REPORT 
TO THE 
&E0RG-IA ¥EDICAL SOCIETY, 
OF SAVANNAH, 
OF THEIR 
D KLEGATES 
TO THE 
|)forgia Jjcilkal iawdatum 
%} 
AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING, 
HEED IN 
AMERICUS, GA., 
APRIL 12, 1871, 
SAVANNAH: 
GEO. N. NICHORS’ STEAM POWER PRESSES. 
1871. REPORT 
TO THE 
G-EORG-IA IEDICAL SOCIETY, 
OF SAVANNAH, 
OF THEIR 
EELEG-A.TES 
TO THE 
|Wp Jfcilical Iwariatimt, 
j El 
AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING, 
HELD IN 
AMERICUS, GA, 
APRIL 12, 1871, 
SAVANNAH. 
GKO. N. NICHOLS’ STEAM POWER PRESSES. 
1871. REPORT. 
Savannah, Ga., April 19, 1371. 
$0 the flrgta partial £flwttj : 
Your delegates to the Twenty-second Anniversary 
meeting of the Georgia Medical Association, assembled 
ia Americus on the 12th instant, respectfully offer the 
following report: 
The proceedings of the meeting, so far as partici- 
pated in by your delegates, were of a character which 
excited in them feelings of the deepest regret, feelings 
which they know will be shared by this body, when 
informed of the nature of the transactions referred to. 
In order to lay before you, as clearly as possible, 
the character of the course pursued by the majority at 
the meeting in Americus it will be necessary to recite 
briefly, in the order of their occurrence, all the facts 
connected with the Atlanta College controversy: 
FIRST. 
The Atlanta Medical College was incorporated in 
1854, under a charter of the usual character, which 
charter was in 18$8 amended or altered, (it is said at 
the instance of the Dean of the Faculty, without the 
concurrence or knowledge of the Trustees.) The 
amended charter gave to the Faculty unusual, and, as 
many believed, dangerous powers. The character of 
the original charter, and also of the amended one, will 4 
be seen in the following extracts from the minutes of 
the meeting of the Association held at Augusta in 
April, 1868. 
At this meeting the following preamble and resolu- 
tion were offered by Dr. Crawford, of Atlanta :* 
“ Whereas, Section VI. of a Bill incorporating the 
Atlanta Medical College reads as follows: 
Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid', 
That the Trustees, together with the regular Professors, 
shall constitute a Board, who are hereby authorized 
and empowered to confer the Degree of Doctor of Med- 
icine upon such applicants, in such manner, and at 
such times, and under such circumstances, as may 
to the Board seem fit and proper ; provided the appli- 
cants shall have attended two full courses of lectures 
in said College, or one in said College, and one in some 
other respectable Medical College or University. 
And whereas, this section of the Bill was amended 
by an act of the same authority to read: 
“The Professors and Trustees shall constitute a 
board, who are hereby authorized and empowered to 
confer the Degree of Doctor of Medicine upon such 
applicants, in such manner, at such times, and under 
such circumstances, as may to the Professors seem fit 
and proper ; and the said Professors shall have power 
to change the chair of, remove, or fill the vacancy by 
the resignation, or otherwise, of any member of their 
Faculty. 
And whereas, The Trustees reject this amendment, 
and decline to recognize the gentlemen appointed as 
Professors under its provisions; and whereas, the 
Trustees decline allowing their names to appear in con- 
nection with the announcement for the next course of 
lectures ; be it therefore 
Resolved, That this Association, having adopted the 
Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association, 
cannot recognize the Atlanta Medical College as a reg- 
ular institution, nor such persons as may hereafter 
* Passages marked as quotations are extracts from the minutes of 
meetings. graduate under the present provisions of that College, 
as Doctors of Medicine.” 
Dr. L. A. Dugas moved that the resolution be refer- 
red to a committee of three, to report at the next 
annual meeting of the Association. 
This motion was lost, and after some discussion, fur- 
ther consideration of the subject was postponed until 
the afternoon session. 
AFTERNOON SESSION. 
Dr. Ridley moved a reconsideration of the motion 
of Dr. Dugas, to refer Dr. Crawford’s resolution to a 
committee to report at next meeting. 
This motion was lost. 
Upon motion, Drs. Owen, White and Crawford were 
appointed a committee to prepare a suitable preamble 
as a substitute for the one offered by Dr. Crawford, 
and that the meeting take a recess of ten minutes. 
The meeting having again been called to order, the 
following was presented by Dr. Sam. White, chairman 
of committee: 
1 ‘ W here as, The above amended charter confers un- 
usual and extraordinary powers upon the Faculty of 
the Atlanta Medical College, whereby they are author- 
ized to confer the degree of M. D. on persons, regard- 
less of time or condition, save as to said Faculty may 
seem fit and proper ; therefore 
Resolved, That we cannot recognize the graduates 
of said College that may hereafter receive their diplo- 
mas under the amended charter aforesaid.” 
This preamble and resolution was adopted as a sub- 
stitute for the preamble and resolutions of Dr. Craw- 
ford. 
SECONDLY. 
At the succeeding session of the Legislature of 
the State of Georgia a petition came before that body, 
asking the repeal of the objectionable amendment and 
the restoration of the original charter of the Atlanta 
Medical College. Pending the action of the Legisla- 
ture, on the 3d of October, 1868, or previous thereto, the Faculty of the Atlanta Medical College presented 
to that "body a memorial, which was also printed in 
pamphlet and distributed over the State, which memo- 
rial contained the following statements relative to the 
Association which had met in Augusta, in April, 1868, 
viz: 
“That the action of this Association which repudi- 
ated the Atlanta Medical College as a regular institu- 
tion, had in it “An utter absence of all the elements 
of truth,” and that the Annual Session of this Associ- 
ation, in 1868, was a Meeting of Physicians assuming 
to represent the Medical Profession of the State, and 
that such Annual Meeting was made up, almost en- 
tirely, of the Dr. Powell clique, of the City of Atlanta, 
and of members of rival Schools, and that the whole 
affair (Association Meeting) was gotten up and con- 
summated for the very purpose of injuring the Atlanta 
Medical College. That the voice of the State Medical 
Society and of the Profession was not heard. That 
the Meetings of this Association are seldom attended 
by any but resident Physicians, and a few others who 
have some interest to advance. That the Annual Ses- 
sion in Augusta, as evinced by the names and votes, 
was such a meeting of persons with interest to ad- 
vance.” 
They also, in the same memorial, disavowed any 
intention to reflect upon the “Georgia Medical Asso- 
ciation,” thus making it perfectly clear that they per- 
sisted in the assertion that the meeting upon which 
they had heaped such insults was not a legitimate 
meeting of that body. The obnoxious features of the 
charter were, however, repealed during the session of 
the Legislature in 1868, and the College placed, by 
law, in its original position. 
THIRDLY. 
At the meeting of the Association in 1869, in the 
city of Savannah, Dr. Tt. P. Myers offered the follow- 
ing preamble and resolutions: “Whereas : On the 3d of October, 1868, a pamph* 
let was published by order of the Atlanta Medical 
College, and spread before the Legislature and country, 
in which it was charged that the action of this Associ- 
ation which repudiated the Atlanta Medical College 
as a regular institution, had in it “An utter absence of 
all the elements of truth,” and that the Annual Session 
of this Association, in 1868, was a Meeting of Physi- 
cians assuming to represent the Medical Profession of 
the State, and that such Annual Meeting was made up, 
almost entirely, of the Dr. Powell clique, of the city 
of Atlanta, and of members of rival Schools, and that 
the whole affair (Association Meeting) was gotten up 
and consummated for the very purpose of injuring the 
Atlanta Medical College. That the voice of the State 
Medical Society and of the Profession was not heard. 
That the Meetings of this Association are seldom at- 
tended by any but resident Physicians, and a few 
others who have some interest to advance. That the 
Annual Session in Augusta, as evinced by the names 
and votes, was such a meeting of persons with interest 
to advance. 
“And whereas, Every part and insinuation contained 
in the above recital of charges against this Association 
is false, and was uttered with a full knowledge, at the 
time, of all the facts and circumstances in the case as 
they then existed and now exist; modified by the fact 
that the course which this Faculty were endeavoring to 
bolster by such fabrication has been condemned by 
the Legislature and the country; a modification ex- 
tremely damaging and condemnatory to them. This 
Association, with but one dissenting voice, at its last 
session placed the sentence of condemnation on the 
faculty in procuring the improper amendment of the 
Charter giving themselves unusual .and unwarrantable 
powers. Yet in the face of the declared opinion of 
the Medical profession—in the face of improper and 
abused prerogative—in the face of protest and objec- 
tion of the then existing Board of Trustees, they went 
on in disregard of the expressed will of the Trustees 
and the Profession, held a session and conferred the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine upon twenty-six young 
men who they knew would not be recognized as 
regular Physicians by the Georgia Medical Associa- 
tion. All of which conduct is, in the opinion of this 8 
Association, derogatory to the character of the profes- 
sion, and could have been perpetrated only by men 
more bent upon selfish purposes than with a view to 
elevate the standard of their Profession. Therefore, 
be it 
Resolved, That the then existing Faculty of the At- 
lanta Medical College be not recognized by this body, 
so long as they let the above statements remain un- 
contradicted.” 
Dr. Orme then read the following communication 
from the old Faculty of the Atlanta Medical College: 
“Atlanta, Ga., April 10th, 1869. 
“At a meeting of the Faculty of the Atlanta Medi- 
cal College of 1868, held in the City of Atlanta, March 
16th, 1869, the following Resolution was unanimously 
adopted, viz: 
Resolved, That this Faculty disavow any purpose 
to reflect upon the Medical Association of Georgia, 
either in the ‘ Memorial ’ presented to the Legislature 
of 1868, or upon any other occasion, and that our 
Representatives, who may attend the meeting of said 
Association to be held in the City of Savannah on the 
14th inst. be, and they are hereby, instructed to pre- 
sent this disavowal, together with that contained in 
said Memorial.” 
By order of the Faculty. 
Jesse Boring, M. D., 
Dean of the Faculty. 
Wm. S. Armstrong, M. D., 
Secretary. 
On motion of Dr. Battle, the Resolution of Dr. 
Myers was amended so as to read : 
£ ‘ Resolved, That a proper self respect on the part of 
this Association requires of the former Faculty of the 
Atlanta Medical College a distinct and unequivocal 
withdrawal of the objectional language used in their 
recent Memorial, and such withdrawal must be 
through the public journals of the State.” 
It was then adopted. 9 
FOURTHLY 
In the afternoon session Dr. Charters offered the 
following preamble and resolution : 
“ Whereas, The irregularity of which this Associa- 
tion complained at its last session, in the Charter and 
management of the Atlanta Medical College has been 
removed by the action of the last Legislature, and said 
College is now conducted upon principles which this 
Association approve ; be it 
Resolved, That the Resolution adopted by the Asso- 
ciation at its last session, discrediting the diplomas of 
the Atlanta Medical College, shall have no reference 
to Diplomas that may be conferred by that Institution 
hereafter. ’ ’ 
Dr. Harriss moved to amend the resolution by 
adding the following: 
“Provided the present Faculty, under the new 
Charter, will repudiate the action of the Faculty exist- 
ing at the time of the passage of the resolution, during 
the meeting at Augusta.” 
This amendment was adopted, when the preamble 
and resolution were, on motion, adopted. 
FIFTHLY. 
On the third day, in the afternoon session, Dr. 
L. H. Orme offered the following: 
Whereas, The gentlemen connected with the former 
Faculty of the Atlanta Medical College have sent a 
formal and respectful communication to this body dis- 
claiming and disavowing any intention to reflect upon 
this Georgia Medical Association. Therefore 
Resolved, That their disclaimer be accepted and 
placed upon the Minutes.” 
Seconded by Dr. Bulloch. 
Dr. Battle moved that it be laid on the table. 
Seconded and carried. 
A division was then called for, when the Chair ruled 
it out, and said the whole proceeding was out of 
order.” 10 
This resolution was manifestly out of order, as the 
same matter had already been decided the day before. 
SIXTHLY. 
At the meeting of the Association in Macon, in 
the afternoon session of the second day, Dr. Harriss 
moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of reading 
communications from the Trustees and Faculty of the 
Atlanta Medical College, which motion was carried. 
Dr. Myers, Secretary, read the letters and papers 
above referred to. 
Upon the reading of these papers it was evident that 
there was no intention manifested by the Faculty to 
disavow or retract the imputations which they had, in 
the memorial, cast upon the meeting of the Associa- 
tion in Augusta. We regret that we have no copy of 
these papers. 
‘ ‘ Dr. Crawford moved to lay the communications 
from the Atlanta Medical College on the table. 
Seconded and carried. 
Dr. Crawford offered the following : 
Whereas, The late Faculty of the Atlanta Medical 
College, having tailed to comply with requirements of 
the “ Georgia Medical Association” at Savannah: 
Be it Resolved, That their names be stricken from 
the roll of membership of this Association, with the 
exception of Dr. A. Means. 
Seconded and carried.” 
We have thus, as we believe, presented a true record 
of all that had occurred bearing upon the subjects of 
disputes from the time when they were introduced into 
the Association until its meeting at Americus, on the 
12th instant. 
It will be seen that from the beginning up to this 
time there had been no action of the Association taint- 11 
ed in the slightest degree with personality, or, in any 
way, connected with any personal quarrel or difficulty. 
Even though personal feeling might have influenced 
some of those who first brought the subject of com- 
plaint before the Association, still the question re- 
mains—a question to be decided by every member of 
our Profession for himself, namely: Was the organi- 
zation of the College in Atlanta such as he could ap- 
prove. 
Shall we refrain from opposing wrong because 
the knowledge of the wrong comes to us through one 
actuated in its revelation by personal animosity to- 
wards the wrong doer \ 
That the majority of members present at the meet- 
ing in Augusta were not peculiar in their belief that 
the charter of the Atlanta College was objectionable 
is quite manifest, from the fact that the reform upon 
which they insisted—that is, the repeal of the objec- 
tionable amendment—was, under the pressure of pub- 
lic opinion, accomplished, and the original charter 
restored. It was for demanding this reform that the 
meeting at Augusta was insulted in the manner re- 
ferred to. 
That the Association, then, no longer complained of 
the charter of the Atlanta College, is manifest from the 
resolution offered by Dr. Charters at the Savannah 
meeting, declaring that the irregularity complained of 
at former meetings had been ‘ ‘ removed by the last 
Legislature, and said College is now conducted upon 
principles which this Association approve.” But the 
proviso to that resolution shows what'was the real con- 
troversy between the Association and the Faculty of 
the College, to wit : The unretracted imputations 
against the meeting of the Association at Augusta. 
That Faculty had repeatedly disclaimed any pur- 
pose to reflect upon the Association. They had finally 
gone so far as to retract any language used by them 
which might seem to be disrespectful to that body. 12 
But let us now inquire liow much was comprehended 
in that retraction. The accusation in the memorial 
against the meeting in Augusta was that it was “a 
meeting of Physicians assuming to represent the 
Medical Profession of the State”—made up almost 
entirely of “a private clique and members of rival 
schools”—“that the whole affair was gotten up and 
consummated for the very purpose of injuring the 
Atlanta school.” 
This, and more, was said of that particular meeting. 
Of the meetings of the G-eorgia Medical Association in 
general they say “the meetings of this Association are 
seldom attended by any but resident physicians and a 
few others who have some interest to advance.” 
Now while they are able to persuade persons, not 
fully informed as to the facts of the controversy, that 
they have made ample retraction and disavowal, such 
as ought to be satisfactory to all the members of the 
Association, they have refused, and do to this day 
refuse, to retract one word which they ham said de- 
rogatory to the character of the meeting at Augusta, 
or of the majority of the members of the Association 
present at its sessions. 
The members of the Faculty of the Atlanta College, 
with two exceptions, declare that the meeting at Au- 
gusta was a meeting gotten up for a special and most 
disgraceful purpose ; yet this meeting was more exten- 
sively advertised than any other meeting since the or- 
ganization of the Association. 
Special circulars were sent to every physician in the 
State whose address could be procured, and to every 
Post Office in the State where no physician was known 
to reside, with a request to postmasters to hand the 
same to some physician. 
The following is a copy of the Circular: 13 
“ Savannah, March 30, 1868. 
“ To the Medical Profession of Georgia: 
“ The next annual session of the Medical Associa- 
tion of the State of Georgia will be held in Augusta, 
commencing on the 8th day of April proximo. That 
the active existence of this body is of vital importance 
to the Medical Profession of our State is too evident to 
require argument; and it is manifest that there never 
has been a time when the energetic and united action 
of our Profession has been more urgently demanded 
than at present. 
“ In the benefits arising from this organization every 
member of the Profession participates. 
“ Shall the sacrifices necessary for the support of the 
Association be made by the few while the advantages 
derived are eagerly enjoyed by the many ? It is be- 
lieved that no Physician in the State who loves his 
profession and desires its elevation and prosperity will 
be absent from the approaching meeting unless de- 
tained by the claims of some more important duty. 
(Signed) W. M. CHARTERS, President. 
T. S. POWELL, 1st Vice Pres’t. 
DeS. FORD, 2d Vice Pres’tP 
The Atlanta College was represented in that meet- 
ing. Two successive meetings of the Association en- 
dorsed the Augusta meeting and its action. As to the 
character of the gentlemen participating in the three 
meetings referred to we need scarcely say that they 
will compare favorably with those of the members 
present at any other meeting ever held by the Associa- 
tion, even if that held at Americus be included. 
We will now proceed to give a brief history of the 
course of events, so far as we were participants in 
them, which transpired in the meeting of the Georgia 
Medical Association, convened at Americus on the 
12th instant. 14 
We found assembled a considerable number of med- 
ical gentlemen, consisting largely of graduates and 
other friends of the Atlanta Medical College, among 
whom were prominent some of the members of the old 
Faculty of the Atlanta Medical College, who had been 
excluded at the last meeting of the Association. Some 
of these latter, while claiming no right to speak or vote, 
took an active part in the management of the affairs of 
the meeting. We mention this simply as a fact, with- 
out in any manner characterizing it. Towards one ex- 
pelled member of the Atlanta Faculty, Dr. Miller, we 
have reason to entertain the most kindly feelings. We 
cheerfully say that we believe, from facts which have 
come to our knowledge, his name should not have 
been stricken from the roll of members. 
The first important movement in connection with the 
organization was the presentation, by the Fulton 
County Medical Society, of a protest against the ad- 
mission of the members of the Atlanta Academy of 
Medicine, on the ground of their affiliation, in the organ- 
ization of that Academy, with the gentlemen expelled 
from the Association and with others, who, it was 
alleged, were guilty of irregular practices. The pro- 
test was submitted to the Committee on Credentials, 
who reported that the exceptions against the members 
of the Academy of Medicine, in the protest, were 
“valid, and in accordance with the ethics of the Ameri- 
can Medical Association.” The committee furnished a 
list of persons qualified to take seats in the organiza- 
tion of the Association. This list did not include the 
names of the members of the “Academy of Medicine ” 
who were present. In objection to this list it was 
urged that permanent members, against whom there 
existed no charges previous to the assembly of this 
Association, could not be excluded in organizing the 
meeting in consequence of charges which could not 
come before the body until after it had been duly or • 
ganized. The Committee on Credentials asked for in- 15 
structions, and, on motion of Dr. Orme, one of the 
individuals 'protested against, were instructed to re- 
port the names of permanent members present, 
against whom no charges had been brought previous 
to the assembling of the present meeting, as entitled, 
to seats. 
After the organization of the body the protest of 
the Fulton County Society was regularly brought 
forward and read. This terminated the business of 
the first day. 
Soon after the opening of the morning session on 
the second day, Dr. Logan, who with others, had been 
charged in the protest, with offences, was permitted 
to answer the protest, in behalf of himself and the 
Atlanta Academy of Medicine. He succeeded, as we 
think, in setting aside several of the charges against 
himself and his associates, although on others, accord- 
ing to our views of medical ethics, he was not equally 
successful. But anything like a regular trial of the 
issues made, was defeated by the course taken by the 
defence. For without affording oportunity for further 
inquiry into the truth of the charges against himself 
and others, Dr. Logan moved a preamble and resolu- 
wliich had the effect of throwing out of the Association 
the entire protest, as well as all other subjects of 
difference between the Association and all persons 
charged with any offence against it, in which the Fac- 
ulty of the Atlanta College were in any way concerned. 
The following are the preamble and resolution of Dr. 
Logan, above mentioned: 
“Whereas, The controversy between the Faculty 
of the Atlanta Medical College, the Atlanta Academy 
of Medicine, the Fulton County Medical Society, or 
members of the same, who are members of this body, 
or between said bodies or individuals and any other 
members of this Association, are of a personal charac- 
ter, and ought never to have been introduced into this 
body: 16 
Theref ore Resolved, That all action of this Associa- 
tion upon these controversies be rescinded, and be re- 
garded as no longer a part of the archives of this 
body.” 
Seconded by Dr. Stout, of Atlanta. 
The question was raised by Dr. Redwine, whether 
members under charges in the protest of the Fulton 
County Society could vote on questions affecting their 
own standing in the Association. The President said 
he was not well enough versed in Parliamentary laws 
to decide the question, and referred it to the decision 
of the meeting, whereupon a motion was made and 
seconded to the following effect: That all members 
present who were charged with any offence in the pro- 
test of the Fulton County Society had a right to vote 
on questions affecting their own eligibility to seats in 
the convention. 
This motion was, of course, adopted. 
Dr. Nottingham moved the adoption of the follow- 
ing as a substitute for Dr. Logan’s resolution: 
jResolved, That all matters involved in the protest of 
the Fulton County Medical Society and the answer of 
Dr. Logan thereto, be referred to a committee of five, 
consisting of the Committee on Credentials and two 
other members to be appointed by the chair, and that 
the committee be requested to report at the earliest 
possible moment. 
This resolution, although it does not directly refer to 
all the matters involved in Dr. Logan’s resolution, 
would have brought up the consideration of the whole 
controversy, and we had reason to hope and believe 
that, if it had prevailed, the whole difficulty could have 
been amicably settled. But the mover of the original 
resolution and his friends would not give way, and a 
motion to lay the substitute on the table was decided 
in the affirmative by thirty-four yeas to twenty nays. 17 
The resolution of Dr. Logan was then adopted by 
thirty-six yeas to thirteen nays, some five or six of its 
opponents present refusing to vote. 
Dr. Thomas then asked leave to present, for himself 
and others, a protest against the course taken by the 
majority in the matter of the dispute between the As- 
sociation and the Medical College of Atlanta. As it 
was late in the afternoon Dr. Logan moved that Dr. 
Thomas have leave to present for himself and others, 
in the morning, any respectful protest against the 
course of the meeting. 
In the morning of the third day, soon after the 
opening of the session, Dr. Thomas offered the follow- 
ing protest, which, after some captious opposition, was 
received and ordered to be spread upon the minutes : 
PROTEST. 
The undersigned, members of the Georgia Medical 
Association, respectfully but most earnestly protest 
against the course pursued by the majority of that body 
in its present meeting, in regard to the action of the 
last three meetings of theAssociation on the status of 
the Medical College of Atlanta and its former faculty, 
and upon other incidental matters of complaint grow- 
ing out of this action. In refusing to refer the whole 
subject of difference to a committee, as proposed 
by Dr. Nottingham’s resolution, and in passing Dr. 
Logan’s resolution summarily rescinding the action of 
three successive meetings—that in Augusta, in 1868 ; 
in Savannah, in 1869 ; and in Macon, in 1870—we think 
great injustice was done to the members present at 
these meetings, while an opportunity for making a 
conciliatory and satisfactory settlement of the vexa- 
tious questions involved was lost. By the same action, 
as we believe, a precedent has been established which 
will render it impossiple for the Association to give a 18 
permanent character to any important measures upon 
which there may exist any difference of opinion. 
J. G. THOMAS, M. D. 
G. J. KOLLOCK, M. D. 
W. M. CHARTERS, M. D. 
ROBERT P. MYERS, M. D. 
V. G. HITT, M. 1). 
T. O. POWELL, M. D. 
T. S. POWELL, M. D. 
W. T. GOLDSMITH, M. D. 
E. F. KNOTT, M. D. 
C. B. NOTTINGHAM, M. D. 
G. F. COOPER, M. D. 
W. A. GREEN, M D.” 
Your delegates then withdrew from the sessions of 
the meeting, being unwilling to participate farther 
therein, until after a conference with the Society which 
they represented in the Association. 
The facts we have detailed are indisputable, and we 
think no unbiased mind can find in them a shadow of 
support for the statement in the preamble and resolu- 
tion of Dr. Logan, that the difficulties in question were 
of a personal character. Nor can there be found, in 
the whole history of these troubles, any excuse for the 
radical and unparliamentary legislation inaugurated 
in the passage of that preamble and resolution. 
We believe no thinking man can fail to see that such 
summary legislation must utterly destroy all hope of 
the usefulness or even of the permanent organization 
of any body associated for such purposes as those 
contemplated in the formation of our State Associa- 
tion. 
If it is in the power of one meeting of the Associa- 
tion to condemn, rescind and expunge from the archives 
the proceedings of three successive ipeetings, in this 
summary manner, it must be admitted that all suc- 
ceeding meetings have the same power, and thus each 19 
meeting may rescind the action of one or all of its pre- 
decessors, whenever a majority can he secured opposed 
to any action on which a difference of opinion may 
exist. 
Taking our seats in the Association as we did, at the 
Americus meeting, untrammelled by instructions from 
our local Society, we were deeply impressed with a 
sense of our duty so to act, with regard to the vexa- 
tious question which we knew would disturb the meet- 
ing, as to discharge this duty with fidelity to ourselves, 
to our Society and to the Profession of our State. 
Feeling thus, we were prepared to make, for the sake 
of union and good fellowship in the Profession, every 
possible concession, consistent with our honestly en- 
tertained views of honor and duty We believe that 
those who acted with us in endeavoring to maintain 
the dignity of the Profession and the unity of the As- 
sociation, were actuated by the same sentiments. And 
we would by no means be understood as denying that 
some of those opposed to us were equally desirous of 
promoting the dignity and well being of the profes- 
sion. We believe that they acted under mistaken 
views of the facts and. principles involved in the con- 
troversy. 
J. G. THOMAS, M. D. 
G. J. KOLLOCK, M. D. 
The undersigned, permanent members of the Georgia 
Medical Association, in attendance upon the meeting, 
fully concur in the above. 
W. M. CHARTERS, M. D. 
R. P. MYERS, M. D. 
Extract of Minutes of Georgia Medical Society of 
Savannah, April 19, 1871. 
After the reading of the report of the delegates to 
the State Medical Association, Dr. Arnold offered the 
following: 20 
Resolved, That the report of the delegates of this 
Society to the late meeting of the Georgia Medical As- 
sociation, at Americus, in relation to their action and 
that of the Association, meets the unanimous appro- 
val of this Society, and that in addition to its being 
spread on the minutes, a committee of five be ap- 
pointed by the chair to consult with the delegates to 
the State Association, and publish, in pamphlet form, 
all the proceedings, for general circulation in the pro- 
fession, and to correspond on this subject with all of 
the Medical Societies of the State. 
Seconded and adopted. 
Whereupon the Chair appointed the following com- 
mittee : Juriah Harriss, M. D., R. D. Arnold, M. D., 
J. D. Fish, M. D., T. J. Charlton, M. D., W. Dun- 
can, M. D. 
Passed in Society, April 19, 1871. 
EASTON YONGE, M. D., 
President G. M. S. 
Attest: Robt. P. Myers, M. D., 
Recording Secretary G. M. S. 
Savannah, May 10, 1871. 
The Committee appointed by the Georgia Medical 
Society, at its regular session, April 19, 1871, for the 
purpose of preparing for publication the report of 
their delegates to the State Medical Association con- 
vened at Americus, Ga., April 12, 1871, beg leave 
herewith to present that report for the adoption of the 
Society : 
They respectfully report to the Society that they 
have corresponded with the several local Medical 
Societies in the State, and with Physicians in localities 
where no organized Medical Societies exist, notifying 
them of the action of the Georgia Medical Society, in 
unanimously endorsing this report of their delegates, 
protesting against the action of the late meeting of the 21 
State Medical Association in reference to the Faculty 
of the Atlanta Medical College, and respectfully in- 
viting their co-operation in the adoption of suitable 
resolutions condemnatory of the course pursued by 
the Georgia Medical Association, at its late meeting, 
in summarily rescinding the action of three successive 
meetings, that in Augusta in 1868, in Savannah in 
1869, and in Macon in 1870, thereby doing great injus- 
tice to the members present at these meetings. 
Having received in reply several communications 
from members of the Profession, in different parts of 
the State, heartily disapproving the course pursued at 
the meeting of the State Medical Association alluded 
to, and f rom the Medical Association of Macon, the 
preamble and resolutions hereto annexed, they beg 
leave to suggest to the Society still further action in 
reference to this Atlanta Medical College difficulty. 
Impressed with the conviction that the interests of 
the Profession demand a concert of action on their 
part, and an early expression of their opinions con- 
cerning this whole affair, the Committee unanimously 
recommend such action on the part of the Georgia 
Medical Society as will favor a general convention of 
the physicians of this State, at some point deemed 
most eligible and accessible, in order that their views 
may be freely expressed, and the honor and integrity 
of the Profession preserved. 
JURIAH HARRISS, 
T. J. CHARLTON, 
R. D. ARNOLD, 
JOHN D. FISH, 
W. DUNCAN, 
Committee. 22 
Preamble and Resolutions adopted by the Medical Association of Macon. 
Whereas, the recent meeting of the Georoia Medical Association, 
held in the city of A mericus, of which body we in our individual capacity 
are permanent members, and at which meeting we as a Society had a 
representative, did see fit and proper to go back on the record for three 
years, and rescind by resolution all the action of the Association at the 
meetings in Augusta in 1868. in Savannah in 1869, and in Macon in 1870, 
in regard to the Faculty (of 1868) of the Atlanta Medical College; and 
Whereas, however unpleasant and painful to us as individuals, may 
have been the action of the Association at these several meetings, in 
reference to the persons composing said Faculty, particularly that taken 
at the meeting in Macon in 1870, still we have always felt that it was in 
the main justifiable and proper; therefore be it 
1st. Resolved, That the action at Augusta taken in 1868, by the 
Association, in its resolution of unwillingness to recognize the prospective 
graduates of the Atlanta Medical College, was just and proper, in view 
of the great abuse in the matter of graduation, to which the amended 
charter of said College invited its Faculty. 
2d. Resolved, That the resolution passed at the meeting in Savannah 
in 1869, declaring that the self-respect of the Association required, 
notwithstanding the disclaimer already received, that the Faculty of the 
Atlanta Medical College (of 1868) should make, in print, a withdrawal 
of the offensive terms and language contained in a memorial addressed 
by them in pamphlet form to the Legislature of the State, was not un- 
reasonable, and shoidd, in our judgment, have been promptly complied 
with by said Faculty. 
3d. Resolved, That the failure of the said Faculty to make the amende 
honorable in the manner in which they had made their charges, and in 
the manner required by the resolution of the Association at Savannah, 
was sufficient cause for their expulsion when it became known that 
twelve months had elapsed in which they could have done so. 
4 th. Resolved, That in the recent action at A mericus, in reference 
to these persons, we believe a great wrong has been done the Associa- 
tion—particularly those members of it who composed the meeting at 
Augusta in 1868, denounced in the celebrated memorial—and that we 
fully, unequivocally and cordially endorse the protest against said ac- 
tion at Americus, spread on the minutes of the meeting, and sigued by 
thirteen (13) members, our representative among the number. 
6th. Resolved, That the opinion which we learn was entertained and 
expressed by gentlemen from Atlanta, that the Physicians of Macon kept 
away from the Americus meeting because of the action taken in their 
city last year, is without a shadow of foundation in fact or truth, and 
we take this occasion to say two Macon Physicians, members of this 
Society, were at Americus in the interest of peace, harmony and justice, 
and we wish we all could have been there; and further, that whilst 
the expulsion of the members of the Atlanta College Faculty (of 1868) 
was painful to us, we did not then perceive, nor do we now see, that there 
was any other alternative, except so far ,as Dr. H. V. M. Miller is 
concerned, who, we have very lately learned was not a signer of the me- 
morial. and who in our opinion should not have had his name stricken 
from the roll. 
6th. Resolved, That we are pleased to hear of the action taken by the 
Georgia Medical Society of Savannah, in their resolutions forwarded to 
this body, and that we will be glad to co-operate with that old and in- 
telligent Society and with all other correct-thinking members of the 
Georgia Medical Association, in the adoption of such measures condem- iiatory and reparative of the Logan preamble and Resolution, as deliber- 
ation and a free interchange of opinion may suggest as wise, prudent 
and proper. 
7th. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to communi- 
cate these resolutions to the Medical Society of Georgia at Savannah, 
and to conduct correspondence on this subject on behalf of this Asso- 
ciation with that Society, and with other aggrieved parties throughout the 
State. 
The following preamble and resolutions were then 
offered by the Committee, and unanimously adopted 
by the Society: 
Whereas, The Georgia Medical Society has unani- 
mously endorsed the report of their delegates to the 
Georgia Medical Association, convened at Americus, 
Ga., 1871, protesting against the action of that meet- 
ing in reference to the Atlanta Medical College, and 
other matters pertaining thereto ; and 
Whereas, The Georgia Medical Society has received 
with pleasure communications from Physicians in dif- 
ferent portions of the State heartily disapproving the 
action pursued by that meeting of the Association, 
and from the Medical Association of Macon, a pream- 
ble and resolutions embodying sentiments which 
could have emanated only from Physicians of the 
highest tone and possessed of a most delicate appre- 
ciation of the obligations of their Profession ; and 
Whereas, The attention of the last four meetings of 
the Georgia Medical Association has been almost en- 
tirely occupied in the discussion of matters pertaining 
to the Atlanta Medical College, to the detriment of 
more important and scientific subjects which should 
demand their consideration ; and 
Whereas, The Georgia Medical Society desire that 
some course, deemed by the Profession most advisable, 
should be suggested to the next meeting of the Geor- 
gia Medical Association, to be held in Columbus, Ga., 
whereby all questions pertaining to the Atlanta Medi- 
cal College shall be definitely and finally settled ; and 24 
Whereas, The Georgia Medical Society ate unani- 
mously of the opinion that the interests of the Medi- 
cal Profession demand a concert of action, on the part 
of the Physicians of the State, in order that their 
views may be freely expressed, and such action taken 
as will preserve the honor and integrity of their Pro- 
fession ; 
Be it Resolved, 1st, That the Georgia Medical So- 
ciety hereby invites an expression of the opinions of 
the several local Medical Societies in the State, and in 
localities where no organized Medical Societies exist, 
the opinion of members of the Profession, in reference 
to the advisability of calling together a convention of 
the Physicians of the State, in order that they may 
counsel together and take such action as may be 
deemed advisable and proper ; it being distinctly un- 
derstood that the object of such convention shall be, 
by no means, to divide, but to strengthen and perpetu- 
ate, the union of the present Georgia Medical Associa- 
tion. 
Besolved, 2d, That the Secretary be instructed to 
furnish a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolu- 
tion to the daily gazettes of the city for publication, 
requesting all papers in the State friendly to the inter- 
ests of the Medical profession to copy. 
EASTON YONGE, M. D., President. 
Attest: R. P. Myers, Secretary.