History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Internal Medicine 113Cholera was still plaguing Chicago, as 630 deaths were reported for theyear from this disease.1853Dr. Thomas Hall of Toulon, who later showed great interest in forensicmedicine, presided at the annual meeting of the Illinois State MedicalSociety in the absence of the president, Dr. R. Rouse of Peoria. Dr. N. S.Davis delivered the principal address on the "Intimate Relations ofMedical Science to the Whole Field of Natural Sciences."The Committee on Drugs and Medicines, with Dr. J.V. Z. Blaney ofChicago as Chairman, reported the formation of the American PharmaceuticalAssociation in Boston in August, 1853. The State Society requestedthat Dr. Blaney act as chairman of a committee to be appointed to cooperatewith this association and acquaint the membership with all informationobtained.A serious epidemic of smallpox was reported in Chicago.1854Dr. Daniel Brainard presided at the meeting of the Illinois State MedicalSociety and read a paper on rattlesnake bite, in which he advocated theuse of cupping, infiltrations and iodide of potassium.Dr. N. S. Davis began regular publication of reports on the health ofChicago, and this year 1424 deaths from cholera were reported in thatcity.Dr. Henry Parker won the prize offered by the State Society with hisessay on "The Differences in the Physiologic and Pathologic Action of thatClass of Remedies Called Stimulants of which Alcohol is the Type, andTonics, of which the Bitter Barks and Iron may be Considered as Specimens."At the meeting of the State Medical Society, Dr. N. S. Davis continuedhis never-ceasing crusade against the use of alcoholic beverages in his longdiscourse on "The Effects of Alcoholic Drinks on the Human System andthe Duties of Medical Men in Relation Thereto."Dr. Steven Williams of Laona, Winnebago County, a former Professorof Botany at Dartmouth College, listed 192 principal medical plants enumeratedby botanists and known to be growing in Northern Illinois andWisconsin, together with some suggestions for their use.Dr. J. V. Z. Blaney gave expert testimony concerning strychnine as apoison in the noted trial of one George W. Greene who was convicted ofmurder.At the meeting of the American Medical Association, Dr. Sam T. Blatchfordof New York urged the use of solidified milk as 100 per cent useful.