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History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

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Organization <strong>of</strong> State Medical <strong>Society</strong>391 852 —JacksonvilleOne can read between the l<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong> review<strong>in</strong>g the transactions <strong>of</strong> theafternoon session <strong>of</strong> Tuesday, June 1, 1852. The Secretary's report is nonetoo subtle: "Dr. Rouse stated that the only <strong>in</strong>ducement for his acceptance<strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> Treasurer had been that the Constitution makes the Treasurer,ex-<strong>of</strong>ficio, one <strong>of</strong> the committee <strong>of</strong> publications. .." but as he hadnot been permitted to have anyth<strong>in</strong>g to do with that part <strong>of</strong> the duties <strong>of</strong>his <strong>of</strong>fice, Dr. Rouse took that opportunity to disavow all responsibility <strong>in</strong>relation to numerous errors <strong>in</strong> a publication which, <strong>in</strong> its "present unfortunateshape" he considered as "reflect<strong>in</strong>g very little credit upon theContributors, the <strong>Society</strong>, its Committee, or the Press." No further commentwas <strong>of</strong>fered, but that same afternoon Dr. Edward Dickenson <strong>of</strong> Peoriabecame the new Treasurer, and Dr. Rouse delivered an address as thenewly elected President. In this he stated that "Societies like ours have longexisted <strong>in</strong> all the older States <strong>of</strong> the Union, and have been <strong>of</strong> great advantageto both the pr<strong>of</strong>ession and the general community; but <strong>in</strong> our goodState <strong>of</strong> Ill<strong>in</strong>ois where there is no legal protection <strong>of</strong> either, and where the<strong>medical</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>ession is perfectly outlawed, the necessity and utility <strong>of</strong> suchassociation and organization is exceed<strong>in</strong>gly obvious."Dr. N. S. Davis <strong>of</strong> Chicago <strong>of</strong>fered §20.00 as a premium for the best essayon the subject "The Differences <strong>in</strong> the Physiological and Pathological Action<strong>of</strong> that Class <strong>of</strong> Remedies Called STIMULANTS, <strong>of</strong> which Alcoholisthe Type, and TONICS, <strong>of</strong> which the Bitter Barks and Iron may beconsidered as specimens." 2 All papers entered <strong>in</strong> the competition were tobe sent to Dr. Rouse before May 1, 1853, endorsed with a motto and accompaniedby the name <strong>of</strong> the author <strong>in</strong> a sealed envelop on which was toappear the same motto as on the essay. The committee to exam<strong>in</strong>e the essaysand to award the "premium" was to report at the next "anniversary <strong>of</strong>the State <strong>Society</strong>." The committee also was <strong>in</strong>structed to see that the reportwas published <strong>in</strong> "several <strong>of</strong> the lead<strong>in</strong>g newspapers <strong>of</strong> the State."1853— ChicagoDur<strong>in</strong>g this meet<strong>in</strong>g, various committees reported, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the Committeeon Prize Essays. No award was made; no communications had beenreceived! The contest was extended for another year.Noth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> economic import was recorded <strong>in</strong> the m<strong>in</strong>utes <strong>of</strong> this annualmeet<strong>in</strong>g. Dr. N. S. Davis, on behalf <strong>of</strong> the <strong>medical</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> the Ill<strong>in</strong>oisGeneral Hospital, and Dr. W. B. Herrick, on behalf <strong>of</strong> the U.S.Mar<strong>in</strong>eHospital, extended <strong>in</strong>vitations to all physicians <strong>in</strong> attendance to visit these2These early prize awards were the counterpart <strong>of</strong> our present-day scholarships andgrants-<strong>in</strong>-aid for the advancement <strong>of</strong> medic<strong>in</strong>e.—Editor

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