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History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

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Organization <strong>of</strong> State Medical <strong>Society</strong> 65propriety <strong>of</strong> a State Board <strong>of</strong> Health upon the representatives from hisdistrict." Approval <strong>of</strong> this resolution was given shortly before adjournment.At this time the <strong>Society</strong> had ggg members, <strong>of</strong> whom four were women.Dr. N. S. Davis served aga<strong>in</strong> as Secretary.1877 — ChicagoThe twenty-seventh annual session <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong> was held <strong>in</strong> the GrandPacific Hotel <strong>in</strong> Chicago. The President, Dr. T. D. Fitch, called the meet<strong>in</strong>gto order at 10 A.M., May 15th.Dr. J.N. Hyde, Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Committee <strong>of</strong> Arrangements, prefacedhis address by call<strong>in</strong>g the attention <strong>of</strong> those present to the fact that "wemeet together at an hour when there comes to us across the Atlantic theecho <strong>of</strong> the tread <strong>of</strong> advanc<strong>in</strong>g armies. We assemble at atime when thenations <strong>of</strong> the Old World are agitated with war and the rumor <strong>of</strong> war, butwe f<strong>in</strong>d our own beloved country enjoy<strong>in</strong>g the bless<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> a pr<strong>of</strong>oundpeace."However, the peace <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong> itself was disturbed, and it was Dr.Sarah Hackett Stevenson aga<strong>in</strong>. In his Presidential Address, Dr. Fitchstated: "Our relation to the American Medical Association has always been<strong>of</strong> the most pleasant character till the past year, and I am quite sure thatno cause <strong>of</strong> disturbance has ever been given, until the Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State Medical<strong>Society</strong>, through its executive became the leader <strong>in</strong> a revolution which Ihope and believe will be heartily susta<strong>in</strong>ed by the <strong>Society</strong>. It has been astand<strong>in</strong>g rule <strong>of</strong> this <strong>Society</strong> for several years, that a delegate to the AmericanMedical Association, be<strong>in</strong>g unable to attend, was duly authorized toappo<strong>in</strong>t a substitute from the membership <strong>of</strong> this <strong>Society</strong>. In conformity tothis rule, our lamented Pr<strong>of</strong>. J.W. Freer, was solicited by myself to appo<strong>in</strong>tas his substitute, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Sarah Hackett Stevenson. Pr<strong>of</strong>. Freer expressedgreat gratification on be<strong>in</strong>g privileged to appo<strong>in</strong>t her as his substitute,and gave the certificate to her accompanied with a very flatter<strong>in</strong>gendorsement which I also endorsed as President <strong>of</strong> your <strong>Society</strong>. On arriv<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong> Philadelphia, the Committee <strong>of</strong> Arrangements said that all suchcases would be referred to the Judiciary Council. Pr<strong>of</strong>. Stevenson, not desir<strong>in</strong>gto make herself prom<strong>in</strong>ent <strong>in</strong> a contest <strong>of</strong> the k<strong>in</strong>d, decided not to takethe step. . . . After the earnest solicitation <strong>of</strong> the permanent secretary toregister Dr. Stevenson, we tried to f<strong>in</strong>d her but could not, and as it wasnecessary to register before the names were read, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Byford and myselfwent to the register<strong>in</strong>g committee and gave her name <strong>in</strong> full and paid herfee. Some <strong>of</strong> the opposition said that it was underhanded, that had she appearedthere <strong>in</strong> person that they could have recognized her sex—she couldnot have registered. Her sex was borne <strong>in</strong> her name and no effort was madeto conceal it. On the follow<strong>in</strong>g day the names were read. . . . When the

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