ID I 1ST1ST OS 
OP THE 
ALBANY' COUNTY" MEDICAL B.P«1Y, 
IX CELEBRATION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE HALF CENTFRY IN THE 
PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, BY ’ 
DR. JAMES WADE, DR. BAREST P. STAATS AND W. JAMES MIT^HTON. 
The Albany County Medical Society, Thurs- 
day evening, gave a Complimentary Dinner 
at the Delav&n House, to Drs. Jas. Wadb, 
Barest P. Btaats and James McNaugiiton, 
on the occasion of their having completed 
fifty years of active life in the profession. 
Dr. Wade, who lives at Watervliet, was not 
able to be pr< sent. 
Besides the other guests of the evening, 
there were present Dr. Jas. E. Pomfret, the 
President of the Society, and the following 
nembers: —Drs. Jas H. Armsby, W. H. 
Bailey, H. B. Case, C. Devol, A. Fowler, 
Thomas Hun, Alden March, Peter McNaugh- 
ton, Levi Moore, Joseph N Northrup, C. A. 
Robertson, G. T. Stevens, A. Vanderveer, G. 
H. Armsby, Thos Beckett, W. H. Craig, A. A 
Edmeston, S. H. Freeman, Joseph Lewi, 
Henry March, Martin L. Mead, Q. H. New 
comb, J. Y. P. Quackenbush, P. P. Staats, 8 
O. Vanderpdfel, P. Van O’Linda, and also Drs. 
E. R Hun, A. B. Heusted and P. M. Murphy, 
and also Rev. R. W. Clark, D. D., Alfred B. 
Street, Archibald McClure, Geo Dawson, 
Charles E. Smith and Luther M. Marsh, of 
New York city. 
• An nine o’clock, the company sat d«wn to 
a magnificently furnished board, and all jus- 
tice was done to the elegant entertainment, 
which did honor to the accomplished pro 
prietora of the,Delavaa House ; and, at eleven 
o’clock, the President called the Society to 
order, and said: 
Gentlemen of the Society - A few years ago 
the interest of society was awakened by the 
blossoming of one of those rare plants which 
are said to open their rich buds to the sun but 
once in a century. It was a rare event in the 
floral world, although it was natural and 
ordinary to the plant. 
Oar interest to-night is not excited by s 
flower; but we gather here to honor three of 
our fellow-members, who have filled a half 
century of active professional life. How glad 
we are to do them honor, the spontaneous 
gathering of these long rows of medical 
friends attests; and I doubt not that in the 
feast of Reason, which shall follow that of 
material good, full attestation will be given 
of the esteem in which we hold these gentle 
men. As the first regular toast, I would give: 
Our Guests: Whose honored names have 
graced our Medical Annals for half a century; may 
their days be filled with the abundance and beauty 
of a glorious autumn, and their lengthening 
years be crowned with honor. 
Dr. B. P. Staats was called upon, who re- 
ponded as follows: 
Mr. President and Members of the Society -I 
arise on this occasion with unusual diffidence, 
for I assure you 1 have not language adequate 
to describe my feelings on this happy occa- 
sion. ALer being a member of this Society 
forty seven years, and presiding over its de- 
liberations as President three successive years, 
I find myself this night the recipient of its 
highest honors. And let me here remark, that 
during all that time since my connection with 
you, that I have never had the least cause of 
complaint against any of its members. On 
the contrary, I have at all times been treated 
with the utmost courtesy by all. It is more 
than fifty years since I commenced the prac 
tice of medicine, and yet it seems but as yes 
terday, and yet what great changes have have 
occurred. Fifty years since Albany city con 
tained about fifteen thousand inhabitants, and 
about twenty five practicing physicians, among 
whom were some of God’s noblemen, both as 
physicians and citizens. Few then in the pro- 
fession were equal to them for worth or tal- 
ents. They were a Willard, Stearns, Bay, 
Eights, Wendell, Y'ates, Bock, Wing, Wil- 
liams, Low, James, &c. At that time our Ma 
teria Medica was limited to comparatively a 
small number of active medicines. We had 
no morphine, nor quinine, nor the vaiious 
preparations of iron," iodine and the many al- 
kaloids now in use ; but they were well versed 
in the few in use, and like Paganini on his 
violin with bis two strings, could mske more 
and better music than many violin players can 
make on four. The practice iu those days 
was active and successful. But they are no 
more. They have passed to that bourn where, 
I trust, they have received the happy plaudit, 
“ Well done good and faithful servants, enter 
into the joy of your Lord.” And standing here 
at this time as their chronicler, it reminds me 
of a passage in the Book of Job, where it says 
that Job’s sons were eating and drinking, and 
a messenger came to Job and said that the 
Sabeans had taken his servants away, and I 
only am escaped alone to tell thee 
Personally Providence has dealt very kind- 
ly with me, and I have endeavored to second 
her efforts. I have never tasted tobacco, and 
for the last forty years have not used alcoholic 
or vinous beverages, and during the flay years 
of my practice, I have not been confined by 
sickness as many days. Neither have 1 suffered 
my nervous system to be disturbed by the 
good or ill opinions that others may form of 2 
tne, and when I retire to rest I forget and for- 
give. 
Dr. James McNacgiiton returned thanks in 
appropriate terms for the honor done him by 
his professional brethren on the present occa- 
sion, and mentioned that, irom some questions 
asked of him when he came to the meeting, he 
supposed some of the younger members be- 
lieved he had been in Albany from the founda- 
tion of the city. He then told that he was 
born in Scotland among the Grampian Hills, 
where “his father fed his flock,” as did young 
Norval. “ I received my early education at 
the excellent parish school in Kenmore, where 
young men were fitted for College. In 1812,1 
was sent to the University of Edinburgh. I 
had a brother holding the position of Surgeon 
to a frigate in the Navy, stationed, at that 
lime, and during the war with this country, at 
the ‘ Halifax Station.’ It was my intention to 
enter the same service at the close of my medi- 
cal studies. There was great demand for 
Surgeons for the Navy at that time, and I 
made all the haste I could to get qualified for 
actual life ; but the great war of the French 
revolution took a sudden and unexpected turn 
after the disastrous return of the French army 
from Russia, and 1813 witnessed, in Edin- 
burgh, the splenid illuminations consequent 
on the downfall of Napoleon the First and the 
occupatien of Paris by the allied army. The 
people were delirious over the return of peace, 
after an exhausting war of twenty-five years. 
Then, at convivial meetings, the favorite toast 
was “ Peace and Plenty.” But the peace did 
not bring plenty, any more than the end of the 
great war of our own late rebellion, but, like 
the latter, it left heavy taxes to be paid, de- 
ranged business and threw many out of em- 
ployment. It also blighted my prospects. I 
had then full leisure to pursue my studies 
The return ot Bonaparte from Elba, in 1815, 
and the reopening of war, changed the pros- 
pect lor a lime. Some feared another long 
and dreadful war. Some, like our own 
prophet, thought it would end in ninety days. 
Happily for Europe, the war did end in ninety 
days, by the decisive battle of Waterloo, which 
secured comparative peace for fifty years. 
After leaving the University of Edinburg, in 
1817,1 was at a loss what to do with myself. 
I was too young to settle in Scotland. I 
wished to see more of the world ; hut could 
get no public service that would enable me to 
do so. I could obtain strong letters of com- 
mendations to Sir Gregor McGregor, who was 
then a General in the Columbian service. I 
had some thoughts of joining him there, 
when I was pressed by a large body of emi 
grants from my native pariah and county to 
go with them on their voyage to America, and 
me owners of the vessel offered me the posi- 
tion of Surgeon, with the privilege of return- 
ing in the vessel on her return in the Autumn. 
Having nothing to do at home, and having re- 
lations in America I had never seen, I accept 
ed the offer. We left Greenock on the 28 th of 
May, 1817, and after a stormy passage, and a 
narrow escape from shipwreck on the north 
shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, three 
hundred miles below Quebec, we reached that 
city on the 16th day ot July, all well. 
I left the good ship Harmony, Capt. Abrams, 
after a short stay at Quebec, and hurried on, 
by way of Montreal and Lake Champlain, Jto 
visit my American relations, having no settled 
purpose of remaining in tne country. There 
was in Albany no one that I had ever seen, 
and only one* that I had ever heard of before. 
To him I had a letter of introduction and 
recommendation. He received me with great 
cordiality and hospitality. A lather could not 
have been kinder. By his advice I decided, 
after visiting my relations in Montgomery Co , 
to settle in Albany. From that time to this 
I have been steadily and successlully engaged 
in the practice of my profession. I have seen 
Albany grow from a small city ot about 11,- 
000 inhabitants to a flourishing one of 70,000.” 
He then mentioned, how he came into notice 
as an anatomist, how he was appointed, first a 
Lecturer, and next year Professor of Anatomy 
in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of 
the Western District of New York; how that 
years he was invited to take the department of 
college flourished for many years, and increas- 
ed from 50 pupils to over 200; how alter a 
connection with that institution for nineteen 
Theory and Practice of Medicine in the A1 
bany Medical College. He also spoke ol the 
several offices with which he had been honored 
by the State and by his professioxml friends, 
viz: Surgeon General, President of the County 
Society, and of the State Medical Society. 
(Omitting, by accident we suppose, that of 
City Alderman) 
The next regular toast given was 
“The Albany Medisal College.”—From among 
its Professors comes a guest; and a large majori- 
ty around our board are proud to own it as Alma 
Mater. Devoted to the highest science and art 
of medicine and surgery, may its years be innu- 
merable. 
Dr. March responded, eloquently, to the 
toast complimentary to the Albany Medical 
College. He traced the incipient steps of its 
origin and history to the time when he was a 
student in Boston. He gave an interesting 
account of his student life. The preparation 
of his first anatomical specimens, the separated 
bones of the head and face, which are now in 
the museum of our Medical College; of the 
quizzing classes, ot which he was a member, 
and of the facility then required for describing 
different pans of the human body; of the dif 
Acuity and danger attending the procuring of 
materials for dissection While a student in Bos- 
ton, he was collecting materials and preparing 
himself for teaching; he was forming the nu- 
cleus of a museum, and laying the foundation 
of the Albany Medical College. He came to 
Albany in 1820, and the following year deliv- 
ered a course of lectures on anatomy, with dis- 
section and demonstrations from the recent hu- 
man subject. At that time it was not safe to at- 
*The late Archibald McIntyre, at that time, and /or 
many years before, State Comptroller, and 15 years 
after he became father in-law to Dr. McNanghton. 3 
tempt procuring anatomical material in A1 
bany, and he was obliged to make the over- 
land and mountain journey to Boston, with 
a two horse buggy wagon, for the neces- 
sary supply. This was before the time of rail 
roads and telegraphs, when a journey to Bos- 
ton was a greater undertaking than one from 
Albany to 6t. .Louis at the present day. 
These lectures were continued every year, 
until 1825, when he was appointed Profes or 
of Anatomy and Physiology in the Vermont 
Academy of Medicine at Castleton. These 
lectures were delivered in the autumn, and his 
private course in Albany was continued dur- 
ing the winter months, to increasing classes of 
students from New England and this State. 
In 1830, Dr. March delivered a public intro 
factory lecture on the “ Expediency of Estab- 
lishing a Medical College and Hospital in Al 
bany.” It was published by the class, and 
the following was the concluding paragraph; 
“ I cannot close without expressing the well 
grounded hope that the efforts now making by 
the friends of knowledge and benevolence 
will be rewarded with success, and that e’er 
long this city will be able to boast of a well 
conducted Medical College and Hospital—in- 
stitutions alike favorable to science and hu 
manity. This lecture was delivered thiny 
seven years ago. The Doctor’s well and long 
cherished hope has been amply realized. In 
1831, Dr. Armsby came to this city and be 
came a student of Dr. March, and was lor 
several years his assistant. as dissecter and 
demoustra or. In 1835, Dr March resigned 
his Professorship in Vermont, which he had 
filled ten years, and was succeeded by Dr 
Armsby, who commenced his career as Pro 
fessor in the institution where he had just 
graduated. From 1835 to 1838, Drs. March 
and Armsby lectured, together, in Albany, to 
very respectable classes of medical students, 
Dr. March lecturing on surgery and Dr, 
Armsby on anatomy. Dr. March gave an 
account of his efforts, by circulating petitions 
to the Legislature. &c., to awaken an interest 
in behalf of the College; of the opposition he 
met with, both at home and abroad ; and gave 
a very pleasant account of the open but manly 
warfare that continued during ten years, be- 
tween his friend Dr. McNaughton and him- 
self, always so conducted that the most pleas 
ant relations existed between them when they 
met, and which has never impaired the most 
friendly sentiments of esteem and regard 
which have been mutually cherished for more 
than a third of a century. It was pleasirg to 
see these veterans in science, nestors m the 
profession, the oldest medical teachers in this 
country, thus entertaining their pupils and 
friends around the festive board with the his- 
tory of their life long professional experiences. 
The first public meeting in behalf of the Med 
ical College was held at the Mansion House, 
Broadway, where the Marble Hall now stands, 
on the 14th of April, 1838 Dr. March stated 
the object of the meeting, and a committee of 
citizens was appointed to aid Drs. March and 
Armsby in procuring the means and in secur- 
ing an act of incorporation for the College. 
Toe first regular course of lectures in the 
College commenced January 3,1839. to a class 
of titty seven students. Drs. March and 
Armsby are the only living members of the 
first Faculty who are now connected with the 
institution. 
More than 3000 students have been educated 
at this institution, and more than 1000 have 
received the honors of graduation. More than 
two thirds of the medical practictioners of 
this city and county are graduates of the 
Albany Medical College. Several of its alumni 
are now professors and practioners of emi- 
nence in the profession. Dr. March mentioned 
the fact that the first regular surgical clinique 
in this country, were held in this college, 
several years earlier than in other medical 
institutions. He spoke of the museum, com- 
mencing with the small collection of specimens 
which he brought from Boston in a “ Windsor 
Soap Box,” increasing from year to year, until 
it has become the most extensive and valuable 
on this side of the Atlantic. He spoke of the 
Albany City Hospital, which if not the largest, 
is one of the best arranged Institutions of the 
kind in the country. He concluded by saying, 
our institution cannot expect continued success 
without devotion and faithfulness in the dis- 
charge of our respective duiies. The wish 
chat its years of usefulness may be innu- 
merable, we trust and pray may be realized in 
succeeding generations; long after the dust of 
those who are gathered here around this fes- 
tive board, shall have mingled with its parent 
earth, whilst the immortal soul shall live for- 
ever. 
The third regular toast was: 
The Medical Profession.—Earnest workers in 
every branch of enquiry which relates to human 
health, may the half century to come, equal the 
brilliant\ ccord of the half century just closed. 
Dr. Hun being called on to respond to the 
above toast, made some remarks on the pro- 
gress made in medical science during the pro- 
fessional lifetime of our guests. He passed in 
review some of the departments of medical 
study to show how great a revolution they had 
undergone within mis period, and how Ihe 
present method of investigating diseases, give 
precision and accuracy to our comprehension 
of them, and thus lead to more certainty and 
safety in practice. 
He particularly called attention to the fact 
that all this improvement had been wrought 
within the profession and by its members 
During the last fifty years, several medical sects 
had grown up, parasitic growths from it, and 
had enjoyed a certain degree of popular favor. 
They had been well received by a numerous 
class of rich and influential men, and even by 
a few men of education, who ought to know 
better. Now it is an indisputed fact that 
among all the great discoveries in medical 
science during the period, not one can be 
traced to any of the outside sects. Each sect 
remains in the shape and position in which it 
came from its founder, and has not in the 4 
slightest degree contributed to this great march 
of discovery and improvement 
In conclusion, he remarked that the tradi- 
tions ot medical science and art as they come 
to us from the earliest ages, are to be found 
only in the body of the rt-gu'ar profession, and 
all hopes of its future progress must rest 
on this body ; and that the outside sects must 
necessarily be short-lived and barren, because 
they have no roots in the pas’’, nor organic 
connection with the present. 
The next toast given was : 
The Albany County Medical Society—Rich in 
associations of the past; cherishing the liberty 
of genuine medical inquiry, and holding the 
knowledge of one the property of all—may it 
ever continue a three-fold cord which cannot be 
broken. 
To this, Dr. Vanderpoel responded : — 
Mr. President—The Medical Society of Al- 
bany county has cause for congratulation. 
Established among the first of similar societies 
in this State, it has ever since maintained an 
active and efficient organization. This can 
hardly be said of any other similar society 
Though most of them at the present time 
have awakened to new vitality, there have 
been long years of languishing, when the so 
ciety barely existed in name. I have been 
credibly informed, that in the City of Hew 
York even, the County Medical Society for a 
long time had at its regular meetings only a 
quorum to elect officers; and not until new 
life was infused by the untiring efforts of Dr. 
Bulkley, did it respond to the wants of the 
profession, either in a medical or social as- 
spect. Hot so with this Society. On looking 
over the transcript of its proceedings, I find 
the meetings have always been attended by the 
best representatives of the profession; that 
papers on medical subjects and medical dis- 
cussions, have occupied a legitimate share in 
the proceedings; and while at times the mi- 
nutes reveal the evidences of warm and active 
strife in the effort to obtain the honors of the 
Society, it served to show that these honors 
were rightly appreciated, and should call 
forth the best energies of the most talented 
members legitimately to obtain them. 
, The position of this Society is by no means 
stationary. Its course is progressive. Who 
that looks back for fifteen years, can fail to 
see an ever increasing interest in its welfare 
and progress ? 
When, some years since, I had the honor to 
preside over its deliberations, a course of 
monthly meetings was instituted for six 
months of the year, at which no topics were 
discussed but those of a strictly medical 
character and calculated to advance the com- 
mon welfare of its members. These meetings 
have ever since been fully maintained, and I 
may safely say the character of the papers 
presented, and the discussions elicited, would 
do no discredit to more pretending organiza- 
tions. 
But, Mr. President, this Society has even 
greater sources of pride. She numbers on her 
roll of worthies the names of men who, as 
physicians, are cherished ia this whole com- 
munity with the warmest love —men, who by 
their eminent attainments, their earnest sym 
painy and oevotion in their profession, have 
wreathed around their memories a brighter 
laurel, haliowed by a richer incense, than can 
pertain to any other calling. Others, whose 
names and writings are national, standing as 
monuments of patient industry, close research 
and infallible precision. Of the former, I 
need but mention Drs. Charles D. Townsend, 
Eights, Wendell, Wing, Bay and Cogswell; 
and of the latter, the Brothers Beck. 
We need not, however, go back to the past 
for our roll of honor. There is one among us, 
active, untiring and energetic, whose name 
has attained a broad professional reputation; 
who has presided over the deliberations of the 
highest medical organization in the country, 
and who, still ia the zenith of his profes- 
sional activity, can point with well-earned 
pride to the noble institution, which he was 
largely instrumental in founding— a monument 
of his skill and untiring labors. What better 
tribute can I psy to the character of that in 
stitution than to say, that most of those around 
this table are either its Alumni, or have at- 
tended its lectures. Such are but some of the 
causes of congratulation to our Medical So- 
ciety. 
There is a point of view, in which the prin- 
ciple of association is peculiarly applicable to 
the medical man. His protessional life is one 
of isolation. While in the world, moving 
among men, he is still not of the world, so far 
as ordinary business transactions and relations 
are concerned. Unlike the legal profession, 
he is seldom thrown in direct personal rela- 
tion with bis professional compeers. He has, 
therefore, but little opportunity, except through 
his society, of estimating them correctly, either 
as men or physicians. How rapidly has 
prejudice oftentimes vanished ; how much 
more have we learned to respect each other 
since our meetings have been more frequent! 
I cannot pass, Mr. President, the last clause 
of your sentiment—the unbroken cord which 
unity presents As in the family relation, the 
harmonious thoughts and actions of its differ- 
ent members constitute a bulwark of strength, 
so also is the principle of professional unity in 
its effect upon the community. It is ignorance 
which chiefly engenders suspicion and prompts 
to unkind aspersions. As we know each 
other better, mutual respect will increase, and 
our rivalry will be that healthy kind, which 
prompts to renewed efforts in the field of our 
science, and will tend to inspire additional 
confidence in the community at large, of the 
sincerity of our aims, and the nobleness of our 
calling. 
The next toast given was: 
The Medical Charity of our City, the City Hos- 
pital—Alive to every call of suffering humanity, 
may its usefulness be as wide spread as its staff 
is skilful and its purpose beneficent. 
Dr. Armsby, in response to this sentiment, 
rose and said: 5 
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Society— 
The public charities of our city are her jewels. 
Our City Hospital, our Orphan Asylums, our 
Home for the Friendless, our Industrial School; 
these are the jewels of Albany. All honor, 
through all time, to the noble Roman woman 
who founded the first hospital for the relief of 
sick and suffering humanity! Another lady 
erected a hospital on the road to Bethlehem, 
“that poor travellers,” as she said, “might 
fare better than the mother of Christ, who 
could find no inn.” 
The great Emperor Charlemagne built hos- 
pitals on the Alps, and Louis the 2d of 
France, in the eighth century, and the great 
Napoleon in tlie eighteenth, visited and repair 
ed these hospitals The merchants ot Amalfi, 
in the eleventh century, built hospitals in Pal- 
estine and along the Syrian coast “ In Pal- 
estine, by the wayside, were noble hospitals 
that day by day received the weary pilgrims 
of the West, and when at was asked who were 
the noble founders, every voice replied the 
merchants of Amalfi.” The Knight Templars 
established hospitals in the twelfth century, in 
which are first recorded the appointment of 
regular physicians and surgeons to attend the 
sick. The Nestorian Priests of Persia were 
the first to employ hospitals as schools for 
medical instruction. But before the students 
could be admitted, they were obliged to read 
the Psalms of David and the New Testament. 
But I cannot now trace the history of bos- 
pitals, from the East to Europe, and the west- 
ern world. The hospital institutions of New 
York, Philadelphia, Boston and Providence, 
are among the noblest in the world. Our City 
Hospital of only eighteen years growth, 
founded by the merchants of Albany, is the 
pride and glory of our city, the most honored 
monument of our ancient capital. Its five 
thousand patients cured or relieved speak its 
praises. 
All honor to the fifty generous hearted wo- 
men, who have contributed to it! all honor to 
the noble hearted men, whose wealth has sus 
taiaed it! The citizens of Albany have con- 
tributed for its support more than $100,000 
during the eighteen years of its usefulness 
The demands of Christian Charity now require 
its enlargement. Great hearted men, and no 
ble hearted women are providing the’ means; 
the prayers of the sick and suffering will re 
ward them. 
Our Orphan Asylum has been in operation 
nearly forty years. It has received from citi 
zens of Albany $200,000, and seat out many 
thousand educated and christianised members 
of society. 
Our Home for the Friendless and the aged— 
the best, the purest and the holiest of Christian 
charities—has, in the few years of its existence, 
received about $50,000; and is soon to find a 
permanent home on donated soil. 
The Industrial School, nursed by the gentle 
hand of the soldier’s friend, with woman’s 
care and woman’s love, will soon, wc trust, 
find its destined rest in the place long since 
erected for the purpse, when the brave defend 
era of our country shall become the Nation’s 
guests. 
And let us say with Martial, who wrote not 
always wisely: 
‘ Thieves may break in and steal away our gold ; 
The cruel flames may lay our mansions low ; 
Our dues a faithless debtor may withhold ; 
Our lauds may not return the seed we sow. 
But wealth bestowed is safe for what we give, 
And that, and that alone, is safe forever more.” 
But there is an extensive class of suffering 
poor in this community not yet provided for. 
I mean those afflicted with incurable diseases, 
like consumption—embracing the mechanic, 
the clerk, the seamstress; and who has not 
seen the slight, pale form, wasting away by the 
fell destroyer? “ There is a brilliant flush of 
youth about her, and her kindling eye pours 
such unearthly light, that hope Itself might 
hang even on the archer’s arrow, while it 
dropped deep poison. Many a restless night 
she paused for that alight breath which held 
her from the tomb. {Still wasting like the 
snow-wreath, which the sun marks for its own, 
on some tali mountain brow, yet spares and 
tinees long with rosy light.” 
To supply this great want, a noble hearted 
citizen of Albany who had lived a life of in- 
dustry, honesty and frugality for half a century, 
has done honor to an honored name by offer- 
ing to donate $75,000 for the establishment of 
a hospital for incurable cases of disease, on 
condition that the city of Albany will contrib- 
ute its aid to the nobie enterprise. May God 
grant a Christian response to this Christian 
offering! 
I cannot go back one-half a century as a 
resident of Albany, but I can recall 36 years 
of friendly acquaintance with the honored men 
whose history we have met here to-night to 
celebrate. In 1831, when I came to this city a 
student of Dr. March, I first saw their faces, 
heard their names and learned their worth. I 
well remember when I first met Dr. Wade, his 
manly face, clear bright eye and robust form. 
He was then in the full tide of professional 
vigor and success. I have met him every 
year since, for more than a third of a century, 
in practice or in social life, and have learned 
to respect his name and character. His sons, 
too, I have known in the medical and legal 
professions. They have done honor to the 
name. And his brothers, in the halls of Con- 
gress, have made the name illustrious in our 
nation’s history. Who has not heard of “ old 
Ben Wade,” of Ohio? Bold, stern, inflexible, 
patriotic, of whom it has been said, “ Tha 
country might look further and fare worse 
tor a President.” Time and fortune has dealt 
gently with our venerable friend. May God 
bless and spare his life yet longer ! 
Of Dr. BtaatSj my true and faithful friend, I 
know not how to speak. His name and deeds 
are known to every man and child in Albany, 
for half a century back. Our public works, 
our noble charities, our model institutions, all 
speak his name, and praise him. Who does 
not know Dr. B P. Staats ? Frank, firm, un 
wearied, indefatigable, enterprising, liberal, public spirited, enthusiastic, witty, lively, con- 
vivial, social—the most active man in our 
profession, and three score years and ten. 
Of my colleague and friend, Professor Me- 
Naughton, I feel unworthy to speak as I ought. 
I well remember when I first saw him, thirty- 
six years ago. He seemed a giant, then, in 
our profession. He had been long eminent as a 
professor and practitioner. The fame of an 
Edinburgh education, under the Munros, the 
Bells and Cullen. The prestige of years ot 
success, and well earned reputation, with a 
towering and inspiring person rarely equaled 
I shall never forget the first impression made 
upon my mind. ~ Long years of friendly pro- 
fessional intercourse have only heightened and 
cemented enduring respect and regard. May 
the lives of our three honored guests flow on 
in the stream of time, and if wound up for 
four score years, then may they freely run 
ten winters more, till, “ like a clock worn out 
with eating lime, the wheels of weary life, at 
length stand still.” 
The President then called upon the Poet 
Laureate. Mr. Street said: That as to being 
entitled to. the honor of being designated Poet 
Laureate, Governor Seward, twenty years 
ago, conferred the honor on him, and there 
had been no ambitious rivals who wanted the 
place for the sake of the emoluments. He 
then read the following Poem, which Dr* 
Armsby informed us was written since sun- 
down : 
A semi-century ! whafspace 
In the brief history of our race! 
And yet how fraught with swift and mighty 
things! 
The carol at our birth; our tolling knell! 
With all the changeful objects of our life 
That flit across our path on myriad wings ! 
The joys that thrill, the hopes that swell 
The soul;—the pleasant glide, the roaring 
strife 
Where man meets fellow man 
In struggle for life’s prizes!—In the span 
Of fifty years, what changes mark the earth! 
Mountains uprise in thunders ; virgin isles 
Dot the wide seas with newly-wakened smiles ; 
Even Empires rear their heads, and fall; 
And generations pass, at death’s relentless call. 
But hail the famed Three 
Whose life not only, but whose art extends 
Over this semi century! 
And who with firm, free footstep, reverend wends 
Life’s pathway still! All hail the favored Three ! 
They form one starry company 
Whom Fame and Science;love, and long 
May life sing in their ear its happy song! 
For they have scattered blessings on their way 
To all within their sphere; how oft at bay 
Have they kept death even with his torch of fear 
To light the destined victim to the bier ! 
How oft has dire disease before them fled, 
And pain, that fiend, crept off with baffled tread ! 
Flail with pride the famed Three 
Who, to the secrets of our frame 
Leveled their life-long scrutiny ! 
And to whose keen-eyed mind trained knowledge 
came! 
Knowledge full-fed from fifty studious years; 
How to their glance that past of mist and change 
appears! 
We hail with pride the famed Three, 
Wreathed by this semi-century! 
One, opening first his eye where rise 
The stately Grampians in their heathery dyes, 
Eternal Titans bearing up the skies! 
And nurtured in the classic halls 
Of the throned modern Athens, where 
Blue Pentland sends his waterfalls 
To mingle almost In the bustling air 
Of the thronged city; where high Arthur’s Seat 
And storied Holyrood each other greet. 
And one who drew first breath by thee, 
Bright Hudson, vassal only to the sea ! 
Whose smiling landscapes, caught his childish 
eye, 
Where still he dwells, as broad life’s shadows lie; 
Whose name is full of Holland! whose career 
Is genial with its sunshine, kind and clear,— 
The sunshine that illumes throughout the year. 
And one whom rural hills of Berkshire claim; 
Whose fathers felt imperilled freedom’s flame 
Flashing from Bunker’s Height, and, feeling, 
fought 
For the grand gifts with which our land is fraught 
We meet to render honor to the Three! 
Long may they brighten life, and frequent see 
Return of this glad day! for such glad days 
Anticipate the future’s hymns of grateful praise. 
The next toast was: — 
The Homes we Visit: Opened to us in hours of 
keenest anxiety and greatest emergency, they 
afford us a true guage of human affection, and 
are the surest symbols of Heaven ; may skill and 
care make our visits few and our memories pre- 
cious. 
Responded to by Dr. Freeman : 
Gentlemen of the Society—As I was entering 
the dining room this evening, the President 
requested me to reply to this beautiful senti- 
ment, and as he would accept of no excuse, I 
am happy briefly to respond. 
The relations of the physicians to the patient 
and to the family are of peculiar and sacred 
interest, and his duties are most delicate and 
responsible. The skilful physician is often 
able to turn aside the shaft of death, to quench 
the burning fever, and replant the blooming 
rose upon the faded cheek. He is the first 
summoned amidst the anxious hopes and trem- 
bling fears of loving parents, to usher into 
existence an immortal being, and the last 
when the'• silver cord is loosed,” and human 
skill cannot avail to save life, to direct the 
weary soul to a home in heaven. And how 
often in the distressed homes we visit is the 
true hearted physician enabled by his tender 
sympathy and kind counsel, 
“ To cheer and soothe and bless.” 
Mr. President, allow me to close with a toast 
to the junior members of our Society: 
May they emulate the attainments and virtues 
of our venerable and honored guests, and practi- 
cally realize that 
“ Happiness is a road-side flower, 
Growing on the highways of usefulness.” 
The next regular toast was: — 
The Clergy: May sound preaching and sound 
practice always go together. 7 
The Rev. R. W. Clakk, D. D., chaplain of 
the company, having been called out by this 
toast, said that he felt honored in mingling in 
the festivities of the occasion with so many 
medical gentlemen, distinguished for their 
professional skill, their high moral worth, and 
their wide usefulness in our city. In the two 
venerable doctors before him, in honor of 
whose long and faithful services this sumptu 
ous dinner was given, he recognized able and 
true representatives of two nationalities—the 
Scotch and the Dutch. And while sitting at 
the side of his friend, Dr. JamesMcNaughton, 
who was born and educated in Scotland, be 
was thinking that had it not been his own 
good fortune to have been born in America, 
Ue would have been glad to have been a na- 
tive of that country, so distinguished for in- 
dustry, patriotism, enterprise, education and a 
pure religious faith. Certainly, he said, no 
country of its size could boast of more emi 
nent names in all departments of literature 
and science than Scotland. Of her poets, he 
might speak of Burns, Thompson, Campbell, 
Foilok and Montgomery. Among her histo- 
rians were Hume, Robertson, Mackintosh 
Alison and the gifted Carlyle. In philosophy, 
she had an Adam Smith, a Reid, Stewart, 
Brown and Sir William Hamilton. Her scien- 
tific men were Ferguson, Watt, Sir David 
Brewster and Hugh Miller. She had also in 
romance, divinity and general literature, a 
Scott, Chalmers, Blair, Jeffrey and Smollett. 
Scotland was also equally eminent for its 
medical men, among whom were Abercrombie, 
the two Hunters—John and William—John 
Bell and Sir Charles Bell, and we might add 
the two McNaughtons (applause), who early 
came to America, and took up their residence 
in our city. For while speaking of the elder 
of these gentlemen, we must not forget the 
younger, whose valuable services among us 
entitle him to our esteem and respect. 
In regard to Dr. Barent P. Staats, whose 
fifty years of medical practice was also here 
commemorated, the speaker found it difficult 
to believe that he had reached the venerable 
age that was claimed for him. Almost daily 
he saw this good physician passing his house, 
with an active step, a vivacity of manner, a 
vigor of intellect, that belonged to a man in 
middle life. On his head, too, no grey hairs 
are to be found ; and, said Dr. Clark, I think 
that I ought to claim a medical certificate, tes 
tifying to the fact of his age. [Dr. Staats im- 
mediately said that his baptism might be found 
recorded in the records of the North Dutch 
Church, of which the speaker was pastor.] Dr. 
Clark replied that he would accept of that in- 
stead of the medical certificate. Reference 
was then made to the long and valued services 
of Dr. Staats in this city, and the wish was 
expressed that both of the gentlemen, in honor 
of whom this assembly was gathered, might 
have before them still,many years of health, 
usefulness and happiness. 
Dr. Clark then remarked that he could not 
allow this occasion to pass without paying a 
deserved tribute to the physicians of Albany. 
No city of its size, within his knowledge, 
could boast of a larger number of courteous, 
learned snd skillful physicians than this. The 
professors in the Albany Medical College, that 
has already attained a very high rank in our 
country, and the practicing physicians, are not 
only skillful and scientific in their profession, 
but their influence is most happy in promoting 
the enterprise, and the moral and religious 
interests of the city. We might mention the 
names of some before us, who occupy the 
foremost rank in works of philanthropy and 
benevolence. 
But, Mr. President, I will conclude by ex 
pressing the wish that all the medical gentle- 
men before me may be spared to render fifty 
years of service in the honorable profession 
that they have chosen; and should their 
friends, in the future, celebrate, in a manner 
similar to this, their half century of medical 
duty, it would afford me pleasure to officiate 
as chaplain, and participate in the festivities 
as I have done to-night. 
The eighth toast given was: 
The Press:—Thejnerve-force of Society. 
To this Mr. Chas. E. Smith, of the Express, 
responded in his usual sparkling and happy 
style. He declined, being one of the younger 
members of the editorial fraternity, to eulogize 
the press. It was a pity that the heavy editor 
of the Journal was not there to tell how to 
make Constitutions, or the still heavier man of 
the Argus, who was busy now telling how to 
reconstruct the Government, or the witty man 
of the Knickerbocker, who would dilate on 
the beauties of the weed, or the facetious man 
of the Post, who would talk of finance. But 
in the absence of these, he was proud to repre- 
sent the profession he served. But it was a 
hard place to fill. He would rather take the 
most nauseous dose they could select from 
their materia medica than be exposed to the 
sharp scalpel of their criticism. 
The last regular toast given was: 
Woman: All that is best and purest in our 
nature, in her blooms into perfectness of grace 
and beauty. May her smile cheer us, her sympa- 
thy sustain us, her character inspire us, and her 
love lead us into willing captivity. 
To this, Dr. Quackenbush responded as 
follows: Most appropriately, Mr. President, 
have you reserved this beautiful sentiment for 
the last. Would that I could so highly compli- 
ment you in the selection of the person whom 
you have chosen to respond to it,—a privilege 
which all might covet, an honor which I ap- 
preciate. The sentiment, then, is Woman. 
Woman ! And whose heart so cold and list- 
less that its chords do not vibrate under the 
influence of those five magic letters, as the 
chords of the iEolian harp vibrates and 
breathes forth their melody when swept by the 
fingers of the evening breeze. Woman! A 
name murmured' beautifully, when the prat- 
tling infant cries with its little voice, Mamma ! 
Woman! a word full of affection, when the 
parent says Daughter! Woman! a word en- 
livened with the tendrils of affection and love, 8 
when uttered Wife! Woman! a name bathed 
in the fragrance of an almost holy veneration 
when it is whispered my Mother! And why 
should not this sentiment be reserved 
for the last? Was not the place of honor 
reserved for Woman in the world’s early 
morning? First the heaven and the earth 
took their station in the creative array; 
the sun then ascended his high throne 
and the piale moon came forth and shone in 
the borrowed light of her eider brother, while 
the glistening stars, with their twinkling eyes, 
looked forth their homage to the Queen of 
Night. The mountains and the valleys ; the 
rivers and the ocean; the cattle on a thousand 
hills; the blue eyed violet and the hardy oak 
and branching elm, and even man himself, 
were there, and yet the work was incomplete. 
One element was absent; one link was want- 
ing. Then Woman was given to the world; 
the last star was added to the diadem of crea- 
tion; the galaxy was complete, and Eve— 
angelical woman—assumed her place among 
things created. The star of loveliness; the 
emblem of purity! Appropriately, most ap- 
propriately, Mr. President, have you allowed 
this sentiment the post of honor. Allow me, 
in behalf of her for whom I speak, to com- 
mend you for your consideration; allow me, 
in behalf of the gentlemen present, to thank 
you for your gallantry. There is much, sir, 
in the character of woman, that commends 
itself to our respect, our admiration and 
our love. The delicacy of her nature, 
the flue susceptibilities of her feelings and 
her humane and generous impulses, always 
commend, ever entitle her to our respect. 
Her fortitude and quiet endurance of life’s 
trials and sorrows; that pliability of her na- 
ture which enables her gracefully to yield to 
the storms of adversity; and that elasticity 
which enables her again so nobly to rise when 
those storms have passed by, so briefly con- 
trasting with the stern and oak-like nature of 
man which first bends and then breaks in life’s 
wild tempests, are worthy subjects of our 
admiration; while her gentleness, her feeble 
ness, her dependence upon man for her support, 
her comfort and her happiness in life, entitle 
her to the warmest feelings of our heart, and 
make her the recipient of our love. Such, 
gentlemen, is Woman, Woman! “who,” as it 
has been beautifully expressed, “ is the rarest 
and most exquisite work of the great Author, 
illustrated by the Graces and published in 
Paradise.” Woman! who from the cradle to 
the grave, is and ever will be an object of 
peculiar care and attention to the physician. 
And now, Mr. President, 
Oh ! why, tell me why, at the world’s early morn, 
When the earth was so green and the skies 
were so bright ? 
Was the young heart of Adam so sad and forlorn, 
And his pathway so shaded by the clouds of the 
night ? 
Was it not, my dear Sir, that he sighed all alone ?, 
And sadly bemoaned his poor desolate state ? 
Was it not that he wished to divide his fair 
throne ? 
Was it not that the Eagle deeply longed for his 
mate? 
Then the mantle of sleep on onr first parent fell, 
And a rib from his side the Great Master did 
cleave, 
And lo! when poor Adam awoke from the spell, 
And gazed at the vision: Behold it was Eve! 
The following volunteer toast was then sent 
up: 
The two professions, law and physic. The former 
take their unsuccessful cases up, the latter send 
them down. 
Luther M. Marsh, of New York, was 
called out by this, who entertained the Society 
with a most brilliant off hand speech. Albeit 
he professed great diffidence as speaking before 
such an array of medical men. He said, 
widely different as the two professions were, 
we should not have to go far back according 
to the Darwinian system before reaching a 
link that binds the two together, only a hyphen 
separating them—Medical Jurisprudence. No 
one can tell which is the more important part 
of it, the legal or the medical. And it was T. 
Romeyn Beck who was the father of this sci- 
ence in this country, who published the first 
work in our language that deserved a place in 
our libraries. This at first a small book has 
now grown to huge dimensions. And without 
it no doctor’s or lawyer’s library were complete. 
He alluded gracefully to the guests of the 
evening, and compared the length of their 
term oi service with the whole Christian era. 
Dr. Hun offered the following: 
Dr. Platt Williams, the oldest living member of 
our Society—the kind regard of his old friends 
follow him in his retirement. 
The young Dr. McNaughton being called on, 
Dr. Peter McNaughton gave the following 
sentiment: 
The Vis Medicairix Natures: He is the best 
Physican and Surgeon who most carefully studies 
and follows her lead. 
To the New York State Medical Society: 
Dr. Baxley responded briefly, urging the 
members to use their influence with the mem- 
bers of the Legislature, to show them the im- 
portance of our annual transactions, and secure 
the publication of a larger edition. 
The following communications were re- 
ceived from members not able to be present: 
Gentlemen—I regret that circumstances will 
prevent my attendance at your gathering this 
evening. 
The present is not a fitting occasion for the 
indulgence of sentiment alone, but is a suitable 
and well merited attestation of that honor and 
esteem for faithful and unremitting service in, 
as well as for devotion and zeal to the interests 
of the medical profession. I will, therefore, 
offer the following: 
Prof. James McNaughton, Dra. B. P. Staats 
and James Wade: May the same peace and 
prosperity and usefulness attend the remainder 
of their days, that have preceded them, and at 
last may they have the satisfaction of feeling 
that their work lias been well done; and not 9 
only receive the approbation of man, but the 
approval of a Father who shall welcome them 
to Mansions in the Skies. 
Very respectfully and sincerely yours, 
(J. G. Bigelow. 
To Drs. Pompret, Edmeston and Beckett. 
Albany, June 20,1867. 
Albany, June 20th, 1867 
My Dear Doctor Pomfret—Motives of a 
private nature, I regret to say, will prevent my 
being present at your festivities this evening. 
But I cannot let this opportunity pass without 
an expression of grateful remembrance of one 
of your honored guests, from whom I received 
my first lesson in my professional education. 
I give you, sir, the name of James McNaughton; 
my honored preceptor; the enlightened and 
accomplished physician ; the worthy Profes- 
sor ; the Christian gentleman He has fought 
the good fight against contagion and disease. 
May his declining years be cheered and made 
happy by the blessings of many who were 
ready to perish, falling upon him. 
J. P. Boyd. 
The Society then adjourned at half past one 
o’clock. 
Martin L. Mead, Secretary.