PROCEEDINGS OF THE (Of <Tl)c State of Tennessee, HELD IN N A S IS ¥ II IL IL IE 9 OCTOBER, 1847. NASHVILLE: E. R. GLASCOCK & CO., (GAZETTE OFFICE,) PRINTERS. 1847. MEDICAL CONVENTION. Nashville, Monday, Oct. 25, 1847. The Medical Convention in pursuance to previous notice, met this day in the City Hall. On motion, Dr. John Shelby, was called to the Chair, and Drs. J. W. Percy, and W. A. Cheatham, appointed Secretaries. The following named gentlemen appeared and took their seats: John Shelby, Nashville,1 John P. Ford, " Robert M. Porter, " R. Martin, . " J. W. Percy, " W. A. Cheatham, " Felix Robertson, " J. N. Esselman, " J. D. Kelly, " A. H. Buchanan, " Peter W. Martin, " I. H. Harris, " R. C. Holland, J. B. Lindsley, " C. K. Winston, " Josiah W. Stout, " T. J. Donoho, Clyksville. C.R. Cooper, " W. A. McClure, W. M. Finley, " The names being recorded, Dr. J. N. Esselman moved that the J. P. McFarland, Paris. John Fitzpatrick, Winchester. William Estill, " R. G. P. White, Pulaski. B. W. Avent, Murfreesboro'. S. S. Mayfield, Franklin, F. H. Gordon, Lebanon. B. R. Owen, " Nathan Perry, Maury co. W. P. Stockard, Mt. Pleasant. B. B. Lenoir, Roane co. J. W. Gourley, Sumner co. James W. Head, " Roberts, Charlotte. J. W. Richardson, Rutherford- J. E. Manlove, Davidson co. S. B. Moore, Hickman co. James B. Owen, Williamson. F. Stith, " 4 Circular addressed to the profession, throughout the State, be read, which motion prevailed. The Secretary having read the circular, on motion of Dr. Buch- anan, then read the report of the committee on preliminary Educa- tion, which was adopted'by the National Medical Convention, held in Philadelphia, in May last. Dr. Ford then moved the reading of that portion of the report on the requirements of M. D., adopted by the Convention in Phila- delphia, embracing the resolution specifying the requirements, &c. Dr. Buchanan now gave notice to the Convention, that he had prepared resolutions respecting the reports of said committees, which he would submit to the consideration of the Convention at its next sitting. Dr. Stith moved that the President appoint a committee to report the ordei' in which the business before the Convention, shall be con- sidered, which motion was adopted. The Chairman then appoint- ed Dr. Stith, of Williamson, Dr. White, of Pulaski, and Dr. Dono- ho, of Clarksville, said committee. On motion of Dr. Donoho, the Convention then adjourned until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. The committee appointed on yesterday, to report the order of proceedings, submitted the following: The committee appointed to arrange the order of business for the Convention, respectfully suggest the adoption of the following- 1st.-The Convention will go into the election of its officers. 2nd.-The consideration of the resolutions accompanying the re- port of the committee on preliminary Education, adopted by the National Medical Convention, held in Philadelphia, in May last. 3rd.-The consideration of the resolutions accompanying the re- port of the committee on the standard of medical requirements for the degree of M. I)., adopted by the National Medical Convention held in Philadelphia in May last. 4th.-The consideration of the code of Medical Ethics, adopted by the late National Medical Convention. 5th.-The consideration of the report of the committee on the registration of births, marriages and deaths, adopted by the said Convention. 6th.-The consideration of suggestions to amend the present Tuesday Morning, Oct. 26. 5 charter of the State Medical Society, with a view to granting ('bar- ters to Societies in the different counties of the State. FERDINANDO STITH, ) THOMAS J. DONOHO, [■ R. G. P. WHITE, ) Com't. On motion, the report of the committee was adopted. The Convention now went into the election of officers:-Dr. John Shelby, was unanimously elected President; Dr. F. Robertson, of Nashville, Dr. Donoho, of Clarksville, and Dr. Stith, of Franklin, were elected Vice Presidents; Dr. Percy and Dr. Cheatham, of Nashville, Secretaries. Dr. Buchanan, according to previous notice, submitted the follow- ing resolutions: 1st.-Resolved by this Convention, that we approve of the report of the committee on preliminary education, and the resolutions ac- companying the same,* which were adopted by the late National Medical Convention held at Philadelphia in May last. 2nd.-Resolved, That we will be governed by said resolutions, and that we recommend the adoption of the same to all our medi- cal brethren throughout the State. 3rd.-Resolved, That we will do all in our power honorably, to sustain the College, or Colleges, that adopt, and are governed by the 3rd resolution. On motion of Dr. Cooper, the resolutions were taken up and act- ed on separately. The first resolution was adopted unanimously. *The following are the Resolutions referred to above, adopted by the National Medi- cal Convention: Resolved, That this Convention earnestly recommends to members of the medical profession throughout the United States, to satisfy themselves, either by personal in- quiry or written certificate of competent persons, before receiving young men into their offices as students, that they are of good moral character, and that they have acquired a good English education, a knowledge of Natural Philosophy and the Elementary Mathematical Sciences, including Geometry and Algebra, and such an acquaintance, at least, with the Latin and Greek languages, as will enable them to appreciate the techni- cal language of medicine, and read and write prescriptions. Resolved, That this Convention also recommends to the members of the Medical profession of the United States, when they have satisfied themselves that a young man possesses'the qualifications specified in the preceding resolution, to give him a written certficate stating that fact, and recording also the date of his admission as a medical student, to be carried with him as a warrant for his reception into the medical colleges in which he may intend to pursue his studies. Resolved, That all the medical colleges in the United States be, and they are hereby recommended and requested to require such certificate of every student of medicine ap- plying for matriculation; and when publishing their annual lists of graduates to accom- pany the name of the graduate with the name and residence of his preceptor, the name of the latter being clearly and distinctly presented as certifying to the qualification of preliminary education. 6 The second resolution gave rise to an animated debate, in which several gentlemen participated, but was adopted by a large majority, Drs. Holland, Harris and voting in the negative. The 3rd resolution was adopted unanimously. The third article in the order of business being taken up, Dr. Buchanan offered the following resolutions. 1st.-Resolved, That we approve of the resolutions accompany- ing the report of the committee on the standard of requirements for the degree of M. D.,* which were adopted by the late National Med- ical Convention, and that we will do all in our power, honorably, to sustain the College or Colleges, which adopt and are governed by the same. 2nd.-Resolved, That we recommend to the consideration of all the Physicians of the State these resolutions, and hope they will approve and aid in carrying them out. The resolutions were unanimously adopted. The fourth article in the order of business was taken up. Dr. B. W. Avent offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted. Resolved, That we approve of the code of Medical ethics adopted by the National Medical Convention of Philadelphia in May last, *The following are the Resolutions referred to, adopted by the National Medical Con- vention: Resolved, 1st, That it be recommended to all the colleges to extend the period em- ployed in lecturing, from four td six months. 2n. That no student shall become a candidate for the degree of M. D., unless he shall have devoted three entire years to the study of medicine, including the time allotted to attendance upon the lectures. 3d. That the candidate shall have attended two full courses of lectures, that he shall be twentv-one years of age, and in all cases shall produce the certificate of his precep- tor, to prove when he commenced his studies. 4th. That the certificate of no preceptor shall be received who is avowedly and noto- riously an irregular practitioner, whether he shall possess the degree of iM. D. or not 5th. That the several branches of medical education already named in the body of this report, bo taught in all the colleges; and that the number of Professors be increased to seven. 6th. That it be required of candidates that they shall have steadily devoted three months to dissections. 7th. That it is incumbent upon preceptors to avail themselves of every opportunity to impart clinical instruction to their pupils; and upon Medical Colleges to require can- didates for graduation to show that they have attended upon Hospital practice for one session, whenever it can be accomplished, for the advancement of the same end, 8th. That it be suggested to the Faculties of the various Medical Institutions of the country to adopt some efficient means for ascertaining that their students are actually in attendance upon their lectures. 9th. That it is incumbent upon all schools and colleges granting Diplomas, fully to carry out the above requisitions. 10th. That it be considered the duty of Preceptors, to advise their students to attend only such institutions as shall rigidly adhere to the recommendations herein contained. 7 and that we be governed by the same, and recommend its adop- tion to all our Medical brethren of the State. The 5th article in the order of business was taken up. Dr. Ford offered the following resolution, which was unanimous- ly adopted. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to procure the passage of such laws, as shall carry out, in the State of Tennessee, the recommendations of the National Medical Convention on the subject of the registration of births, marriages and deaths. The President then appointed the following committee, Drs. Ford, Buchanan and Robertson. The sixth article in the order of business was taken up. The State Medical Society was then introduced to the Conven- tion, when a motion to adjourn suspended any action upon it. The motion to adjourn being withdrawn, Dr. Gordon moved that a com- mittee of three be appointed to report resolutions upon the subject of preparatory schools of Medicine, which was adopted. The Pre- sident then appointed Drs. Gordon, Cooper and Avent, said commit- tee. The Convention then adjourned to meet this evening at 7 o'clock, The Convention met according to adjournment. The following report of the Committee on preparatory schools for Medical instruc- tion was received, and adopted: Tuesday Evening, 7 o'clock. REPORT. Your committee, to whom was referred the subject of preparato- ry Medical Education, beg leave to submit the following as their re- port. Your committee are of opinion, that the instructions ordina- rily given to Medical Students, in the offices of practitioners, are not adequate to the wants of the pupils. They would therefore re- commend the adoption of the following resolutions: 1st.-Resolved, That this Convention recommends to practitioners of Medicine, who receive students into their offices, to devote strict attention to their instruction during the period of their pupilage. 2nd.-Resolved, That the course of instruction be full and com- prehensive, embracing the following studies:-Anatomy, General, Special and Pathological Surgery, Materia Medica, Practice of Med- icine, Midwifery, Chemistry and Physiology. 3rd.-Resolved, That this Convention recommends the propriety 8 of establishing primary Medical Schools, in which pupils may be prepared to enter Medical Colleges; unanimously adopted. The following resolution was then introduced by Dr. Mayfield. Resolved, That this Convention appoint a committee of three, to memorialise the legislature to amend the charter of the State Medi- cal Society, so as to give it the power of granting charters to coun- ty Medical Societies, which, after some discussion, was adopted. The President appointed Drs. R. Martin, Mayfield, and Winston, committee. Dr. Avent moved that the proceedings of the Convention be pub- lished in pamphlet form, and that the members pay each, one dol- lar, for that purpose. Adopted. Dr. Avent introduced the following resolution. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to superintend said publication, and that five hundred copies be published for circu- lation among the members of the profession in this State, and that a copy be sent to each of the Medical Colleges in the United States. Dr. Buchanan introduced the following resolution: Resolved, That the thanks of the Convention be presented to the President, Vice Presidents and Secretaries of this Convention, for the able and efficient manner in which they have discharged their duties. The Convention then adjourned sine die. JOHN SHELBY, Preset. J. W. Percy, } > Secr'ys. W. A. Cheatham, )