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      A facsimile of the
           1850
  CONSTITUTION, BYLAWS
       AND FEE BILL
         of the first

 MEDICAL SOCIETY
IN SAN  FRANCISCO
with a Prefatory Note by
     Carey S. Bliss
   LOS ANGELES
Zamorano Club
       1980 
 
PREFACE
  The San Francisco Medical Society was organized in late June, 1850. Its brief and
stormy existence left little or no impact on the city. By October of 1850 the first
San Francisco Medical Society had ceased to exist.
  This facsimile of the eight page constitution, by laws and fees of the society is
made from the original in the Huntington Library, the only copy recorded in Green-
wood's California Imprints 1833-1862 and the National Union Catalogue. Howard
S. Mott listed a copy in a catalogue he issued in July, 1971. Mr. Mott informed me
that his copy, priced at $1500, was sold to the National Library of Medicine. The
Huntington  copy  was a gift  to Mr.  Huntington by  George H.F.  Nuttall  in
May, 1924. Mr. Nuttall was the son of Dr. Robert Nuttall, one of the early members
of the Society. A brief manuscript note about the senior Nuttall written by the son
appears on page five. Of the thirty-two founding members of the Society only eight
of them are listed in the 1850  San Francisco  directory which was  published
September 1, 1850. Obviously, the 1850 directory was not a very accurate listing of
the residents of the Bay City. A check of the 1852 directory records only three of the
doctors still residing in the city. By  1860 the count still remained at three doctors,
including Nuttall.
   The stumbling block which apparently broke up the Society was the Fee BUI listed
on pages 7-8 of the pamphlet. This schedule of  charges for various professional
services lists fifty-three separate fees  and the money to be charged for each.  Some of
them are even high in these inflationary times. But doctors are an independent lot;
they just didn't want to be bound by a fixed schedule of fees. The minute book
records only meetings of the Society between June and  August,  1850. The last
sentence in the  minute  book  reads "Adjourned to  next Tuesday  evening
August 13,  1850." Money was the "root  of all evil." 
 
CONSTITUTION,
BY-LAYfS AXD FEF  BILL
Of THE
SAN FRANCISCO MEDICAL SOCIETY.
ORGANIZED JUNE  22, 1850.
         SAN FRANCISCO:
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE CALIFORNIA DAILY COURIER.
     MONTGOMERY ST., NEAR THE CUSTOM HOUSE,
1850, 
OFFICERS  OF THE  SOCIETY.
President  .   .
Vice President
Secretary  .   .
Treasurer  .   .
Librarian  .   .
THEODORE  DIMON, M. D.
STEPHEN R. HARRIS, M. D.
WILLIAM A. GROVER,  M. D.
STANDING  COMMITTEES.
     I.  ON METEOROLOGY OF SAN FRANCISCO*

  Drs. Smith,                    Drs. Mills,
      Gilbert,                       Pepin.
      Haine,

  II.  ON MEDICAL TOPOGRAPH.Y  OF CALIFORNIA.

Drs. Megquire,                Drs. Precht,
    Huison,                       Grover.
    Thorp,

        III.  ON  DISEASES OF CALIFORNIA.
Drs. Tewksbury,
    Sawyer,
    Merritt,
Drs. Hinkley,
    Parker,
IV.  ON MEDICAL LAWS AND  EDUCATION.

                        Drs. Jones,
                            Morrison,
Drs. Rogers,
    Nott,
    Le Batard,
ON FINANCE.
Drs. Hill,
    La Court,
    Parsons,
Drs. Bastone,
    Franklin,
             VI.   ON CREDENTIALS.

Drs. Thorp,                   Drs. Smith,
    La Court,                     Merritt,
Drs. Smith,
    Rogers,
    Megquier,
VII.  ON FEE BILL.

              Drs. Haine,
                  Tewksbury. 
CONSTITUTION.
To support a high standard of professional qualification  and conduct, to dis-
  tinguish  the profession frorri all quackery, to promote union of  feeling, a
  common interest and concert of action upon all  professional subjects, with-
  out which, that position  and influence the profession should be entitled to,
  cannot be obtained;—the medical men of San Francisco unite themselves
  in an association and adopt the following Constitution:

               ARTICLE I.—STYLE  AXD MEMBERSHIP.

  Sect. 1.  This association shall be known and styled  as " The Medical
Society of the City and  County of San Fra^ciscd."
  Sect. 2.  It shall be composed of all such regular Physicians and  Surgeons,
residents of the  County of San Francisco, who are qualified as required by
this Constitution, and who shall subscribe  their names  to this Constitution;
and of such honorary members as the society may from time to time elect.

          ARTICLE  II.—QUALIFICATIONS TO  MEMBERSHIP.

  Sect. L  All persons desirous of becoming members of this Society shall
■exhibit to the committee on credentials, hereinafter provided, a diploma from
some regular medical institution, or a license to practice granted by such legal
authority as requires a regular medical education, together *wfth. satisfactory
evidence that such diploma or license was granted to the applicant.
  Sect. 2.  Upon satisfactory report of the committee on credentials and
upon paying an  initiation fee -of five dollars, the  applicant shall be admitted
to the society by vote, and shall subscribe his name to the constitution.
  Sect. 3.  There  shall be appointed a committee on credentials, of which
the Vice President shall  be ex-officio chairman.   This committee  shall  con-
sist of five, including the Vice President.   They  shaU  strictly examine all
credentials referred to them  and obtain satisfactory evidence that applicants
for admission to the society, are rightful possessors of the diplomas or licenses
they may present, and also, at the time of application, regular members of the
medical profession.

      ARTICLE III.—OFFICERS,  THEIR  ELECTION AND  DUTIES.

  Sect. 1. There shall be elected a President, Vice President and Secretary,
and when  directed  by the Society, a Treasurer and Librarian, to serve for
one year, or  until their successors are duly qualified.  These officers shall be
elected  by ballot at  the  Annual  Meeting of the  Society, and a majority of
votes shall  be requisite to an election.  A vacancy occurring, may be filled in
the same manner at a'nv stated meeting of the Society.
  Sect. 2. It shall be the dufv of the President to presidp at all. meetings o(
the Society, and maintain  order  and decorum therein.  He shall appoint al*
4 
4
•   ...u.accs, unless otherwise  ordered, and perform such  other duties  as  un-
laws or the Society may direct.  At  the close  of his official term d he shall
deliver an address to the society, upon  some professional topic, and shall  also
present to the society, from time to time, in writing, such matters as,  in  his
opinion, the attention of the Society should.be directed to.
  Sect. 3.   In case of the absence of  the President, the Vice President shall
preside over ihe meetings of the Society, and in  case of vacancy in the office
of President, the Vice President shall be President for the balance of the term,
and a new Vice President shall be elected.  The Vice President shall deliver
an address at the Semi-Annual Meeting of the Society.
  Sect. 4.   The  Secretary shall  keep correct minutes of all the meetings,
publish all notices directed, conduct  all tlie correspondence, unless otherwise
ordered, collect all  monies  due the Society, and pay Over  the same  to the
Treasurer, when such officer shall be elected, and shall perform the duties of
Treasurer until such officer shall be elected.  He shall keep safely all  papers
read to the  Society, which shall be ordered to be placed in the archives of the
Society, filing  them with date of order endorsed.   He shall perform such other
duties as the Society or the  laws may direct.  He shall report at the Annual
and Semi-Annual Meetings upon the matters counected with his office.
  Sect. 5.   The Treasurer shall receive, monthly, from the Secretary, all
monies in the hands of the latter  belonging to the Society, giving his receipt
therefor.  He  shall pay all orders made by the Society, which are certified by
the Secretary and signed  by the President.  He shall report at the  Semi-
Annual and Annual Meetings the condition of the treasury, and have his ac-
counts  audited by the Finance Committee at the Annual Meeting.  At  any
time the Society may call upon him to state the  condition of the treasury,  and
cause an examination to be made of his books.   He shall give such bonds as
the By-Laws shall direct for the faithful performance  of his trust.
  Sect. 6.   The Librarian shall  have charge of such books, plates, models,
pathological specimens and other similar articles, as shall at any time become
the property of the Society.   The care of the same, together with any further
duties of the Librarian connected therewith, shall be provided for in by-laws
to be made at  the time of putting into operation the office.   He shall report at
the Annual Meeting concerning the matters committed to his charge.
  Sect. 7.   Should the Society so desire, the same member may be elected
both Treasurer and Librarian.

                      ARTICLE IV.—MEETINGS.

  Sect. 1.   The Annual Meeting shall be held  on the first Tuesday of June,           4
at 2 o'clock, P. M.   The Semi-Annual Meeting shall be held on the first Tues-
day of December,  at 5 o'clock, P. M.
  Sect. 2.   There shall be such stated meetings held as the  by-laws may
direct.
  Sect. 3.   The President shall call  extra meetings at the desire of  five
members.
                    ARTICLE V.—MISCELLANEOUS.

  Sect. 1.   The code of ethics ot the National Medical Association  of  the
United States, shall govern the members of this  Society.
  Sect. 2.   There shall be provided by-laws, rules of order, Order of  business
and a fee bill,  for this Society.
  Sect. 3.   This  Constitution may be amended at any Annual or  Semi-
Annual Meeting of the Society, by a vote of two-thirds of the members pre-
sent, and the  subscribers to this Constitution shall be deemed to subscribe to
nny subsequent amendments.
•> 
to
«
NAMES   OP   MEA1.IJERS-.
Stephen R. Harris,
Theodore Dimon,

Peter Smith,

John La Court,
J. B. Le Batard,
Joseph Haine,
Hiram B. White,
Samuel Sawyer,
John F. Thorp,
James E. Notf,
Henry Vv . Jones,
Eugene N. R. Fiske,
Euward C. Franklin,
Matthew H. Hudson,
Svlvanus B. Mills,
V.". A. Grover,
C. Pepin.
Robert Nuttall, M. D.
Robert Mclnto.-h.
R. L. Hinckley,
Jacob M. Tewksbury,
Samuel Merritt,
Thomas L. Mcgquier,
Frederick B. Bastone,
Charl. Precht,
James Morison,
Stephen Parsons,
J. II. Rogers,
Joseph H. Hill,
James Gilbert,
J <mes O. Parker,
U. Nelson,
          Where Graduated.
 New York College Physicians and Surgeons
 University of Pennsylvania,    -
j Transylvania University.....
[ University of Pennsylvania    -
 University of Ghent,       .....
 University of Paris,
 University of Louvain,    -
 Medical College of Vermont,   -
 Harvard University,  Cambridge,
 Ohio Medical College,.....
 University of Pennsylvania,    -
 Univer. of State of N. Y. Col. Phys. and Surg. -
 Harvard University,       -
 University of New York,  -    -    -    -    -
 Berkshire" Medical Institute,    -
 University of Maryland,   -
 Berkshire Medical" College,    -

 F. R. College Surgeons, Ireland.
 St. Andrews  and Edinburgh,    -
 Medical College, Maine,.....
 Bow. Med. Col'., Maine,.....
 Bow. Med. Col., Maine,   . -
 Bow. Med. Col., Maine,    -
 (deceased) Roval ColFge of Snrgeojis, London, ■
 Juliana-Maximilia University at Wurzburg,
 University of Maryland,.....
 Philadelphia College, of Medicine,
 ColLge of Physicians and Surgeons, New  York,
 University of Maryland,   -
 Royal College of Surgeons, London,
 Berkshire  Medical Institute,    -
 Army AUdieal Board,.....
Year.
1827-
1838
1838
1845
1832
1840
1833
1847
1831
1841
1832
1817
1817-8
1845-6
1844
1841)
1843
1838
1841 •
1837
1843
18-27
1810
1848
184(1
1819
IN-J7-S
I HIT)
I KM
1840
1*13 
(<'}
BY-LAWS.
  Sect. 1.   In  the absence of the President and Vice President, a chairmaii
may be appointed viva core.
  Sect. 2.   A quorum, for the transaction of business, shall consist of twelve
members.
  Sect. 3.   Stated Meetings of the Society shall be held on the first Tuesday
of every month, except  June and  December, at  seven  o'clock, P. M., from
October to  March, inclusive, and  at half past seven, P. M., from April  to
September, inclusive.
  Sect. 4.   The following shall be the order of business:
    1.  Minutes of preceding meeting read.
    2.  Introduction of new members, report on credentials being first received
and decided on.
    3.  Unfinished business,
    4.  Reports of committees^
    5.  Written communications an4 addresses.
    6.  Miscellaneous business;
  Sect. 5.   The following  shall be the Rules of Order  of the Society:
    1.  Every motion shall be reduced to writing, if desired by the presiding
officer or a member.
    2. When a member speaks, he shall confine himself  to the question under
consideration.
    3.  Two members rising to speak, the floor shall be given to the one avIio
may not already have spoken on the same subject.
    4.  The yeas and nays may be called for by two members.
    5.  The presiding officer shall only have a vote in case of ballot, or Avhen
there is a tie.
    6.  In all other respects, the meeting shall be governed by parliamentary
usage.
  Sect. 6.  Applications  for admission shall  be  made  at a stated  meeting,
referred to the committee on credentials, and shall not be acted upon until the
stated meeting next succeeding.   The applicant, when admitted, shall  attach
to his signature to the Constitution, the authority and date thereof from  which
he derived  his qualification  to practice.
  Sect. 7.   There shall be appointed the following standing committees, viz.:
    1.  A committee on Meteorology, of San Francisco  and California.
    2.  A committee on the Medical Topography of California.
    3.  A committee on the Diseases of California.
    4.  A committee on Medical Laws and Education.
    5.  A Finance Committee.
  Sect. 8.  There shall be established by the Society, a Fee Bill, which shall
govern the  members in their charges for professional services.
  Sect. 9.   In case of absence of a quorum, or for other reason, meetings may
be adjourned from time to time,  not exceeding one day,  (Sundays excepted.)
  Sect. 10.  These By-laws may be  repealed, altered  or amended, only  at
the Annual and Semi-Annual Meetings, and by a vote of the majority of the
members present.  The order of business, however, may be suspended  at any
time, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.- 
(<)
F E E   B I  1,  L
SAX  FRANCISCO  MEDICAL  SOCIETY,
For a single visit or advice in a case which no further visits are required, $32 OO
  1;^*  This is not intended to apply to those cases in which the physician is con-
sidered the regular medical attendant of the individual or family.            i
For each visit in a case in wliich the physician  is in regular attendance,
    or for advice at his office,      -    -    -    -    ■    -    -',   10 00
  Every necessary visit on the same day to be charged, whatever their number, at
the same rate.
When detained, for each hour,     -....._  -    32 00
For a visit at a time appointed by the patient  or his friends, during the
    day-time,      ----------    32 00
For a written opinion or advice,to a patient,  -                 $50 to  100 00
For a visit at night,     -    -     •    -    -    ;    -    -   $30 to 50 00
For a visit as  consulting physician, during the day-time,                32 00
The same fee shall be paid to the attending  physician,   -    -    -    32 00
For a visit as  consulting physician, during the night,    -    -    - _   100 00
In visiting distant patients, ten  dollars to be  charged for every mile
     from the city.
For visiting patients on board vessels in the harbor  -    -    -    -    20 00
For an  opinion involving a question of law,     "."'.:    "    "    150 00
For a post mortem examination in case of legal investigation*      _ -    200 00
For a post  mortem examination made at the request of the family or
     relatives  of the deceased person,......100 00
For a certificate of the state of health of an individual,  -    .    -    50 00
For vaccination,    -     -     -     -     -     -     -    -    "    "    -i en on
For a case of ordinary labor,   ---------    J^O UU
For the application of the forceps,.      -......S nn
For the operation of turning,  -    -.....-    500 UU
For reducing  fractures and the first dressing,       -    -    -  $50 to  J 00 W
For reducing recent luxations  -     -     -     -    -     -   '  1,3/2t°!00 nn
For reducing  old luxations,,......100■ to  200 00
For removal of stone from the bladder,.....500 to 1000 OU
For the operation for the radical cure of hydrocele,  -    -     100 to  200 00
For the operation for vesico-vaginial or recto-vaginial fistula,   500 to 1000 00
For the operation for phymosis or paraphimosis, -    -    -    50 to  100 00
 For the introduction of  the catheter in ordinary cases,      -     16 to 32  00
 For the introduction of  the catheter in cases of obstruction,     100 to 200  00
 For division of stricture of the uretha,.....-00  CO
 For the operation of tracheotomy,......500  00
 For the operation for imperforate anus,, vagina, &c.,    -     -     -     500  00
 For the reduction of hernia by taxis,.....100 to 200  00
 For the extirpation of tonsils,    ...    -......100  00 
s
For introduction of the stomach pump, in cases of poison,    -   100 to 150 !h».
For  removal  of foreign  substance lodged in the pharynx or
    sesophagus,      -     -    -     -    -    -    -    -    100 to 200 00
For reduction of prolapsus ani,       -                         50 to 100 00
For examination per anuin or vaginam,    -                    50 to 100 00
For introduction of a seaton or forming an issue,     -    -    -      32 00
For tapping in ascites or hydrothorax,     -    -    -         100 to 500 00
For the amputation of a leg or arm,       -                         300 00
For amputation at the shoulder joint,      -----     50000
For amputation of a finger or toe,     -    -    -    -    -    -     100 00
Foi the extirpation of tumors,   -,----  100 to 1,000 00
For trephining,  -     -     -    -......1,000 00
For the operation for cataract,   -------   1,000 00
For other operations of the eye and its appendages,   -_   -  100 to 1,000 00
For the  operation for aneurism of the subclavian carotid and
    femo-al,    -     -    -    -    -    -\~    -    -  500 to 1,000 00
For the operation of strangulated hernia,  -         -    -  500 to 1,000 00
For the operation for hare-lip,   -     -  '  -    -    -    -   250 to 500 00
For the operation for fistula in ano,    -    -    -    -  -  -    -     300 00
For fistula in perinea,      ---.....300 00
For the operation for hemorrhoids,    -    -    - .   -    -    -     300 00
For palliative operation for hydrocele,     -                          50 00
Incurvation of the nail,   --    -.....50to.l00 0O

  In all other surgical operations, the charge to be discretionary with the sur-
geon.
  For subsequent attendance in surgical cases, the charge to be proportioned to
time occupied and trouble incurred.
  In all cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis, a retaining fee of $50 to $100, to be
required in advance, the subsequent charges to be graduated by amount of after
attendance.
  The accounts of physicians to be deemed due and  payable immediately after
services of physician are no longer required.
M-'d.  frith

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