wz 270 A511r 1814 1 :«&%#,•&-•. "■,;-■ ■■A.'.:; ■-. ,, "•■;.:-; \ Ss^" ■..', .-■ .,.*< '. ■ ■•- .«* i .■;•■ i1. ^fe^X-; - XX XffeX- V v. «,>5v2.it:,: .-•■■ .■', ■• ^XX'hb"' UNITED STATES OF AMERICA M^D WASHINGTON, D. C. GPO 16—67244-1 •^s«« &BBB&-"&" 8488 / r /J REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN >ti ^SCULAPIAN SOCIETY: DURING THE WINTER OF 1813—14. TO WHICH ABE PREFIXED, THE CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS; "BBIJTf} THE SECOND SESSION 0* T3E SOCMTT SIKCE ITS HSVIYAZ. NEW-YORK: ■■/ v / •'' TV-/ PRINTED BY JOHN FORBES, ^<£j^ V No. 61, Fair««treet 1814. CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN JESCULAPIAN SOCIETY. PREAMBLE. THERE are few situations in life where men do not associate together to answer some one purpose. We find this propensity pervades all classes and dispositions. In the study of Medicine, so much to be learned, where not only every different disease exhibits new symptoms, but from the difference of temperaments, situation and circumstances, as well natural as contingent, the same disease in two persons can scarcely be recognised : where the field of experiment and discovery is so wide as to be far beyond the possession of individual exertion, association becomes not only a pleasure, but necessity. By this means we acquire others' ideas, reap the fruit of ohers labours, and in a short time range through a space of reading, rarely allotted to the per- severance of one. In all bodies associated together for the purposes of improve- ment, it is necessary that there should be regularity, order, peace and concord among the members ; that all business should be transacted with harmony and system. But when this is left to the volition of individuals, disorder and disorganization are apt to creep in, and destroy or counteract the beneficial intentions '■ 4 To prevent which, it has been found necessary that they should be within themselves a regular organized body governed by a proper constitution and code of laws voluntarily enacted. To this system whoever subscribes his name becomes a member, and tacitly binds himself by the ties of honour to conduct in all re- spects as by them directed, as well as to defend them from viola- tion and e^ncroachmeat. CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE FIRST. Section First.—This Society shall be known and distinguished by the appellation of the American ^Esculapian Society. Section Second.—It shall hold its meetings at least once in each week during the Medical Session of the College of Physicians and Surgeone. Section Third.—Its officers shall consist of a President, first and second Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, and Standing Committee. Section Fourth.—Its officers shall be elected on every anni- versary meeting, by ballot. Section Fifth.—Tt shall have one meeting, known and distin- guished, by the title of Anniversary, which meeting shall be held on the fourth Monday in November, of each year. Section Sixth.—All alterations or amendments of this Consti- tution, shall be submitted in writing to the Society. Section Seventh.—A majority of at least one third, shall in all cases be required for such alteration. LAWS. ARTICLE SECOND. Section First.—This Society shall consist of honorary asso- ciates, honorary, ordinary and corresponding members, together with the officers before mentioned. b Section Second.—The Society shall be convened on the first Saturday of November, at seven o'clock, P. M. and continue to meet once a week during the session, which shall close on the last Saturday of Pebruary ensuing. Section Third.—The business of the Society shall be confined exclusively to Medical, Surgical and Philosophical subjects. Section Fourth.—No more than four persons shall be appoint- ed to the discussion of one subject. DUTY OF OFFICERS. OF THE PRESIDENT. ARTICLE THIRD. Section First.—The President shall have the immediate direc- tion of the Society ; he shall check any improper disputes, and be invested with authority sufficient to conduct the business of the Society in proper order. Section Second.—The President shall deliver an appropriate address before the Society on his first taking the chair. Section Third.—It shall be the duty of the presiding officer to appoint persons for the discussion of each subject. Section Fourth.—He shall also appoint persons to read disser- tations before the Society at every ordinary meeting. Section Fifth.—In any question where the Society shall be equally divided, he shall have the casting vote. Section Sixth.—He shall appoint all special committees. FIRST AND SECOND VICE PRESIDENTS. ARTICLE FOURTH. Section First.—The first Vice President shall officiate in the absence of the President, and in case they are both absent, the second Vice President shall take the chair. ti THE TREASURER. ARTICLE FIFTH. Section First.—It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and collect all monies due to the Society. Section Second.—He shall pay out no monies, except to the orders of the standing committee. Section Third.—He shall render an official account of the state of the funds to the Society, at the expiration of each month. SECRETARY. ARTICLE SIXTH. Section First.—It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record all the proceedings of the Society at each meeting, and to read the minutes of the preceding meeting. Section Second.—He shall take charge of all the books and pa- pers belonging to the Society. Section Third.—He shall call off the names of all the members at each meeting. Section Fourth.—He shall read the Constitution and Bye-Laws of the Society to new members, and to the old members at the commencement of every month. THE STANDING COMMITTEE. ARTICLE SEVENTH. Section First.—A committee composed of three, called the Standing Committee, shall be elected annually by ballot. Section Second.—It shall be the duty of this Committee to bring forward all motions for the alteration and amendment of the Constitution and Bye-Laws. Section Third.—They shall take into consideration all sub- jects referred to them by the Society. Section Fourth.—They shall regulate the expenses of the So- ciety. 7 Section Fifth.—Their transactions shall be subject to the in- vestigation of the Society. HONORARY ASSOCIATES. ARTICLE EIGHTH. Honorary Associates shall be admitted by the unanimous con- sent of the Society. HONORARY MEMBERS. ARTICLE NINTH. The Members of the former yEsculapian Society shall be con- sidered as Honorary Members of this. CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. ARTICLE TENTH. Ordinary members removing from the city, shall, on expres- sing their desire in writing to the President, be considered as Corresponding Members. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. ARTICLE ELEVENTH. If any person wishes to become a member of this Society, he shall be proposed and regularly balloted for,- and if two thirds of the Society appear in his favour, he shall be considered as elect- ed ; but if he shall not apply for initiation within one month after his election, he shall not be considered a member. DUTY OF ORDINARY MEMBERS. ARTICLE TWELFTH. Section First.—Each member upon signing the Constitution, shall pay into the hands of the Treasurer the sum of one dollar, as a fee for initiation, and twenty-five cents per month during the session of the Society. Section Second.—Each member upon signing the Constitution, shall be introduced to the Society by the presiding officer in the 8 following manner: "Sir, through the power and authority dele- gated to me by this Society, I introduce you as an ordinary member thereof." Section Third.—Each ordinary member shall, in succession read a dissertation on some Medical or Philosophical subject. Section Fourth.—Each member shall also be considered as bound to discuss at least one Medical question during the session. PENALTIES. ARTICLE THIRTEENTH. Section First.—Any member who shall obstinately disobey the commands of the Society, or in any way disturb the peace and order of the same, shall be liable to expulsion. Section Second.—Any member so arraigned, shall have the privilege of making his defence at the succeeding meeting. Section Third.—A majority of two thirds shall be required for his expulsion. DIPLOMAS. ARTICLE FOURTEENTH. Section First.—Each member of the Society shall be entitled to a Diploma, after having read a dissertation before the Society, and paid into the hands of the Treasurer seventy-five cents. Section Second.—The Diploma shall be signed by the Presi- dent, first and second Vice Presidents, and Secretary. ORDER OF BUSINESS. ARTICLE FIFTEENTH. Section First.—Seven members with any one of the officers shall constitute a quorum, and shall be authorised to transact business. Section Second.—The Chair shall be taken at a quarter of an hour after the time appointed for meeting. The names of the ordinary members called over.—New members proposed and ad- mitted.—The minutes of the preceding meeting read and con- firmed.—Medical news and observations received,—Disserta- 9 tions read.—Theses discussed.—Questions for the succeeding meeting introduced.—Persons appointed to support them.—Per- sons to read dissertations at the next meeting appointed.— Reports of Committees heard, or other miscellaneous business transacted.—Society to be adjourned. R ( io) At an Anniversary meeting of the American A£sculapian Society, the following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year: VALENTINE MOTT, M. D. Professor of the Principles and Practice of Surgery, President. WILLIAM VAN DEURSEN, A. M. First Vice-Presi- dent. JOHN K. RODGERS, A. B. Second Vice-President. EDWARD DELAFIELD, A. B. Treasurer. JAMES W. WARBURTON, Secretary. MOSES RUDEN, ) JOHN WAGNER, A. B. ( Standing Committee. PETER P. GALATIAN. \ HONORARY ASSOCIATES. PROFESSORS OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. SAMUEL BARD, M. D. President of the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons. BENJAMIN DE WITT, M.D. Vice President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Prof, of Natural Philosophy. WRIGHT POST, esq. Prof, of Anatomy and Surgery. WILLIAM HAMERSLEY, M. D. Prof, of Clinical Medi- cine. JAMES S. STRINGHAM, M. D. Prof, of Medical Juris- prudence. 11 JOHN C. OSBORN, M. D. Prof, of Obstetrics, &c. VALENTINE MOTT, M. D. Prof, of Surgery. SAMUEL L. MIT CHILL, M. D. F. R. S. Ed. Prof, of Natural History, &c. &c. &c. &c. DAVID HOSACK, M. D. F. L. S. Prof, of the Theory and Practice of Physic. WILLIAM JAMES MAC NEVJSN, M. D. Professor of Chemistry. J. AUGUSTINE SMITH, M. D. Prof, of Anatomy and Surgery. HONORARY MEMBERS. Dr. Peter C Tappen, - Poughkeepsie, (N. Y., Henry U. Onderdonk, M. D. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, - New-York Dr. John M. S. M'Knight, - Dr. Guy C. Bayley, Samuel W. Moore, M. D. Gerardus A. Cooper, M. D. Dr. Fayette Cooper, - - Dr. Joseph M. Smith, Dr. Timothy P. Beers, Dr. Erastus L. Hart, Dr. Alpheus F. Stone, Dr. James Inderwick, Gideon Shepard, M. D. Dr. John Neilson, Dr. Enos Barnes, Dr. Bartow White, Eli Ives, M. D. Dr. James Gilbert, Dr. Henry Fish, Dr. Gilbert Smith, Dr. Amos Amsden, Alire Raffeneau Delile, M. D. Rev. Gamaliel S. Olds, Ezekiel Ostrander, M. D. Dr Benjamin B. Bevier, Dr. John Cooper, Dr. John F. Harrison, Charles Gignilliat, M. D. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. New-Haven, (Conn.) Litchfield, (Conn.) Franklin, (Mass.) New-York. Fairfield, (Conn.) New-York. Lunenburg, (Vir.) Duchess, (N. Y.) New-Haven, (Conn.) ditto. New-York. ditto. Madison, (N. Y.) Versailles, (France.) Marlborough, (Ver.) Newtown, (L. I.) Ulster Co. (N. Y.-\ Poughkeepsie, (N. Y.) Richmond Co. (N. Y.) Savannah, (Geo.) Jacob De La Motta, Surgeon 2d regt. U. S. army, Charleston, (S. C.) Ansel W- Ives, - - - Litchfield, (Conn.) CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. Dr. James Gilbert, Dr. Nathan I. Bennet, Dr. Stephen W. Williams, Dr. Charles Beardslee, Mr. Stephen Hasbrouck, Mr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Charles Gignilliat, M. D. Daniel D. Annan, Burr Bradley, A. B. Nathan I. Bennet, Charles Beardslee, Thomas W. Blatchford, Cornelius C. Blatchly, John Cadle, A. M. Tunis Cooler, ■Springall Davies Edward Delafield, A. B. Benjamin Delavan, Nicoll H. Dering, A. B. Floyd T. Ferris, James M. Gardiner, New-Haveu. Litchfield, (Conn.) Mass. Litchfield, (Conn.) Ulster Co. (N. Y.) Hagerstown, (Md.) Savannah, (Geo.) Dutchess Co. (N. Y.) - Fairfield Co. (Conn.) do. do. do. do. Lansingburgh, (N. Y.) New-York. do. Albany Co. (N. Y.) New-York. do. Westchester, (N. Y.) - (Suffolk, N. Y.) New-York Orange Co. (N. Y.) ORDINARY MEMBERS. * Deceased. 14 Peter P. Galatian, Augustus R. Griffen, Peter B. Helme, Stephen Hasbrouck, Asa Hill} er, Jun. A. B. Daniel Hatfield, William Jones, Daniel W. Kissam, Jun. John Lylburn, John Mairs, John W. B. Murray, A. B. William L. Mitchill, John K. Rodgers, A. B. Moses Ruden. Robert M. Sullivan, A. B. William Van Deursen, A. M. Nicholas Van Vrankin, A. B. Robert H. Wilson, A. M. Stephen W. Williams, Elijah Ward, David M. Wharry, James W. Warburton, John Warner, A. B. Samuel Woodruff^ do. do. New-York- do. Dutchess Co. (N. Y.) Newark, (N. J.) New-York. Hertford Co. (N. C.) New-York. do. Washington Co. (N. Y.) New-York. Q,ueens Co. (N. Y.) New-York. do. do. New-Brunswick, (N. J.) Schenectady, (N. Y.) District of Columbia- Mass. Washington Co. (N. Y.) Ulster Co. (N. Y.) Windsor, (N. C. New-York Albany, (N. Y.) An Introductory Address was delivered at the commencement of the Session, by Mr. John K. Rodgers. DISSERTATIONS READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY^. 1. On the Nature and Cure of Gangrene. By Moses Ruden. 2. On Morbus Coxarius. By Augustus R. Grif- fin. 3. On Parturition. By Daniel D. Annan. 4. On Ophthalmia. By J. W. Warburton. 5. On Urinary Calculi. By A. R. Griffen. 6. On Dentition. By Moses Ruden. 7. On Hydrocephalus Internus. By Thomas TV. Blatchford. 8. On Synochus. By William Jones. 9. On Respiration and Animal Heat. By Ed- ward Delqfield. 10. On Phthisis Pulmonalis. By William Van Deursen. 11. On the Sedative Effects of Cold. By Petei P. Galatian. 16 12. On the Physiology of the Pancreas and Liver. By John K. Rodgers. 13. On Fistula in Ano. By T. W. Blatchford. 14. On Pneumonia Typhodes. By William Van Deursen. 15. On the Fcetal Circulation. By A. R. Griffm. 16. On Tetanus. By Daniel Hatfield. 17. The Use of Tepid Water in Cutaneous Erup- tions. By John W. B. Murray. 18. On the Antisyphilitic Effects of the Muriate of Gold. By Peter B. Helme. 19. On Tetanus. By Samuel Woodruff. 20. On the Physiology of the Placenta. By J. W. Warburton. QUESTIONS DISCUSSED BEFORE THE SOCIETY. 1. Can we from anatomical structure deduce any criteria of intellect ? Aff. Messrs. I ves and Annan. Neg. Messrs. Van Deursen, Rodgers, and Wilson. 2. Do lithontriptics produce any salutary effect on urinary calculi ? Aff. Messrs. Wilson, Ives, and Helme. Neg. Messrs. Van Deursen, Galatian, and Delafield. 3. Are worms a primary cause of disease 1 Aff. Messrs. Wilson and Griffen. Neg. Messrs. Van Deursen, Delafield, Helme and Rodgers. 4. Are there any direct sedatives ? Aff. Messrs. Helme and Woodruff. Neg. Messrs. Ives, Wilson and Rodgers. 5. Does a putrescent state of the fluids ever take place in fever ? Aff. Messrs. Ruden, Galatian, and Wilson. Neg. Messrs. Helme and Kissam. 6. Is consumption a curable disease I Aff. Messrs. Wilson and Rodgers. Neg. Messrs. Helme and Van Deurs n. 7. Is opium proper in the last stage of Typhus I Aff. Messrs. Delafield, Annan, and Rodgers. Neg. Van Vrankin, Hillyer, and Galatian. 3 18 8. Is amputation ever proper in tetanus '( Aff. Messrs. Wilson, Helme, and Rodgers. Neg» Messrs. Van Deursen and Delafield. 9. Is hectic fever owing to an absorption of mat- ter ? Aff. Messrs. Hatfield, Van Vrankin, Wilson and Helme. Neg. Messrs. Rodgers, Galatian and Van Deursen. 10. Are stimulating applications proper in burns . Aff. Messrs. Van Vrankin, Woodruff, and Helme. Neg. Messrs. Rodgers and Murray. 11. Is Salivation necessary in the cure of sy- philis ? Aff. Messrs. Hatfield, Warburton, and Wilson. Neg. Messrs. Murray, Galatian, and Rodgers. 12. Is there a direct communication between the mother and the fcetus in utero ? Aff. Messrs. Wagner, Helme, Griffen, and Hatfield. Neg. Messrs. Warburton and Rodgers. 13. Is gout always an inflammatory disease ? Aff. Messrs. Helme, Blatchford, and Rodgers. Neg. Messrs. Galatian, Wilson, and Blatchly. 14. Is oxygen taken into the blood during respi- ration ? Aff. Messrs. Delafield and Dering. Neg. Messrs. Galatian and Wagner, 15. Is the buffy coat of the blood a certain sign of inflammation ? Aff. Messrs. Blatchly and Wilson. Neg. Messrs. Rodgers and Helme. 16. Is it proper in any case of apoplexy to bleed profusely ? Aff. Messrs. Rodgers, Blatchly and Warburton. Meg. Messrs. Delafield, Helme, Woodruff, and Griffen. 19 17. Is coagulable lymph thrown into the larynx in synanche trachealis ? Aff Messrs. Rodgers, Galatian, Blatchly, and Griffen. Neg. Messrs. Helme, and Woodruff. The Valedictory Address was delivered by Robert H. Wil- son. Extract from the minutes, By order, J. W. WARBURTON, Secretary, -m^mmmmmmmm-: Z.~TO ASTHf ^1 xfe.x?M!^x:-\' :iir :*'' J-;> X- ,: , ':,■■"■-: ^'U& ■■V #!• v:« £«