election of 
two permanent members from each of the eight districts, without 
regard to representation, is unfair, can be seen by the fact that the 
Sixth district is entitled to twelve delegates and the First to forty- 
one. The remedy which I would propose for the correction of 
this evil, and which appears to me to present no objectionable 
features, is that every delegate who actually serves the full term 
of four years for which he is elected, shall not only be eligible, 
but, in case of no positive and satisfactory objection being raised 
against him-(or her, as the case may be), shall be elected a per- 
manent member without delay. 
When we consider the various circumstances and contingencies ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
11 
which are liable to interfere with the attendance of many delegates 
upon our sessions, and also the fact that not unfrequently delegates 
are already permanent members, it would seem that no fears need 
be entertained of overcrowding the Society, or even greatly 
increasing the number we now annually elect. Only thirteen 
were declared eligible in the year 1874. 
By this plan the honor of permanent membership would be a 
reward of merit, being honestly earned, and any disproportion in 
relation to entitled representation would be just, inasmuch as it 
wrould be the result of duty performed. If this mode should be 
ad 'pted it would be proper to revise our “list of persons eligible 
for election as permanent members,” which now contains one 
hundred and forty-two names, by dropping all who had not 
actually served four years. Kings county, which is entitled to ten 
delegates, complains that its total number of permanent members, 
up to the present time, is only nine, while the four following 
counties, with a representation of one delegate each, have fifty-one : 
Herkimer having fifteen, Chenango fourteen, Montgomery and 
Broome, each, eleven. That the injustice of this disparity is only 
apparent, and not real, will be manifest when the fact is known 
that Kings county has not had a single person on the list as 
eligible since 1870. 
If the auxiliary societies are anxious to have a full proportion 
of permanent members, they must look to it that their delegates 
discharge their duties, and thus render themselves eligible for this 
honor, and let none be sent who are unworthy of it. 
HONORARY MEMBERS. 
We now have a roll of one hundred and fifty-seven honorary 
members, embracing the names of some of the most distinguished 
gentlemen that ever graced the medical profession. This noble 
list is most appropriately headed by a name memorable in this 
country, and not without renown abroad—one of the immortal 
signers of the Declaration of Independence; an accomplished 
scholar, a learned and eloquent professor, a humane and skilled 
physician, was Benjamin Bush, who was elected our first honorary 
member in 1808. Then follow the Warrens, John and John C., 
of Boston; Samuel L. Mitchell, David Hosack, Wright Post and 
Valentine Mott, of New York; Physic, Chapman and Gross, of 
Philadelphia: Lizars, Simpson and Duncan, of Edinburgh, and 
numerous others from various parts of the civilized world, 12 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
eminently worthy of the companionship. I am sorry to add, how- 
ever, that not a few names are here enrolled, for what reason, 
except as personal favors, does not appear, since they are quite 
obscure and otherwise unknown to fame. 
The election of honorary members is authorized by statute. 
Previous to 1859 only two were annually elected; since this date, 
six. About this time the Society passed a resolution to elect none 
to honorary membership except non-residents of the State. This 
resolve has been violated in three instances. It is to be hoped 
that in future this honor will be conferred with discrimination, and 
only on persons of great distinction. 
Eighty-three, or more than one-half, of our honorary members 
are dead; seventy-four are supposed to be living. 
HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MEDICINE. 
This Society does not possess the power to confer the degree of 
“ Doctor of Medicine” in any form. The granting of license to 
practice medicine and surgery within the borders of this State is 
the extent of its prerogative. It enjoys the privilege, however, of 
nominating candidates, restricted by statute to four in any one 
year, and recommending the same to the Regents of the Univer- 
sity for the honorary degree of M. D., providing in all cases that 
the candidate shall have a good moral character and enjoy a 
respectable professional standing, and shall have arrived at the 
somewhat venerable age of forty-five years or upward, and secures 
the votes of not less than two-thirds of the members present. 
The first honorary degree thus conferred was on Dr. John On- 
derdonk, of New York City, in the year 1827, since which time 
one hundred and twenty candidates have received this degree, of 
whom precisely one-half have lain aside their earthly honors, their 
ambition and their daily toil. They have departed, let us hope, 
to the realms where no physician is required ; where sickness, 
pain and death are entirely unknown. 
ATTENDANCE. 
The attendance at the first meeting was twelve; at the last, two 
hundred and fifty-five. It did not reach twenty-five until the 
fourteenth annual session. Forty-two years passed before the 
attendance reached fifty, and during the first half century it was 
never quite a hundred. The average attendance at the annual 
sessions of this Society for the first decade was sixteen; for the 
second decade, twenty-three; the third, thirty-six; the fourth, ANN1VKKSAHY ADDKKSS. 
13 
forty-six ; the fifth, sixty-four; the sixth, one hundred and forty; 
while for the past eight years the attendance has averaged two 
hundred and fourteen, thus showing a steady and rapid increase 
from the commencement of its career to the present time.' May 
this, God helping us, continue to be its future destiny. We have 
already seen that the roll of our Society embraces four hundred 
and fifty-eight permanent members, one hundred and fifty-seven 
honorary members, and one hundred and thirty-seven delegates 
making a grand total of seven hundred and fifty-two. Should 
our surviving permanent members and the full quota of delegates, 
to which we are entitled, assemble at one session, we would behold 
an august body of nearly five hundred 
These facts ought to give us great encouragement and brilliant 
hopes of the future. It is not, however, mere numbers that we 
want, but work ; yet, it is reasonable to expect that where there is 
much work to be done, the greater the numerical force of the 
laborers the more will be accomplished. 
PRESIDING OFFICERS. 
During the sixty-nine years of the Society’s existence, forty- 
eight persons have been elected to the presidency, twenty-one of 
whom had previously served in the capacity of vice-president; 
the latter office, during the same period, has been filled by forty- 
three different persons, about one-half of whom, as above stated, 
were promoted sooner or later to the first office in the gift of the 
Society. 
One of the presidents was elected four successive terms ; three, 
each three terms; eleven, two terms; and thirty-three, each one 
term. 
One of the vice-presidents, Alexander Sheldon, the first who held 
this office, served five years; three, each four years; two, three 
terms; nine, two terms ; twenty-eight were elected once only. 
Theodoric Homeyn Beck was honored by the Society five times, 
three times by the office of president and twice as vice; he in 
turn honored the Society all his days by virtue of the inherent 
principle of reflex action, and even now continues to shed a post- 
humous lustre, the radiance of which will exist as long as the 
history and character of this Society shall be cherished by its 
members. Dr. Beck is not the only fixed star in our galaxy ; let 
us never forget Romayne, and Stearns, and McNaughton, the Cov- 
entrys, Alexander H. Stephens, Blatchford and March, and other 14 
GEORGE JACKSON FfSHER. 
worthies who have left us in person but continue with us in 
spirit. 
One person filled the office of vice-president four terms, and 
president two; two others were twice honored with both offices ; 
two were each vice three terms, and president one; three others 
each occupied the second chair twice and the first once, and ten 
have held both offices once. 
It has by no means been a rule of the Society, in the selection 
of the first officer, to require a preliminary service as its second ; 
for, of the forty-eight persons who have been elected president, 
twenty-seven have not been vice-presidents. Of these, one served 
four terms ; three, three terms ; seven, two terms ; seventeen, each 
one term. Neither has it followed, as a rule, that election to the 
office of vice-president implied elevation to the presidency, as we 
find one person served in the former capacity for five terms ; two 
others, each four terms; two, each two terms; and seventeen, for 
a single term, without having been raised to the sublime degree of 
Worshipful Master of this ancient and honorable free and accepted 
lodge of 
Nearly one-half of the presidents and one-quarter of the vice- 
presidents have been professors in medical colleges. Two-thirds 
of the presidents and nearly one-half of the vice-presidents were 
dwellers in populous cities. 
Eighteen counties have furnished all of the presidents for sixty- 
nine years; two counties have filled three-quarters of the terms; 
twenty-four counties have furnished the vice-presidents; four 
counties have filled this chair twenty-five terms and the presiden- 
tial chair forty-seven terms—in all, a little over one-half of the time. 
Albany has had ten presidents, who have served nineteen years, 
and five vice-presidents who served eleven years. New York has 
also had ten presidents, covering sixteen years, and three vice- 
presidents. Next in order comes Oneida, which has filled the chairs 
eight years with presidents and three with vice-presidents; Otsego, 
four and eight; Monroe, three and none; Onondaga, two and four; 
Columbia, two and three; Rensselaer, two and three; Saratoga, 
two and two; Madison and Erie, each, two and one; Chenango, 
one and four; Cayuga, one and three; Kings, one and two ; Cort- 
land, Dutchess and Westchester, each, one and one; Chemung, one 
and none ; Herkimer and Montgomery, each, five vice-presidents; 
Oswego, two; Broome, Chautauqua, Fulton, Greene, Ontario and 
St. Lawrence, each, one vice-president for single terms. ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
15 
I have not furnished these statistics for any special purpose, or 
with a view to invidious comparison and critical comment, but as 
simple matter of fact, and as a record for future reference. I am 
happy to state that, in my candid opinion, little or no politics have 
entered into the doings of this Society; that its officers have been 
selected with reference to fitness and its highest scientific and pro- 
fessional interests. Territorial and political divisions should never 
in the future, more than in the past, be regarded in the choice of 
its principal officers. To those who have manifested a hearty zeal 
in the support of medical associations, by frequent attendance and 
by valuable contributions to the literature of the profession, or 10 
those who, by the lustre of a brilliant career and a reputation for 
learning and ethical deportment, will honor the Society as much as 
they are honored, should its exalted positions henceforth be given. 
The one-term system in the election of president has been 
followed by this Society for over a third of a century, with a 
single exception, which occurred twenty-seven years ago, when 
Alexander H. Stephens, who was the very type and ideal of a 
presiding officer, held this position for two successive terms. This 
should continue to be our policy, and, as far as consistent with the 
views above expressed, every section of the State should be fairly 
represented. 
Before closing my observations relating to the presiding officers 
of our Society, I will place on record the melancholy fact that 
death has taken every one who presided over the deliberations of 
this body from its first session in 1807 to 1851, inclusive. The 
entire list is swept for a period of forty-five years. Previous to 
1861, only five on the list of our former presidents are living. 
Thirty-two, in all, are dead, and only seventeen survive. 
PUBLICATIONS. 
For sixty-eight consecutive years this Society has issued its 
“ Proceedings’’ and “ Transactions” in some sort of style. The 
complete series embraces thirty-two octavo volumes, containing an 
aggregate of thirteen thousand pages. A little over three thousand 
pages are devoted to the proceedings of meetings, resolutions, laws 
and by-laws, lists of members, tables of contents, &c. Nine thou- 
sand live hundred pages embrace the “ Transactions” proper, 
consisting of actual contributions made to medical literature, 
including prize essays and ether elaborate papers, the medical 
topography of many of the counties of the State, histories of 16 
GEORGK JACKSOX FISHER. 
interesting cases, surgical operations, &c., the whole representing 
an amount of literary labor, clinical observation, and suggestive 
research, of which we may be justly proud. 
Our publications are in three series. First, the little annual 
pamphlets issued during the first quarter of a century of the 
organization [1807-31], containing an abstract of proceedings, the 
president’s anniversary address, and occasionally a few medical or 
surgical cases, all of which were reprinted a few years ago, and 
included in one volume of six hundred and fifteen pages. 
The second series consists of seven handsome octavo volumes, of 
over four hundred pages each, neatly printed on good paper, the 
scientific papers or medical communications paged separately from 
the proceedings, which were placed at the end of the volumes as 
appendices. These seven volumes, containing over two thousand 
pages of medical essays (and seven hundred and thirty-two of 
appendix), were printed at the expense of the Society, being 
issued in parts during the eighteen years from 1832 to 1849, both 
inclusive. The series was highly creditable to the erudition, as 
well as the enterprise and taste of the Society. The third series, 
issued under the patronage of the State, during a period of twenty- 
three years—from 1849 to 1872—consists of twenty-three volumes, 
ranging from one hundred and sixty to six hundred and fifty-five 
pages each, about two thousand pages being occupied with the 
proceedings, &c., and seven thousand to the medical papers. I do 
not wish to be ungrateful to the generous Legislature for all this 
mass of printing, of which in its bounty—a bounty that dispensed 
quantity at the sacrifice of quality—it issued huge editions of several 
thousands of copies, so that many of the volumes have proven heavy 
stock in the stalls of the second-hand booksellers, in tedious 
competition with those equally attractive and ubiquitous “ Reports 
of the U. S. Patent Officeyet it is a pleasant, refreshing and 
consoling reflection that the paper mills have, doubtless, long 
since re-ground the greater part of the surplus stock in this line. 
Politicians inform us that it was the least valuable of all their 
campaigning documents. It is probably due to this circumstance 
that we are permitted to commence a fourth series at our own 
expense. I hope it will prove a success, that our libraries may be 
graced each year with a volume as handsome in style and as rich 
in contents as those issued in London, by the Royal Medico- 
Chirurgical, the Obstetrical, Pathological, or the Clinical Societies. 
Time will not permit me to take special notice of any of the ANNIVEBSARV ADDRKSS. 
17 
numerous and valuable contributions contained in our publica- 
tions. I have, however, prepared analytical and chronological 
lists of all the scientific papers which have been published for and 
by the Society from 1807 to the present time. In performing this 
somewhat laborious task I have flattered myself that this would 
prove to be of considerable value to the members of our Society 
and to the profession at large, not merely in furnishing a complete 
and convenient reference to all that we have hitherto published, 
but in exhibiting the amount, variety and character of our publi- 
cations, that their scientific value might be understood, appreciated 
and utilized in the future as in the past. 
Being furnished with the means of making a complete and com- 
prehensive survey of what we have accomplished up to the pres- 
ent moment, we are thus enabled to discover our weakness as well 
as our strength, our failures as well as our triumphs, our present 
responsibility and our future duties. Why should we not hence- 
forth emulate the Royal Medico-Chirurgical Society of London, 
whose Transactions for the past seventy years, embraced in fifty - 
seven volumes, contain the choicest, most elaborate and valuable 
series of medical essays in the literature of any nation on the 
globe? Have we not the same broad and rich field of study, 
equal genius to plan and talent to prosecute profound and ex- 
haustive research, and have we not equal scholarly ability to com- 
municate the results of our labors? 
Unquestionably we have. Wherein we chiefly lack is energy 
and will. The drudgery of the profession absorbs the whole time 
and attention of too many of our brethren. “ I am too much 
engaged in practice; I have no time to devote to special study and 
research,” is the daily complaint of many worthy members from 
whom much, of right, ought to be expected. True, the life of a 
medical man is one of continual labor and incessant interruption; 
he seldom finds an hour which he can call his own, and yet it is not 
impossible for him to take time in which to read and write. Most 
of our medical literature, certainly the mpst practical and valuable 
part of it, was written by gentlemen who were engaged in the most 
active and pressing practice. Sir Astley Cooper, his nephew, 
Bransby, Abernethy, the Hunters, Bells, Watson, Simpson, and 
hosts of other British writers, were men engaged in the largest 
fields of every-day practice; and so with Velpeau and Trousseau, 
of France ; Rush, Ilosack, Flint, Hamilton and Gross, of our own 
country, are also examples of the compatibility of literary and 18 
GKOKGE JACKSON FISHER. 
practical labor, and confirmers of the truth of the old adage, that 
“ where there is a will there is a way.” 
I will admit that many medical men live and labor under pecu- 
liar and grave disadvantages for the pursuit and cultivation of 
medical literature, and to some of these I will briefly allude. One 
of the most essential requisites is a well selected and somewhat 
copious medical library, and a neat, attractive, commodious and 
private room or office, separate and independent of the shop or 
surgery, in which to bring our minds to a studious composure. 
There are many examples of such arrangements in cities and large 
towns, but I am inclined to think that the great mass of physi- 
cians—the rank and file of our profession—are sadly deficient in 
the means of cultivating personal habits of study and research in 
these pleasant and profitable fields. Therein they do themselves 
a grave injustice; they cheat themselves of one of the chiefest 
recompenses that the profession is permitted to receive, and at the 
same time deprive the world of light and knowledge, which in 
some degree should radiate from every brain that feeds on phos- 
phorescent food. 
I would respectfully suggest that every physician should make 
provision for an annual appropriation, of not less than from $50 
to $250, for the increase of his professional library—for medical 
journals, American and foreign; reviews, hospital reports, trans- 
actions, the publications of the Sydenham Society, and the more 
valuable treatises, monographs, &c., which are ever issuing from 
the press. By this means he will not only keep himself posted 
with the current medical literature, and increase his love for 
study, but will soon accumulate a library of considerable extent 
and value for future reference. 
Another great want, that nearly every one who has attempted 
special researches in any department of medicine has felt, is an exten- 
sive and accessible public medical library.’ While we can boast of 
our “State library,” on which vast sums of the public money have 
been expended for the collection, preservation and convenient use 
of almost everything that relates to history, poetry, science and 
art, and an immense establishment exclusively devoted to works 
on law, our department is so meagerly and contemptibly represented 
that virtually it has no place in the State library. To be sure, a 
few medical books, apparently the result of accident, are scattered 
through the collection, yet so few and unimportant that they are 
unworthy of mention. New York is the only city in the State ANN1VEKSAKY ADDKKSS. 
19 
that possesses a medical library of any importance. The medical 
library of the New York City Hospital, to which I allude, is an 
excellent collection, containing about nine thousand volumes. It 
is the property of a corporation, though at present freely accessible 
to the profession. There are several nuclei in process of devel- 
opment, but, unless accelerated more rapidly in the future 
than in the past, it will be a long day before they reach the point 
of great practical value. 
What we want, as nearly as I am at present able to understand 
our necessities, is a large public medical library, in every way 
freely accessible to the entire profession of the State. We are now 
erecting, at munificent Cost, a State Capitol of mighty and magnifi- 
cent proportions and gorgeous appointments. In this vast pile 
the State library is to find a home. Let there be a medical depart- 
ment, as there now is one of jurisprudence, with the works 
separately shelved and catalogued, and every means taken to 
increase and perfect it—by purchase, donation and exchange. 
The annual appropriations of the State could be supplemented by 
the profession, through the State and county societies, and, doubt- 
less, large additions would be made by authors and publishers, 
and also by testamentary bequests of entire libraries of deceased 
physicians. The exchange of our “ Transactions” with other 
societies in different parts of the world, and the sale or exchange 
of duplicates, would furnish additional means of increasing such 
a library. By all of these methods a collection could be made 
of ancient and modern medical works, including books of great 
rarity and value, and the serial medical literature of all countries. 
It would soon vie with the National medical library, under the 
supervision of the United States Surgeon General, which now far 
exceeds anything of the kind on this continent Three ponderous 
quartos are required to give the titles of the twenty-five thousand 
volumes and fifteen thousand pamphlets which it contains. All 
this mass of medical literature is inaccessible to the profession. 
It is hermetically sealed to student or writer who may wish to 
make exhaustive research on any special subject, and this is true 
of every medical library in the land. It is practically impossible 
for those who need such aids to go in person to those great reposi- 
tories of scientific lore and spend the requisite time to consult 
works of reference, and hence these splendid treasuries of knowl- 
edge are sealed books—mausoluems—stately bibliographic tombs. 
The medical department of the State library, which I have now 20 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
proposed, should be managed after the general plan long sinee 
adopted for the scientific library of the Smithsonian Institute, the 
policy and practice being to aid those who are engaged in special 
researches by loaning such works as are not otherwise readily 
accessible to individuals, the character of the persons, and the pay- 
ment of expressage to and fro, being the chief conditions for 
obtaining such assistance. 
I do not wish to discourage the formation of local and private 
libraries. Let them multiply in number and increase in magni- 
tude. They will all be needed and made use of. We want one, 
however, vast in extent, rich in contents, and as nearly exhaustive 
as possible, for the actual and practical use of all who wish to 
drink deeply from the fountain heads of medical literature. 
To return to our publications. 1 find that the “ Transactions ” 
embrace 708 distinct articles, occupying an aggregate of 9,500 
octavo pages. I have carefully copied the title of each paper and 
the author's name, omitting in all cases the caudal appendages or 
descriptive lists which are frequently stunning and of prodigious 
length, embracing a catalogue of all the abbreviated degrees and 
unabridged appointments and memberships which have been con- 
ferred up to date, with two or more etc., etc., &c., &c., implying 
that the list was by no means exhausted, but could be extended 
ad infinitum ; so to save space I have used the simple prefix “ Dr.’’ 
to all the writers’ names. The 708 articles are arranged under 
twelve general divisions: 89 medical papers ; 151 surgical papers; 
56 on obstetrics and diseases peculiar to women; 85 on mental 
and nervous diseases; 27 medical jurisprudence, toxicology, &c.; 
93 medical topography, epidemics, vital statistics and hygiene; 21 
medical and surgical statistics ; 50 materia medica, pharmacy and 
therapeutics ; 18 physiology and teratology; 52 medical education, 
ethics and laws; 8 quackery; 108 medical history, biography and 
progress. 
I have also prepared, with a view to publication in, and as a 
part of this address, a chronological table exhibiting a very brief 
epitome of the most notable acts of each meeting from 1807 to 
1874, embracing the names of the officers of the chair, the titles 
of their addresses, the attendance, prizes offered and accepted, 
important action of the Society on questions of interest, &c. 
Art is long and life is short. I have a constitutional dislike to 
long sermons, yet, where only one is delivered in a twelvemonth, 
perhaps it is allowable to be somewhat prolix. Time forbids me, 
however, to more than glance at several subjects which I had ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
21 
expected to discuss more fully. I had hoped to consider some of 
the evils which beset our profession and retard progress, together 
with the best means of correcting them. I desire to speak of the 
too prevalent and I fear increasing practice of employing the 
delicate and elegant “ elixirs,” which are now manufactured in 
vast quantities by many large and reputable drug houses in 
most great cities, put up in beautiful bottles, and introduced by 
polite and active agents who call upon every physician in the 
land. I will dismiss the subject with the simple intimation 
that a grave responsibility rests on all who encourage the gen- 
eral use of slightly medicated diffusable stimulants, the insidious 
and pernicious effects of which may create a morbid and insatia- 
ble appetite that will only end in untold misery if not ruin of 
estate, body, and soul. I also wished to speak of the present ten- 
dency to over-refinement and minute subdivision of medical and 
surgical practice. I did not propose to wage wholesale and merci- 
less war against the specialists, but simply ask the profession to 
notice the extent to which this tendency has already gone and 
its evident, and I might almost add its alarming, increase. These 
numerous specialists remind one of the anatomico-astrological 
figure on the second page of all old-time and even some modern 
almanacs, with the signs of the zodiac surrounding the body of the 
man whose entrails and organs are freely exposed, each controlling 
sign pointing to the part over which it presides; so in like 
manner a diagram could be made, with not merely a dozen 
zodiacal symbols, but as many as there are distinct organs of 
the body, each with special groups or droves of pathological and 
therapeutical goats, rams, bulls, lions, scorpions, &e., bucking, 
roaring and stinging, to gain possession of their favorite morsel of 
the poor human organism, every portion of which, though well- 
known to be dependent upon almost every other, is appropriated 
by the one-organ men of the present day. 
Probably most of you have read the experience of Dr. Kobert 
Barnes, who says, in the London Lancet: “ I have recently been hon- 
ored by a visit from a lady of typical modern intelligence, who con- 
sulted me about a fibroid tumor of the uterus ; and lest I should 
stray beyond my business, she was careful to tell me that Dr. Brown- 
Sequard had charge of her nervous system, that Dr. Williams 
attended to her lungs, that her abdominal organs were intrusted to 
Sir William Gull, that Mr. Spencer Wells looked after her rectum, 
and that Dr. Walshe had her heart. If some adventurous doctor 
should determine to start a new specialty, and open an institution 22 
GEORGE JACKSON FISHER. 
for the treatment of diseases of the umbilicus—the only region 
which, as my colleague, Mr. Simon, says, is unappropriated—I 
think I can promise him more than one patient.” 
As a result of all this we see numerous societies and journals 
devoted exclusively to a single tissue, organ, class of disease, or 
special mode of treatment. High and mighty sounding titles, 
indeed, are the journals of “Neurology and Electrology,” of 
“Otology and Ophthalmology,” of “Dermatology and Syphi- 
lography," “Gynecology,” &c., and exceedingly convenient and 
taking are the skin and bone, brain and nerve, throat and lung, 
heart and kidney, rupture and tumor dispensaries, which abound 
in every city. 
I am aware of the fact that most of the distinguished speciali ts 
of our great cities were general practitioners and thoroughly posted 
in every department of medicine and surgery before they devoted 
themselves to a specialty ; and that it was not original choice but 
peculiar circumstances that guided them in the particular line 
wherein they subsequently became more or less eminent and cele- 
brated. This is true of the great ovariotomists, lithotomists, and 
many occulists, and a lew other specialists. What I am anxious to 
check is the present tendency to increase the number of this 
already too numerous elass of practitioners, and protest against 
the encouragement of young men to study with reference to prac- 
tice in a field limited to one organ or a single class of diseases. 
I do not wish to be understood that special studies and researches 
should be discouraged; on the contrary, let every man select a 
subject and make a hobby of it, as far as it is possible for him to 
do so, for by this means the greatest contributions have been made 
to medical science; but never forget that the human body is a 
harmonious unit, that exclusive practice prejudices the mind and 
narrows the judgment of the physician, that the tendency is to 
belittle the general practitioner in the public mind, and that the 
extravagant fees demanded by specialists for treatment or eounsel, 
though a minor, is yet an important consideration to all ’except the 
opulent. 
Another subject which I had hoped to speak of is the present 
condition and status of Homoeopathy, the most stupendous fraud 
of the present age ; the greatest delusion and the most subtle snare? 
with its system of specifics and potencies, its infinitesimal phar- 
macy and therapeutical jugglery: it must, nevertheless, be admit- 
ted that it has spread and grown, as truth never spreads; and norm 
inally it may now be on the increase, for it addresses itself to the ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
23 
weak side of humanity. It styles itself the ‘‘new system/’ as 
opposed to the “ old and defunct.” It claims to have discovered 
the law of cure in the doctrine that “like cures like;” that what 
will cause a disease, the same in kind will cure it. It declares that 
disease is an entity and a unit, and the so-called special diseases 
are but modifications of the original unit; that medicines in- 
crease in power in proportion to the minuteness of the quantity 
employed to an infinitesimal and infinite degree. This is a com- 
plete epitome of the whole system, neither more nor less, and he 
who fails to believe and to practice in striet aeeordanee with these 
doctrines—preseriber or patient—is not a homoeopath. I candidly 
believe that there is scarcely a genuine homoeopath in all the land. 
The host of praetitioners and the multitudes of adherents to this 
popular delusion do not sincerely believe in its cardinal doctrines, 
neither do they practice according to the precepts of its founder- 
Could Hahnemann arise from his grave he would ignore the 
hormeopathy of the present time. Years ago they all used high 
dilutions and infinite attenuations, and would not permit a particle 
of any medicine, spice or perfume, not even a breath of cologne, 
to be in the room of the patient, in fear of its antidotal properties 
upon their refined atid sublimated materia vicdica. Behold, how 
changed ! Now the practitioners of this art do not hesitate to use 
every article employed by regular or, as they style us, allopathic 
physicians, and that too in tangible and generally in good orthodox 
ample doses. 
Would not general and open consultations with homoeopaths 
expose the emptiness and false position of their so-called system, 
as Sherman's grand march to the sea exposed the weakness and 
utter exhaustion of vital resources in the Southern Confederacy ? 
It is my opinion that the banner of homoeopathy is all that 
remains on the high and mighty air castles of “ the immortal 
Hahnemann.” 
I will not tax your patience and powers of endurance any far- 
ther, but will close with the hope that no man will arise in this 
assembly, when I shall have finished speaking, and offer a com- 
plimentary resolution in accordance with a time-honored custom? 
thanking “ the president for his able and eloquent address;” but 
if any be offered, let it be “thanks to the president for having 
ended his rather lengthy, matter-of-fact, and, to some extent, 
suggestive and useful discourse.” We will now adjourn to 
the Governors Mansion, to enjoy the entertainment of the 
evening. TABLE OF PRESIDENTS AND VICE-PRESIDENTS, SUBJECTS OF PRESIDENTS’ ADDRESSES, Ac.. OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY 
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 
33*1 
be 
.9 
0) 
o 
Names of Presidents 
and 
Vice-Presidents. 
Counties of 
Presidents 
o 
t- 
Cu tr 
D X 
S .t 
Subject of 
Soate of the more notable acts of the Society 
c<-< | 
O 
d 
c 
CC 
and Vice- 
Presidents. 
- 2 
o ~ 
. & 
President's Address. 
at each session. 
£] 
5 
i 
i i 
807 
McClelland.. 
Albany 
12 
STo address published or men-i 
tioned in the report of 
The Society duly organized Feb. 1, 1807. Directed each county 
medical society to present a geological and topographical report 
Died 1811. 
* Alexander Sheldon.. 
Montgomery. 
meeting. 
and history of prevailing diseases, to State society. Each mem- 
ber to give an account of any remarkable case, with treatment, 
which should occur in his practice. Ten counties represented. 
2 1: 
808 
Albany 
17 
STo address reported to have 
been delivered. 
A. system of by-laws adopted. Three prize medals offered, viz.: 
One of fifty dollars’ value for best report on topographv. geol- 
♦Alexander Sheldon... 
Montgomery. 
ogy. mineralogy, and diseases of any county in the State; one 
of twenty-five dollars for second best report on the same sub- 
jects, and one of twenty-five dollars for best essay on causes, 
prevention, and cure of “ typhus mitior, or low, nervous fever, 
which prevails in different counties of the State.” Reports on 
geology, topography, and diseases of the following counties were 
presented : Montgomery, by Dr. Alex. Sheldon ; Orange, by Dr. 
David R. Arnell: Dutchess, bv Dr. Wm. Wheeler; Saratoga, by 
Dr. John Stearns; Jefferson, by Dr. Hugh Henderson; Clinton, 
by Dr. H. Powell; Westchester, by Dr. Lyman Cook. It was 
“ ordained” that all the presidents of county medical societies, 
and members of the Legislature who are members of any county 
medical society in this State, shall be ex officio honorary members 
of this Society. Seventeen counties represented. 
3 
1809 
♦Nicholas Romayne.-- 
Died July 20, 1817, 
*t. 61. 
♦Alexander Sheldon— 
Sew York...| 
Montgomery. 
16 | 
The medical profession the 
necessity for original re- 
search, and the relation of 
the profession to general 
science and the arts. The 
address was delivered in the 
Assembly Chamber of the 
Capitol. 
The medical profession, its 
duty to promote medical in- 
quiry, and to sustain its 
usefulness and dignity. The 
[ president asks a carefu 
Three prize e»»y» were presented, two on typhus mitior, mi one 
nn torioc-’-anhv neology, Ac. Application was made to the Legis- 
lature for ‘ aid’ to promote the science and practice of medicine in 
this State.” A committee was appointed to petition the Legisla- 
ture for a law “to prohibit inoculation of in this 
State ” The Society being informed of the death of Dr. Hi g 
Henderson, it was * Resoled, To wear the customary mournmg 
for a month, as testimony of respect to his memory. Sixteen 
4 
1810 
♦Nicholas Romayne... 
* Alexander Sheldon... 
New York... 
Montgomery. 
18 
counties reDresented. , 
The Society recommended the Legislature to purchase Dr. Davi 
HosacS Botanic Garden, to be managed under its direction in 
a manner best calculated for the promotion and diffusion of 
medical science. This action of the Society was m union with 
the N Y Co. Med. Society, the Corporation of the City o new 
York and the Governors of the New York Hospital. t was 
subsequently purchased for $73,000 and ceded to Columbia 
> f'olleo'e The property in 1835 was valued at over $ >. . • 
It contained twenty acres. A committee appointed to petition 
e the Legislature to release medical men from military duty 
V was - Resolved. That each county medical society do appoint two 
■ or more discreet lecturers, whose duty it shall be to give such 
j. instruction to medical students as the encouragement they may 
receive will justify.” Reports on medical topography &c. of 
the counties of Orange and Ontario, were received The State 
; society sent communications to county societies to stimulate 
1 them to efficient labor for medical improvement. Eighteen 
investigation into the na 
ture, cause, prevention ant 
cure of “spotted fever, 
which had, within a fev 
months, appeared in Orang 
county. Asks the Societ 
to offer a prize medal fc 
the best essay on the dis 
ease. 
5 
181 
1 ♦Nicholas Romayne.. 
♦ Alexander Sheldon. 
[The president beii 
absent, Dr. Wm. M 
.'New York.. 
. Montgomery 
g 
c- 
. 16 
The past and present conditk 
of the medical profession 
the State of New Yor 
Very good. 
>n The prize8 best essay on medical &c 
of was given to Dr. John Stearns, of Saratoga, N Y. The Legis 
k lature was petitioned for a permanent fund to defray the contin- 
gent expenses of the Society, Ac. Dr. Moses Willard read an 
an essay on Typhics Mitior. The by-laws were revised. Re- 
Clellan was elected p 
ro 
wived That the subject of debate for next annual meeting be, 
tern.] 
» Whether America is subject to any diseases not prevalent in 
foreign countries, and what they are.” Fifteen counties repre- 
sented. 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, &C., OF THE 
NKW YORK STATK MKD1CAL SOCIETY. & 
s 
o 
o* 
fc 
T ear. 
Names of Presidents and 
Vice-Presidents. 
Counties of 
Presidents 
and Vice- 
Presidents. 
1 £ . 
i- 50 
«I 
1® 
Subject of 
President's Address. 
Some of the more notable acts of the Society 
at each session. 
6 
1812 
*William Wilson 
Died 1829. 
♦Westel Willoughby. 
Died October 3, 1844, 
set. 75. 
i Columbia 
Herkimer 
% 
13 
Dr. Wilson was absent. His 
address was furnished. It 
is a brief review of the pro- 
gress of medical science ; he 
says. “ the most valuable 
discovery of the use of gold 
in medicine” deserved spe- 
cial attention 
Resolved, That the members wear crape on the left arm for thirty 
days, in testimony of respect for the memory of Dr. William 
McClellan, the first president of the Society. The total amount 
of money received by the treasurer was $33. Four hundred 
copies of the “ Transactions” ordered to be printed. Thirteen 
counties represented. 
7 
1813 
John R. B. Rodgers... 
Died 1833, set. 76. 
♦Westel Willoughby.. 
New York .. 
Herkimer 
12 
The prevalent diseases of this 
State, “ influenza in winter 
and spring, scarlatina in the 
spring, malignant fever in 
the last of summer and 
early autumn, and the dis- 
ease called ‘ spotted fever ’ 
in the winter and spring.’" 
Also, on new remedies and 
medical botany. 
Dr. Amos Hamlin read a report on medical topography of Green 
county. Drs. Willoughby and Stearns presented communica- 
tions “ on the prevailing epidemic.” Dr. Sizer’s paper on “ the 
late earthquake in the county of Madison and its vicinity,” was 
read by the president. The expense of printing the “ Transac- 
tions” for the past year was twenty dollars. One hundred copies 
of “ Transactions of the present year ordered to be published. 
The only medical journals in the State are the Medical Repository 
and the Medical and Philosophical Register. Dr. Willoughby 
read a brief essay on spotted fever,” or, as he preferred to call 
it. Peripneumonia innominata. Twelve counties represented. 
8 
1814 
John R. B. Rodgers. .. 
White 
Died June 2, 1832. 
jet. 70. 
New York... 
Otsego 
22 
The prevalent diseases of the 
past year, and a eulogy on 
Dr. Benjamin Rush, who 
died June, 1813. He says, 
“ By the favor and blessing 
of Heaven, we have not had 
maglinant fever in any of 
our large cities during the 
last summer and autumn, 
except New Orleans.” 
Dr. Heifty Mitchell presented a report on medical topography of 
the county of Chenango. A prize medal of $25 value, offered 
for “ the best meteorological table, together with an account of 
the diseases of the district during the term of one year,” by any 
physician of any county medical society. Dr. Ricketson read a 
dissertation on fever. Dr. Low read a paper on hydatids, and on 
tetanus cured by soda. 
9 
1815 
John R. B. Rodgers 
White 
New York 
Otsego . 
16 
On puerperal and other dis- 
eases of females. Dr. 
Rodgers declined re-election. 
Dr. Noah Niles presented a report on medical topography of Steubefi 
county. Dr. Daniel Hudson of Geneva, presented a communica- 
tion on the prevailing epidemic of 1812-13, which was read by 
Dr. Low. A circular letter was addressed to the county medical 
societies to stimulate original investigation, and to collect facts 
and observations to ba reported to this Society. A volume of 
essays proposed to be published by the Society. 
10 
1816 
*Joseph White 
Eli Burrett 
Otsego 
Rensselaer .. 
16 
On medical education, against 
visionary theories, and on 
artificial joints from ununited 
fractures, and their treat- 
ment. 
Committee to revise the statute “regulating the practice of physic 
and surgery,” reported a higher standard for medical students, 
protection against empirics, and a prize medal, value $25, for 
best essay on meteorology, by a mend er of this or any county 
medical society. Two days session. 
11 
1817 
* Joseph White.. 
Eli Burrett. 
Otsego .. .. 
Rensselaer .. 
17 
On white swellings of the 
joints. Dr. White declined 
re-election. 
“ Resolved, That the State Medical Society approves of the forma- 
tion of an American pharmacopoeia, by a convention of delegates 
from the several State medical societies.” Three davs session. 
12 
1818 
*Jolm Stearns 
Died 1848, set. 75. 
♦Henry Mitchell 
Died Jan. 12, *1856, 
aet. 72. 
Albany . . 
Chenango 
21 
A tribute of respect to the 
memory of Dr. Nicholas 
Romayne ; remarks on the 
qualifications of medical 
men, the prevention of con 
sumption, &c. 
Dr. J. H. Steele, of Saratoga, presented “ an analysis of the Balls- 
ton and Saratoga waters, Ac.” Report on national pharmacopoeia, 
in favor of one, its importance, and calling for a convention to 
meet in Washington, January 1, 1820, to be composed of dele- 
gates from district conventions in the manner set forth in an 
elaborate report; also provision for decennial revision of the 
U. S. I\, &c. Delegates were appointed by the Society. Dr. 
Hull’s truss, report on, “that it is far superior to any other now 
in use.” Two days session. 
13 
1819 
*John Stearns... 
♦Henry Mitchell . . 
Albany 
Chenango 
22 
On geology and its relations to 
medical science. On elec- 
tricity as a cause of disease 
and a means of cure. Mili 
tary surgery, resection of 
ribs, opening of plura, &c. 
Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell reported that the requisite number of 
medical societies and colleges had been favorably heard from to 
call the convention for the formation of a National Pharmacopoeia. 
Dr. Trowbridge reported a successful cure of bronchotomy for 
removal of a bean from the trachea. This is the first successful 
case reported in this country. Dr. T. also reported a successful 
operation for the removal of an immense polypus from the 
antrum of himore, and the nostrils and throat. Three days session 
14 
1820 
*John Stearns... 
*Westel Willoughby.. 
Albany 
Herkimer 
28 
The influence of the mind over 
the body in the production 
and cure of disease. 
The Society ordered the publication of a list of the honorary and 
permanent members in the “Transactions.” Communications 
received on American pharmacopoeia, relative to qualifications 
necessary for medical students, &c. Three medical periodicals 
published in this State, viz.: “ The Medical Repository,” “ Trans- 
actions of the Physico-Medical Society.” and “ The Register of 
Medical and Surgical Cases of Hospital Practice.” 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, Ac .-Continued. 
TABLE. OE PRESIDENTS, &C,, OF THE 
NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, Ac.— Continued. 
j 
2? 
c 
si 
Year. 
Names of Presidents and 
Vice-Presidents. 
Counties of 
Presidents 
and Vice- 
Presidents. 
No. of Repre- 
sentatives.* 
Subject of 
President’s Address. 
Some of the more notable acts of the Society 
at each session. 
15 
1821 
Molm Stearns 
*Westel Willoughby.. 
[Both being absent 
the Society electee 
Peter C. Adams, presi 
dent, pro tem.] 
New York 
Herkimer 
Greene 
21 
On the functions and disease? 
of the liver. Dr. Stearns 
was absent for the first time 
in thirteen years. His ad- 
dress was read by Dr. James 
R. Manley, of New Y ork 
City. * 
The Society petitioned the Legislature for $300 “ in order to defray 
j the expenses of members from distant counties while attending 
the annual meeting of the State Society.” Committee appointed 
“ to collect and form a system of medical ethics.” Also a com- 
mittee to revise the by-laws. The Society ordered five hundred 
copies of the laws, and all the revisions of the same, regulating 
the practice of physic and surgery in this State, to be printed. 
1G 
1822 
*Samubl L. Mitchell... 
Died Sept. 7, 1831, 
set. 67. 
Peter C. Adams.* 
New York 
Greene 
29 
(The president being absent the 
vice-president occupied the 
chair. The ‘'Transactions ” 
state that “ the hour for the 
reading of the president’s 
address having arrived, his 
communication was read 
accordingly.” The title is 
not given, and no address 
was published. 
“ Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the 
president for his communication and the documents accompany- 
ing the same.” It does not appear what the character of these 
were. The Society petition the Legislature to give the county 
societies “ power to fine delinquent members for violation of 
regulations, &c.” The Society advertises fora copy of “ Trans- 
actions ” for each of the years 1807, 1808, 1809, 1811, 1816, for 
its own use. 
IV 
1823 
*Samuel L. Mitchell... 
Thomas Fuller. 
[The president and 
vdce-president both be- 
absent, the Society 
elected Mames R. Man- 
ley, president, pro tern.] 
New York... 
Otsego 
New York 
21 
No address was presented. 
The penalty of $25, incurred 
by the president for neg- 
lecting to comply with the 
by-law requiring him to 
prepare, deliver and trans- 
mit a dissertation on some 
appropriate subject, was re- 
mitted. 
An essay on yellow fever, by Dr. Christopher C. Yates, was read. 
A system of medical ethics were reported and adopted; one 
thousand copies of the code was ordered to be printed. A 
report in favor of American drugs was passed. It was resolved 
that four full years of study must be required for medical’ 
students. The Society held three days session. 
18 
824 
f Alexander Coventry..- 
Died Dec. 9, 1831, 
aet. 65. 
Mohn H. Steel 
Jneida 
Saratoga 
27 
On endemic fever. Dr. Coven- 
try’s personal observations 
of malarious fevers in Cen 
tral New York. A splendid 
address. 
Reports from many county societies of the adoption of the State 
code of ethics. The Society offered $50 for the best essay on 
either or both of the following questions, viz.: 1. The history, 
causes and treatment of whooping cough. 2. The remote and 
exciting causes of phthisis. Four days session. 
19 
1825 
Coventry.. 
Mohn H. Steel 
[Both being absent, 
he Society elected 
Mames R. Manley, 
jresident, pro tem ] 
Dneida 
Saratoga 
New York 
251 
On the present state of the 
profession, on patent medi- 
cines, but chiefly on ende- 
mic fever, its symptoms and 
treatment. 
‘ A svstem of rules and regulations to govern this Society in its 
deliberations” was adopted. Prize questions for 1826: 1. The 
history, causes and treatment of whooping cough. 2 On the 
American goitre, showing in what sections of the United States 
it prevails, and by what atmospheric or topographical influence 
that affection of the thyroid gland is aggravated, and the best 
means of relief or cure. Dr. Jonathan Eights was appointed 
librarian. Ordered republication of the by-laws as revised and 
adopted February 3, 1825. Three days session. 
20! 
182 G, 
Mames R. Manley 
Died Nov. 21, 1851, 
set. 69. 
*T. Romeyn Beck 
Died Nov. 19, 1855, 
set. 64. 
New York...1 
Albany . ... 
25! 
Medical responsibility, medical 
education, etc. 
Dr. Andrew Hammersley, of New York City, was awarded the 
prize for the best essay “ on the remote and exciting causes of 
consumption ” The formation of the Academy of Medicine in 
the City of New York was announced. The regents of the 
University were petitioned to grant the honorary degree of 
Doctor of Medicine to such persons as may be recommended by 
this Society. It is stated that iu 1796 there were but five 
medical schools in the U. S., with two hundred pupils, while 
now (1826) there are seventeen medical schools with two 
thousand pupils. Thirty years ago there were, probably, not to 
exceed twenty gentlemen in this State who held the degree of 
M. D. Three days session. 
21 
1827 
Mames R. Manley 
*T. Romeyn Beck 
New York... 
Albauy 
25 
The present state of the pro- 
fession. “ the various abuses 
which now exist in the 
practice of physic,” also “ a 
succinct history of medicine 
in this State.” 
The president being absent, Dr. T. R. Beck presided. The prize 
was awarded to Dr. Peixotto, of New York, for the best essay 
on whooping cough. No dissertation offered for the prizes of 
1827. Prize questions for 1828: 1st. Goitre (as in 1827). 2nd, 
*• History, causes and cure of scrofula, with particular reference 
to its prevalence and prevention in this State." Most of the 
time of the Society was occupied in matters relating to medical 
education, qualifications, degrees, etc. 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, &C., OF THE 
NEW 1 ORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. TABLE OP PRESIDENTS, Ac.—Continued. 
> 
Names of Presidents and 
•Counties of 
Presidents 
~ rfj 
iT > 
MS 
Subject of 
Borne of the more notable acts of the Society 
c 
c 
c 
<x> 
Vice-Presidents. 
and Vice- 
Presidents. 
n 
6 g 
President’s Address. 
at each session. 
2i 
182! 
*T. Romeyn Beck 
Albany 
- 3 
Medical evidence in courts 0 
The president reported that the regents of the University had 
♦Laurens Hull 
justice. The Legislature 
conferred the honorary degre of M. D. on six medical gentlemen. 
Died June 27, I860 
was invited to be presen 
The Society nominated six others. The name of Dr Benj. 
set. 86. 
at the delivery of the ad 
Waterhouse was stricken from the roll of honorary members 
dress in the Assembly 
for supporting and sanctioning the empirical practice of Samuel 
Chamber. 
Thompson. A prize of $100 was offered by the Society for the 
best essay on “ the history, causes and treatment of typhus 
fever,” being the sole prize for 1829. No essays were presented 
for the prizes of 1828. Resolutions passed against intemperance. 
The Society “ recommend the calling a national convention, con- 
sisting of a delegate from each of the regular medical colleges 
and State medical societies, to meet at Philadelphia on the 
first Tuesday ot May next’ to adopt “ a more uniform system 
of medical education,” and a plan to elevate the medicaf pro- 
fession and benefit mankind.” Dr. T. R. Beck was appointed 
23 
1829 
*T. Romeyn Beck 
delegate to said convention. 
Albany 
1 32 
Progress in medicine—by dis 
The Society passed resolutions to solicit the Legislature to establish 
♦Laurens Hull. _ 
Oneida 
trust in general theories, 
a “ State Y accine Institution”; a “ Board of Examiners in 
Chemistry and Pharmacy,” to license apothecaries; to oppose 
and dogmatic authority ; in 
advancement in pathological 
research ; the importance of 
dissection,the improvements 
in materia niedica and 
pharmacy. 
any change of the medical laws to favor “ steam doctors”; 
against intemperance. Four essays for prize on typhus fever 
were received, but not decided upon. Prize questions for 1830 : 
1. “History, preparation and medical use of iodine.” 2. “ The 
nature, symptoms, causes, and treatment of delirium tremens, 
illustrated by cases.” ($50 egch.) 
The prize for 1829, on typhus fever, was awarded to Dr. A. T 
24 
1830 
*T. Romeyn Beck 
Albanjr 
35 
The small-pox, its history and 
Chenango 
♦Henry Mitchell 
possibly its extinction. 
Magill, of Winchester, Va. Prize for 1830, on iodine, to Dr. S. 
J. Hobson, of Philadelphia, Prize questions for 1831 : 1. *• On 
delirium tremens.” 2. “Thecauses of the large proportion of 
still-born children in our large cities over those of London, with' 
statistical tables.” An elaborate report was made to the 
Society “on the best means of making a medical topographical 
survey of the State of N. Y.” 
25. 
1831 
♦Jonathan Eights 
Died Aug. 10, 1848. 
set. 75. 
♦Henry Mitchell. . .. 
Ylbany | 
34 
“ Vaccina, cow, or kine-pox.”i 
Prize questions: 1. "The influence of varieties of temperature in 
Chenango 
Its protective power, its 
failure and remedy. 
the production of disease.” 2. On still-born children (continued.) 
3. “ On the principal indigenous catharticsof the United States.” 
($50 each for best essay.) 
To Dr. Jas. Conquest Cross, of Ky., was awarded prize for best 
essay on delirium tremens, pp. 147, 8vo. The Society made 
26 
1832 
♦Jonathan Eights 
♦Thomas Spencer 
26 
and 
Puerperal fever, 125 printed 
pages, 8vo. Seven medical 
Albany 
Madison.. .. 
*7 
members of the Legislature 
provisions for publishing its “ Transactions” in permanent form, 
were invited to attend the 
the copyright ofVol. I to be sold for the Societv. A State 
session ot the Society. 
vaccine institution established in the City of New York. 
Prize questions: 1. On temperature and its relations to disease. 
27 
1833 
♦Thomas Spencer. 
Jadison 
30 
Asiatic cholera. Six medical 
2. On still births, etc. 
Prize questions : 1. The medical history of cholera morbus, 
Died May 30, 1857, 
set. 65. 
♦James McNaughton.. 
and 
members of the Legislature 
previous to the appearance of the Asiatic cholera. 2. The 
Albany 
6* 
invited to seats. 
influence of malaria, or marsh effluvia, in the production of 
disease. Onlv one hundred copies of Yol. I of the “ Trans- 
28 
1834 
♦Thomas Spencer 
♦James McNaughton.. 
Madison 
Albany _ 
36 
and 
Dysentery. Twelve medical 
members of the Legislature 
actions” printed. 
The Society petitions the Legislature to e'-ect an institution for 
the insane and idiot poor, of which it is estimated that there are 
12* 
invited to seats. 
three thousand in the State, with provision at present for only 
250. Prize question: The indigenous vegetable cathartics of 
29 
1835 
♦John H. Steele 
Saratoga 
Albany 
30 
and 
No address prepared on 
account of the president’s 
the United States. 
A committee to investigate failures in protective power of vaccin- 
ation. Prize question: The influence of trades, professions and 
♦James McNaughton.. 
ill health. 
occupations in the U. S. in the production of disease. Only one 
301836 
♦John H. Steele 
Saratoga 
Albany 
40 
On the derangement of the 
digestive organs. 
hundred copies of Vol. If of “ Transactions” printed. 
The death of Dr. David Ilosack was announced. The Society 
again petition the Legislature to establish an asylum for the 
♦James McNaughton.. 
8* 
42 
311837 
♦James McNaughton. 
Died June 11, 1874 
tet. 78. 
♦Samuel White.. 
Albany 
On the Progress of medicine 
in the State of New York. 
insane and idiots of the State. 
Attendance, 12 permanent members. 20 delegates, 5 invited, 1 
honorary.—42. Dr. Benj. W. M’Cready received the prize for 
best essay on the influence of trades, etc., on health. Essay 
published in Yol. Ill of “ Transactions,” pp. 60. Essays on still 
Died 1845, set. 68. 
births by Dr. Avery, on typhus fever by Dr. Jifs. Fountain, on 
lunatic asylums, on statistics of deaf and dumb, etc., read and 
published. Only one hundred copies of “ Transactions," Vol. 
32 
1838 
♦James McNaughton _ 
♦Samuel White. 
Albany 
36 
On the hormeopathic system 
of medicine. 
Ill, printed. 
Boards of Health recommended for protection of the community 
against small-pox. 
Columbia 
and 
5* 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, &C., OF THE 
NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. be 
% 
Names of Presidents and 
Counties of 
Presidents 
<X> 
£< O 
Subject of 
Some of the more notable acts of the Society 
o 
o’ 
fc 
5 
£ 
Vice-Presidents. 
and Vice- 
Presidents. 
0 0 
cS 
President's Address. 
at each session. 
* 
33 
1839 
*Laurens Hull. 
Oneida 
38 
On quackery. 
Prize question for 1840: The diseases of the spinal column, their 
Died June 27, 1865, 
causes, diagnosis, history and treatment; $100 offered for best 
cet. 86. 
essay. Dr. T. R. Beck communicated statistics of the medical 
♦Sumner Ely 
Otsego 
colleges in the Union. The Society passed a resolution, offered 
Died Feb. 3, 1857, 
by Dr. McCall, to call a “ National Medical Convention ” to meet 
set. 70. 
in PhiladelDhia the first Tuesday in May, 1840. 500 copies of 
“ Transactions” printed. 
34 
1840 
*Laurens Hull.. 
Oneida _ 
37 
Improvements in medicine 
which have illustrated the 
Dr. N. S. Davis received the prize for an essay on “ Diseases of 
the Spinal Column.” Prize questions for 1841 : “1. The Medi 
Died June 27, 1865, 
and 
• 
set. 86. 
8* 
last half century. 
cal Literature of Cholera Morbus, previous to the appearance 
of the epidemic cholera.” ‘ 2. An Analysis of the discoveries 
*Sumner Ely 
Otsego.. . 
concerning the physiology of the Nervous System, from the 
publications of Sir Charles Bell to the present time, both in- 
clusive.” Five hundred copies of Vol. IV. were printed. 
Dr. N. S. Davis received the prize for essay on “ Discoveries in 
the Physiology of the Nervous System, etc.” 
35 
1841 
*Sumner Ely.. . 
Otsego . 
39 
Imfiammatory fever. 
Died Feb. 3, 1857, 
and 
ast. 70. 
John B. Beck 
4* 
36' 
1842 
Mohn B. Beck. 
New York __j 
37 
The history of American 
medicine before the revolu- 
[t is stated that there are about four thousand physicians now in the 
State. Sixty counties in the State, in this Society about one- 
Died April 9, 1851, 
and 
set. 51. 
* William Taylor 
Onondaga 
7* 
tion. The president being 
absent,. his address was 
third represented; average attendance for four years past, 
thirty-four. The Chenango County Medical Society sent the 
read by his brother, Dr. T. 
following to the State Medical Society : Resolved, To elect four 
Romeyn Beck. 
instead of two permanent members; and that in place of one 
delegate from each county society, that each shall be entitled 
to as many delegates as the county is entitled to representatives 
in the Assembly: also, to allow the Society to change the time 
and place of meeting. June was suggested. Which suggestions 
were considered by the Society, but not adopted. The Legisla- 
ture was petitioned for a law for the uniform registration of 
deaths in the State. Three hundred copies of Vol. V. of 
1 
“ Transactions” published. 
371 
1843 
Onondaga | 
411 
Typhoid fever 
Proposal for an anatomical bill, the Legislature to be petitioned to 
legalize dissection and provide subjects from unclaimed bodies 
Died Sept. 16, 1865, 
and 
set. 74. 
Albany 
7 1 
of those who die in jails, alms-houses, etc. 
38 
1844 
Columbia 
45 
Insanity. 
It was considered inexpedient to petition the Legislature to 
Died 1845. set. 68. 
and 
increase the facilities for the study of anatomy. The time of 
Albany 
5* 
the Society largely taken up, as in former sessions, by the dis- 
cussion in relation to modifications of laws relating to the pro- 
fession, to suppress quackery, etc. 
39 
1845 
46 
Spinal irritation. The intro- 
ductory address, being the 
A large number of resolutions from various county medical 
Societies relative to the recent laws of the State putting all 
Died Sept. 6, 1852. 
and 
set. 64. 
15* 
first noticed in any of the 
classes of doctors on an equality, and holding them equally re- 
Harman Van Dusen.. 
Onondaga 
published “ Transactions,” 
sponsible. Dr. N. S. Davis presented resolutions, which were 
was “On the present period 
adopted, recommending a national medical convention, to meet 
of agitation and revolution 
at New York the first Tuesday in May, 1846. The president 
of medicine in the State.” 
required to set forth the state of the profession at the opening of 
the annual meeting. 
40 1846 
*James Webster 
Monroe 
42 
No address. The president 
The committee on national medical convention report satisfactory 
Died July 18, 1854, 
and 
was absent in consequence 
progress, having had favorable responses from most of the 
• 
' set. 51. 
9* 
of severe illness. 
States and colleges. Three hundred copies of “ Transactions,” 
G. Frary 
1 Columbia 
Vol. VI. published. 
41 
11847 
Oneida 
33 
Mental manifestation in health 
Dr. Jas. McNaughton invited the Societv to a supper at his house. 
Died Oct. 6, 1867 
and 
and disease. 
This is the first invitation or general supper mentioned in 
set. 80. 
12* 
the “Transactions.” At the suggestion of the president, a 
jStephen Hasbrouck 
.New York... 
• 
committee on “ Hygiene and Medical Statistics,” one on 
“ Medical Education, Ethics, Forensic Medicines, and Agricul- 
ture in its Relations to Medicine,” and one on “ Asylums, 
Hospitals, Dispensaries, etc,” for the “ Insane, Idiotic, Deaf 
and Dumb, Blind, and Sick,” were appointed. Discussions on 
“ Diseases of the Nervous System, etc.” 
42 1841 
*Thos. W. Blatchford. 
Rensselaer.. 
. 34 
History of the Temperaments 
In his inaugural address, the president refers to the American 
Died Jan. 7, 1866 
and 
Medical Association, and asks the adoption of its code by this 
Society. He proposed a nominating committee to save time of 
set. 71. 
4=1 
♦Alexander Thompsoi 
the Society. Advises the increase of voluntary medical 
associations Committee on patent medicines, their composition 
and sale, and best means of restricting their use. The Society 
to employ a reporter for its proceedings. Many cases were re- 
lated aud discussed. 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, Ac.— Continued.. 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, &C., OF THE 
NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, Ac.— Continued. 
a 
Names of Presidents and 
Counties of 
Presidents 
© • 
C- 
Subject of 
Some of the more notable acts of the Society 
© 
fc 
C3 
h 
Vice-Presidents. 
and Vice- 
Presidents. 
C 0 
O s 
President's Address. 
at each session. 
4.'i 
1849 
*Alex. H. Stephens 
New York.. 
56 
A Plea of Humanity in behalf 
The Inaugural Address is very short, and tnerely refers to the 
Died March 30, 1869, 
and 
of Medical Education. 2500 
success of the American Medical Association. Dr. Ray ex- 
net. 80. 
9* 
copies of the address were 
hibited a calculus, weight four ounces, which ulcerated through the 
*Alex. Thompson 
Cayuga.. 
ordered to be printed. 
coats of the bladder into the vagina; rapid spontaneous recovery. 
Resolved, “ That all articles put up for medical use and offered 
for sale, should be labelled in English, with their composition, 
etc.” Dr. Stephens moved “ to recommend Gen. Zachary Taylor 
*Alex. H. Stephens 
for the honorary degree of M. D. to the Regents of the 
University.” The subject of vaccination discussed. Four 
hundred copies of “Transactions,” Vol. VII, were published. 
44 
1850 
New York... 
54 
The Public Health. 
Prize offered for the best essay “ On the pernicious influences of 
*Alex. Thompson 
Died Sept. 18, 1869, 
Cayuga 
and 
nostrums and secret remedies, on the health and morals of the 
6* 
community.” The subject of the “ Identity of Typhus aud 
mt 60. 
Typhoid Fever” was fully discussed by Drs. Clark, Flint, and 
many others. The “ Transactions” (pp. 280) were printed by 
the State, and became a Legislative document. 
45 
185] 
*Alex. Thompson 
Jenks S. Sprague 
Cayuga 
65 
A brief inauiry into some ofThe nresident nronoses a semi-annual meet,ino- of the Society and 
Otsego. __ 
that an address on medicine shall be delivered by the vice- 
president. A committee to report on Diphtheritic Croup. The 
progress in medicine. 
Society resolved to hold a semi-annual meeting at Buffalo on the 
second Tuesday of June next. Seven essays were offered for 
the prize on “Nostrums, etc” The prize was given to John G. 
46 
Sewall, M. T)., of New York. 
1852 
•'Robert (4. Frary. 
Columbia 
57 
No address. The president 
Dr. Reid’s essay on “ Reduction of Dislocation of the Hip joint by 
Died Dec. 29, 1862,1 
aet. 69. 
Fenks S. Sprague 
Dtsego ... 
was absent. 
Manipulation” was referred to the publishing committee. The 
next semi-annual meeting to be in New York City the last 
Tuesday in June next. No reference in the “ Transaction” to 
the semi-annual meeting held in Buffalo. 
47 
1853 
New York 
80 
The Claims of the Medical 
The proceedings of the semi-annual meeting in New York are 
lenks S. Sprague. — 
Dtsego 
Profession. 
published in the “ Transactions.” Sixty-seven, including those 
invited to take seats, were present. The president delivered an 
address, and many papers were read. At the annual meeting 
the effort made to increase the number of delegates resulted in 
the election of two permanent members from each senatorial 
district. 
48 
1854 
Jenks S. Sprague — 
Otsego 
88 
Medical Education, and the 
The following subjects were selected for reports at the next meet- 
* Peter Van Buren 
Died Dec. 5, 1873, 
claims of the science we 
ing: 1. “Rest and the Abolition of Pain in the Treatment of 
Disease.” 2. “ Internal Cancer.” 3. “ Treatment of Tuber- 
cultivate,to the countenance 
<et. 71. 
and encouragement of all 
culosis.” 4. “ Deformity after Fracture.” 5. “ Treatment of 
who value life and health. 
Pneumonia.” 6. “ Ergot versus the Forceps.” 7. “ Non-con- 
tagious Eruptive Diseases of Children.” 8. “ Types of Fever.’ 
9. “ Croup." 10. “ Epidemics.” 
49 
1855 
Clias. Broadhead Cov- 
Oueida 
92 
The philosophy of medicine as 
Gov. Myron H. Clark invited the Society to visit him at the Execu- 
a science and an art. 
tive Chamber. A petition to the Legislature to compel parents 
*Peter Van Buren 
Albany 
and guardians to have their children vaccinated before they are 
one year old,, and expel all unprotected children from the public 
schools. Dr. F H. Hamilton’s report on “ Dislocations and their 
Results,” and various other valuable papers, were read. 
50 
1856 
Frank Hastings Ham- 
Erie.. 
56 
Eulogium upon the life and 
The Legislature petitioned to furnish additional accommodation for 
character of Theodoric Ro- 
the insane. A committee of nomination to be hereafter ap- 
Albany 
meyn Beck, M. D., LL D. 
pointed by the president, consisting of one member from each 
senatorial district. A committee appointed to arrange for the 
semi-centennial meeting. Members of the American Medical 
Association to be invited. 
51 
1857 
106 
A review of the improve- 
Attendance: 40 permanent members, 38 delegates, 28 invited to 
seats—106. “ Resolved, That the vice-president be required here- 
Died June 17, 1869 
ments in medicine and sur- 
set. 73. 
gery, and the progress ol 
after to deliver an address at some period of the annual session 
Charles S. Goodrich... 
Kings .. . 
the arts and sciences during 
to this Society." The Legislature petitioned to pass a law for 
| the past fifty years. 
the remuneration of medical witnesses in criminal cases. Reso- 
lution in favor of the passage of a prohibitory liquor law. Res- 
olution commending the project for an asylum for inebriates, 
also commending the bill for “ Sanitary Police for the City of 
New York.” A prize of fifty dollars offered for best essay on 
scarlet fever. Resolution commending the founding of “ The 
Woman’s Hospital of the State of New York." The semi-cen- 
tennial celebration and supper took place at the Delevan House ; 
a very pleasant occasion. 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, &C., OF THE 
NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, kc.—Continued. 
03 
btJ 
1 
Names of Presidents and 
Counties of 
Presidents 
S 
Ch 
X 
S 
> 
Subject of 
Some of the more notable acts of the Society 
O 
C3 
Vice-Presidents. 
and Vice- 
Presidents. 
o~ 
6 
President’s Address. 
at each session. 
'A 
h 
52 
1858 
* Aug ustus Willard 
Chenango 
108 
Air, exercise and sunlight. Attendance: 36 permanent members, 41 delegates, 31 invited to 
seats—108. An effort to organize medical societies in counties 
where none exist. The vice-president delivered an address on 
*Thomas C. Brinsmade 
Rensselaer . 
(private) “ Medical Statistics,” which made three hundred pages 
• 
of the printed “ Transactions.” This was the first and last 
address by a vice-president The State not only printed but 
bound the “ Transactions”—8vo, 665 pages; several line 
engravings. 
53 
1859 
♦Thomas 0. Brinsmade 
Rensselaer .. 
128 
The value of association and, Attendance : 46 permanent members, 48 delegates, 34 invited to 
united effort for the ad- 
seats—128. • Resolved to dispense with the annual supper, io 
set 66. 
vancement of science and 
increase the annual number of honorary members from two to 
Georo-e W. Bradford . 
Cortland 
the honor of the medical 
six. Dr. H. A. Carrington, of Hyde Park, New York, received 
profession. 
the prize for best essay on scarlet fever. Numerous and valu- 
able papers were read and published in the “ Transactions,” 
pp. 454; also re-publication of an abstract of “ Transactions ” 
from 1807-1831. 
54 
I860 
B. Fordyce Barker.. . 
New York .. 
144 
No annual address prepared Attendance: 54 permanent members, 57 delegates, 33 invited to 
♦Daniel T. Jones 
Onondaga .. 
on account of the condition 
seats—144. The Legislature petitioned to pass a law tor tne 
of the president’s voice. 
appointment of a State commission of lunacy. Report on the 
priority of the discovery of anaesthesia, assigning it to Dr. Wells 
(Trans., p. 187-195). A committee to consider the importance 
of a topographical and hydrographical survey of the State, with 
reference to systematic drainage as a hygienic measure, sug- 
gested by the president in his inaugural address. “ Transac- 
• 
tions ” for 1860, 8vo, pp. 280. 
55 1 
t 
Daniel T. Jones 
. Onondaga .. 
125 C 
eneral considerations on im-J/ 
provements in Medical 
Practice, etc. 
attendance: 47 permanent members. 52 delegates, 26 invited 
to seats 125 Au extended discussion on Inversion of the 
Died March 29,1861, 
aet 60. 
lutchess— 
Uterus- also on treatment of fractures of the long bones by simple 
extension The medical books of the Society put in a case in the 
1 
Idvvard H. Parker— 
. 
- 
Albany Medical College. Resolved, To petition the Legislature 
to pass a law to prevent the sale of opiates to persons laboring 
under the opium habit. “ Transactions,” 8vo, pp. 408. 
561 
862 
Edward H. Parker... 
. 
lutchess... 
- 
128 
The Essential Dignity of 
the Profession of Medicine.” 
Attendance: 48 permanent members, 55 delegates, 25 invited to 
198 The Inaugural Address refers to the civil war 
Andrew Van Dyck. 
1 
now in progress, and the relations of the profession to it. The 
Died Aug. 1811, set. 
legacy of $500 to the Society by Dr. Cash was announced. 
71. 
Resolved. Hereafter, to open our annual session with prayer. 
“ Transactions,” 8vo, pp. 531. 
57 
Albany 
139 
“ An inquiry into the degree 
and kind of influence which 
the progress ot medical 
science, during the present 
century, has exerted over 
medical art.” 
Attendance : 64 permanent members, 48 delegates, 27 invited to 
seats.—139. Dr. Hun said this State had been called upon to 
Dafliel P. Bissell 
Oneida 
furnish about 600 surgeons and assistant-surgeons for the volun- 
teer regiments going to the war.; that the American Medica 
Association had not convened tor two years on account of 
the war. A Government Army Medical School proposed, also 
that the American Medical Association should resume its regular 
meetings without regard to the civil war. “ Transactions, 8\ o, 
58 
Oneida 
162 
On Medical Progress. 
dd. 442. 
\(tendance : 60 permanent members, 50 delegates, 8 honorary, 
41 invited to seats.—162. The president referred to the meet- 
Died Oct. 29, 1874 
ing of the American Medical Association in June last, to the 
Cash prize fund, to the appropriation by this State of 0,0 
ait. 72. 
New York 
for the sick and wounded volunteers. Suggested two or mote 
* 
vice-presidents. The State has furnished to the army anc* na'T 
about 1000 surgeons since the war began. Dr. A. N. Bell tooK 
the prize for best essay on “Vaccination, etc. Gov. Seymour 
invited the Society to his mansion. The secretary to be paid a 
salary of $250. “ Transactions,” 8vo, pp. 503. 
5 
1 186 
Cortland.. 
. 15' 
1 Medical Education and Medica 
Attendance ; 64 permanent members, 54 delegates, 8 honorary, 28 
invited to seats —154. The Governor invited the Society to his 
Pupilage. 
_ Westchester 
mansion Dr. Brinsmade offered a prize of $100 for the best 
essay on “ Medical and Vital Statistics.” “ Transactions, 8vo, 
1 pp. 375. 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, &C,, OF THE 
NKW YORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, &c.— Continued. 
00 I 
J5d 
s 
Names of Presidents and 
Counties of 
Presidents 
i- rA 
Ch” 
V > 
Subject of 
Some of the more notable acts of the Society 
'•S 
U 
a 
£ 
Vice-Presidents. 
and Vice- 
Presidents. 
® c 
6 S 
A 
President’s Address. 
at each session 
60 
1866 
Henry W. Dean 
211 
Disease, physiological and 
psychological, as typed and 
modified by civilization. 
Attendance: 77 permanent members. 71 delegates, 7 honorarjq 56 
invited to seats.—211. Twenty-three counties sent no delegates. 
Joseph C. Hutchison.. 
Kings 
A bill was endorsed to permit county medical societies to dis- 
cipline their members. *’ Transactions,” 8vo, pp. 420. 
61 
1867 
Joseph 0 Hutchison.. 
Julien T. Williams 
207 
Moral Power, not Legal En- 
actments, the best agency 
Attendance : 79 permanent members, 69 delegates, 7 honorary, 52 
invited.—207. Dr. Franklin B Hough received the Brinsmade 
Chautauqua .. 
in effecting reform. 
Prize for best essay, “ Medical and Vital Statistics.” Delegates 
elected to International Medical Congress. Discussions on the 
Metropolitan Board of Health, on Vivi-section, on Registration 
of Births, etc. “ Transactions,” 8vo, pp. 563. 
62 
1868 
John P. Gray 
Oneida 
189 
Insanity and its Relations to 
Medicine. 
Attendance : 78 permanent members, 69 delegates, 5 honorary, 37 
invited.—189. Forty-three counties sent delegates, eighteen 
did not. Discussions on Monstrosities. Criminal Abortion, 
Lake I. Teft. 
Onondaga 
Sloughing from Light Bandaging, Report of delegates to Inter- 
national Medical Congress at Paris. “ Transactions,” 8vo, pp. 
420. 
Attendance: 90 permanent member71 delegates, 7 honorary, 
40 invited—208 47 counties sent delegates, 14 did not. The 
Cash prize of $100 was awarded to Dr. Hutchison for Essay on 
63 
1869 
J. V. P. Quackenbush. 
208 
Individual effort and individ- 
ual obligation. 
“ Acupressure.” Discussions on acupressure, on frequent meet- 
ings of county medical societies, on iron wire sutures, on one- 
man committees, on pathological stereographs. Dr. Corliss 
offers $100 prize for the best essay on Consumption. ’‘Trans- 
actions,” 8vo, pp. 303. 
Attendance: 89 permanent members, 77 delegates, 4 honorary, 
42 invited—212. 44 counties sent delegates, 17 did not. Dele- 
gates appointed to the National’Convention for the revision of 
64 
1870 
James P. White 
Erie 
212 
Progress in Medicine. 
George Burr 
the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. Gov. Huffman invited the Society to 
his mansion. Discussions on Codes’ Fracture, on Lithotomy vs. 
Lithotrity, on Pepsin, on a State medical register, on fancy 
fracture apparatus. “ Transaction,” 8vo, pp. 429. 
65 
1871 
3. 0. Vander Poel 1 
179 
Pathological anatomy, the ne- 
% * 
Attendance: 60 permanent members, 71 delegates.1 honorary, 
47 invited—179. 43 counties sent delegates. 18 did not. Ui. 
cessity for its study, and its 
influence upon medicine as 
a positive science. 
Gilson A. Dayton. ... 
Oswego 
G Durant, of New York City, took the Corliss prize for best 
essay on “ Tubercular Phthisis.” Dr. F. S.Speir. of Brooklyn, 
took the Cash prize for essay on “A New Method of arresting 
Surgical Hemorrhage by the Artery Constrictor, Ac. Resolu- 
tions to investigate the mortality of abandoned infants and 
children The subject of insanity is commended to the atten- 
tion of medical college faculties. “ Transactions, 8vo, pp. 
66 
1872 
William C. Wey. 
Chemung 
213 
Medical responsibility and 
malpractice. 
Attendance: 68 permanent members, 88 delegates, 6 honorary, 
51 invited—213. 42 counties sent delegates, 19 did not. Hie 
Andrew F. Doolittle.. 
Herkimer — 
Legislature petitioned to pass a law for the protection of physi- 
cians and surgeons in cases of suits for alleged malpractice. 
Discussions on “ Chronic Cystitis in Females, on “ Protection 
of Foundlings,” on changing the time and place of meeting ot 
this Society. “ Transactions,” the last volume published by the 
67 
1873 
Cornelius R. Agnew— 
B. F. Sherman 
New York—. 
St. Lawrence 
253 
Some of the relations of the 
medical profession to edu 
l cation. 
State, 8vo, pp. 484. , , of-o 
Attendance : 97 permanent members, 79 delegates, ,9 invited _,>... 
Report of committee favoring change of time of meeting. A 
motion was made and tabled, “ That after this year the. annual 
meeting be held at Albany, on the fourth Tuesday in 
Monroe 
25f 
The search for and discover! 
of law, the true basis o 
Attendance: 102 permanent members, 93 GO mvited- 
f 255 Reports on hygiene and other subjects. Many interest 
LpaneTIead Jkmm*. The - Transactions to 1873 
andP1874 were published by subscription of members, and bound 
Fulton 
scientific progress. 
6 
» 187 
5 George J. Fisher 
Westchester 
Ontario 
25 
1 A brief history and review o 
I the Medical Society of th 
State of New York, wit 
tables, Ac. 
f A tte n da n ce rm a n en tm e mbe rs, 94 delegates. 68 invited-259. 
e Vermont, 3; Maine, 2; Massachusetts, 1; Connecticut, 1, Vis 
i consin 1 The time of meeting was changed to tliiru 1 uesdaj in 
June, 1876 The scientific character of the session was highly 
satisfactory, the meetings harmonious and largely attended. 1 he 
first lady delegate took her seat, Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi, from 
New York County Society. “ Transactions published in New 
York City. 
TABLE OF PRESIDENTS, &C., OF THE 
NKVV YORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. 40 
TITLKS OF FAPFHS, AODKFSSKS, &C. 
TITLES OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &c., 
From 1807 to 1874. 
1821 On the Functions and Diseases of the Liver. President John Stearnsr 
Address. 
1832 Prize Essay on Delirium Tremens. Dr. J. C. Cross. 1831. 
1834 Dysentery. President Thomas Spencer’s Address. 
“ Prize Essay (1828) on the History, Causes, and Treatment of Typhus Fever. 
Dr. A. Y. Magill. 
1835 Prize Essay (1835) on Remote and Proximate Causes of Phthisis Pulmonalis. 
Dr. A. Hammersly. 
1836 Derangement of the Digestive Organs. President J. H. Steele’s Address. 
1837 An Essay on Typhus Fever. Dr. James Fountain. 
1841 Inflammatory Fever. President Sumner Ely’s Address. 
“ Hereditary Diseases Dr. Daniel Hayne’s Address before Rensselaer County 
Medical Society. 1838. 
1843 Typhoid Fever. President Wm. Taylor’s Address. 
1845 Phlebitis. Dr. Thomas Hun’s Address before Albany County Medical Society. 
1845. 
“ Observations on an Obscure Point in Pathology. Dr. N. S. Davis. 
1847 Observations on some of the most Common Diseases of the Digestive Organs. 
Dr. N. S. Davis. 
1850 Erysipelas. Dr. John Swinburne’s Address before Albany County Medical 
Society, 1849. 
“ Morbid Condition of the Generative Organs. Dr. W. D. Purple. 
1852 Abstract of a Case of Pleuro-Pneumonia. Dr. S. Shumway. 
1853 Observations of the Pathology of Bright’s Disease. Dr. J. A. Sweet. 
“ Report on Diphtheritic Croup. Dr. Morgan Snyder. 
1856 Report on Tuberculosis and Tubercular Pneumonia. Dr. C. B. Coventry. 
“ On the Treatment of Pneumonia Dr. Saunders. 
“ Malignant Pustule and Scrofulous Gangrene. Dr. Howard Townsend. 
“ Encysted Osseous Tumors. Plates. Dr. A. March. 
“ A Case of Chronic Nephritis, resulting in Disorganization and Entire Absorp- 
tion of the left Kidney. Dr. G. J. Fisher. 
1857 Cholera Infantum, Diarrhoea, and Entero-Colitis, their Relation to each other, 
their Pathology and Treatment. Dr. E. H. Parker. 
“ Types of Fever. Dr. George Burr. 
“ Case of Death by Syncope from Plugging the Pulmonary Artery. Dr. C. M. 
Allaben. 
“ Gangrenous Erysipelas. Dr. W. S. Norton. 
“ Medullary Sarcoma. Dr. A. Potter. 
“ Tubercular Splenetis. Dr.'G. J. Fisher. 
1858 Cerebro Spinal Meningitis. Dr. J Y Kendall. 
“ Cerebro Spinal Meningitis. Dr. D. G. Thomas. 
“ Congestive Fever, Typhus Petecliialis, Spotted Fever, Cerebro Spinalis Menin- 
gitis, Brain Fever. Dr. T. II. Squire. 
“ Vegetable Fungus from the Leg of a Boy. Dr. Hawle’s Case. Dr. E. Harris. 
1859 Prize Essay on Scarlet Fever. Dr. H. A. Carrington. 
“ Pneumonia Biliosa and Typhoids. Dr. J. D. Watson. 
“ Diphtherite. Its Prevalence in Albany. Dr. S. D. .Willard. 
“ Rupture of a Cul de Sac of the Transverse Colon. Dr. H. K. Willard. 
1860 General Pathology of the Skin, and its Treatment by Warmth and Moisture. 
Dr. Benjamin Lee. 
“ Recurrent Measles, severe Pulmonary Disease, and Derangement of the Gen- 
eral Health in the interval. Dr. N. Nivison. 
MEDICAL PAPERS. 41 
MEDICAL PAPERS. 
1861 On the Use of Mercurials in Acute Pericarditis. Dr. S. 0. Yander Poel. 
“ Bleeding in Cerebral Diseases. Dr. S. 0. Vander Poel. > 
“ Diphtheria. Dr U. Potter. 
“ Diphtheria. Dr. F. Jacobs. 
“ Remarkable Case of Suppression of Urine. Dr. A. G. Purdy. 
1862 Healed Ulcer of the Stomach. Dr. J. Kneelaud. 
“ Synopsis of a Case of Peritonitis, Treatment with enormous quantities of Mor- 
phine. Dr. H. S. Downs. 
“ Cirrhosis of the Liver, Enlarged Spleen, and Abnormal Distribution of the 
Vessels between it and the Stomach. Dr. M. M. Marsh. 
“ Protracted Case of Lameness. Dr. H. Corliss. 
“ Dysentery, Peritonitis, Suppuration, Spontaneous Opening of Umbilicus, &c. 
Dr. T. C. Finnell. 
“ Malignant Pustule in the United States. Dr. A. N. Bell. 
“ Cure of Enlargement of the Spleen. Dr. L. Briggs. 
1863 Morbid Growth, Characteristic Symptoms of Cancerous Cachexia. Dr. N. 
Nivison. 
“ Diphtheria. Dr. A. L. Saunders. 
“ Report on Gangrene of the Mouth and Fauces, observed in the U. S. General 
Marine Hospital, New Orleans, La. Dr. R. K. Browne. 
“ Small Pox and Varioloid. Dr. H. Corliss. 
1864 On the True Indications for the Employment of Stimulants in Continued 
Fever. Dr. S. Hanbury Smith. 
1865 Phlegmoid Erysipelas. Dr. C. F. Gay. 
“ Observations on Cerebro Spinal Meningitis, or Spotted Fever, as it prevailed 
at Carbondale, Pa., 1864. Dr. C. Burr. 
“ Suggestions Relative to the Pathology of Pneumonia. Dr. S. 0. Vander Poel. 
“ Remarks upon a Demonstration of the Optical Principles of the Ophthalmo- 
scope, and its Use in Diagnosticating Diseases of the Eye. Dr. H. D. Noyes. 
1866 Carbonaceous Lungs, Wound of Heart. Dr. J. K. Boulware. 
“ The Gingival Margin as a Diagnostic Sign. Dr. L. McKay. 
“ An Inquiry Relative to the Subject of the Formation of and Expectoration of 
Fibrinous Bronchial Casts, with a Cure. Dr. S. Rogers. 
“ An Unusual Place of Lodgement and Exit of a Biliary Calculus. Dr. A. March. 
“ Case of Acute Enteritis. Dr. B. G. McCabe. 
“ A Case of Chronic Hydrocephalus. Dr. H S. Downs. 
1867 Spotted or Congestive Fever. Dr. C. B. Coventry. 
“ Cerebro Spinal Meningitis, or Spotted Fever. Dr. A. Churchill. 
“ Chlorosis, Dr. W. H. Thomson. 
“ Vomiting of Fat. Dr. H. B. Salmon. 
“ The Continued Fever of New York City. Dr. H. M. Field. 
“ Fatal Hemorrhage succeeding Pneumonia. Dr. J. D. Watkyns. 
1868 Schirrhus, or Malignant Disease of the Rectum. Dr. A. March. 
“ Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases of the Ear. Dr. D. B. St, 
John Roosa. 
“ Caecal Inflammation and Ulceration, complicated with Diseased Appendix 
Vermiformis. Dr. F. Jacobs. 
1869 Trichina Spiralis. Dr. E. R. Hun. 
“ An Extraordinary Case of Purpura, or something analagous to it. Dr. H. S. 
Crandall. 
1870 Causes and Treatment of Tuberculosis. Dr. W. J. Orton. 
“ Cases of Chorea. Dr. Wm. C. Wey. 
“ A Singular Case of Enlarged Kidney. Post mortem. Dr. C. Barrows. 
“ Twelve Cases of Trichinosis. Dr. T. M. Flandrau. 
1871 Pathological Anatomy; the necessity for its Study, and its Influence upon 
Medicine as a Positive Science. President S. 0. Vander Poel’s Address. 
“ On the Cause, Prevention, and Cure of Tuberculous Phthisis. Dr. G. Durant. 
“ On Detection of Pulmonary Elastic Tissue in the Spectrum of Phthisis. Dr. J. 
G. Richardson, of Philadelphia, Pa. 
“ Inoculation with Tuberculous Matter. Dr. L. Barton. 
1873 Idiopathic Peritonitis. Dr. J. Lewi’s Address before Albany County Medical 
Society. 1872. 
“ Hemiopic and Sector-like Defects in the field of Vision, and their Connection 
with Diseases of the Heart and Brain. Dr. H. Knapp. 
1874 Haemoptysis. Dr. J. R. Learning. 
“ A Case of Acute Dilatation of the Stomach. Dr. Wm. C. Wey. 42 
TITLES OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &C. 
SURGICAL PAPERS. 
1817 White Swelling of the Joints. President J. White’s Annual Address. 
1819 Case of Bronchotomy. Dr. A. Trobridge. 
‘ Unusual Case of Polypus in the Throat and Cavities of the Face. Dr. A. 
Trobridge. 
1841 Ligature of the Femoral and External Iliac Arteries, with Observations on 
Aneurism. Prof. Portal, of Palermo. 
1845 Case of Lithotomy in the Female, with Remarks. Dr. A. Baker, Jr. 
1850 Operation for the Removal of an Ovarian Tumor. Dr. Alden March. 
1851 Abstract of Cases from Case Book. Dr. John McCall. 
Strangulated Hernia. Dr. J. McNaughton’s Address to Albany County Med- 
ical Society. 1850. 
1852 On Hospitals. Dr. J. H. Armsby’s Address to Albany County Medical Society. 
1851. 
“ Dislocation of the Femur on the Dorsum Ilii, Reducible without Pulleys or 
other Mechanical Power. Dr. W. W. Reid. 
1853 Case of Ligature of the Subclavian Artery, with Statistical Data. Dr. W. Van 
Buren. 
“ On American Hospitals. Dr. J. H. Armsby’s Address to Albany County 
Medical Society. 1852. 
1854 Penetrating Wounds of the Abdomen, Punctured Wounds of the Intestines, 
and Penetrating Wounds of the Larynx. Dr. A. March. 
“ Dislocated Femur. Reduction. Dr. S. Sliumway. 
1855 Dislocations, with Special Reference to their Result Dr. F. H. Hamilton. 
“ Improved Forceps for Hare-Lip Operation. Dr. A. March. 
“ Injury of the Shoulder. Dr. W. S. Norton. 
“ Fatal Result of an Operation for removal of a Tumor from the Neck, from Ad- 
mission of Air iu the Veins. Dr. A. March. 
1856 Historic Notice of Dislocations of the Femur. Dr. J. L. Phelps. 
1857 Ovarian Tumor. Dr. Nelson Winton. 
“ Supra-Malleolar Amputation, its Relative Value. Dr. C. V. Barnett. 
“ Hemorrhage of the Urethra. Dr. N. C. Husted. 
1858 Anaesthesia. Dr. P. Van Buren. 
“ On the Use of Amylene as an Anaesthetic. Dr. J. G-. Orton. 
“ Case of Ovariotomy. Dr. H. S West. 
“ Fracture of Cervical Vertebrae. Dr. A. Van Dyck. 
“ Osseous Union of Iter-Capsular Fracture of the Neck of the Femur. Dr. A. 
March. 
“ Urinary Calculi. Dr. A. March. 
“ Traumatic Aneurism of the Axilla, from Sub-cutaneous Rupture of the Artery; 
Ligation of the Subclavian, &c. Dr. R. B. Bontecou. 
“ - Dr. Armsby’s Instrument for the Cure of Radical Hernia. 
1859 Prognosis in Cases of Fracture of the Neck of the Femur, within the Capsule, 
with especial reference to the question of Ossific Union; to which are added 
a few Remarks on Treatment. Dr. F. H. Hamilton. 
u Treatment of Fractures of the Femur by Simple Extension. Dr. J. Swinburne. 
“ Partial Dislocations, Consecutive and Muscular Affections of the Shoulder Joint. 
Dr. Alfred Mercer. 
“ Removal of a Tumor from the Cranium. Dr. C. E. Isaacs. 
“ Operation for Congenital Fissure of the Soft Palate. Dr. Seth Shove. 
“ Case of Hydrops Sacci Lachrymalis. Dr. John Ball. 
'* Treatment of Varicose Ulcers. Dr. E. H. Parker. 
1860 Fracture of the Neck of the Femur within the Capsule, and Bony Union within 
fourteen weeks and three days. Dr. D. Holmes. 
Extirpation of the Eye. Dr. John Ball. 
“ Exophthalmia. Dr. T. H. Squire. 
[ “ Gunshot Wound within the Cavity of the Thorax. Dr. S. D. Willard 
“ Gunshot Wound. Dr. N. C. Husted. 
“ Tumors. Dr. H. Corliss. 
“ Case of Direct Inguinal Hernia. Dr. C. Barrows. 
1861 Compound, Comminuted, and Complicated Fracture of the upper end of the 
Tibia. Dr. A. March. 
“ Case of Exsection of Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Dorsal Vertebrae, with Sum- 
mary of Twenty Cases. Dr. J. Hutchinson. SHKG10AL PAPKKS. 
43 
1861 Dilatation of Stricture of the Urethra. Dr. J. H. H. Ward. 
“ Amputation of the Lower Extremities, with reference to Substitutes for the 
same. Dr. Douglass Bly. 
“ Treatment of Fractures of the Long Bones by Simple Extension. Dr. J. 
Swinburne. 
“ Encystic Tumor of Pelvic Origin. Dr. R J. Ilemstreet. 
1862 Wounded Trachea, Obstinate Vomiting, Congested Lungs, Suffocation. Dr. 
J. K. Boulware. 
“ Strictures of the Urethra, and Means for their Treatment. Dr. J. M. Minor. 
“ Dilatation of Strictures in the Urethra. Dr. J. H. H. Burge. 
“ A New Instrument for the Removal of Foreign Bodies from the Larynx. 
Dr. J. H. H. Burge. 
“ Points of Election and Kind of Operation for the Amputation of Lower Ex- 
tremities. Dr. Douglas Bly. 
“ Case of Suffocation, with Pathological Specimen. Dr. J. K. Boulware. 
“ Remarks on the Treatment of Hemorrhage on the Battle-field, with a Notice 
of a New Tourniquet. Dr. C. A. Lee. 
“ Caries of Elbow Joint, Excision, with Recovery. Dr. N. C. Hnsted. 
“ Dislocation of Femur iuto Ischiatic Notch, Reduction by Manipulation; Death 
from Rupture of the Bladder. Dr. J. C. Hutchison. 
“ Oblique Fracture of Femur Caused by Spasms. Dr. C. Barrows. 
“ Conservative Surgery, Medical and Surgical Force ot New York in the War of the 
Rebellion of 1861-2; Notice of Hospitals at Fortress Monroe and White 
House, Virginia. Dr. S. D. Willard. 
1863 Hospital Construction. Notices of Foreign Military Hospitals, etc. Dr. C. A. Lee. 
“ Mechanical Treatment of Potts’ Disease of the Spine. Dr. C. F. Taylor. 
“ A New Operation for Artificial Hip Joint in the Bony Anchylosis. Dr. Lewis 
A. Sayre. 
“ Report to Surgeon General Hammond. Experiences in the Peninsular Cam- 
paign in Virginia. Resection of Joints and Conservative Surgery, etc. Dr. 
John Swinburne. 
“ Fractures of the Cranium. Dr. Frederick Hyde. 
“ Case of Lithotomy. Dr. A. Baker. 
“ Resection of Ankle Joint- Dr. J. C. Johnson. 
“ Hyperostosis of Lower Extremities. Dr. T. C. Finnell. 
“ Post Pharyngeal Abscess. Dr. H. S. Downs. 
“ Deformity of the Feet and their Treatment with Plaster of Paris. Dr. D. C. 
Enos. 
“ Nelaton’s Probe for Exploring Gunshot Wounds where there is Lodgement 
of the Ball. Dr. A. March. 
“ Fracture of the Lower Jaw Treated by a New Method. Dr. A. L. Sands. 
“ Tracheotomy in Diphtheria. Dr. W. Giltillan. 
“ Communication from the Massachusetts Medical Society on Abuses in the Ambu- 
lance Service in the United States Army. 
“ Regimental Surgeons of the State of New York in the War of the Rebellion, 
. 1861-63. Dr. S. D. Willard. 
1864 Traumatic Hemorrhage Following Tracheotomy, etc. Treatment of Croup by 
Inhalation of Steam, etc. Dr. L. A. Sayre. 
“ Compound and Comminuted Gunshot Fractures of the Thigh, and Means for 
their Transportation. Dr. J. Swinburne. 
“ History of a Case in which a Series of Plastic Operations were Successful 
in Restoring Right Half of Upper Lip and Adjacent Portions of the Cheek 
and Nose. Dr. G. Buck. 
“ Impalement Through the Vagina. Dr. 0. White. 
“ Case ot Gunshot Wound, Extraction of a Bullet Lodged in the Femur, etc. 
Dr. A. B. Shipman, U. S. V. 
“ Ligature of the Subclavian Artery. Dr. Jas. H. Armsby. 
“ Report of Committee to Confer with the Governor and Legislature for Addi- 
tional Care of Sick and Wounded Soldiers of New York. 
“ Regimental Surgeons of the State of New York in the War of 1861-4. Dr. 
S. D. Willard. 
1865 The Importance of Examining the Condition of the Dioptric Media in some 
Affections of the Eye. Dr. C. A. Robertson. 
The Uses and Abuses of Tenotomy in Cases of Muscular Atrophy, with the 
True Indications for their Employment. Dr. C. F. Taylor. 44 
1865 Medical and Surgical Extracts from Letters of Dr. H. S. West, cf Syria. 
“ Ligature of the Subclavian Artery. Dr. Armsby. 
“ A Case of Epithelial Cancer of the Left Cheek and the Adjacent Portion of 
the Lip. Removal of the Entire Substance of the Cheek, and Successful 
Closure of the Opening by a Plastic Operation. Dr. J. C. Hutchison. 
1866 Report of a Case of Gunshot Wound of the Liver. Dr. P. 0. Williams. 
“ Cases in Ophthalmic Surgery. Dr. H. D. Noyes. 
“ Case of Destruction of the Body of the Lower .Taw and Extensive Disfigura- 
tion of the Face from a Shell Wound; Reparative Autoplastic Operation. Dr. 
G. Buck. 
“ Two Cases of Excision—One of the Shaft of the Humerus, and One of the 
Elbow Joint. Dr. W. Gilfillan. 
“ On Precisions in Cases of Gunshot Wounds. Dr. G. T. Stevens. 
1866 Congenital Hypertrophy of Tongue ; Amputation. Dr. A. Bolter. 
1867 A New Method Employed for Removing a Urinary Calculus from the Urethra. 
Dr. A. March. 
“ Case of Empyema Paracentesis-Thoracis—Recovery. Dr. John Root. 
“ Hernia and its Complications. Dr. F. Hyde. 
“ Two cases of Ligation of the Primitive Carotid Artery. Dr. J. H. Armsby. 
“ Cystitis and Rupture of the Bladder, treated by Cystotomy. Dr. Willard 
Parker. 
1868 On the Treatment of Stricture of the Urethra by the Employment of the 
“ Stricture Dilator ” of Barnard Holt, Esq. Dr. J. C. Hutchison. 
“ Removal of Encephaloid Testicle. Dr. F. Jacobs. 
1869 A Practical Treatise on Acupressure. Prize Essay. Dr. ,T. C. Hutchison. 
“ Spontaneous Lithotomy. Dr. A. March. 
“ Report of a Committee on “ Propositions on Sloughing and its Consequences.” 
“ Case of Morbus Coxarius. Dr. W. G. Wheeler. 
“ Glancoma. Dr. H. D. Noyes. 
“ Medical and Surgical Experience in Asia Minor. Dr. H. S. West. 
“ On Plxternal Perineal Urethrotomy, or an Improved Method of External 
Division of the Urethra in Perinaseo for the relief of Obstinate Stricture, 
with remarks on treatment. Dr. J. W. S. Gouley. 
1870 Case of Luxation of Tendons of the Foot by High-heeled Boots. Dr. L. A. Sayre. 
“ Fractured Clavicle. Dr. E. M. Moore 
“ Rational Surgery in the Treatment of Fractures. Dr. T. H. Squier’s Address to 
the Chemung County Medical Society. 
“ The Big Nsevus. Dr. G. H. Hubbard. 
“ Malignant Tumors of the Abdomen. Dr. Frederick Hyde. 
“ Lithotomy and Lithotrity; Illustrated by Cases. Dr. Gurdon Buck. 
“ A Case of Fracture of the Skull Dr. H. Corliss. 
“ A Luxation of Ulna, noi hitherto described; Mode of Reduction aud Treatment; 
Management of Colies’ Fracture. Dr. E. M. Moore. 
1871 Two Cases of Luxation of the Elbow, backwards; one of fourteen and the other 
of sixteen weeks standing; Successful, and Recovery of Nearly Perfect Motion. 
Dr. L. A. Sayre. 
“ Anaesthetics. Dr. E. R. Squibb. 
“ On one of the Modes of Death from Chloroform. Dr. A. H. Smith. 
“ Absorption of Bone. Dr. I. N. Mead. 
“ Operation for the Radical Cure of Inguinal Hernia. Dr. C. C. F. Gay. 
“ A Case of Ligation of the Left Subclavian Artery for Axillary Aneurism. 
Dr. C. C. F. Gay. 
“ Fracture of one of the Bones of the Spinal Column-, Accompanied with Dislo- 
cation. Dr. P. 0. Williams. 
“ A New Method of Arresting Surgical Hemorrhage by the Artery Constrictor, 
Designed for the Instantaneous Hermetic Closure of Arteries without the use 
of Ligature or other Foreign Substance to be left in the wound. Dr. S. F. 
Speir. 
“ Yertebrated Probe and Catheter. Dr L. A. Sayre. 
“ A Contribution to the Surgery of Divergent Squint. Dr. C. R. Agnew. 
“ Congenital Hypertrophy of the Tongue. Operation. Dr. W. Vosburgh. 
1872 Malignant Tumor of the Orbit. Dr. E. Hutchinson. 
“ Some General Remarks on the Surgery of Childhood. Dr. J. H. Pooley. 
“ Cases in Ophthalmic Practice. Dr. Charles E. Rider. 
Blepharoplasty. Dr. H. D. Noyes. 
TITT.KS OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &C. OBSTKTRfCS AND TUSK ASKS OF WOMEN. 
45 
1872 A Case of Congenital Hypertrophy of the Under Lip. Operations. Dr. G. Buck. 
“ Defense of Taxis in Strangulated Hernia. Dr. C. C. F. Gay. 
“ Myringectomv, followed by Improvement in Hearing. Remarks on Paracentesis 
of the Membranae Tympani. Dr. J. S. Prout. 
“ Intussusception. Dr. Stephen Rogers. 
1873 A Sketch of the Progress of Otology. Dr. D B. St. John Roosa. 
“ Report of five Consecutive Cases of CollesJ Fracture; Treated after the plan of 
Prof. E. M. Moore, M.D. Dr. B. L. Hovey. 
“ Three cases of Abscess and Pelvic Peritonitis from Perforation of the Appendix 
Vermiformis; Relieved by Operation. Dr. R. B. Bontecou. 
“ Case of Occlusion of the Femoral Artery from Fracture of the Femur; Mortifica- 
tion of the Leg; Amputation. Dr. George Burr. 
“ Perineal Lithotrity. Dr. J. W. S. Gouley. 
1874 Prize Essay on Injuries of the Wrist Joint, Colles’ Fracture, etc. Dr. T. K. 
Cruse. 
“ A Case of Anchylosis of the Right Temporo-Maxillary Articulation Successfully 
Treated by Excision of the Condyle; with Remarks. Dr. J. L. Little. 
“ Electrolysis in the Treatment of Stricture of the Urethra. Dr. R. Newman. 
“ Diagnosis of Eye Diseases. Dr. C. A. Robertson. 
“ Three Cases of Perineal Lithotripsy. Dr. E. Krackowizer. 
“ A Case of Urethrocele; Sectio-Vesicalis; Secondary Hemorrhage. Dr. L. B. 
Cotes. 
“ Contributions to the Pathology of Tumors of the Eyeball, with Macroscopic, 
and Microscopic Demonstrations. Dr. H. Knapp. 
The Relations of Syphilis to Aural Disease. Dr. D. B. St. John Roosa. 
“ Penetrating Gunshot Wound of the Cranium. Dr. A. Van Derveer. 
“ A New Method of Treating Malignant Tumors by Electrolyzing theBase. Dr. 
G. M. Beard. 
OBSTETRICS AND DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN. 
1815 Puerperal and other Diseases of Women. President J. R. B. Roger’s Address. 
1832 Puerperal Fever. President J. Eight’s Address. 
1837 Observations on the Causes of the Large Proportion of Still-born Children in 
our Large Cities over those of London. Dr. S. W. Avery. 
1838 On Prolapsus Uteri, with Reference to Dr. Hull’s Ultra-abdominal Supporter. 
Dr. John F. Gray. 
1850 Case of Induction of Premature Labor on Account of Contracted Pelvis; Suc- 
cessful Result. Dr. T. W. Blatchford. 
1853 On the Use of Chloroform in Midwifery. Dr. G. N. Burwell. 
1854 Extra Uterine Conception. Dr. W. H. Parkhurst. 
“ Prolapsus of the Bladder during Labor. Dr. J. V. P. Quackenbush. 
1855 Dr. Parkhurst’s Case of Extra Uterine Conception, with a review and engrav- 
ings. Dr. Armsby. 
1858 Comparative Use of Ergot and the Forceps in Jiabor. Dr. B. F. Barker. 
“ Case of Ovariotomy. Dr. H. S. West. 
“ Puerperal Fever. Dr. U. Potter. 
“ Statistics of Obstetric Practice. Dr. A. Van Dyck. 
Uterine Elevator, with remarks. Dr. J. Marion Sims. 
1859 Inversion of the Uterus. Dr. J. V. P. Quackenbush. 
“ “ “ “ Dr. D. P. Bissell. 
13(10 Quadruple Births. Dr. A. Goodman. 
“ Report of Two Cases of Extra Uterine Pregnancy. Dr. J. Swinburne. 
18(51 Tnversio Uteri Reduced. Dr. A. Van Dyck. 
“ Rupture of the Womb, Complicated with Strangulated Umbilical Hernia in a 
State of Gangrene. Dr. C. V. Barnett. 
“ Case of Fibrous Polypus of the Uterus, its Removal and Fatal Result. Dr. G. 
A. Dayton. 
“ Rupture of the Uterus; an account of three lases, with remarks. Dr. G. J. 
Fisher. 
“ Case of Sub-peritoneal Pelvic Pregnancy. Dr. T. A. Skilton. 
“ Report of a Case of Two Twin Births withn One Year and Five Days. Dr. 
C. Barrows. 46 
TITLES OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &C. 
1861 Amputation of Cervix Uteri. Dr. J. M. Sims. 
1862 Polypus Uteri and its Treatment. Dr. W. Gilfillan. 
“ Laceration of Perineum with Destruction of the Recto-vaginal Septum; Opera- 
tion; Result. Dr. C. C. F. Gay. 
“ Case of Triplets. Dr. G. Furman. 
1863 Prolapsus Uteri of Fifteen Years’ Duration; Cure by Reposition. Dr. I. E. 
Taylor. 
“ Cases of Ovarian Dropsy, Treated by Iodine Injections. Dr. D. G. Thomas. 
“ Ovarian Disease and Ovarian Dropsy. Dr. A. K. Gardener. 
“ Pelvic Presentation, its Philosophy and Treatment. Dr. .1. V. P. Quackeubush. 
1864 Extra Uterine Fcetation. Dr. 0. G. Badlin. 
1865 Facts in Relation to Placenta Previa, with a Review of the Various Opinions 
Repecting its Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and Treatment. Dr. L E. 
Taylor. 
1866 Recto-vaginal and Recto-labial Fistula, a New Method of Operation. Dr. I. E. 
Taylor. 
“ Retroflexion of the Unimpregnated Uterus. Dr. E. R. Peaslee. 
1867 The So-called Chronic Metritis and its Rational Treatment. Dr. H. R. Storer. 
“ Still-Births. Dr. G. T. Elliot. 
“ Spontaneous Evolution of the Foetus, its Mechanism and Treatment. Dr. J. V. 
P. Quackenbush. 
1869 Vesico-vaginal Fistula, and its Successful Treatment by the Button Suture. 
Dr. N. Bozeman. 
“ Ovarian Dropsy of Two Years’ Duration; Rapid Recovery after Ovariotomy. 
Dr. J. G. Orton. 
“ Placenta Pra;via. Dr. C. C. F. Gay. 
“ (See Nos. 8, 17, 19, 20 of “ Medical Statistics” for obstetrical statistics). 
1870 The Endoscope Considered Particularly with Reference to Diseases of the 
Female Bladder and Urethra. Dr. R. Newman. 
‘ On the Management of the Obstetrical Forceps. Dr. C. C. P. Clark. 
“ Case of Vesico-vaginal Fistula with Great Loss of Substance. Dr. R. H. Ward. 
1871 Laceration of the Periueum ; Introduction of Pieces of Wood ; Formation 
of Calculi. Operation. Dr. Geo. Burr 
“ Puerperal Eclampsia. Dr. H. Jewett. 
“ Prolapsus Uteri, its Chief Causes and Treatment. Dr. T. A. Emmet. 
“ On Uretheocele, Catarrh, and Ulceration of the Bladder in Females. Dr. N. 
Bozeman. 
1872 Case of Extra Uterine Fcetation. Dr. H. Jewett. 
“ Cases Illustrating some of the Causes of Death Occurring soon after Child-birth. 
Dr. J. S. Bailey. 
“ Ovariotomy. Treating ,the Pedicle without Clamp, Ligature or Cautery. Dr. 
J. F. Miner. 
“ Report of Two Cases of Inversion of the Uterus; with remarks and a description 
of the Uteriue Repositor. Dr. J. P. White. 
“ Chronic Cystitis in the Female, Dr. T. Addis Emmet. 
1873 Disease of Left Ovary Resulting in Fatal Hemorrhage. Dr. E. H. Bridges. 
1874 Report of Two Cases of Inversion of the Uterus. Dr. James P. White. 
1820 Influence of the Mind over the Body. President John Steam’s Address. 
1837 Directions for the Establishment and Government of a Lunatic Asylum. 
M. Boismont. 
1839 Spinal Disease. Dr. A. Church. Address before Tompkins County Medical 
Society. 1833. 
1840 Prize Essay on Diseases of the Spinal Column, their Causes, Diagnosis, 
History, and Treatment. Dr. N. S. Davis. 
1842 Review of Dr. Marshall Hall’s Views on an Excitomotory System of Nerves. 
Dr. N. S. Davis. Prize Essay. 
1343 Insanity; its Causes, Pathology, and Treatment. Dr. C. B. Coventry. 
1844 Insanity. President Samuel White’s Address. 
1845 On Spinal Irritation. President J. A. Wing’s Address. 
MENTAL AND NERVOUS DISEASES. MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE, TOXICOLOGY, &C. 
47 
1847 On Mental Manifestation in Health and Disease. President John McCall’s 
Address. 
“ Remarks on the Diagnosis of Nervous Diseases. Dr. Alex. H. Stephens. 
1848 On the Influence of Mind on Disease. Dr. J. Bates. 
1859 Asylum for the Insane at Canandaigua. Dr. G. C. Cook. 
“ Facial Paralysis. Dr. C. G. Bacon. 
1861 Traumatic Tetanus. Dr. John McNulty. 
1862 Paralysis, a Sequel of Diphtheria. Dr. D. P. Bissell. 
1863 Delirium Tremens Treated by Tinct-Digitalis. Dr. S. Barrett. 
“ A Case of Insanity. Dr. George Cook. 
1864 Idiocy; its Diagnosis, Treatment, Education, etc. Dr. E. Seguin. 
“ Spinal Irritation, or cause of Back Ache among American Women. Dr. C. F. 
Taylor. 
1865 Report on the Condition of the Insane Poor in the County Houses of New York. 
Dr. S. D. Willard. 
1866 General Paresis, or Incomplete Progressive Paralysis. Dr. J. P. Gray. 
‘‘ On Provision for the Insane Poor of the State of New York, and the Adaptation 
of the “ Asylum and Cottage Plan ” to their wants, as Illustrated by the 
History of the Colony of Fitz James, at Clermont, France. Dr. C. A. Lee. 
“ Tetanus, an Endemic on Long Island. Dr. B. D. Carpenter. 
“ Progressive Locomotor Ataxy. Dr. S. 0. Vander Poel. 
1867 On Consanguineous Marriages. Prof. O W. Morris. 
1S68 Insanity and its Relations to Medicine. President J. P. Gray’s Address. 
1869 Report of the Committee “On the Result of Consanguineous Marriages.” 
Dr. R Newman. 
187 L Trismus Nascentium. Dr. J. S. Bailey. 
Spinal Irritation. Dr. S. Peters. 
“ Insanity; its Dependence on Physical Disease. Dr. John P. Gray. 
“ Labio-Glossal-Laryngeal Paralysis. Dr. E. R. Hun. 
1872 Mania Transitoria. Dr. George Cook. 
Thoughts ou the Causation of Insanity. Dr. J. P. Gray. 
1873 A Caso of Remarkable Nervous Perturbation. Dr. C. A. Robertson. 
1874 Pathology of Insanity. Dr. John P. Gray. 
MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE, TOXICOLOGY, &c. 
1828 Medical Evidence in Courts of Justice. President T. R. Beck’s Address. 
1839 On Suicide and its Increase in the present day. Prof. Casper, of Berlin. 
1840 Case of Sudden Death from Rupture of the Spermatic Vein. Dr. J. C. 
McNaughtou. 
1842 Ou some of the Signs of Livo and Still-birth. Dr. J. B. Beck. 
1844 Observations on Equivocal Generation, prepared as Medico-Legal Evidence. 
Dr. T. \V. Blatehford. 
“ Medico-Legal Observations in two Cases of Alleged Murder. Dr. A. Willard. 
“ Medico-Legal Testimony on the Trial of Mrs. Turpening for murder of her 
husband, with Observations on Poisoning by Arsenic. Dr. N. S. Davis. 
“ On the Deaths from Poisoning, in the City of New York, from 1841-43, from 
the Coroner’s Records. Dr. John B. Beck. 
1840 Analysis of the Testimony on the Trial of Alvin Cornell for Murder. Drs. 
T. R. Beck and A. Brigham. 
1850 A Case of Poisoning by Corrosivo Sublimate. Dr. B. W. McCready. 
“ Observations on Various Subjects in Forensic Medicine. Dr. J. S. Sprague. 
1858 Poisoning by Arsenic from Absorption. Dr. C. V. Barnett. 
“ Accidental Nigrities. Dr. W. H. Gardener. 
“ Of the Statutes of the State of New York regulating the Practice ofPhysic and 
Surgery; the Rights, Duties and Immunities of Physicians, and their 
Relation to the Medical Societies of the Counties in which they Reside. 
1860 Report of Committee to Establish a Commission of Lunacy. 
“ Report of Committee on Criminal Abortion. 
1861 Poisoning by Corrosive Sublimate. Dr. H. S. Dowus. 
“ Suspected Poisoning: Coroner’s Tnquest, Post Mortem, and Chemical Analysis. 
Dr. ,T. G. Orton. 48 
TITLES OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &C. 
1861 Suicide, Pathological Specimen. Dr. T. C. Finnell. 
“ Case of Recovery from Suspended Animation. Dr. T. G. Thomas. 
1862 Dr. J. Swinburne’s Review of the “Budge Case,” alleged Murder by Cutting 
Throat. 
“ Medico-Legal Contributions. Dr. Chas. H. Porter. 
1863 Remarkable Case of Deception. “The Charcoal Woman.” Dr. Lewis A. 
Sayre. 
“ De Lunatico Inquirendo. Dr. J. Auerbach. 
1864 Analysis of Blood Stains. A Means of Detecting Crime. Dr. J. Fowler. 
“ Toxicological Contribution. Dr. Wm. Manlius Smith. 
1872 Medical Responsibility and Malpractice. President W. C. Wey’s Address. 
MEDICAL TOPOGRAPHY, EPIDEMICS, ENDEMICS, HYGIENE AND 
VITAL STATISTICS. 
1819 Geology and Epidemics. President John Steam’s Addross. 
1821 Endemic Fever in Central New York. President Alex. Coventry’s Address. 
1825 Endemic Fever. President A. Coventry’s Address. 
1830 Small-Pox; its History, and the Possibility of its Extinction. President T. R. 
Beck’s Address. 
1831 Vaccinia; Cow or Kine-Pox. President J. Eights’Address. 
1832 Medical Topography of Kings County. Committee—Hrs. Zabriskie, Garrison, 
and Fanning. 
1833 On the Nature of the Epidemic usually called Asiatic Cholera. President 
T. Spencer’s Address. 
“ Medical Topography of Saratoga County. Dr. E. Porter. 
1832 Report on Cholera, made to Gov. Throop. Dr. Lewis C. Beck. 
“ Circular on a Medical Topographical Survey of the State. 
1834 Medical Topography of Columbia County. Drs. P. Van Buren, R. G. Frary, 
S. P. White. 
“ Medical Topography of Madison County. Dr. A. Ford. 
“ Documents and Papers on the Progress of Cholera in the Auburn and Sing 
Sing State Prisons in 1832. 
1835 The Physiology of Respiration and Chemistry of the Blood applied to Epidemic 
Cholera. Dr. B. F. Joslin. 
“ Essay on Hygeia. Dr. E. Porter. 
“ Medical Topography of Onondaga County. 
“ Essay on Cholera. Dr. James R. Manley. 
1836 Medical Topography of Tompkins County. Dr. Wm. Bacon. 
“ Report of a Committee on Varioloid, and the Means of Arresting its Progress. 
1837 Prize Essay (1837) on the Influence of Trades, Professions, and Occupations in 
the United States, in the Production of Disease. Dr. B. W. McCready. 
“ Medical Topography of Tioga County. Dr. Wm. Bacon. 
“ Memorial on Cholera, and the Means of Mitigating its Violence. Dr. J. It. 
Manley. 
1843 Medical and Topographical Sketches of Binghamton and Vicinity. Dr. N. S. 
Davis. 
1848 History of the Diseases of Saratoga County. Dr. C. Brisbin. 
“ History of the Diseases of Otsego County. Dr. J. S. Sprague. 
“ Observations on Agriculture in its Bearings oil Medicine. Dr. Alex. Thompson. 
“ On the Influence of Dress in the production of Diseases of Females. Dr. W. 
D. Purple. 
1849 On the Diseases of Onondaga County. Dr. D. T. Jones. 
1850 On Public Health. President A. H. Stephens’ Address. 
“ On the Communicability of Asiatic Cholera. Dr. A. H. Stephens. 
“ Contributions to Vital Statistics of the State of New York. L. Shattuck, Esq., 
of Boston. 
“ Medical Topography of Montgomery County. Dr. Joseph White. 
“ Vital Statistics of the City of Brooklyn. Dr. C. S. J. Goodrich. 
“ On Epidemic Cholera. Dr. J. McNaughton’s Address before Albany County 
Medical Societ}\ 1849. MEDICAL TOPOGRAPHY, EPIDEMICS, &C. 
49 
1850 Report of the Standing Committee on Hygiene and Medical Statistics: Dr. C. A. 
Lee. 
“ Notices of the Cholera at Newark, N. J., in 1832. Dr. J. S. Darcy. 
“ Notices of the Cholera at Rockavvay, in 1849. Dr. J. Auerbach. 
“ Brief Notices of Medical Topography and Diseases of Washington County. 
Dr. H. Corliss. 
1851 Medical Topography of the City of Troy. Dr. T. C. Brinsmade’s Address to 
Rensselaer County Medical Society. 1850. 
“ Epidemic Diarrhoea. Dr. W. Woodward’s Address to Chemung County 
Medical Society. 1851. 
1852 Vital Statistics of the City of Brooklyn. Dr. C. S. J. Goodrich. 
1853 Registration of Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Dr. F. B. Tuthill. 
“ Reply to Dr. Peet’s Strictures on Report on Deaf and Dumb Institutions. 
Dr. P. Van Buren. 
1855 Report on Epidemics of the Sixth District. Dr. A. Willard. 
“ Report on Epidemics of the Second District. Dr. G. C. Monell. 
“ History of Cholera Epidemic of 1854, at Troy, N. Y. Dr. W. P. Seymour. 
1857 On the Improvement of the Public Health, and the Establishment of a Sauitary 
Police in the City of New York. Dr. J. H. Griscom. 
“ Vaccination. Dr. D. P. Bissell. 
1858 Air, Exercise, and Sunlight. President A. Willard’s Address. 
“ Mortality in Brooklyn. Dr. C. S. J. Goodrich. 
“ Registration of Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Dr. F. B. Hough. 
“ Human Longevity. Dr. S. H. Freeman’s Address to Albany County Medical 
Society. 
1859 Sanitary Report of Brookfield, Madison County. Dr. A. L. Saunders. 
“ Influence of Vegetation upon Animal Life and Health. Dr. G. Sweet. 
“ Registration of Diseases. Dr. W. C. Rogers. 
“ Diseases of Saratoga County. Dr. James Lee. 
“ Vital Statistics of Brooklyn. Dr. C. S. J. Goodrich. 
“ Report of Committee of Vaccination. 
1860 Report of Committee on City Milk, Now York. Dr. S. R. Percy. 
“ Mortality of Brooklyn. Dr. C. S. J. Goodrich. 
“ Mortuary Record of Troy, N. Y. 1858. 
“ Mortuary Record of Troy. N. Y. 1859. 
1861 Report of Committee on Medical Topography and Systematic Drainage. 
1862 Medical and Surgical Provisions for Railroads as a Humanitarian Measure as 
well as a Source of Economy to Companies. Dr. E. S. F. Arnold. 
“ Meteorological Observations in New York City. Dr. J. P. Loines. 
“ Abstract of Health Officers’ Report of Brooklyn. 
1863 Medical and Surgical Provisions for Railroads. Dr. E. S. F. Arnold. 
“ Mortality of the City of Buffalo. Dr. H. H. Langworthy. 
“ Report of Committee to Draft a Sanitary Code for the State of New York. 
“ Report of Committee on Meteorology of the New York County Medical 
Society. 
1864 Prize Essay. How Complete is the Protection of Vaccination, and what are 
the Dangers of Communicating other Diseases with the Vaccinia. Dr. A. N. 
Bell. 
On the Food of Cities. Dr. S. R. Percy. 
“ Disinfection. Dr. A. N. Bell. 
“ Mortality of the City of Rochester. 1863. Dr. H. H. Langworthy. 
“ Mortality of the City of New York. Dr. C. Ramsay, Registrar. 
1865 Small-Pox; Remarks on Vaccination; the Possibility of Communicating 
Syphilis and other Diseases through Vaccine Virus, etc. Dr. C. Ramsay. 
“ Small-Pox in New York City with some Statistics and Remarks on Vaccination. 
Dr. W. H. Richardson’s Report to New York Legislature. 1865. 
1866 Disease, Physiological and Psychological, as Typed and Modified by Civiliza- 
tion. President H. W. Dean’s Address. 
“ Sanitary Condition of Fish Alley and its Surroundings. Dr. W. F. Thoms. 
1867 Address on Hygiene. Dr. L. Moore, to Albany County Medical Society. 
“ Report of Cholera at Quarantine, Port of New York. 1865 and 1866. 
Dr. J. Swinburne, Health Officer. 
“ Tenant Houses—Their Ground Area—Cubic Feet of Air Space, and Ventila- 
tion. Dr. W. F. Thoms. 
“ Meteorological Observations in New York City for 1866. Dr. J. P. Loines. 50 
TITLES OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &C. 
1867 Report of Committee on Hygiene. 
1868 Report of Committee on Hygiene. 
“ Effects of Meteorological Influences on Health. Dr. W. F. Thoms. 
“ Effects of the Habitual use of Alcoholic Liquors on the Public Health. 
Dr. W. F. Thoms. 
“ Report on Endemics, etc., of Madison County. Dr. A. L. Saunders. 
“ Report on Diseases of the City of Rochester, N. Y. Dr. H. H. Langworthy. 
1869 Chart Showing the Influence of Impure Air and Overcrowding on the Health 
of the Various Wards in New York City. Dr. W. F. Thoms. 
1870 Medical Topography of Delaware County. Dr. R. L. Waterbury. 
1874 General Principles affecting the Organization of Quarantine. Dr. S. O. Van- 
der Foel, Health Officer of the Port of New York. 
“ On the Transmissibility of Yellow Fever and Cholera in their Relations to 
Quarantine. Dr. S. O. Vander Poel. 
MEDICAL STATISTICS. 
1837 Statistics of the Deaf and Dumb in the State of New York, the United States, 
and in Various Countries of Europe. Dr. T. R. Beck. 
“ Statistics of the Blind in the United States from the Census of 1830. Dr. T. R. 
Beck. 
1838 Statistics of the Blind in Pennsylvania and the United States. Samuel Hazzard. 
1839 Statistics of the Medical Colleges in the United States. Dr. T. R. Beck. 
1853 Statistics of Ligature of the Subclavian Artery. Dr. Wm. Van Buren. 
“ Statistics of the Deaf and Dumb. Dr. H. P. Peet. 
1857 List of Presidents of the Medical Society of the State of New York to Date. 
Dr. G. J. Fisher. 
1858 Statistics of Obstetric Practice. Dr. A. Van Dyck. 
“ Statistics of Private Practice (21 years). Registration of Diseases. Dr. T C. 
Brinsmade. 
1860 Report of Committee on Medical and Surgical Statistics. 
“ Registration of Diseases, with Tables for 1858-59. Dr. T. C. Brinsmade. 
1861 Statistics of Suicide in the City of New York for the Years 1859, 1860, as 
Regards Age, Sex, Color, Nativity, Season, Mode and Motive. Dr. J. G. 
Adams. 
“ Statistics of Twenty Cases of Kxsection of Dorsal Vertebrae. Dr. J. C. Hutchison. 
“ Report of Committee on Medical and Surgical Statistics. 
1863, Statistics of Diseases in New York and London. Dr. C. Ramsey. 
1865 The Census of New York, to be taken During the Present Year, Considered 
in its Medical Relations Dr. F. B. Hough, Supt. of Census. 
18 >6 Obstetrical Statistics. Dr. P. 0. Williams. 
1867 Prize Essay on Medical, Surgical, and Vital Statistics. Dr. F. B. Hough. 
1869 Obstetrical Statistics from the practice of the late Dr. T. W. Blatcbford. Dr. R. 
Ward. 
“ Obstetrical Statistics. Dr. H. S. Chubbuck. 
1871 Aural Statistics. Report of Four Hundred and Ninety-four Cases of Diseases 
of the Ear. Dr. D. B. St. John Roosa. 
MATERIA MEDICA, PHARMACY AND THERAPEUTICS. 
1834 Observations on the Use of Cold Applications in Local Inflammation. Dr. 0. 
Waldo. 
“ On the Use of Opium in Bowel Affections. Dr. C. King. 
“ On the Utility of Iodine in Cases of Ununited Fractures. Dr. W. Willoughby. 
1835 Report on Medical Botany of the Town of Hamilton, Madison Co. Part I. 
Drs. J. S. Douglass and J. Babcock. 
“ Prize Essay (1830) on the History, Preparation, and Therapeutic Uses of Iodine. 
Dr. J. S. Hobson. 
1837 Observations on some of the Injurious Effects of Secale Cornutum. T. Chavasse. 51 
PHYSIOLOGY AND TERATOLOGY. 
1841 Observations ou Ergot. Dr. John B. Beck. 
1845 Botany, Indispensably Necessary to the Physician. Dr. J. Bates. 
1850 Analysis of Byron Acid Spring, near Batavia. Dr. G. H. Smith. 
1855 On the Employment of Injections into the Bronchial Tubes, and into Tubercular 
Cavities of the Lungs. Dr. Horace Green. 
1856 Report on Rest and the Abolition of Pain in the Treatment of Disease. Dr. 
Thomas W. Blatchford. 
1850 Ilypo-phosphites. Dr. Howard Townsend. 
1860 Notes upon New Remedies. Dr. E. R. Squibb. 
“ Hypodermic Medication. Dr. J. M. Sturdevant. 
“ Report of Committee ou Pharmaceutical Preparations. 
“ Report on Pharmaceutical Preparations. Dr. S. R. Percy. 
1861 Dermic Medication. Dr. D. P. Bissell. 
“ Report of Delegation to Convention for Revision of United States Pharma- 
copoeia. 
1862 Protective, Preventive and Curative Uses of Quinine, Applicable to Miasmatic 
Localities Dr. Stephen Rogers. 
“ Report of Special Committee on the United States Drug Law. 
“ Report on the United States Pharmacopoeia. 
IS63 Report on the United States Pharmacopoeia. 
1864 Dr. M. C. Hasbrook's Address before the Rock'and County Medical Society. 
“ Dr. J. T. Jameson’s Address before the Chenango County Medical Society. 
“ Dr Howard Townsend’s Address before the Albany County Medical Society. 
“ Therapeutics of Chloride of Ammonium. Dr. J. R. Learning. 
“ On the Use of Bi-chromate of Potassa in the Treatment of Diphtheria. Dr. John 
G. Orton. 
1864 On the Mutually Antidotal Properties of Opium and Belladonna. Dr. H. S. 
Downs. 
“ On the Action of Mercury upon the Liver. Dr. J. L. Brown. 
“ Dr. Squibb’s Report on the Revision of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. 
1865 Ou the Modus Operandi of Quinine. Dr. H. N. Eastman. 
“ Unofficial Iodides. Dr. Wm. Manlius Smith. 
“ On the Mutually Antidotal Properties of Opium and Belladonna, with Cases. 
Dr. H. S. Downs. 
“ The New Mode of Remedial Inhalation. Dr. Louis Elsberg. 
1866 An Appeal to the Materia Medica. Dr. E R. Squibb. 
“ Some Experiences with Ether. Dr. E. H. Parker. 
1867 The Medical Uses of Electricity. Dr. G. M. Beard. 
‘‘ Report of Committee on Pharmacology. 
1868 Carbolic Acid. Dr. D. P. Bissell. 
“ An Essay on the Therapeutic Value of certain articles of the Materia Medica, 
of recent introduction. Sulphite Salts of Soda and Glycerine. Dr. J. H. 
Griscotn. 
“ The Sources, Composition, and Medicinal Uses of the Saratoga Waters. Dr. 
R. L. Allen. 
1869 Report of Committee on Pharmacology. 
“ Apocynum Cannabinum in Dropsical Affections. Dr. H. Jewett. 
“ On Conium Maculatum. Dr. Wm. Manlius Smith. 
1870 Chlorate of Potassa in Serous Effusions. Dr. S. Peters. 
1871 Veratrum Viride. Dr. D. W. Jones. 
1872 The Present State of Electro-Therapeutics. Dr. A. D. Rockwell. 
“ Venesection. Dr. A. W. Tupper. 
“ Hydrate of Chloral as an Anti-Spasmodic ou the Rigid Os Uteri in Parturition. 
Dr. S. Caro. 
1873 Report on the United States Pharmacopoeia. Dr. E. R Squibb. 
PHYSIOLOGY AND TERATOLOGY. 
1837 Physiological Explanation of the Beauty of Form. Dr. B. F. Joslin. 
1841 An Analysis of the Discoveries concerning the Physiology of the Nervous 
System Dr. N. S. Davis. Prize Essay. 
1848 On the History of the Temperaments. President T. W. Blatchford's Address. 52 
TITLES OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &C. 
1853 The Atomic Theory of Life and Vital Heat, Vegetable and Animal, as balanced 
by the Agency of Water. Dr. Thomas Spencer. 
1856 Foetation, from Coition to Parturition. Dr. T. Goodsell. 
1859 Ectopia Cordis. Dr. A. March. 
1864 Glycogenic Function of the Liver. Dr. Howard Townsend. 
1865 Diploteratology. An Essay on Compound Human Monsters; comprising the 
History, Literature, Classification, Description, and Embryology, of Double 
and Triple Formation, including the so-called Parasitic Monsters, Foetus in 
Fcetu, and Supernumerary Functions of Parts or Organs iu Man. Dr. G. J. 
Fisher. 
1866 Diploteratology—continued. Dr. G. J. Fisher. 
1867 Diploteratology—continued. Dr. G. J. Fisher. 
1868 Diploteratology—continued. Dr. G. J. Fisher. 
1868 On the Structure and Functions of the Capillary Blood Vessels. Dr. H. N. 
Eastman. 
“ New Interpretation of the Physiology of the Retina of the Eye. Dr. J. F. 
Fowler. 
1868 The Chemistry, Physiology, and Pathology of the Phosphates. Dr. G. H. 
Wynkoop. 
1871 The Constitution of Man. Dr. C. B. Coventry. 
1872 Medical Microscopes. Dr. R. H. Ward. 
“ Two Cases illustrating the Production of Vowel and Consonant Sounds. Dr. 
E. M. Moore. 
1874 Two Unusual Cases—Meningocele, Lipomata. Dr. J. S. Bailey. 
1821 Laws of the State of Now York Relative to the Medical Profession. 
1823 A System of Medical Ethics. 
1825 By-Laws of the Society. 
1826 Medical Education. President J. R. Mauley’s Address. 1826. 
1827 Medical Education and Medical Schools. President Manley’s Address. 1827. 
1828 The Revised Statutes Concerning the Medical Profession. 
“ By-Laws of the Society. 
1832 Requisitions for Graduation in the Medical Colleges, and for License to Practice 
Physic and Surgery in the States and Territories of the Union. Drs. T. R. 
Beck, Wendell, and Ludlow. 
1833 Supplement to the above Report. 
1835 On the Power of Medical Societies to Expel their Members. 
Several Acts to Amend the Medical Laws. 
1839 Medical Societies. Dr. D. D. Page’s Address before Tompkins County Medical 
Society. 1835. 
“ Observation and Attention. Dr. Page’s Address before Tompkins County 
Medical Society. 1836. 
1840 Report of Committee on Medical Education. Drs. Manley, Beck, and 
McCall. 
1841-43 Legislative Documents, etc., on Medical Profession, Thompsonianism, etc. 
1841 Regulation of Medical Fees, by Superintendents of the Poor. 
1845 Medical Education and Legislation. Dr. G. H. White. Address before 
Columbia County Medical Society. 1844. 
1846 On the Claims of the Medical Profession. Dr. E. W. Armstrong. Address to 
Monroe County Medical Society. 1845. 
1844 Report on the Medical Legislation in Different States of the Union, to the 
Monroe County Medical Society. 1842. 
1844-5 Legislative Documents, being various Reports, Speeches, and Petitions, made 
to the Legislature, relating to the Medical Profession, on the Repeal of the 
Laws Restricting Medical Practice, etc. 
1849 A Plea of Humanity in behalf of Medical Education. President A. H. Stephen’s 
Address. 
1851. Medical Education. President Alexander Thompson’s Address. 
“ Observations on some Points in Medical Ethics. Dr. J. McCall. 
MEDICAL EDUCATION, REFORM, ETHICS, AND LAWS. QUACKERY, &C. 
53 
1851 On Institutions for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. Dr. P. Yan 
Buren. 
1852 On Institutions for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. Dr. P. Van 
Buren. 
“ Report of the Committee of American Medical Association on Medical 
Education. Dr. W. Hooker. 
1853 The Physician of Necessity a Naturalist. Dr. C. Orecu. Address to Cort- 
land County Medical Society. 
“ Medical Experience. Dr. John McCall. 
“ On the Claims of the Medical Profession. President Alonzo Clark’s Address. 
1854 On the Claims of the Medical Profession. President Jenks S. Sprague’s 
Address. 
“ On Medical Association. Dr. J. Kueelaud’s Address to Onondaga County 
Medical Society. 1853. 
“ Rational Medicine, or the Regular Practice as it is; an Appeal to the Public. 
Dr. M. H. Cash. 
1855 The Philosophy of Medicine, as a Science and an Art. President C. B. 
Coventry’s Address. 
“ Needs, Duties, and Privileges of the Medical Profession. Dr. J. McCall. 
1859 Medical Association. President T. C. Brinsmado’s Address. 
1860 Communication from Kings County Medical Society on Progress in Medicine. 
Dr. T. L. Mason. 
“ Communication from Queens County Medical Society on Papers in Medicine. 
Dr. J. Ordronaux. 
“ Condensed Statement of what has been done for the Advancement of Medical 
Education by the American Medical Association, from 1846 to 1847. Dr. 
T. W. Blatchford. 
“ Report of Committee on a Second Degree in Medicine. 
1861 Annual Address of President D. T. Jones on Progress in Medicine, etc. 
“ Report of Committee on Medical Education. 
“ Memorial Relative to the Medical Profession and Legal Protection to it. 
“ System of Medical Ethics of the Medical Society of the State of New York. 
(Reprinted from 1823.) 
“ Code of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association. Adopted May, 
1847. 
1862 The Essential Dignity of the Medical Profession. President E. II. Parker’s 
Address. 
1865 Medical Pupilage and Medical Education. President Frederick Hyde’s 
Address. 
1867 The Moral Power of the Profession, instead of Legal Enactments, the best 
Agency iu Effecting Medical Reform. President J. C. Hutchison’s Address. 
1868 Method in Medicine. Dr. J. E. Pomfret’s Address to Albany County Medical 
Society. 1867. 
1869 Individual Effort and Individual Obligation. President J. V. P. Quackenbush’s 
Address. 
1872 The True Object of Medical Legislation. Dr. Stephen Rogers. 
1873 On some of the Relations of the Medical Profession to Education. President 
C. R. Agnew’s Address. 
1874 The Search for and Discovery of Law, the True Basis of Scientific Progress. 
President E. M. Moore’s Address. 
QUACKERY, &c. 
1838 The Homeopathic System of Medicine. President James McNaughton’s 
Address. 
1839 Annual Address; on Quackery. President Laurens Hull. 
“ On Quackery. Dr. A. Church. Address before Tompkins County Medical Society. 
1834. 
1843 Homoeopathy Illustrated. Dr. F. W. Blatchford. Address before Rensselaer 
County Medical Society. 1842. 54 
TITLES OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &C. 
1851 Homoeopathy Illustrated. Dr. F. W. Blatchford. Address before Rensselaer 
County Medical Society. Reprinted. 
“ Prize Essay on the Pernicious Inlluences of Nostrums or Secret Remedies 
upon the Morals aud Health of the Community. Dr. J. G. Sewall. 
1861 Report of Committee to Devise Means of Controlling the Use of Adulterated 
and Inefficient Medicines. 
1862 Report of Committee Remonstrating against Homoeopathy. 
MEDICAL HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, AND PROGRESS. 
1827 A Succinct History of Medicine in this State. President J. R. Manley’s Ad- 
dress. 
1837 Progress of Medicine in this State. President James McNaughton’s Ad- 
dress. 
1840 Improvement in Medicine. President L Hull’s Address. 
“ Improvement in Medicine. Dr. W. D. Purple’s Address to Chenango County 
Medical Society. 1830. 
1842 History of American Medicine before the Revolution. President John B. Beck’s 
Address. 
1815 The Present Condition of the Medical Profession Dr. L. Green. Address 
before the Herkimer County Medical Society. 1845. 
“ On the Progress of Medical Science. Dr. S. A. Cook. Address before Rens- 
selaer County Medical Society. 1844. 
1847 On the Resources of the Medical Profession. Dr. Joseph Bates. 
1850 An Historical Sketch of the State of Medicine in the American Colonies, from 
their First Settlement to the period of the Revolution. Dr. John B. 
Beck. 
1851 Notices of Deceased Members, viz : Drs. Peter Wendell, Amariuh Brigham, 
J. A. Gallup. 
“ Historical Sketch of Oneida County Medical Society. Dr. M. M. Bagg’s Ad- 
dress. 
“ Notices of Deceased Members, viz.: Drs. Luther Guitoau, Charles Babcock, 
and Lester Green. 
1852 Biographical Sketch of Dr. James R Manley. By Dr. C. S. J. Goodrich. 
“ History of Oswego County Medical Society Dr. B. E. Bowen’s Address. 
1853 Biographical Notice of Joel A. Wing, M D. 
1854 Biographical Sketches of Drs. Lewis C. Beck and David Martin. 
“ Biographical Sketcli of Dr Harvey W. Doolittle, of Herkimer County. 
1855 Biographical Sketch of Dr. James Webster. By Dr. C. B. Coventry. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Daniel Ayres. By Dr. M. Snyder. 
185G Eulogium upon the Life and Character of Theodore Romeyu Beck, M.D., LL.D. 
President F. H. Hamilton’s Address. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Thomas Broadhead. By Dr. P. Van Burcn. 
1857 Review of the Improvements in Medicine, Surgery, and the Arts and Sciences 
during the past Fifty Years. President A. Marsh’s Semi-centennial Ad- 
dress. 
“ Historical Address before the Albany County Medical Society, November II, 
1856, being its Semi-centennial Anniversary Meeting. Dr. S. D. Willard. 
“ Eulogy on Dr. Samuel McClelland. By Dr. T. W. Blatehford. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Moses Hale. By Dr. T. Brinsmade. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. John McClelland. By Dr. Joseph Bates. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Henry Mitchell. By 4>r. A. Willard. 
“ General Index and Table of Contents of Transactions of the Society to date. 
Dr. G. J. Fisher. 
1858 Biographical Sketch of Dr. Sumner Ely. By Dr. J. S. Sprague. 
“ Biographical Memoir of Dr. Thomas Spencer. By Dr. S. D. Willard. 
“ Biographical Notice of Dr. Henry Reynolds. By Dr. R. L. Allen. 
1860 Biographical Memoir of Dr. Silas West. By Dr. George Burr. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. Jotham Purdy. By Dr. George Burr. 
“ Biographical Notice of Dr. Joel Edwin Hawley. By Dr. S. D. Willard. 
“ Biographical Notice of Dr. Levi Farr. By Dr. A. Willard. 
“ Biographical Notice of Dr. F. F. Backus. By Dr. E. W. Armstrong. MEDICAL HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY AND PROGRESS. 
55 
1861 Biographical Memoir of Dr. Daniel T. Jones. By Dr. William Taylor. • 
“ Biographical Memoir of Dr. Caspar Yan Wie Burton. By Dr. S. D. Willard. 
1862 Biographical Memoir of Dr. Edson Carr. By Dr. George Cook. 
“ Biographical Memoir of Dr. Merrit H. Cash. By Dr. S. D. Willard. 
Biographical Memoir of Dr. John Miller. By Dr. G. W. Bradford. 
1863 Influence of the Progress of Medical Science over Medical Art. President 
Thomas Hun’s Address. 
“ Memoir of Dr. Zenas Cary. By Dr. T. W. Blatcliford. 
“ Notice of Dr. William S. Norton. By Dr. S. D. Willard. 
“ Memoir of Dr. Bartow White. By Dr. S. D. Willard. 
1864 Medical Progress. President D. P. Bissell’s Address. 
“ Memoir of Dr. Robert G. Frarj'. By Dr. Joseph Bates. 
“ Memoir of Dr. Franklin Everts. By Dr. G. A. Dayton. 
“ Memoir of Dr. Arba Blair. By Dr. J. Y. Cobb. 
“ Memoir of Dr. Abijah B. Benedict. By Dr. S. D. Willard. 
1865 Early History of Chautauqua County Physicians. Dr. E. T. Foote. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Mason F. Cogswell. Rev. Dr. W. B. Sprague. 
“ Life and Character of Dr. Thomas Goodsell. By Dr. D. G. Thomas. 
“ Notice of Dr. Franklin Bache. By Dr. E. R. Squibb. 
“ Biographical Notice of Dr. N. Winton. By Dr. S. B. H. Nichols. 
“ Biographical Memoir of Dr. Pelatiah Brooks. By Dr. J. G. Orton. 
“ Memoirs of Dr. James Stewart. By Dr. Charles A. Lee. 
1866 Embalming, as Practised in Ancient and Modern Times, its Applicability to the 
Preservation of Anatomical and Pathological Specimens. Dr. J. E. Steel. 
“ Eulogium on Dr. Valentine Mott. By Dr. G. S. Bedford. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. William Bay. By Dr. S. 0. Vander Poel. 
“ Memoir of Thomas W. Blatcliford. By Dr. Stephen Wickes. 
“ Biographical Notice of Dr. Sylvester D. Willard. By Dr. F. B. Hough. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. David S. Conant. By Dr. W. B. Bibbins. 
“ Biographical Memoir of Dr. C. R. Gilman. By Dr. Wm. C. Roberts. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. A. B. Conant. By Dr. E. R. Peaslee. 
“ Biographical Notice of Dr. Simeon Snow. By Dr. A. Van Derveer. 
1867 Biographical Sketch of Dr. William Taylor. By Dr. William Manlius Smith. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. William Frederick Carter. By Dr. J. W. Moore. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. John McPruyn. By Dr. S. 0. Vander Poel. 
Obituary Notice of Dr. Laurens Hull. By Dr. C. M. Crandall. 
‘ Obituary Notice of Dr. James Lee. By Dr. H. C. Cooper. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. Howard Townsend. By Dr T. Hun. 
“ The Public Aspects of the Life and Labors of Dr. Joseph Mather Smith. By 
Dr. Elisha Harris. 
1868 Biographical Notice of Dr. Nicholl H. Dering. By Dr. M. M. Bngg. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Alden S. Sprague. By Dr. C. C. Wyckoff. 
“ Biographical Notice of Dr. Charles Milford Crandall. By Dr. F. B. Hough. 
“ Biographical Memoir of Dr. John McCall. By Dr. C. B. Coventry. 
1869 Eulogium on Dr. Thomas C. Brinsmade. By Dr. G. H. Hubbard. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. A. B. Shipman. By Dr. H. 0. Jewett. 
“ Biographical Memoir of Dr. William Rockwell. By Dr. J. R. Van Kleek. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Augustus Willard. By Dr. W. D. Purple. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. Freeman Tourtelot. By Dr. R. L. Allen. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. De Witt C. Euos. By Dr. E. R. Squibb. 
1870 Medical Progress. President James P. White’s Address. 
“ The Life and Character of Dr. Alden March. By Dr. J. L. Babcock. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Benjamin J. Mooers. By Dr. T. De Ferris. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Urich Potter. By Dr. M. Snyder. 
1871 Medical Progress. Dr. W. H. Craig’s Address to Albany County Medical 
Society. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. James Hadley. By Dr. J. P. White. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Minturn Post. By Dr. G. S. Winston. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Thomas Cock. By Dr. Gurdon Buck. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Phineas H. Burdick. By Dr. H. C. Hendrick. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Alex. Thompson. By Dr. Frederick Hyde. 
1872 Historical Sketch of Oneida County Medical Society. Dr. H. N. Potter’s 
Address. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. William Burr Bibbins. By Dr. Ellsworth Eliot. 
“ Memoir of Dr. Edward Hall. By Dr. A. S. Cummings. 56 
TITLES OF PAPERS, ADDRESSES, &C. 
1872 Biographical Sketch of Dr. Andrew Van Dyck. Bv Dr. .T. M. Murdoch. 
“ Biographical Sketch of Dr. Moses C. Hasbrook. By Dr. T. B. Smith. 
“ Memoir of Dr. Charles Barrows. By Dr. E. Hutchinson. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. John Henry Reynolds. By Dr. R. S. Allen. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. Alfred E. Varney. By Dr. C. \V. Hamlin. 
1871 Obituary Notice of Dr. Platt Williams. By Dr. Thomas Hun. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. Peter Van Olinda. By Dr. A. Van Derveer. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. John Henry Reynolds. By Dr. R. L. Allen. 
“ Obituary Notice of Dr. Darius Clark. By Dr B. F. Sherman. 
“ Biographical Memoir of Dr. Barent P. Staats. By Dr. Hiram Corliss. 
1874 Memoir of Dr. Richard L. Allen. By Dr. T. B. Reynolds. 
,, Memoir of Dr. Alexander H. Stephens. By Dr. John G. Adams. 
PRIZES AND PRIZF ESSAYS. 
1808 First Prize.—Fifty dollars for the best Report on the Topography, Geology, 
Mineralogy and Diseases of any County in the State of New York. 
“ Second Prize—Twenty five dollars for the second best Report on the same 
subject. 
“ Third Prize.—Twenty-five dollars for the best Essay on the Causes, Prevention 
and Cure of “ Typhus Mitior,” or low nervous fever, prevailing in different 
Counties of the State. 
1814 A Prize Medal of the value of twenty dollars for the best Meteorological Table, 
together with an account of the Diseases of the District during the term of 
one year, by any physician of any County Medical Society. 
1824 A Prize of fifty dollars for the best Essay on the History, Causes and Treat- 
ment of Hooping Cough. 
“ The Remote and Exciting Causes of Phthisis. Fifty dollars. Awarded to Dr. 
A. Hammersly, of New York City. 
1825 On the American Goitre, showing in what sections of the United States it 
prevails, and by what atmospheric or topographical influences that affection 
of the Thyroid Gland is aggravated, and the best means of relief and cure. 
1827 History, Causes and Cure of Scrofula, with particular reference to its preva- 
lence and prevention in the State. 
1828 A Prize of one hundred dollars for the best Essay on the History, Causes and 
Treatment of Typhus Fever. Awarded to Dr. A. Y. Magill, of Virginia. 
1829 A Prize of Fifty Dollars for the Best Essay on the History, Preparation, and 
Medical Use of Iodine. Awarded to Dr. S. J. Hobson, of Pennsylvania. 
“ A Prize of Fifty Dollars for the Best Essay on the Nature, Symptoms, Causes, 
and Treatment of Delirium Tremens. Awarded to Dr. .T. C. Cross, of 
Kentucky. 
1880 The Causes of the Large Proportion of Still-born Children in our Large Cities 
over those of London, with Statistical Tables. 
1881 The Influence of Variations of Temperature in the Production of Disease. 
Fifty Dollars. 
“ On the Principal Indigenous Cathartics of the United States. Fifty Dollars. 
1888 The Medical History of Cholera Morbus, previous to the appearance of Asiatic 
Choiera. 
“ The Influence of Malaria or Marsh Effluvia in the Production of Disease. 
1885 The Influence of Trades, Professions, and Occupations, in the United States, in 
the Production of Disease. Awarded to Dr. B. W. McCrcady, of New 
York City. 
1889 The Diseases of the Spinal Column; their Causes, Diagnosis, History, and 
Treatment. One Hundred Dollars. Awarded to Dr. N. S. Davis, of New 
York. 
1840 An Analysis of the Discoveries concerning the Physiology of the Nervous 
System, from the Publications of Sir Charles Bell to the present Time, both 
inclusive. Awarded to Dr. N. S. Davis, of New York. 
1850 On the Pernicious Influence of Nostrums and Secret Remedies on the Health 
and Morals of the Community. Awarded to Dr. .7. S. Sewall. 
1857 A Prize of Fifty Dollars on Scarlet Fever. 
1862 Dr. Merrit Cash, of Orange County, gives a Legacy of Five Hundred Dollars PRI7.KS AND PRIZK KSSAYS. 
57 
to the Society, to be invested, the interest to be offered for Medical Prize 
Essays. 
1863 How Complete is the Protection of Vaccination, and what are the Dangers of 
Communicating other Diseases with the Vaccinia. Awarded to Dr. A. N. 
Bell, of Brooklyn, N. Y. (Dr. Cash Fund.) 
1865 Dr. Thomas Brinsmade, of Troy, N. Y., offered a Prize of One Hundred Dollars 
for the Best Essay on Medical and Vital Statistics. Awarded to Dr. Franklin 
B. Hough. 
1869 A practical Treatise on Acupressure. One Hundred Dollars. Awarded to Dr. 
J. C. Hutchison, of Brooklyn. (Dr. Cash Fund.) 
“ One Hundred Dollars for the best Essay on the Cause, Prevention, and Cure of 
Tuberculous Phthisis. (Dr. H. Corliss Fund.) Awarded to Dr. Ghislani 
Durant, of New York, in 1871. 
“ One Hundred Dollars (Dr. Cash Fund) for best Essay on any Medical Subject. 
This prize was awarded to Dr. S. Fleet Spier, in 1871, for an Essay on “ A 
New Method of arresting Surgical Hemorrhage by the Artery Constrictor, 
designed for the Instantaneous Hermetic Closure of Arteries, without the use 
of Ligature or other foreign substance to be left in the Wound.” 
1874 The Dr. M. H. Cash Prize was awarded to Dr. Thomas K. Cruse, of Tarrytown, 
Westchester County, New York, for Essay on “Injuries which happen to the 
Wrist Joint, as a result of Fall upon the Hand; Luxations at the Wrist, and 
Radio-corpal Articulations; also, on the Nature, Symptoms, and Treatment of 
Colles’ Fracture, with a resume of the Literature of the Subject.” 
“ For the Dr. Cash Prize: “ School Hygiene, in reference to the Physiological 
Relations of Age and Sex to Mental and Physical Education.” 
“ The Committee on Prize Essays also solicit essays for the Brinsmade prize, upon 
any physiological, therapeutic, or pathological subject, at the election of the 
competitor.