In fact so many of these names are connected with the best interests of the State in their day, emphatically "historic" names, that I can with reluctance desist from taxing you with a full recital and would suggest the propriety of placing the entire list in the hands of the publication committee to be reproduced on the printed page of our Transactions.

I would that I had the time to go into a full detailed review of the records of the first twenty years, which are now in my possession, and which are well worthy of publication in full. However, I shall ask your permission, gentlemen of the society, to place this historic volume in the State Library at Nashville, in the capitol, with the understanding, which I have secured from the present librarian, that a proper case shall be procured for the preservation of so valuable a historical relic.

The following members constituted a committee to report a code of by-laws, which include a "code of ethics," and which were adopted at this organic meeting: Drs. Alex. McKinney, of East Tennessee; Boyd McNairy, Wallace Estill, F. Stith and John B. Hayes, of Middle, and James Young, of West Tennessee.

From the by-laws I quote the following:

66

Resolved, That it is the deliberate opinion of this society that ardent spirits are rarely useful as a medicine, and that the habitual use is productive of the most lamentable consequences to the human frame, such as derangements of the vital organs, causing a short and miserable existence, and still more miserable death, and, therefore, be it resolved, that this society urgently recommend to their fellow-citizens a total abstinence from ardent spirits, except in cases prescribed by physicians."

The second article of the code of ethics is also along the same lines, and reads: "The strict observance of temperance cannot be too strongly inculcated in the minds of practitioners of medicine and surgery, a clear and vigorous intellect and steady hand being absolutely necessary to the successful practice of these branches of medical science."

In looking through these minutes, written by the hands of men long since still, some of whom I distinctly remember to have seen in the flesh in my boyhood days, I find that fines were assessed on various members in sums varying from 1 to

2 and 5 and even $20, for failing to deliver addresses, or submit essays on subjects assigned, or to make reports on special matters, the society being empowered to "collect said fines by law" under the charter of incorporation. The uniform assessment of one dollar each session for the ordinary expenses seems to have prevailed throughout a number of years, which was later raised to two dollars per annum. While the minutes of the meetings were published in pamphlet form, as I find from bills audited, except on special occasions the papers, essays and clinical reports were left to the disposal of the writers to publish in some medical periodical; in certain instances of more than ordinary note, a special publication is mentioned with the request of the society as indicated by a vote of the members. These papers will be found in the periodical literature of that day and time. This course having been followed, according to my recollection, until the early part of the 70's; and the Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery is rich in the contributions from this source during the entire time from its first number so long as its fortunes and destiny were controlled by the "Sage of Swallow Barn," he being a most active and devoted member of the society from the day he came from our sister commonwealth and became a citizen of this State, until he entered peacefully into that rest so well earned by a true and faithful follower of his grand exemplars St. Luke and St. Paul. Like the "beloved physician" he was not only most faithful to his trust as a physician, but also zealous as a rigidly correct, conscientious and critical reporter.

At the meeting in 1831, the society accepted an invitation from Governor Carroll to visit the State penitentiary, then our most prominent public building, and quite new, which has entertained quite a number of visitors from all parts of the State in subsequent years, the society meeting at the court house at 3 P. M., and proceeding there in procession.

At this meeting also, the sum of $50 was offered for the best essay to be delivered at the succeeding meeting. At this meeting a committee was appointed to design a medal; and while their labors were not effectual in a strict sense, we have resulting therefrom, the seal of the society adopted in 1841, ten years later; and which I had the good fortune and pleas

ure of rescuing from a mass of refuse in an old printing office, aye, from the “hell box," in the vernacular of the "printer's devil," the year I became a member of the society, 1875; and it has adorned the title page of our Transactions every year since.

In 1832, a committee was appointed to draft a memorial asking the Legislature to repeal the existing statutes "in regard to exhumation." This met with the fate of similar action of subsequent days, by reason of a want of thorough organization of the profession throughout the State. Need I ask you to bear this in mind?

At this meeting Girard Troost was appointed orator for the succeeding year, and Dr. David McIntosh, of Knoxville, Dr. F. Stith, of Franklin, and Dr. Alex. Jackson, of Paris, to read essays on the medical topography and diseases of their respective districts.

Deeply interesting to, and revered as these "minutes" by me, I feel that I must not take up too much of your time in reference thereto; and will briefly mention a few striking facts among the occurrences of these two decades. Aye, time admonishes me that I must pass on with but a cursory glance at this "holy ground!" An orator for each meeting, and essays on diseases and medical topography of districts, counties and localities were an important feature of these earlier days, Dr. James Overton receiving a special vote of thanks for his oration on "Spontaneous Combustion" in 1835.

Our present system of having members present at any meeting registering in person and in their own handwriting having been established at the first meeting was faithfully carried out through all these twenty years. The essay of Dr. Stith on cholera, at the session of 1838, is thus mentioned after the statement that it was ordered published with the proceedings: "The very peculiar notions expressed by the author in the above essay gave rise to some animated discussion among the members." Yes, Doctors differed in that day, as well as in ours.

In 1839, I find the following adopted as a schedule of "Fines:" For failure to deliver oration, $25; for failure to read topographical report, $10; failing to report a case when appointed, $2; and for failing to attend meeting, $5.

Although vaccination was introduced into America by Waterhouse in 1800, and was extended throughout the Southern States by the aid of President Jefferson, we find that in 1838 Dr. Sylvanus Fansher, of Saulsbury, Conn., sending some vaccine virus from the vaccine institution at that place, gave rise to the following resolution offered by Dr. Stith: "Resolved, that the President distribute the vaccine matter to some individual in Nashville, Franklin, Clarksville, Columbia and Murfreesboro, from these points to be again distributed by the receiver." A vote of thanks was tendered Dr. Fansher at the meeting held the following year.

A prize for the best essay on some medical subject was again offered in 1839, and four essays were submitted in 1841, the prize being awarded to Dr. Lunsford P. Yandell, of Louisville Ky.

In 1843 Dr. Esselman reported a case of Tracheotomy with Recovery, and a Successful Extirpation of the Uterus for Chronic Inversion. How well I remember the unpleasant notoriety that stuck to this earnest student and able surgeon of his day as "one who cut open women! Yes, and took their insides out!" Little did I think in my earlier days, that our language and the very dictionaries thereof would have to submit to "expansion" at the hands of the numerous abdominal surgeons of today.

In 1843 an assessment of $2 was made on the members to "establish a museum of pathological anatomy in Nashville," the members being invited to present specimens. It is almost needless to say that this resolution was offered by Dr. A. H. Buchanan, the President.

The Legislature was also memoralized in the interest of the study of anatomy, to repeal or modify the laws making the "taking of a dead body a felony." In 1844, about one dozen pathological specimens were presented to the museum by various members, and the assessment was rescinded, the surplus in the treasury to be thereafter devoted to this museum; other specimens being presented at succeeding meetings. A committee of twelve were appointed to attend the experiments in animal magnetism by Dr. Stith, and make report. The oration this year was delivered at the First Presbyterian

Church, by Dr. Robards, of Columbia, to which the public was invited, his subject being "The Importance of the Government Authorities Bestowing More Protection and Encouragement to Medical Science."

At the meeting in 1845, Dr. J. E. Manlove, of Davidson County, reported a "Case of Gastrotomy" which was resorted to for the relief of obstruction in the bowels, terminating in artificial anus, which eventually healed without a surgical operation, the patient being present for examination by the members of the society; Dr. Richardson offering a resolution which was adopted, "that the report be presented to the editor of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal for publication."

At this meeting, Dr. Josiah Stout reported that the committee appointed last year had not had sufficient opportunities to witness the experiments in Mesmerism, and would be unable to make a satisfactory report, and asked for further time, which was granted.

At a called meeting, held April 4th, 1846, the following committee were appointed delegates to a National Convention to be held in New York on the first Tuesday in May following, which convention was the organic meeting of the American Medical Association. The committee was Drs. Robert Martin, W. A. Cheatham, B. W. Avent, J. B. Hayes and G. A. J. Mayfield, of Middle; Wyatt Christian, H. R. Robards and Jackson, of West; and Pride, Ramsey, Cooke and Deaderick, of East Tennessee; also it was resolved and adopted "that any member who might be present at the convention should be authorized to represent the society."

At the regular meeting held one month later, the prize essay committee awarded the prize to Dr. W. L. Sutton, of Georgetown, Ky., and it was requested that it be published in the Louisville Medical Journal.

At a called meeting held March 25th, 1847, Dr. A. H. Buchanan, Josiah W. Stout, B. W. Avent, P. Martin, John B. Hayes and A. W. Nelson were appointed as delegates to the American Medical Association.

At the meeting in 1850, Dr. J. W. Richardson, the President, made a report showing the Value of Nitrate of Silver