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History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

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goo<strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Medical Practice <strong>in</strong> Ill<strong>in</strong>oisJonesboro; F. S. Dodds, Anna, and W. L. McLane, Dongola. Dr. Hacker,then President <strong>of</strong> the Union County Medical <strong>Society</strong>, presided. He was<strong>in</strong>structed to send a call to the physicians <strong>of</strong> southern Ill<strong>in</strong>ois for a meet<strong>in</strong>gto be held <strong>in</strong> Jonesboro <strong>in</strong> January, 1875. On January 20, 1875, the organizationmeet<strong>in</strong>g was held. Dr. Hacker was chosen as President and Dr. Agnewas Secretary pro tern. Fourteen physicians were present. A committee wasappo<strong>in</strong>ted by the President to draw up a suitable Constitution and By-Lawsand, after their report was heard, the follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>ficers were elected:President: H. C. Hacker, Jonesboro1st Vice-President: H. Wardner, Cairo2nd Vice-President: John McLeace, DuQuo<strong>in</strong>Secretary: G. W. Schuchardt, JonesboroTreasurer: W. C. Lence, JonesboroMeet<strong>in</strong>gs were held twice each year until 1901, when the By-Laws wereamended to make it an annual meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> two days. The Association hasheld meet<strong>in</strong>gs each year until more recently it was decided to make it aone-day affair. A list <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> this organization conta<strong>in</strong>s names <strong>of</strong>many who have been prom<strong>in</strong>ent <strong>in</strong> the affairs <strong>of</strong> the Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State Medical<strong>Society</strong>.Bra<strong>in</strong>ard District Medical <strong>Society</strong> was organized on May 17, 1877, atMason City. In 1878, three <strong>of</strong>ficial delegates were sent to the annual meet<strong>in</strong>g<strong>of</strong> the State Medical <strong>Society</strong>:Drs. L. L. Leeds, L<strong>in</strong>coln; P. L. Diffenbackerand J.W. Newcomer <strong>of</strong> Havana. The maximum membership apparentlywas reached <strong>in</strong> 1895, when 57 members were enrolled. In 1900, the<strong>of</strong>ficers were Drs. F. M. Coppel <strong>of</strong> Havana, President, and Kather<strong>in</strong>e Miller<strong>of</strong> L<strong>in</strong>coln, Secretary. This year the <strong>Society</strong> was recognized by the Council<strong>of</strong> the Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State Medical <strong>Society</strong>.Records still available show that there were a number <strong>of</strong> <strong>medical</strong> societies<strong>in</strong> Ill<strong>in</strong>ois a century ago which held only a few meet<strong>in</strong>gs, <strong>in</strong> a few <strong>in</strong>stancesperhaps only two or three, and then were disbanded. No <strong>in</strong>formationis available as to the exact time and place <strong>of</strong> their organization, <strong>of</strong>ficers,lists <strong>of</strong> members or other pert<strong>in</strong>ent data.It seems obvious that physicians <strong>in</strong> Ill<strong>in</strong>ois have always been <strong>in</strong>terested<strong>in</strong> gett<strong>in</strong>g together for an <strong>in</strong>terchange <strong>of</strong> ideas, and to discuss problems <strong>in</strong>diagnosis and treatment <strong>of</strong> prevail<strong>in</strong>g ailments. In those days before theexact cause <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>fectious and contagious diseases was known, physicians, asthey do today, had the best <strong>in</strong>terests <strong>of</strong> their patients uppermost <strong>in</strong> theirthoughts. The attendance at these early meet<strong>in</strong>gs was good, even thoughmany hours were spent <strong>in</strong> go<strong>in</strong>g to the meet<strong>in</strong>g and return<strong>in</strong>g home. Occasionallyone <strong>of</strong> these pioneer physicians ventured to predict what mighthappen to improve <strong>medical</strong> care and knowledge dur<strong>in</strong>g the next century,

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