History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

54 History of Medical Practice in IllinoisTwenty-five delegates were elected to the House of Delegates of theAmerican Medical Association.Dr. S. T. Trowbridge of Decatur presented a communication in the formof a law to be enacted by the State Legislature, designed to secure a highergrade of qualifications for practicing physicians in Illinois. The committeewas to urge passage of such a law and secure all possible publicity for workof this type.More physicians were present at the 1866 meeting than ever before in thehistory of the Society.1 867 SpringfieldThe seventeenth annual meeting assembled in the Representatives Hall,June 4, 1867, in Springfield.The House passed a resolution that the "so-called Quincy Medical Societyis not entitled to representation in the Illinois State Medical Society."Permanent members were granted the right to vote, the same as delegates,and the Constitution was amended to fix the annual meeting dates of theSociety on the third Tuesday in May each year.1868— QuincyThe Society was called to order in Lincoln Hall, Quincy, on May 19,1868. The problem of the Quincy Medical Society had been referred toa committee at the 1867 meeting, and the committee was ready to report.Perhaps the fact that this annual meeting was held in Quincy added fuelto the fire. The members of the Adams County Medical Society apparentlysaw no reason for the seating of delegates from the Quincy Medical Society.The situation may have been a contributing factor in the Constitution andBy-Laws eventually providing that "only one component medical societyshallbe chartered in any county." However, the committee presented aresolution which provided "that the Quincy Medical Society is entitled torepresentation in the Illinois State Medical Society." Following heateddebate, led by Drs. Watson and Robbins, Dr. N. Wright called for thequestion on the motion, and the resolution was carried by a vote of 20 to 15.The problem was shelved, however, since on May 20th,Dr. Robbins ofQuincy offered a series of preambles and resolutions ridiculing the Societyfor itsaction in admitting the Quincy Medical Society to representation;these "were laid on the table by a vote of yes 20, noes 10."At the morning session of May 20th, the serious consideration of theconvention was given to the quality of medical schools within the State ofIllinois. A resolution was adopted which provided that (1) they would receiveno young man into their offices to read medicine unless he waspossessed of such qualifications as were recommended by the Teachers'Convention of .1867; (2) that they, as exponents of the sentiments of the