ANNUAL ADDRESS 
. BEFORE THE 
Ohio Slate Medical Society, 
AT PUT-IN-BAY, 
oTUHSriE] 1875, 
DR. W. W. JONES, 
TOLEDO, OHIO, 
PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY. 
REPRINTED FROM THE TRANS A GTI ONE. 
TOLEDO, OHIO: 
SPEAR, JOHNSON & GO., PRINTERS. 
1875. ANNUAL ADDRESS 
BEFORE THE 
Ohio Stale Medical Society, 
AT PUT-IN-BAY, 
J-TTHSTIE 1875, 
DR. W. W. JONES, 
TOLEDO, OHIO. 
PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY. 
REPRTNTED FROM THE TRANSACTIONS, 
TOLEDO, OHIO : 
BPEAR, JOHNSON & CO., PRINTERS. 
1875.  oA/Ae gAu/Am. 
G-entlemen of the Ohio State Medical Society ; 
The position with which you have honored me, brings 
with it cares and duties, and is entered upon with distrust in my ability 
to meet the expectation which the station involves. I embrace the trust 
with 'the greatest satisfaction, because it has been bestowed by the pro- 
fession of a State which has always been foremost in earnest endeavors 
to contribute to the advancement of medical science. 
We are engaged in a struggle to assist nature in overcoming the evils, 
which disobedience of the organic laws imposes upon mankind. Our 
measure of success depends upon the knowledge we possess regarding 
her processes, and the resources with which we are supplied. 
Unlike the professions of Law and Divinity, the former of which deals 
with the rights and wrongs of the individual, and the latter with his 
duties towards his fellow and his Creator, axioms which imply a degree 
of knowledge only attained at the age of mental accountability, ours 
ministers to the earliest manifestations of his organization, and is the 
Alpha and Omega to which mankind look with imploring eyes when 
sickness or death invades the habitation of the soul. 
Medicine does not claim to be an exact science, for the reason that it 
involves facts and problems which lie beyond the field of observation. 
The long history of medicine is fruitful in attestation of its struggles 
with the unknown, showing that errors which have gained favor in one 
age, have been overturned by the next. 
While progress in medicine must be slow from the very nature of 
things, we are assured that the present age is witnessing a more sub- 
stantial and rapid progress than those which have preceded it. The 
general use of the microscope, ophthalmoscope, stethoscope, laryngoscope, 4 
speculum, aspirator, and the many other valuable means almost unknown 
to a former generation, have wonderfully increased our power for observ- 
ing and recording facts, and made the verification of these facts of easy 
demonstration the world over. Thanks to the “republic of letters,” no 
national boundaries or tariffs impose barriers upon the free interchange 
of thought, opinion and discovery. 
With these preliminary remarks, I propose to call your attention to 
some of the means within the control of this society for promoting pro- 
gress in our art. 
That much has been accomplished by this society during the twenty- 
nine years of its existence, is well known to the older members of the 
profession, who remember what was the state of medical and surgical 
practice before its organization. While we have been greatly aided by 
the National and other State organizations, and perhaps, more than all, 
by the general progress of the profession, and that of the collateral 
sciences; this Society has of itself contributed its full share towards 
elevating and maintaining progress in medicine. 
The elevation of the standard for the Doctorate is one of those vexed 
problems which require the harmonious and united efforts of the profes- 
sion, organized as we may be, to work out to a satisfactory conclusion. 
The subject of medical education, although dilated upon at every annual 
meeting of this and other medical associations, has not been exhausted, 
and must continue to engage the thoughtful attention of the profession, 
until settled upon some satisfactory basis. The difficulty arises, not so 
much from diversity of sentiment, as from a division of interest. So long 
as there are young men and women striving to enter the profession, and 
assume its responsible duties, whether qualified or not, they will possibly 
find a way; but it will depend upon ourselves whether the ignorant and 
unworthy among them shall be admitted to our membership. In the 
language of our code of ethics, “ a physician ought to be imbued with 
the greatness of his mission, and the responsibilities he habitually incurs 
in its discharge.” Hood has beautifully expressed this sentiment in his 
strictures upon the Hahnemanie Vagaries: 
“ Above all price of wealth 
The Bodie’s jewel—not for minds profane. 
Or hands, to tamper with in practice vain— 
Like to a woman’s virtue is man’s health, 
A Heavenly gift within a holy shrine ! 
To be approached and touched with serious fear, 
By hands made pure, and hearts of faith severe, 
Ev’n as the Priesthood of the ON E Divine.” 5 
Reform in medical education must commence with ourselves as well as 
the schools. No practitioner who regards his professional character and 
standing, should ever permit his name to be used as a preceptor unless 
he devotes sufficient time to the daily examination of his student upon 
the subject matter of his reading, as will satisfy himself that the student 
thoroughly understands it. It is only by such a course that the precep- 
tor can ascertain the necessary capacity of his student. While a knowl- 
edge of Latin and Greek may be conceded as profitable and beneficial, 
yet it cannot be regarded as so essential that the student should be a 
classical scholar, as that he should have the mental ability necessary to 
grasp and comprehend the difficult problems involved in the science and 
practice of medicine. If we bring this question home, and understand 
that our own professional reputation is to be reflected to a great extent 
in our students, we will hesitate in undertaking a task which would be 
liable to bring discredit upon ourselves. So far as my own observation 
extends, very few of us have the time to devote to the proper teaching 
of the student which is necessary to enable him to do us credit; the 
consequence is, that he plods along as best he can, and the preceptor is 
hardly aware how ignorant or unqualified the student may be when he 
enters the profession. Were the practice of receiving students wholly 
ignored by the active practitioner, and the business left to such experts 
as could find the time, and had the other qualifications necessary to do 
the student justice, an enormous stride would be made in establishing 
the basis of medical education; and the incompetent student would 
be weeded out before a sufficient growth had been attained by him in 
medical science to enable him to enter the schools. If every member of 
this society were to adhere strictly to these rules, large numbers of those 
who now apply to us to enter the profession would be rejected at the 
threshold, and the complaints against the schools for turning out poorly 
qualified graduates would cease. lam aware that this reform involves 
a herculean effort on the part of the profession, both here and elsewhere; 
but I believe it is an effort which is demanded for the best interest o«f 
the public, and will be sustained by the wise and prudent among the 
profession. 
Next, perhaps, in importance to medical education within the province 
of this society, are the rules governing the practice of the special depart- 
ments of medicine. It requires but an ordinary experience in general 6 
practice to know that this is a matter of grave interest to the profession as 
well as our patrons, the public. We are bound to guard others against 
imposition and quackery; and give them advice in relation to the best 
means of relief from the forms of disease with which they may be afflict- 
ed. As the general practitioner cannot be expected to keep pace with 
the best means of relieving all the grave diseases of special organs, 
there must be those who push the study of special branches beyond the 
plane which the general practitioner reaches. The science of medicine 
is so comprehensive that it is impossible in a brief lifetime, for any in- 
dividual, to keep fully informed upon all its branches, and the question 
of how we can draw such a distinction between general and special prac- 
tice as shall conduce to the advancement of our science, and the welfare 
of our people, becomes one of first importance. 
That specialism is contributing to our knowledge, and has become an 
indispensable agent of progress in medicine cannot be denied. It is 
also certain that he who has not devoted some years of service in the art 
of medicine, cannot reasonably be expected to become as proficient in 
special subjects as he who has. The different functions are so intimately 
connected in their pathological relations, that in order to make very 
great proficiency in special study, it is neceesary to understand very 
fully, what is best known by him who has had his training in general 
practice. The mere tyro in medicine, who assumes to announce himself 
a qualified surgeon, should be frowned upon, while he who seeks to mas- 
ter the intricate problems involved in specialism by close and persever- 
ing study and observation, should be encouraged. The time has been 
within the recollection of many of us, when the practice of any specialty 
was condemned, because of the charlatanism attending it. Whatever 
abuses may still exist in connection with it should be corrected. The 
ethics of the profession demand that we shall establish its true relations 
with general practice, so that it may be advanced to that high standard 
which it so essentially merits. 
The projectors of this association wisely provided for auxiliary socie- 
ties, as one of the best means for the accomplishment of the organization 
of the profession for the State. This part of its aims has not been as 
fully kept in view, as it might have been with profit. Regular medical 
societies exist all over the State, which have not taken the steps neces- 
sary to affiliate themselves closely with the parent society by becoming 7 
auxiliary thereto. I regard this neglect, where it exists, as detrimental 
to unity of professional action, when such is needed. No county should 
be without one or more regular medical societies. If our present plan 
of organization will not accomplish the establishment of them, where 
they ought to exist, then it should be so modified as to meet such indi- 
cations, and made to become the nucleus around which the profession 
may centralize for the accomplishment of its high purposes. Every 
local society in the State, that is governed by the code of ethics, should 
be made auxiliary, and be required to send up an annual list of its mem- 
bership, the number of meetings during the year, with a list of the 
authors’ names. We want a directory of the profession of the State, cor- 
rected from year to year, to enable us to know who are of us, and who 
are not; and who are our best writers and thinkers. Let our motto be 
“Vis Unita Fortior.” 
The discussion of the reports and papers read before us, constitute 
■one of the most important means for promulgating advanced ideas upon 
medical and surgical subjects. lam aware that a majority of the pro- 
fession find it difficult to express themselves fluently upon extempore 
•occasions; but this, however, is unnecessary, as the most simple fact is 
potent in advancing the cause of truth, and carries with it greater force 
than the most brilliant rhetoric. 
These comments, which constitute the essence of medical thought, 
and opinion, are too frequently lost for the want of a competent report. 
If we, as well as those who are absent, are to be benefitted by the light 
•diffused through these discussious, we must provide a competent phono- 
graphic reporter to attend our meetings, and furnish the Secretary the 
material to make up the proceedings. 
The time will soon come, if indeed it has not already arrived, when 
this society should become a delegated body, similar to that of the 
American Medical Association, delegates to become permanent members. 
There is great need for providing systematic observation and record 
of the relation of clinical to atmospheric and topographical influences, 
in relation to the causation of disease. G-o where you will in any dis- 
trict of the country, and you will find the residents in particular locali- 
ties, more unhealthy than others, although the physiological conditions 
are the same. The profession have been content to explain the phe- 
nomenon by calling it “ malarial influence.” We are daily reminded 8 
by our patients how they took cold on a ehange of the weather; and I 
think it will be a conceded fact that very much of sickness and mortality 
is due to causes having their origin in meteorological influences. lam 
glad to see that this subject is beginning to meet with some attention 
from the profession, and has been made the subject of a report to the 
American Medical Association by its eminent founder, Dr. N. S. Davis, 
of Chicago, in a paper entitled 11 The necessity of co-incident clinical and 
meteorological records in the study of meteorological influences and atmos- 
pheric conditions in the development of bowel affections in children." 
The clinical data attending the commencement of nearly all diseasesr 
is one of the essentials in the pursuit of investigation with reference to its 
causation; and this is particularly so, in reference to those of an en- 
demic and epidemic nature. When these are combined with accurate 
meteorological observations at the immediate points and time of the 
clinical, they will be found to possess a value which will produce great 
results in establishing the cause of disease. 
These investigations, I am convinced, would be a labor of love on our 
part, notwithstanding their result would tend to diminish our revenues ; 
but the proper carrying out of any plan for this purpose would involve 
an expense which a just regard for the interest of those dependent upon 
us for support will hardly permit us to assume. There would be no 
insuperable difficulty attending the collection of these facts in the cities 
of the State where Boards of Health exist, as the expense of distribu- 
ting blanks to physicians and meteorologists, and the collating of the 
facts after they were obtained, would be assumed as a part of the duties 
of the Health Office. These, however, would be only partially success- 
ful, for it will not do to rely upon the observations of individuals in any 
one district of country; if we would establish results commensurate 
with the importance of the subject they must be made over extensive 
regions, and in order to do this wTe must have the aid of the State 
through a Commissioner of Health. 
How to lessen sickness and death is a question which may well invite 
our closest attention. English statisticians estimate that each death in 
the census has been preceded by six hundred and thirty-six days of 
sickness during the whole life of the individual. The census statistics 
show that 500,000 deaths occur annually in the United States, and in 
our own State they may be computed at about 30,000. Applying the 9 
English estimate, we have the enormous number of 19,080,000 days of 
sickness for the people of the State each year. 
The statesman or legislator who views these facts in their relation to 
the economies of labor, will not fail to see that the industrial population 
constitute about one-third of the whole number; and that there must 
be a positive loss of $20,000,000 aunually by loss of time, and expenses 
incurred, in consequence of such sickness among that class alone. While 
the arbitrary condition of society makes it certain that the sick and en- 
feebled must be supported by the healthy. 
The lessening of sickness and mortality depends very greatly upon 
our knowledge of the causes of disease, the investigation of which, is one 
of great labor and skill, and many of the causes are of so subtle a 
nature as to elude the vigilance of any single individual or community; 
and if the people of the State, (who are to be benefited) would practic- 
ally reap the advantage to be gained by such knowledge, they must sup 
ply the central force, or bureau of health, with which we may co- 
operate. 
It is not arrogance on our part to say that the world is indebted to 
our profession for the little of sanitary knowledge now known, and which 
is steadily increasing the average duration of human life, and lessening 
the number of days of sickness. Unaided by the discoveries in medical 
science, and their application to the wants of man in this new country, 
the Wrest would have been to this day undeveloped, instead of contain- 
ing, as it does, a dense and cultured population. 
Were our profession to give up the task of sanitary enlightenment, 
where is the world to get it? Certainly not from the various isms and 
pathies in medicine, whose brief lifetime hardly suffices to make a gene- 
ration, in the ages since medicine has had a written history. 
In this age and country, when enjoyment may be said to have a 
money value, the people are not slow to forward objects which will pro- 
mote that enjoyment and culture; and they appreciate health, whether 
considered in its pecuniary or philanthropic aspects. I regard it as one 
of the best means of discouraging quackery, to teach the people sanitary 
knowledge, as by this means they will be better able to distinguish the 
true from the false system of medicine, and expose the pretender to 
knowledge not possessed. There would be some propriety in referring 
the subject matter of the different isms and pathies to a committee to be 10 
reported on annually, by which some benefit would accrue to our people 
in giving them lessons upon this branch of sanitary science, were it not 
proved during the long history of medicine that each false system soon 
gives way, to another equally absurd. 
While our Christian civilization has greatly improved and benefited 
the race morally and intellectually, it has utterly failed to eradicate 
many of the evils of our social system. Living, as we do, in the atmos- 
phere of the whole people; and observing the evidences which daily 
present themselves only to the physician, we can speak with more as- 
surance of the prevalence of those evils which are known only to a few, 
besides the individual himself, but which afflict a greater number than 
the public know of, or are willing to admit. Whether scrofula, struma, 
tuberculosis, and some other forms of disease are the offspring of syphi- 
lis is not yet determined, but enough is established to prove the wide- 
spread and detrimental influence which this disease has upon the race. 
Every physician knows that a large per centage of the mortality of in- 
fantile and adult life, is due to the indirect influence of this destroying- 
agent, which is probably greater than that from any one of the epidemic 
diseases which have been called “ the scourges of mankind,” and yet its 
name scarcely appears in the records of mortuary reports. 
I am aware that there is great predjudice on the part of the commu- 
nity (and particularly the religious portion of it,) to the discussion of 
this subject, and all attempts on the part of municipalities, in this coun- 
try, to exercise police supervision against the spread of this disease has 
met with opposition from those who assume to be teachers in morals. 
The very able report upon this subject to the American Medical Asso- 
ciation, by Dr. Gross, of Philadelphia, takes strong ground in favor of the 
enactment of laws looking to its suppression. I think the same views 
are entertained by most of those who are familiar with the havoc, and 
suffering inflicted upon the human race in consequence of this evil, and 
it would seem that no false modesty, nor deference to the prejudices of 
others, should lead us to ignore the subject, or prevent us from freely 
imparting that information which will contribute to the advantage of 
society. Our Legislators and Boards of Health provide summary means 
for the abatement of nuisances detrimental to the life and health of the 
people. This evil goes beyond the individual or community in which it 
exists, and contaminates the vital blood of unborn generations. No po- 11 
sition is so high as to be exempt from its unseen influences, and no peo- 
ple of the habitable globe but have felt its destroying blight. 
Ancient Greece, the home and birth place of Philosophy and Letters, 
was so fettered by her religious prejudices, that she prevented the study 
of anatomy, because it desecrated the dead. We should allow no simi- 
lar reverence for a sentiment to interfere with efforts for saving the 
world from so destructive an evil. 
The want of properly instructed nurses is universally felt, and it is to 
be hoped that some plan may be devised by which their proper training 
may become general, and not be confined to the larger cities, where 
hospital facilities exist. We all know how much depends upon the skill 
and care of those having charge of the sick in the absence of the physi- 
cian ; and that our efforts in behalf of patients are often neutralized by 
the want of intelligent nursing. It would seem to me from observation, 
that this deficiency is so widespread and the demand so urgent as to 
warrant the establishment of training schools in every populous county 
of the State. 
In conclusion let us not forget that we are celebrating our 30th anni- 
versary upon one of the most beautiful islands of Lake Erie, where but 
little more than sixty years ago, the great American commander beheld 
from the placid bay in front of us, the British ships with which he 
hastened to engage in deadly strife. Our great State was then compar- 
atively a wilderness with here and there a settlement of hardy pioneers, 
determined to hew out a civilization for their descendants, in spite of 
opposing obstacles. Could the immortal Perry now behold the trans- 
formation which has been effected in a single lifetime, he would say that 
those pioneers had not lived in vain. Adopting the talismanic words 
of the dying Lawrence, he inscribed them upon his banner. So let us, 
relying in full faith upon earnest endeavor to achieve progress in 
medicine, cheer each other onward with his motto, “Don’t give up 
the SHIP.” 
The officers of the two nations who lost their lives in that battle, here 
quietly sleep in peace, with their resting place hallowed as the scene of 
one of the world’s great naval contests for the maintenance of a prin- 
ciple which equally benefits the vanquished and the victor. What more 
fitting place than this for promoting the homogeneity of the medical 
profession of a continent? 12 
Away from the excitements of the busy city, fanned by the breezes of 
the great lakes, and surrounded by their health-giving waters, all can 
forget for a brief period the cares which suffering humanity impose, 
and gain new strength as we tread the pleasant groves of this favorite 
watering place, while we draw from that fountain of wisdom and expe- 
rience, the Profession op the State.