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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> 59the Public to the Pr<strong>of</strong>ession," we f<strong>in</strong>d that "as good citizens, it is the duty <strong>of</strong>physicians to be ever vigilant for the welfare <strong>of</strong> the community and to beartheir part <strong>in</strong> susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g its <strong>in</strong>stitutions and burdens; they should also beever ready to give counsel tothe public <strong>in</strong> relation to matters especiallyapperta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g to their pr<strong>of</strong>ession, as on subjects <strong>of</strong> <strong>medical</strong> policy, publichygiene and legal medic<strong>in</strong>e."In these early records it is difficult to follow the transition from <strong>medical</strong>economics, legislative work and bus<strong>in</strong>ess proceed<strong>in</strong>gs toscientific discussions.The men were all seated as a part <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong> itself, and the itemsfor consideration came before the House at the discretion <strong>of</strong> the presid<strong>in</strong>g<strong>of</strong>ficer. The scientific presentations consisted primarily <strong>of</strong> reports <strong>of</strong> stand<strong>in</strong>gcommittees; resolutions regard<strong>in</strong>g legislative work were heard, andf<strong>in</strong>ancial reports were sandwiched between Necrology and Adjournment.1871— PeoriaAbout 1870 someth<strong>in</strong>g seemed to have happened to the collective th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<strong>of</strong> the Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State Medical <strong>Society</strong>. There was a listlessness, a multiplicity<strong>of</strong> purpose, a diversified scatter<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> thought which was apparent <strong>in</strong>the wander<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> the House <strong>of</strong> Delegates at the Peoria meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 1871. Inthe firstplace, they added outside activities and outside speakers to theiragenda. The Council and the citizens <strong>of</strong> Peoria <strong>in</strong>vited the meet<strong>in</strong>g toattend "an exhibition <strong>of</strong> the Holly Water Works, a carriage ride around thecity, and a railroad excursion to Prospect Hill(about four miles distant)on the Peoria and Rock Island Railroad." Also for the first time, the Mayor<strong>of</strong> the host city was present and spoke, and he <strong>in</strong>troduced the City Attorneywho also spoke.Only a few physicians rema<strong>in</strong>ed alive who had participated <strong>in</strong> thefound<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong> twenty-one years before <strong>in</strong> the city <strong>of</strong> Peoria. Dr.J.Per<strong>in</strong>e Johnson, "one <strong>of</strong> the survivors <strong>of</strong> that little band," spoke nostalgically<strong>of</strong> the found<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong> which had "passed safely through theperils <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>fancy and the <strong>in</strong>experience <strong>of</strong> youth, to reach its majority <strong>of</strong>today, and exhibit such a vigorous and flourish<strong>in</strong>g manhood." However,upon becom<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> age, the s<strong>in</strong>gleness <strong>of</strong> purpose seemed to have dissolved<strong>in</strong>to a maelstrom <strong>of</strong> theory: the aggravation <strong>of</strong> disease by dry south andsoutheast w<strong>in</strong>ds; the effect <strong>of</strong> temperature and moisture on the production<strong>of</strong> disease, the "k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> atmospheric impurity" which existed <strong>in</strong> certa<strong>in</strong>areas.This annual meet<strong>in</strong>g was extended tothree days, with several <strong>of</strong> theimportant committee reports scheduled for Thursday. Social activities werenew to the <strong>Society</strong>; except for the pleasant even<strong>in</strong>gs at Dr. N. S. Davis'shome <strong>in</strong> Chicago, members had had no <strong>in</strong>terests other than scientific when<strong>in</strong> attendance at an annual meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong>. The affairs <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong>

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