History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Organization of State Medical Society 61"permanent Secretary be requested at future meetings of this Society toemploy a professional shorthand reporter, to report verbatim all the proceedings,including the discussions."Thirty-five delegates were elected to the American Medical AssociationHouse of Delegates.1873 — BloomingtonFor the first time, a public stenographer made verbatim notes of anannual meeting of the Illinois State Medical Society. At this time theformat of the transactions changed radically; instead of a general summaryof the agenda followed by scientific presentations, now the Society businesswith official actions was recorded, followed by scientific papers, heated discussions,etc., exactly as the sequence developed before the House. Thisreporter style makes summary difficult, but it does spotlight the argumentson the floor, silhouettes the personal scientific differences between the men,and develops for the reader a clear picture of the various cliques, bothpolitical and scientific, which brought pressure to bear on the assembly.Dr. Andrew McFarland presented an interesting paper on Medical Jurisprudence:"And here let us observe that a medical man does a wrong, notonly to himself, but to the whole body scientific, who fails to have his servicesrecognized and rated somewhat in proportion to their value in thecase. . . . Neither should the examiner trust to memory alone in his record.. . . Every fact should be in writing; while the eye can rest on the fact whilebeing written down. . . . All that can reasonably be required, is the possessionof the average skill of men of his class and opportunities. ... It mayseem unnecessary, after so much has been said upon it,to caution all whohave to appear before courts, against language above the comprehension ofthose to hear it. This woeful error still stands too justly charged againstus. . . . Brevity, lucidity, and simplicity will always mark the language ofthe successful expert. ... It is to be deplored that the science of the mind,as well as its diseases, seem of late to receive, less than formerly, the attentionof medical men. How little account is made of the patient's mentalstate, when listening to his narrative of his individual sensations and."acts . . . The Bureau of Legal Medicine of the American Medical Associationis still echoing these sentiments, praying that members of the medicalprofession, especially in court, speak in the "language of men."1874— ChicagoIn 1874, the problem of qualifications for membership came before theHouse for consideration. Dr. J.O. Hamilton made the motion that thoseindividuals applying for membership present some evidence of graduationat a medical school. After prolonged discussion, the motion carried.The question of the payment of dues arose. The Secretary stated that he