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1 lU 1*^"^ Ci JJi JLiLi

Sciences
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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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ADDRESS

DKUVERKD BKKORK

THE ST. JOHN MEDICAL SOCIETY,

AT ITS

A ^' n; i; A L ME K T I X (i ,

FEHIIUARY 13. lWi',>.

I!Y

JAMES SINOLAIE, M. D.,

RECORDING SBCRETARV.

^.Mililisljfii Itif \\)t hnt\\\.

SAINT JOHN, N. H. :

PRI.NIKI) BY IJAKNES A^D (•0:S[1'AjS;Y,

fUlNOE WILLIAM STKKf:T,

1862.

ADDRESS

DKLIVEUKD BKKOKK

THE ST. JOHN MEDICAL SOCIETY,

AT ITri

ANJS U A L MEETING,

PEBKUARY 13, 186-',

JAMES SINOLAIE, M, J).,

UECOnDlNn 3ECUETARV.

^.^Iilisjipli III; tljr |nriptt|,

SAINT JOHN, N. B. :

PKINTED BY BAKNES AND COMPANY',

I'KINCn WILLIAM STREET,

1862.

ADDRESS.

ME. PEESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN,

Members of the St. John Medical Society i

In com}»liance ■witli a resolution ado])tofl at a recent
meeting of tlio Society, I proceed to atteiii]»t the fulfilment
of a task M'hicli, for reasons wliicli 1 need not enumerate,
ought to liav3 been imposed elsewlicre. Indeed T can ac-
count for the peculiarity of your choice only on the ground
that, from the nature of his duties, a Secretary may bo
supposed to possess particular advantages in forming an
estimate of the conditicjn, ju'ogress, and prospects of the
body in which he holds office.

The intention of the resolution referred to, was, I pre-
sume, that a slatoment should be made of the principal
events that have occurred in the Society during the past
year, and that any suggestions which might arise from a
consideration of its past and present positioii should belaid
before you, with a view of furthering the objects for the
accomplishment of which the Society has been organized.
In connection with th.cse i)oints, therefore, I beg leave to
submit the foUov.-ing Keport : —

At the last Annual Meeting, the Society consisted of
thirteen members ; sini'e that time, the name of one member
lias been erased from the roll of the Society, and the names
of three new members have been added. At the present
time, therefore, the Society consists of fifteen members.

Several changes have been made during the past year in
the C:!onstitution and Bye Laws of the Society. Among
others, the annual fee required of country members has been
reduced to two dollars. Two additional offices also have
been created, namely— those of Yicc President and Cor-
responding Secretar3\

Since the last annual meeting twentj'-three regular meet-
ings have been held. On two occasions the Society failed
to be constituted for business, the nmnber of members
present not being sufficient to form a quorum.

Tht! snhjocts brought ft)rin!tlly before tlio Society for
UiscnssioTi, durin<; the \>ai^t ynv, were— Or^canic; disoascs of
tlie lieart, Aneurism of the 'J'horueic Aorta, the Coiiiieetion
of Convulsions with hirgc hwscs of P.lood, Illoodlettitig In
Infhimrnatory Affections, Nature and Treatment of Inlhim-
mation, l)ys])epsia, Ei)i(lemics, Cause of Spread of Cholera
and Yellow Fevar, Conditions f{ivorin<,'thc si»read of Cholera,
Ulceration of the Stomach, Infliimmation of the bladder
and its Treatment, Intestinal Worms, Uterine Ifemorrhage,
Ifoojung Cough, Jaundice, Functions of the Liver, (Junshot
Wounds, rhysiology of the Ganglionic System of Nerves.
A few actual cases of disease have been reported, and se-
veral recent morbid specimens were laid before the Society.
In thus briefly revicM-ing our position during the past
year, the question naturally arises. What has been the suc-
cess Of our Society ? The object of the Society, as expressed
in the Constitution, is the improvement of its meml)ers in
medicine and the auxiliary sciences. In estinuiting the
degree of improvement that may have been attained, it is
unfair to take into consideration oidy the amount of infor-
mation actually imparted durin;,^ the meetings of the Society,
lias not some one of us been led by some casual remark,
or by the startin.g of some ap])arently uninteresting question
in the Society, to enter \i\m\ some new path of enquiry
which has conducted him to conclusions the most unexpected
and satisfactory? Has not the discussion of a subject
occasionally obliged some of us to furbish uj) old stores of
knowledge which had become rusty from disuse ? Have
there not been instances in which we had supposed that
we were pretty thoroughly acipiaintcd with a subject, and
yet, on listening to the remarks of another, have wc not
discovered that there were points which wo had entirely
overlooked, and which we afterwards attended to in our
private studies?

But, in addition to the infc^rmation thus directly impart-
ed, or acquired privately in conse(|uencc of suggestions
thrown out in the Society, we ought not to overlook tlie
fact, that a certain amountof intellectual exertion has been
called forth by our discussions. The value of tliis result is

so ijonerally ignored that I wioli to draw towanlft it cfipcclal
attention. Many ^Kirsons in the deliberations of jissocia-
tions like onrs, eeo notliinfi; valuable save tlioeonununication
vi' bard praetical facts. Tacts, say they, ciMistitnte kiiow-
ledii;o. It should, however, be borne in mind, that the
liunian intellect does not fulfil its desij^n by aeting merely
as a passive receptacle of facts communicated from without.
Factsare, in themselves, but crude material ; and it depends
upon the qualities ami pre])aration of the mind M'hich
receives them, whether they shall remain in their primitive,
undeveloped, and comparatively valueless condition, or
whether they shall be so elaborated and vital ixi-d as to
form a part of the living organism of truth. And let us
be well asfured that the mental ])rocesse8 by which these
cft'ects are produced, are not conducted by blind and un-
erring machinery, such as that employed in factories, by
which the most uninstructed and unskilled laborer may, by
turning a crank, convert the rudest substances into a
polished fabric. The operations of the miiul more closely
resemble the work of the seal engraver, an artificer who
lias hitherto found no labor-saving and infallible machine
to relieve him of tlic necessity of bringing to his l)usine6s a
degree of skill, which can be acquired only by long and
severe practice. If this vIcm* of intellectual operations be
correct, it will bo perceived how necessary is mental exercise
in order to the attainment of die'strength and skill recjuired
to sift and interpret facts, to arrange them in scientific
order, and to arrive at the great princli)le8 of which these
facts may prove to be the exponents. And in so far as
this point is concerned, I claim that our Society, while it is
far removed from the character of a mere debating club,
properly constitutes a mental gymnasium ; and that sub-
jects even of trifling import in themselves introduced into
our Society, may in this way become eminently useful.
I need hardly point out how much mental training and
exercise are needed in the medical profession. Notwith-
standing the many great and sublime physiological and
pathological principles evolved during the last half century,
no inconsiderable portion of our knowledge yet remains in

acnuleand ieolnted c<iiiilifii,n. A va-^t iiinnuiit ol'sivore
and i)ro])eHy directed toil jiiii,-;t l.c i-xpendcd uim.m this
chaotic maas ere it shall assiiine (Icfiiiite and syHteinatic
jx-oportions. And it i8 tolly to await, with folded arniti,
the advent of some nicdical llerciilcH, wlio shall ix'rforni
fur uri at a stroke the labors which destiny fieonis to have
apportioned off amoii«r the profiNsJon at lai-^^'. J [ow much
of the work has been allotted to ns m-c know not, but, at
all events, we do well to prepare ourselves for addin,-; our
quota, be it great or small, to tlieg(!neral store. And who
dares assert that even our Society, obscure as it is, may
not, one day, ]»lay a j.rominent ])art iu plucin*,' our noble
science before the world, a model of symmetry, order, and
beauty ?

Leaving the question of intellectual profit and loss, T ask
your attention to another i)0!nt that ou-ht to be considered
in estimating the advantages arising from tliis Society. I
refer to that peculiar softening of the manners, tliat unity
of sentiment, that kindlhics.^ of regard, which are the
natural results of social intcrctnirse. Perha])s in no walk
of life are there so many circumstances calculated to jwjducc
the ojiposite of these conditions as in tlie medical profession.
The old are apt to place value almost exclusively ou the
lessons of experience, and to regard with a species of pity
the empty pretensions of the young. The young i)ride
themselves on their acqi^iintani-e with the latest tlieories
of the day, and feel disj.osed to deride the old gentleman
who administers his calomel or blue ]. ill for no better reason
than that he has found it beiieticial in similar cases, and
who cannot enter with his medicine at the mouth or other
port of entry, follow it in all its turnings and windings
through the system, note its successive actions and reactions,
its thousand sympathies and antipathies, and finally emerge
with it through its favorite enuinctory; and all this in
exact accordance with the most apj.roved hypothesis on
the subject. Among those who stand on an equal footing,
and who are battling for the same object, a certain degree
of professional, if not personal, rivalry cannot but exist.
Again, in a profession such as ours it is natural for an

individiiul to imugiiie tliut nowhere have tlic stiiiums of
knowledge tlowed, so pure and eopious, au at tlioso fountaitm
from wlilt'li lie Hlakod hia early thirst; while a large and
sturdy hand of medical Xathanaels arc utterly inereduloua
that any good thing can eomc out (tf Nazareth. Again,
in no other profcrtsion or business docs genuine merit meet
with 60 little appreciation, and with so uncertain a reward.
In the arts, as a rule, a good workman will produce good
work, and the excellence of his workmanship is manifest.
The joiner is not compelled to frame a door from unseasoned
wood, nor is the tailor expected to furnish his customers
with well-titting hahiliments from material all too scant.
The lawyer lays his case before a jury — often iucapablcs, it
is true, but with the assurance, nevertheless, that the
presiding judge sits to direct them in their verdict. But
the medical practitioner is too often compelled to leave his
case to the tender mercies of the ignorant and the malicious,
with no judge to guide them, no censor to correct. How
often are the abilities of the " doctor" assayed and stamped
by a self-constituted conunittce of old ladies assembled in
solemn conclave around their bread and butter, and in the in-
spiring prescnceof that modern household god, the tea-urn !
How often is success coolly anticipated, and disappointment
cruelly avenged, by those who have made the modest
demand, that the doctor shall rt^'uvenate old age, and pre-
serve the young in eternal youth ; that he shall infuse health
and strength into the worn out frame, and snatch the
expiring victim from the jaws of inevitable death! How
often is he ignorantly censured where he is undeserving of
censure, or even where he is deserving of praise ! An
individual thus smarting under unmerited wrongs, is not
to be stared at as a monster if ho entertain some feelings
of bitterness when, with vision jaundiced by injustice, he
fancies he sees a rival, perhaps no more skillful than himself,
yet by means of an insinuating address, and a happy faculty
of making all things work together for his own good, riot-
ing in i)opular favors, and receiving the plaudits of the
mutitude as a reward Jit lii;^ very blunders.

Upon this question, then, 1 clahn a verdict in favor of

our S(jciety, inasmuch as its meetings scvvo to bring togcllier
meml)ers oi' tlie pruiession, to promote a friendly inter-
change of sentiment, to break down those feelings of dis-
trust which are so apt to be engendered in solitude, to
cherish that natural love of right which dictates a course
ot liononvl)le conduct towards each other on all occasions,
and, in an especial manner, to .strengthen that sentiment
which has no name in English, but which the French call
esj)rit do coqjs, that spirit which impels men to forego their
individual preferences, and interests it need be, in favor of
the body of which they form a part, a spirit without which
no artiticial organization or body of men can hold a promi-
nent position or even a protracted existence, and deprived
of which, our learned, ancient, and honorable profession
must relinquish its rightful and long maintained heritage
of purity and honor, and descend to grovel among the most
ignoble of the arts which the basest of men ply ':o eke out
a degraded existence.

In view, then, of tlic results which have arisen Irom the
institution of our Society, the conclusion may Ite fairly
drawn, that the hopes with which the Society was organized
have not been disapjwinted, and that advantages luivc
incidentally arisen wluch were not previously contcmphited.

Let us now inquire whether we may calculate, through
the continued existence of our Society, u])on the perma-
nence of these beneficial results, whether tncy may not be
rendered still more valuable, and whether other and more
extended advantages may not justly bo anticipated from
the Society, without making any essential c^iangc in its
original chai'acter.

The question of the prospect of the continue(' existence
of the Society is of some importance to us, biu -.lie data
from which conclusions are to be drawn are ^^omcwhat
conflicting. Our Society has now passed through an ordea)
of two years. With an increase in the number ^'^' City
members, the average attendence has been smaller during
the year just ejided than during the previous one. On the
other hand, while the Society held twenty-four mc(>tings
during the past year, only fourteen mectiugs wc.o held

togcllier
ly iutur-
T!;s of dis-
itndc, to

a course
»ccasiuiis,
entiinent
cncli call
•ego their
I favoi' of
>ut wliicli

a promi-
dcprivcd
)rufessiou

heritage

the most
eke out

from the
1)0 fairly
jrganixed
ges have
}mplatcd.
, through
c pcrma-
ay not be
and more
itod from
igc in its

existence

■„he data

somewhat

an ordeal

r o^' City

or during

On the

nic(!tings

\-cvo held

during liie .year ending February ISOl. Again, had the
quorum remained during the past year as it stood durmg
the year previous, the same number of reguhir evenings ol
meeting would have passed without a quorum in both
years. The average attendance during the past year was
perhaps as large as could reasonably be expected from the
comparatively small number of City members and the
frequency with which the meetings wei-ehcld. Still, a firm
determination on the part of cacli member to occupy his
])laee at the meetings of the Society as regularly as circum-
htances will possibly permit, would in all probability pro-
duce a somewhat liigher average. Doubtless there is not
a gentleman connected with the Society who, if it were
exposed to sudden danger, would not promptly rush to the
rescue. ]3ut Societies like ours rarely die of acute disease.
They perish generally through a slow and insidious decline.
Member after member fails, from one cause or another, to
keep alive sufficient interest to attract liim strongly to the
regular meetings. His attendance becomes desultory, and
at^length ceases. For a time, the few who continue to
lioid the welfare of the organization deeply at heart, rally
round the itiding object of their hopes, but even their
courage at length fails, and the deserted thing miserably

perishes.

Our Society as yet prominently presents no such un-
toward symptoms. On the contrary, it possesses many
features indicative of a vigorous vitality. One of the most
convincing and cheering signs of its being destined to a
long and prosperous existence, appears in the warm and
unflagging interest which has been taken in its welfare,
ever since" its origin, by those of its members who arc the
farthest advance'd in the practice and the honors of the
ju-ofession. To find tr.c more youthful mena)ers regular
in their attendance, and aixxious to further the interests vi'
the Society, is of course praiseworthy, but Is nothing be-
yond what is expected of young men eager for the conflict
of opinions, and solicitous to derive advantage from any
l>raoticnl hints that may be thrown out on bubjcofs with
v^Wuh tl.'/y niMv be sUpjiosed t... ha\c nt bcot but htth

bevund a tlieoivticHl acquaintance. J)ut the case is very
different vitli those wlio luive already borne the burden
and heat of tlie day, ^vhose ears have long ceased to tingle
at the sound of a new medical theory, for whom the busy
Btrifo of tongues has well nigli lost its charms, whose cliief
business in the Society is to Impart rather than to receive,
a!id whose chastened sense of propriety impels them, instead
of giving a loose to their own passions, to moderate excite-
ment in others. To these gentlemen, the)-efore, whose disin •
terested zeal has done so much towards cherishing and
sustaining the Society, the gratitude of the younger mem-
bers is justly and in an especial manner due.

Feeling hopeful, then, that our Society presents as yet
no evident symptoms of dissolution, we may proceed with
the more cheerfulness to inquire M'hether its efficiency may
not be increased.

It may be a question whether some variety in our mode
of conducting the exercises of the Society would not render
our meetings somewhat more lively and interesting. Our
Constitution certainly gives ample scope in this matter.
Lectures, essays, addresses, readings, discussions, and con-
versations are all allowable modes in which the time of the
Society may be em]>loyed, though we liave hitherto limited
ourselves chiefly to the method of formal discussion. With
regard to the various modes specified, sjome difficulty may
be experienced in apprehending the points of distinction
between some of them. If each mode possesses characters
distinct from the others, it were better that they should be
pointed out, and that all the machinery over which the
constitution gives us control should be put into cnero-etic
action. To effect this object, it may be a question for the
Society to consider, whether, in addition to the ordinary
meetings of the Society, the adoption of a system of quar-
terly meetings may not be of service. For each of these
meetings the Society might ajipoint a carefully M-ritten
paper, to 1)e prepared by some one of the members, the
subject being either left to the choice of the individual, or
determined by the Society. By this means the even tenor
our tcnii iuontlily Hirelings would be ajiTccably varied.

Agjiiii, if Hoine systt'iu of reporting aotnal capes at our ordi-
nary meetiiiffs were adopted, and nrgontly insisted on, the
value of our Society as a guide in ])racticc would be mate-
rially enhanced. U may also be a point to conaider whether
the delivery of an annual address might not with advantage
he made the duty of the retiring I'rosidcnt. Whether a
social gathering of some kind, of the members of the
Society, at the end of the year, be advisabh; or practicable,
the Society is best able to determine.

The wisdom of the Society has in no case been more appa-
rent than in its adoption of a (^)de of Ethics. Its value has
already been felt in preserving harmony in our Society, and
it will doubtless be experienced more and more, and per-
liaps in a wider sphere. If the pecuniary condition of the
Society shoidd at any time warrant the undertaking, the
general distribution of the code, so that every medical
practitioner in the province should possess a copy, would
do much towards upholding the ])urity of the profession.

To another of the internal regulations of tiie Society, I
would wish to draw attention. It will be remembered that
a resolution was adopted at one of our meeting, to the
effect that city members absenting themselves, without
suthcient cause, from the meetings of the Society for a
speciiied time, sliouhl ipso facto ceni^oio be members of the
Society. Now, it is evident, that if our Society is intended
to be purely a Avorking Society, a Society calculated simply
for mutual improvement in scientific knowledge, the fewer
barren branches that encumber the stem the better. I
think, however, that it is not, and has not ever been,
intended that the opemtions of our Society should be con-
fined within strictly circuinscril)ed limits. On the contrary,
I believe that it is' the ardent wish of every member of the
Society, that its influence should be exerted in every pos-
sible manner that may honestly contribute to the prosperity
of the profession. There can be little doubt that the
Society, by the adoption of wise and liberal measures, may
exert a directly beneficial influence beyond its own limits ;
but it must firf5t occupy a position that will command
attention. Numbers then become of some importance to

m. A^ii'ulti, iiijv usflul n-sults aribiii-i- IVum the r.etiou of
the Soeiefy are more likely to reach individuals connected,
liowever looiioly, with us, than if they be entirely detached.
Under tlie.se circumstances, then, it may be a question
whether it would not be wise to allow a certain degree of
laxity in our internal regulations in favor of members
whose attendance may l)e, even to a great degree, irregular.
If a definite lijnit to the for])earance of the Society is
desirable, it might be arranged with reference to pe<;uuiary
contingencies.

In considering tlie propriety of extending the operations
of the Society beyond the limits prescribed by the strict
letter of the Constitution, the objects to be attained should
be clearly determined. A few hints are all that can be
attempted on the present occasion.

The relations subsisting between the profession and the
public, in this province at least, are not so satisfactory as
could be wished. Probably at the present time the profes-
sion generally does not hold the coiifidence of the public
to so great an extent as it did a hundred years ago; cer-
tainly «ot as it did in the earlier days of our race. At all
events, hm few of us at the present day stand a chance of
being elevated to a scat among the gods; or of listening
to the sentiment which Idomeneus utters in relxTence to
Machaon :

A wlso plivsician skilled our wounds to heal,
U more ttuui armies to i1ie public weal.

Pope's Horn. xi. 036-7.

The causes of this withdrawal of public confidence are
numerous, sonic <.f them lying at the door of the profession,
others the natural results of the varjing conditions of intel-
lect among the people. So long as men remain in ignorance
of nature's laws and operations, their imagination revels in
tall sorts of absurdities and impossibilities. The line which
separates the natural from the supernatural is dimly or not
at all perceived. A people in this condition are ever ready
to ascribe more than mortal powers to any one clever
enough to excite th,"ir easily excited wonder"; and knaves

«re always in ubimduiu-c to coutributu in tluH way to their
gnititication. The dawn of intellect produces a reaction.
False pretensions are now occasionally discovered in those
previously pronounced infallible ; and a distrust of the old
gods is engendered, as wild and irrational as the previous
brutish credidity. Nature comes at length to be recognized
to some extent as working in accordance with uniform laws.
The idea is novel, and is seized wdtli avidity ; and in t;lie
absence of a liigher and a correcting knowledge, and witli
a sliarp look out still for wonders, the most fanciful hypo-
theses, founded on the merest shadow of fact, are undoubt-
ingly received, and embraced as sublime and universal
truths. Now, howeviT humiliating the acknowledgment
may be, it is neveilheless true, that, in medical matters at
least, manv even of the most advanced portion of mankind
hav.eaiot yet attained beyond this very moderate degree of
mental il'luminafcion. Hence we find crowds of quasi-
«dueated n^en and women, at the present day, spurning the
modest welcome of sober philosophy, and flying to the im-
pure embraces of impudent delusion, and finally oscillating
in a state of helpless perplexity between one extreme of
abfeurdi'tv and as-iother.

It avjdls but little to inquire whether some one is not to
blame for this Mifortunate state of aftairs. Instead of deal-
ing in useless recriminations, let us rather endeavor to
discover and «i3ply a means of cure. In the absence of a
correct appreciation of the great general principles by which
nature is governed, the people must at least be trained to
exercise a faculty which nature has given to all, but which
few use, or know how to use— the faculty of common sense.
It is incredible how entirely the exercise of this faculty is
suppressed by the public in questions relating to the healing
art. It is difficult to believe that individuals, even though
they are incompetent to decide between what they call
<lirterent svstejui^ of medicine, should fail to perceive the
ludicrous absurdity r T discartling the precepts of an edu-
cated physician for ui-. mununcries of an aged crone ; and
yet such' acts frequently occur, and not invariably among
tiie lowest orders of society. Still more difficult is it to

1-*

beliove that j>ersons, otherwise ratiuiml enough- at all
events in no danger of niistiil<iiig six])eiice for a sliilling—
and possessed of what is styled a liberal eduetition, should
earry about their pei-sons, as a eharni against the assaults
of rheumatism, a rate potato ; and persist too in maintaining
its effieaey even at a time when their aehing joints are
rising in open rebellion against its potent sway ; and yet
this precious talisman may be Ibund nestling in the poekets
of even fashionable garments.

Now, common sense in medical matters is not to be
called into activity by popular lectures on the Medical
Sciences, nor yet by means of those sapient oracles called
Domestic Medicine books. Much, however, n lay be effected
by a proper conduct on the ])art of the practitioner at the
bedside of his patients. Nor is it required of him, for the
accomplishment of the end in view, to enter into scientific
details which cannot be comprehended, and which may be
mischievously misunderstood. His duties are, many of
them, rather negative in their character. Let him carefully
avoid on tlie one hand a pandering to })opular prejudices,
and, on the other, a captious opposition to evei-y suggestion
tiiat emanates not from himself. Let liiin beware" of the
spirit of Prophecy and the gift of Miracles. Let bin:: rarely
arrive at a time when a moment later would have been all
too late to display his wondrous powers. Let him restrain
his virtuous indignation at tlie criminal ignorance of his
brother practitioner ; and should lie be called in after the
dismissal of another medical man, let liim not, after apply-
ing his omniscient nose to the phial left l)y his unfortunaie
predecessor, fling it, in a paroxysm of rage, out of the
window or into the fire. These, however, are vulgar
doings, and but few are guilty of them ; but there are many
trifling acts exerting an unfortunate influence on the
popular mind, which would not occur were a good under-
standing establislied among the members of the profession.
In the present heterogeneous condition of the profession in
this Province, however, a good mutual understanding is an
object difficult to be attained. Kffort, constant, persevering,
undespuiring effort, on the part of tliuse who perceive the

-^-,

■at 111

nia^'iiitude of the [.ri/e, is neeessury In (•nlci* tliivt it 1)e
secured. One great iiieaua of aeconi]»lisliiiig the end in view,
1 believe to be frequent and friendly personal intereourse.
Here thenij^ afield of operations worthy of our Society. Let
ns, as a Society, and individually, endeavor in an lionorable
manner, to cultivate friendly relations witli the profeBsion
as well beyond, as within our own limits. Let us not cast
anathemas against even an erring brother, who is not utterly
beyond reclaim ; and if it is impossible that we should
treat him as a gentleman, let us at least treat him as if we
were gentlemen ourselves. And let us, above all, exhibit
to the world that tbe Medical Society of Saint John is
animated by no spirit save those of purity, and honor, and
singleness of purpose ; and the time may come when our
Society shall become the temple to which the eyes of all
the sons of medicine in our Province shall be turned.

In this connection, I wish to make one remark respecting
the responsibility which attaches not only to the members
of our Society, but to the profession generally, practising
in the chief City of New Brunswick. If propriety of con-
duct is to be sought any M-herc, it will be looked for in the
seat of the highest civilization. Therefore it behoves city
])ractitioners to exhibit on all occasions to their more scat-
tered brethren in the rural districts, the model of profes-
sional honor and gentlemanly courtesy. And yet complaints
are occasionally lieard from medical gentlemen residing in
the country, of doubtful professional conduct on the part
of practitioners who have been called thither from the city.
If these complaints have a real foundation, and such a state
of things be allowed to continue, the profession in this Vvo-
vince will ultimately exhibit very unattractive features.
But against this evil, a potent remedy exists in our Society.
Let our arms be extended far and wide into the country ;
and let the cars of the Society be open, and let them be
known to be open, to every professional cry.

It would greatly conduce to success in every direction,
were a greater uuml)er of at least the more intluential part
of the profcsGion in Saint John enrolled na members of our
?^ocietv. Thi- ■•I'ice* mav nltiiuiitely be nttaincd, but it

will not be- attaiucd through teasing hiiportrinitied. At the
Hjiine time, a geiitlenianly recognition (»t' our brotherhood
might at tiujcs he ])eculiarly acceptable. If the Society
Khmild determine upon a Bvstem of Annual Addresses^ a
Hpeciul invitation on such occasions to the various medical
gentlemen in our vicinity, might be received as a graceful
compliment.

In concluding, I may remark that it ia a practical ques-
tion of some difficulty to determine, to what extent the
Society should, at the present time, consistently with pro-
priety', assert itself as an exponent of medical opinion in
this Province, and obtrude itself generally upon public at-
tention. The existence of our Society has not yet been
recognized even by our City almanacks ', and yet bodies
not more important, if more pretending, find a place in
these treasuries of local information. Now, although
modern civilized society is by no means troubled with a
general plethora of modesty, yet it is possible that even
this rare and valuable moral quality may be concentrated
at certain points to a degree little short of positive con--
gestion. It may be wise, then, that some attention should
be paid to passing events in the world around us, in order
that fitting occasions may be embraced, upon which our
existence and position as a Medical Society, may be pro-
])erly asserted.

I had intended to touch upon the advantages to the So-
ciety, the profession, and the public, of having established
a system of registration of births and deaths, the necessity
of having the medical topography of the Province, to
some extent, explored, the utility of some acquaintance
with its medical flora, and the aid which our Society might
contribute in reference to these points, by encouraging
medical gentlemen in various parts of the Province to join
the Society, who migh act chiefly as corresponding mem-
bers, but I feared that your patience would be already
exhausted.