CntiBtitnttatt AMERICAN HYGIENIC AND HYDROPATHIC ASSOCIATION PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS: TOGETHER WITH THE I.rST OP OFFICERS, STAXDrXG COMMITTEES VXD MEMBERS, PKOCEKDINGS OF THE FIRST A.\D SEfOXD AWTAL MEETINGS; FIRST ANNUAL RErORT OF THE COMMITTEE OX HYGIENE.^ o / y PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE ASSOCIATION. Ncto ¥ocfc: PUBLISHED BY FOWLERS AXD WELLS, Clinton Hill. Xo. 131 Nassau-street. M DCCC LI. Catifltittttinii OF THE AMERICAN HYGIENIC AND HYDROPATHIC ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS: TOGETHER WITH THE LIST OF OFFICERS, STANDING COMMITTEES AND MEMBERS, PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND ANNUAL MEETINGS; AND THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HYGIENE. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE ASSOCIATION. Ncto ¥orfc: PUBLISHED BY FOWLERS AND WELLS, Clinton Hall, No. 131 Nassau-street. M DCCC LI. EDWARD O. JENKINS, Pkinteb, No. 114 Nassau Street. Cnnstituftnn OF THE AMERICAN HYGIENIC AND HYDROPATHIC ASSOCIATION . OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. PREAMBLE. We, the undersigned, physicians and surgeons, believing in the doc- trine of the vis medicatrix naturae, or the inherent tendency of the human constitution to free itself from disease; and furthermore, that of all the remedial agents which the experience of ages has shown to be requisite to assist nature in her operations, Water is by far the best, the safest, and most universal in its application; do hereby agree to the following CONSTITUTION. I.—This Association shall be styled " The American Hygienic and Hydropathic Association of Physicians and Surgeons;" and its ob- jects shall be the diffusion of those physiological principles which are usually comprised under the term Hygiene, and the development of the therapeutic virtues of Water to their fullest extent, on a strictly rational and scientific basis, and with especial reference to the estab- lished laws of the human system, both in health and disease:—a pro- per regard being always paid to the various modifications which may from time to time result from the progressive advancement of medical science. II.—Any physician residing in the United States of America, having received the decree of Doctor of Medicine, or a license to practise the 4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN healing art, and who can exhibit satisfactory proofs of his competency to practise Hydropathy, may be elected a member of this Association by the votes of a majority of those present at an annual meeting. III.—The officers of this Association shall be a President, two Vice- Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, who shall severally exercise the functions pertaining to their respective offices. They shall also constitute an Executive Committee, whose duty it shall be to prepare business for the annual meeting ; and any three of the officers afore- said may form a quorum to do business as such committee. IV.—The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the • Association, by the votes of a majority of the members present They shall serve for one year, or until their successors are chosen. V.—There shall be a meeting of this Association annually, at such time and place as shall be determined on by the Executive Com- mittee, and due notice given to each member beforehand, by the Secretary of the Association. VI.—Special meetings may be convened by the Executive Com- mittee whenever they may think it expedient. VII.—The Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at the annual meeting; due notice of such amendment having been given at the previous annual meeting. VIII.—This Association shall not legislate respecting the practice of its members : nor shall any rules be made respecting the ethics of medical practice. IX.—A public oration shall be delivered before the Association on the evening of the first day of its annual meeting. An Orator and a substitute shall be selected at each annual meeting, for the year next ensuing; and in case both should be prevented from fulfilling the appointment, a substitute shall be designated by the Executive Com- mittee. X.—Two Standing Committees shall likewise be appointed by the Association at each annual meeting ; one on Hygiene, and the other on Hydropathy. Each committee shall consist of three members, and it Bhall be the duty of each committee, at the close of its official year, to present a report at the annual meeting, of such facts and arguments as its members may deem proper. XL—A Committee on Credentials and Qualifications, composed of three members, shall likewise be appointed at each annual meeting, to serve for one year or until their successors are appointed, for the HYGIENIC AND HYDROPATHIC ASSOCIATION. 5 purpose of examining the credentials and qualifications of candi- dates for membership. All nominations of candidates shall be first submitted to this committee, and the action of the Association upon all such nominations shall be based upon their report. XII.—Each member of the Association shall pay to the Treasurer at each annual meeting the sum of two dollars, to be devoted to the payment of all necessary expenses of such meetings ; the surplus (if any) to be paid into the treasury. Special assessments and .appropria- tions shall only be made by a vote of three-fourths of the members present at the annual meeting at which such measure has been intro- duced. The meeting of June 19th, 1S50, shall be deemed the first annual meet'mg of the Association, and the dues of members shall be payable to the Treasurer on that day. XIII.—Honorary members of the Association may be elected at each annual meeting upon the recommendation of the Committee on Credentials and Qualifications. All such members shall be entitled to the privileges of membership except the right to vote, or to serve as officers of the Association. (Dffirtrs far 1851-52. JSjitcuWoe Committee. PRESIDENT, BUTLER WILMARTH, M.D. VICE-PRESIDENTS, E. A. KITTREDGE, M.D. JOEL SHEW, M.D. SECRETARY, ROLAND S. HOUGHTON, M.D. TREASURER, N. BEDORTHA, M.D. .Stanuina Committees. ON HYGIENE, WILLIAM A. HAMILTON, M.D. HUBBARD FOSTER, M.D. LEVI REUBEN, M.D. ON HYDROPATHY, SETH ROGERS, M.D. HENRY FOSTER, M.D. CHARLES MUNDE, M.D. ON CREDENTIALS AND QUALIFICATIONS. R. S. HOUGHTON, M.D. JOSEPH A. WEDER, M.D. S. O. GLEASON, M.D. 1Cr01 nf Jiltvxbtxx. New- York. Lowrey Barney, M.D., of Henderson. Butler Wilmarth, M.D., of New Graefenberg. William A. Hamilton, M.D., of Saratoga. N. Bedortha, M.D., of Troy. Henry Foster, M.D., of Clifton Springs. Levi Reuben, M.D., of Rochester. S. 0. Gleason, M.D., of Forest City. P. H. Hayes, M.D., of Wyoming. Clement B. Barrett, M.D., of Binghamton. Joel Shew, M.D., of New York City. R. T. Trall, M.D., of New York City. T. L. Nichols, M.D., of New York City. R. S. Houghton. M.D., of New York City. Massachusetts. Charles Munde, M.D., of Northampton. Hubbard Foster, M.D., of Lowell. E. A. Kittredge, M.D., of Boston. Seth Rogers, M.D., of Worcester. C. C. Field, M.D., of Leominster. Neio Jersey. Joseph A Weder, MD., of South Orange. Pennsylvania. C. C. Schieferdecker, M.D., of Willow Grove. Georgia. T. C. Coyle, M. D., of Milledgeville. Ohio. T. T. Seelye, M. D, of Cleveland. PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN fixxl Stnntal Jfietttttg. Pursuant to a call to that effect, which appeared in the June num- ber of The Water Cure Reporter, a Hydropathic Convention was held at Hope Chapel, New York City, on Wednesday, June 19th, 1850, for the purpose of organizing a National Association. At half past ten, AM., Dr. William A. Hamilton, of Saratoga, was called to the chair, and Dr. Levi Reuben, of New Graefenberg, appointed Secretary. The following physicians were present at the meeting: New York. Lowrey Barney, M.D., of Henderson. William A. Hamilton, M.D., of Saratoga. N. Bedortha, M.D., of New Lebanon. Henry Foster, M.D., of New Graefenberg.' Levi Reuben, M.D., of New Graefenberg. S. O. Gleason, M.D., of Glen Haven. Joel Shew, M.D., of New York City. R. T. Trall, M.D., of New York City. T. L. Nichols, M.D., of New York City. H. B. Sheppard, M.D., of New York City. R. S. Houghton, M.D., of New York City. Massachusetts. Butler Wilmarth, M.D., of Hopedale. Hubbard Foster, M.D., of Lowell New Jersey. Joseph A. Weder, M.D., of Parkeville. Pennsylvania. C. C. Schieferdecker, M.D., of Willow Grove. Georgia. T. C. Coyle, M.D., of Milledgoville. HYGIENIC AND HYDROPATHIC ASSOCIATION. 9 Letters of encouragement and sympathy were read from (or on the part of) the following physicians: Massachusetts. Charles Munde, M.D., of Northampton. Setii Rogers, M.D., of Worcester. Nno York. P. II. Hayes, M.D., of Cuba. Ohio. T. T. Seelye, M.D., of Cleveland. Ma ine. Carl Lorenz, M.D., of Waterford. At this stage of the proceedings, Dr. Schieferdecker called for a definition of the term "Hydropathy." He would have preferred the term "Hydriatics," as would some others present. Dr. Houghton said, in reply, that he considered it hard to change established names, even for the better. He explained that, in his opinion, "Hydropathy" was preferable as a term by which to desig- nate the water-practice, from its being already in almost universal use. On motion, a committee of three was ordered to be appointed for the purpose of nominating officers for the day. Drs. Bedortha, Houghton and Shew were appointed that committee. Dr. Schieferdecker objected to putting, as he declared they had done, two prominent Grahamites upon so important a committee, in the very outset of business. Dr. Barney made some remarks in reply. From a few promiscuous remarks which followed, it seemed to be generally admitted that the meeting had nothing whatever to do with Grahamism, Mesmerism, or any other distinct ism of the day ; that it did not intend to sanction, or take any action on those isms ; and that they were separate, and, in relation to Hydropathy, entirely irrelevant matters. The Committee, after retiring for deliberation, reported the follow- ing nominations, which were adopted by the Convention: For President, JOEL SHEW, M.D. ., ,r. „ ., . ( Butler Wilmarth, M.D. tor I u-e Presidents, -j HuBBAUI) FosTER> M D. „ „ ( T. L. Nichols, M.D. lor Secretaries, -j Levi Reuben> m d 10 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN On motion of Dr. Houghton, a committee of three was ordered to be appointed to draft a Constitution for an American Hydropathic Society. Drs. Houghton, Bedortha and Hamilton were appointed as such committee ; who, after having retired for deliberation, reported a draft for the action of the Convention. On motion, it was voted to take up each article separately, and to consider for the present the less important, reserving those which seemed likely to cause debate until the afternoon session. The Pream- ble, and Articles 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 were unanimously adopted. Articles 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 12 were laid over, and the meeting ad- journed to 3 o'clock, P.M. AFTERNOON session. The Convention was called to order at 3£ P.M., by the President; and Art. 7 was taken up. On motion, it was amended by adding the final clause, " due notice of such amendment having been given at the previous annual meeting," and then adopted as amended. Art. 5. Dr. Wilmartti objected to the fixing of the time, " May,' and the place, "New York City" and moved to amend by striking out the same and inserting " such time and place as shall be deter- mined on by the Executive Committee." Amendment carried, and the Article then adopted. Art. 4. Objection made and withdrawn. Adopted. Art. 1. Adopted without dissent. Art. 12. Dr. Nichols objected to the proposed annual dues of mem- bers ($1) as too small, and moved to substitute $2. Carried. Dr. Reuben raised an objection to the appropriation of the annual dues solely to the payment of the yearly expenses, and moved to amend by inserting "the surplus {if any) to be paid into the trea- sury." Carried, and the amended article adopted. Art. 2. It was objected that by the provisions of this Article, Allo- pathists, Homceopathists, Eclectics, For Secretary,—R. S. Houghton, M.D. For Treasurer,—N. Bedortha, M.D. The question being taken on each name separately, all the nomi- nations were unanimously confirmed by the Association. On motion, it was then ordered that a Committee of three be ap- pointed by the chair to nominate Standing Committees for the ensuing 1G PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN year. The chair accordingly appointed Drs. Wilmarth, Rogers, and Weder, who, after having retired for deliberation, returned and re- ported the following names: For Committee ( Wm. A. Hamilton, M.D., on < Hubbard Foster, M.D., Hygiene. ( Levi Reuben, M.D. For Committee ( Seth Rogers, M.D., on < Henry Foster, M.D., Hydropathy. ( Charles Munde, M.D. For Committee ( R. S. Houghton, M.D., on -J Joseph A. Weder, M.D., Cred. and Qual. ( S. O. Gleason, M.D. The nominations were unanimously confirmed by the Association. Dr. Shew, from the Committee on Credentials and Qualifications, then read the following letter : New York, June 19th, 1850. To Joel Shew, M.D, W. A. Hamilton, M.D., N. Bedortha, M.D., Committee on Credentials and Qualifications of the American Hygienic and Hydropathic Association of Physicians and Surgeons. Gentlemen,—At the close of the meeting of our Association, this day held, and during the collection of the members' dues, the sum of two dollars was paid to me by each of the following gentlemen: Dr. C. K. Broadbent, of Providence, R. I. Mr. Lovias D. Towsley, of New York City. Mr. F. W. Meyer, of New York City. Mr. W. P. Collins, of North Providence, R. I. Inasmuch as Dr. Broadbent himself raised the question of his eligibility to membership, on the ground that he was not a graduated or licensed " physician and surgeon," although at too late a stage of the proceedings of the Convention for his case to be acted upon con- clusively ; and inasmuch as the three remaining names were not upon either the call for the Convention, or upon the roll called this dav ; and lastly, inasmuch as the Constitution of our Association refers to your Committee all questions connected with the credentials and qualifications of its members, I have felt it to be my duty to enclose to you the amount of the fees paid to me by the four gentlemen above-named, accompanied by this statement, and to request von to report on the subject at the next annual meeting. Respectfully, yours, R, S. Houghton, M.D, Acting Treasurer. HYGIENIC AND HYDROPATHIC ASSOCIATION. 17 In behalf of the committee, Dr. Shew reported that the four gen- tlemen above-named did not possess the necessary qualifications for membership. On motion of Dr. Trall, the report was unanimously concurred in by the Association. Dr. Shew, in behalf of the same committee, reported favorably on the following nominations for membership:—Clement B. Barrett, M. D., of Binghamton, N. Y.; and C. C. Field, M. D., of Leominster, Mass. On motion, the report was concurred in, and Drs. Barrett and Field were declared to be duly elected members of the Association. Dr. Shew, in behalf of the same committee, then proposed the following gentlemen as honorary members:—Dr. C. K. Broadbent, and Messrs. L. D. Towsley, F. W. Meyer, and W. P. Collins. The vote being taken, the chair decided that the gentlemen were duly elected honorary members. Dr. Broadbent here announced that he declined an honorary mem- bership ; whereupon, on motion of Dr. Trall, he was granted leave to withdraw; and, the sum of two dollars having been immediately refunded, Dr. Broadbent accordingly withdrew from the convention. On motion, the following were also duly elected honorary members of the Association:—Dr. William E. Rogers, of Crystal Lake, Susque- hanna county, Penn. ; Mr. William T. Vail, of Blooming Grove, Orange county, N. Y. ; Mr. Samuel T. Woodward ; Mrs. Mary S. Gove Nichols, of New York city; Mrs. S. O. Gleason, of Forest City, N. Y., and Mrs. L N. Fowler, M. D., of New York city. On motion of Dr. Trall, the Secretary was directed to furnish a copy of the proceedings of the Association, and of the Report of the Committee on Hygiene, for publication in the Water-Cure Journal. The amendment of the Constitution proposed at the first annual meeting (namely, to substitute "or" for "and" in the second section, so that it should read "or who shall exhibit," etc., etc.), was then called up, and after a few remarks from Drs. Wilmarth and Shew, put to the vote and rejected—receiving only one vote. So the section remains unchanged. On motion of Dr. Houghton, it was ordered that each member of the Association be requested to transmit to the Chairman of the Com- mittee on Hydropathy (Dr. Seth Rogers, of Worcester, Mass.), before the next annual meeting, a full report of a case treated under his own supervision, embracing the principal details of the diagnosis and treat- 18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ment; to the end that the various cases so transmitted might be incor- porated in the Report of the said Committee on Hydropathy to be presented at the next annual meeting. On motion, the Secretary was directed to prepare a copy of the Proceedings of the Convention, together with the Report of the Com- mittee on Hygiene, Constitution of the Association, List of Officers, Standing Committees, Members, etc., for publication in convenient pamphlet form; and authorized to draw on the surplus funds in the Treasurer's hands, to defray all necessary expenses of 6uch publi- cation. On motion, the Association then adjourned until 7£, P. M. EVENING SESSION. Public Meeting.—On re-assembling in the evening, it appeared that Dr. S. 0. Gleason, of Forest City, the Orator-elect, and Dr. NicnoLS, of New York, his substitute, were both absent. Dr. Wilmarth, of New Graefenberg, the President-elect, then came forward, and after announcing the fact to the audience which had gathered for the occa- sion, proceeded to address them, upon the spur of the moment, sub- stantially as follows:— I have practised medicine twenty years after the Allopathic me thod, and four years according to the method termed Hydropathic. My preceptor taught me to give large doses of medicine, especially in acute diseases. I gave a great amount of medicine in many cases. In Dysentery, 30 to 60 grs. of Calomel, a large tablespoonful of Castor Oil, and 20 drops of Laudanum, was thought a proper dose for an adult, once in 24 hours. I have known 20 grs. of Calomel and 20 of Jalap given to a scrofulue infant under one year of age! I have fre- quently given half that quantity in similar cases ; I did it conscienti- ously, but I saw the fatal consequences and abandoned that practice long ago. The first I heard of the Water-Cure, was from an editorial of Mrs. L. M. Child, in the Anti-Slavery Standard, some ten years ago, giving an account of Priessnitz' Establishment, his extraordinary success,