History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Organization of State Medical Society 75session. One of the most active men on the floor was Dr. David W. Grahamof Chicago. 9Dr. A. B. Strong reported that the Legislative Committee was workingon a proposed amendment to the present anatomical law entitled "An \( 1to Promote the Science of Medicine and Surgery in the State of Illinois. 10A copy was to be sent to each physician in the state, together with a personalletter asking for cooperation and that the physician use his personal influencewith his representative and senators in behalf of the bill. Underthe proposed amendment, it would be mandatory for those having pauperbodies in charge to turn them over to medical colleges and preceptors. Indiscussing the problem of securing anatomical material, Dr. Cook said:"I hope there will be no serious difficulty in the way of making this changein our laws. Allow me to say that we medical men do not appreciate ourimportance in relation to legislative matters. Certainly it should not be sofor we take no interest in such matters, and ignore those influences thatreach to medical legislation. I don't ask that medical men enter the politicalarena and seek political honors and preferment; but I do ask that weplace ourselves in the position of vitally interested parties, representingthe welfare of our profession. The politicians regard us as a very importantaid in legislative matters. I am confident that the influence of the medicalprofession can be made of more interest in advancing what legislation wemay need than any other class, except those who are so well trained in legislativematters—the attorneys."There was a balance on hand in the treasury of $1141.04. A resolutionwas passed whereby a prize of $100 was offered by the Society for the bestreport of "Original Investigations into the Etiology, Pathology and Treatmentof Diphtheria," and a second prize of $100 was offered for the "besttabulated report of not less than ten cases of any form of disease under theprofessional care of the reporter."Since there was a great deal of extra work in connection with the officeof secretary, as well as with that of treasurer, Dr. S. J. Jones, PermanentSecretary of the Society, asked that each officer be authorized to employsomeone to assist him in the clerical work. By appropriate action, theHouse of Delegates allocated $50.00 to each officer to be used "as they seefit." A bill for $50.00 for two years' clerical work by "Mr. Davis" was allowedby the Society.1885— SpringfieldThe first order of business at the annual meeting was an address by the9Dr. Graham was the father of Dr. Evarts A. Graham of St. Louis, Missouri, winnerof the 1950 Distinguished Service Medal of the American Medical Association for hiswork in thoracic surgery.10For a full presentation of this subject, the reader is referred to Chapter XIX of tliisVolume.—Edi tor