II AD 1799 & LIBERT AMERIC23

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL FACULTY

OF MARYLAND

Editorial and Publishing Committee.

ALEXIUS MCGLANNAN, M.D. HENRY O. REIK, M.D.

JOHN RUHRAH, M.D.

Secretaries of the County Societies are earnestly requested to send reports of meetings and all items of personal mention and of local or general interest for publication addressed to Dr. Alexius Mc Glannan, 847 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore.

THE OFFICIAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL FACULTY OF MARYLAND appear in a new form. The annual publication of a volume of transactions is replaced by a monthly issue in the MARYLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. The interval between successive annual volumes is so great that the members get out of touch with the Faculty and in many cases individual interest in our proceedings wanes. The monthly publication will remedy this condition. Interesting information will be more rapidly disseminated, earlier knowledge of the workings of all parts of the organization will make discussion of disputed points more timely and their settlement as effecting local conditions prompter. The more frequent communication of ideas will bring all members closer together and aid in their cohesion into a strong and harmonious organization.

The change in the form of publication of these transactions is the result of the deliberation of the committee appointed by the Council at the Ocean City meeting. The committee report, which will be published in full later, recommended either of two plans-the publication of a State Society journal or the issuing of monthly communications in the MARYLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. The Council decided in favor of the latter plan, and we begin in this issue the new order of things.

THE DEFENSE OF SUITS FOR MALPRACTICE is the latest addition to the already great number of advantages accruing from membership in the State Faculty. The worry of mind and depletion of

purse associated with the defense of these vexatious litigations are necessarily great and severe. The retaining fee alone of a lawyer of any prominence is several times the annual dues of membership. Expert evidence is difficult to procure unless the defendant has wide acquaintance among the profession. Private corporations undertaking this form of liability insurance charge considerably more than the annual dues of our Society for this defense alone.

The Faculty offers to furnish all necessary legal services, to furnish all medical-expert services, and pay all necessary expenses of conducting the defense of the suit on the single condition of payment of annual dues in advance. If there were no other advantages in membership, this insurance against the annoyance of the attacks of adventurers and blackmailers, so common in our day and generation, would be sufficient reason for membership in the State Society. Considered in connection with the use of the library, the influence of the unification of interest in public affairs, and the many other valuable results of membership, no doctor of good standing can afford to remain outside the organization. (See minutes of the meeting April 26, 1905.)

THE PROGRESS OF MEDICAL ORGANIZATION is steadily advancing. Here and there throughout the country there are spots, becoming more prominent because of their rarity, where the crossroads style of medical society still exists, but in general the State societies are now organized as parts of the American Medical Association.

This improved organization means the better and more rapid disposition of the business affairs of the society and the more thoughtful consideration of its scientific contribution. What is more important, it is a progressive movement toward the accomplishment of a unification of the medical profession.

When this unity of interest shall have become complete by the extension of organization in every State and Territory, and the inclusion of all reputable men in the Association, the medical profession will be able to demand and secure its proper high position in the community, and the long-patient and freely-giving physician be shown to the public as the good Samaritan and generous benefactor he really is, and his rights and privileges will be obtained.

Then we may hope for just legislation in medical matters-for laws suppressing quackery in its many prefixed pathies: then physicians will not be misunderstood and judged mercinarily selfish when they condemn the legalizing of the various humbug varieties of pseudo-science, whose votaries prey on the ignorant and foolish; then we will not be accused of avarice and jealousy when we attempt to save the public from the clutches of knaves, whose roseate promises of impossible cures or suggestions of fearsome diseases are beguiling siren songs to lure the unwary.

Too often is it the case that the families of poor victims suffer want, and occasionally go to actual destitution in order to provide

the money demanded by some quack for useless or improper treatment of an imaginary or hopeless ailment, or to secure silence regarding some rash confidence.

The exuberant growth of charlatans and quacks is largely due to the apathy and disorganization of the legitimate practitioners. Individually we know of these conditions, individually we feel strongly concerning their iniquity, individually we condemn them. and strive to correct them, individually we exert little influence, but collectively-collectively our influence would be tremendous. But we are not as yet completely united.

Maryland has one of the oldest and one of the most respected State medical societies in the country. The Medical and Chirurgical Faculty has had over 100 years continuous existence, and the names of its members is a grand and inspiring roll of honorable men. But our influence is in no way commensurate with the glory of our past nor the promise of our future. How little of the glorious achievements of our Society during the last century is known outside our organization! How little do we influence legislation concerning medical matters! Quacks and charlatans of all types flourish in our State, plying their nefarious swindle uninterrupted under quasi-legal sanction. Why? Because we are not united, because everywhere throughout the State we find medical men who are not members of their county societies, who have no interest in organization, who refuse to consider the advantages of membership in the State Society, who, distrustful of their professional colleagues, neglect to protect themselves against the incursions and lootings of the ribald horde of marauding illegitimate practitioners who thrive on the impotence of our non-union.

We have in every county but one a permanent society, properly organized. Everywhere the members are honest, intelligent men of good reputation; but, unfortunately, we do not include every man of this character in our organization. There are so many outside who are so admirably qualified for membership that the reason for the condition must be ignorance of the advantages and necessity of joining rather than a deliberate determination to remain unattached. To reach these men and point out to them the reasons for becoming members is the duty of the present members. Let every member resolve to bring in one new member at once, and most of these desirable and willing men will become strengthening bands to our organization, and thereby be made potent agencies for good instead of continuing well-intending, but weak individual workers.

Another class of men, unfortunately all too numerous, are those who look on any society as a scheme for laudation on some at the expense of others; who resist organization as a device for binding the many to the will of the few. These men, because of jealousy or some misunderstanding, or injury real or fancied, go on for years, often in small communities, without any intercourse with other physicians. They are often men of great personal ability and influence, men of culture and of valuable attainments, all of

immense importance when used in co-operation with others in an organization, but now wasted in vain individual effort. To attract such men, to make them see how wrong and foolish are their ideas concerning the aims and workings of our societies, is the duty of our members. Tell them that ability in any line is sought for and encouraged; show them what organized effort has accomplished in other States, and point out the superior advantages of membership in our society-advantages that make continued non-membership misguided obstinacy.

THE SECRETARIES OF THE COUNTY SOCIETIES are earnestly requested to send reports of meetings and all items of personal mention and of local or general interest for publication to Dr. Alexius McGlannan, 847 North Eutaw street, Baltimore.

REPORT OF THE MEMOIR COMMITTEE.

Baltimore, Md., April 25, 1905.

The Members of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland: Gentlemen-The Committee on Memoirs begs leave respectfully to submit the following report of the members who have died since the last annual meeting of this Faculty, 15 in all:

CHARLES COCKEY

died at Queenstown, Md., on July 31, 1904, aged 62 years. He was graduated from the University of Maryland in 1866. He was a member of the Queen Anne's Medical Society, and was secretary to the Board of Health of that county.

GEORGE FOX CORSE

died at Gardenville, Md., of cancer of the intestines March 23, 1905, aged 66 years. He was graduated from the University of Maryland in 1864. He married Miss Sarah Sutton of Baltimore in 1866. He was born in Baltimore county.

PHILIP EUGENE CRAIG

died at Baltimore, Md., of typhoid fever September 20, 1904, aged 35 years. He was educated at the Baltimore City College, and was graduated in medicine from the Baltimore Medical College in 1897. He was a musician of "no mean ability," and was a leader in one of the prominent choirs of this city. "As a physician he inspired his patients with confidence." He was born in Harford county, Maryland.

ALBERT KIMBERLY HADEL

died at Baltimore, Md., of cerebral hemorrhage April 4, 1905, aged 55 years. In 1882 he married Miss Florence M. Hough of Baltimore, Md. He was graduated from the University of Maryland in 1889. He was president of

the Society of the War of 1812; historian of the Society of the American Revolution; registrar-general of the National Society of the War of 1812; member of the American Medical Association and of the Alumni Association of the University of Maryland. At one time he served as secretary of the Baltimore Board of Health. He was the author of many historical papers, among which were "The Battle of Bladensburg," "Who Killed General Ross?" "The Life of Washington in the American Revolution," "Life of Franklin." His father came to Baltimore in 1843, and was health commissioner of Baltimore from 1847 to 1849. His mother was a descendant of the first white child born in New Haven, Conn., in 1839. The doctor was a native of Baltimore.

J. FUSSEL MARTENET

died at Baltimore, Md., of typhoid fever July 18, 1904. He was graduated from the University of Maryland in 1880. He was a member of the American Medical Association. For several years he had charge of the department of children in the Johns Hopkins Dispensary. He was the State vaccine agent. He was 46 years old.

RUSSELL MURDOCK

died at Baltimore, Md., of cerebral hemorrhage March 19, 1905, aged 66 years. He was graduated from the University of Virginia in 1861. He married Miss Margaret Taylor Falconer in 1873. He was a native of Baltimore. He was a member of and for many years an energetic worker in the Maryland Academy of Sciences. He contributed to the work in his department of surgery. The following contributions he made and they were published in the Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society: "The Retina, an Asymmetrical Surface;" "Three New InstrumentsSpeculum, Ophthalmostat, Tenotome;" "Some Improvements in Instruments and Appliances for Cataract Operations;" "Sponge Cover for Ether Inhaler." In the American Journal of Ophthalmology were published two articles by him-"The Aluminium Nickel Shield" and "Note on Ovoid Glass Balls."

CHARLES H. POTTER

died suddenly at Baltimore, Md., November 9, 1904, aged 50 years. He was graduated from the Baltimore Medical College in 1898. He was a member of the American Medical Association; was formerly connected with the Johns Hopkins Hospital; had charge of the microphotograph department of the Tuberculosis Exposition held in Baltimore. He had made a specialty of microscopic photography for medical works, and in this direction his reputation was international.

ALFRED HENRY POWELL

died at Baltimore, Md., of heart failure November 4, 1904, aged 73 years. He was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in 1853. He married Miss Cora H. Waring of Mobile, Ala., in 1872. He was a surgeon in the Confederate army throughout the Civil War; sometime professor of surgery in the Washington University of Baltimore; for many years resident physician at Capon Srings, Virginia; at the close of the Civil