History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 71

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

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1847 .- At the meeting for 1847, Dr. John W. Rich- ardson read the account of a case of obstruction in the in- testines.

1848 .- All we have seen for this year was an advertise- ment in the Nashville Whig, calling for a meeting of the Society to be held on the 3d of May.

1849 .- Nothing.

1850 .- Nothing whatever could be obtained.

1851 .- The twenty-second convocation of the Tennessee Medical Society took place in the Odd-Fellows' Hall, Mur- freesboro', April, 1851. Fifteen members were present. Dr. Buchanan presided and delivered the annual address, which was ordered published. Dr. Avent reported a case of fungus cerebri, to which was appended the notice of an- other, treated by Dr. J. W. Richardson. These were pub- lished in the first volume Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery. Dr. McCulloch, a case of rupture of the in- testines produced by a fall from a horse; also one of trau- matic tetanus. Dr. Croswaith, one of prolapsus vesica. Dr. Armstrong presented the museum a rare specimen of lumbrici from the liver of a dog. Dr. Lipscomb being absent, the secretary read his essay on scarlatina, followed by a discussion on the subject by Drs. Winston, Croswaith, Thompson, and Bashette. Dr. Young reported a case of rupture of the uterus, and Dr. Watson made some remarks regarding it. Dr. Knight, a case of acute mania, following an attack of bilious fever, which elicited comments from Drs. Bashette and Watson. Dr. Thompson, one of puerperal convulsions. Dr. W. A. Smith, one of stricture of the

bowels. Dr. Armstrong, one of indigestion, accompanied with extreme emaciation. A committee was appointed at this meeting to get the co-operation of the medical societies of East Tennessee and the Western District in petitioning the Legislature to require the recipe of all secret medicines registered before their sale, but which was not granted. Dr. Wendell moved that the code of ethics adopted by the American Medical Association, 1847, be substituted for the one heretofore governing this society. Unanimously passed. Dr. Bashette moved, and it was resolved, that the Tennes- see Medical Society regard with pleasure the recent efforts made to organize a medical school in this State, and also to establish a medical journal in connection with it; and, morever, that the museum of this society be transferred to the Medical Department of the University of Nashville. Dr. Watson was elected president for the next year.

1852 .- Murfreesboro', May 5, 1852, the society again convened in the Odd-Fellows' Hall. Present, fifteen mem- bers, and several others were subsequently added. The president, Dr. Watson, delivered the annual address, on the varieties of disease in the same species. Dr. Winston made some remarks on prolapsus uteri. Dr. Abernethy read a lengthy paper on tetanus. Dr. Avent gave the account of three cases of lithotomy and exhibited the cal- culi. Dr. Robinson reported a case of ovarian inflamma- tion. Dr. W. A. Smith, one of labor resulting in lacera- tion of the perineum. Dr. Park, one of retention of urine from stricture, requiring puncture of the bladder. Dr. Mayfield being absent, the secretary read his paper on mam- mary tumor. Dr. Lipscomb detailed the history of a case of trismus nascentium. Dr. Jones, a case of narcotism. Dr. Richardson, one of hour-glass contraction of the uterus. These ten communications may be found in the third vol- ume Nushville Journal Medicine and Surgery.

1853 .- The Tennessee Medical Society convened in the Medical College, May 4, 1853 ; Dr. Watson, the president, occupied the chair. Fourteen members answered to the roll-call ; fourteen were added during the day, and several others afterwards. Dr. F. Robertson was made the presi- dent and Dr. Haskins, of Clarksville, vice-president. Dr. Park submitted for inspection instruments of his own in- vention for the operation of fistula in ano. Dr. Ransom reported a case of paralysis accompanied by several remark- able phenomena. Dr. Watson read a paper for Dr. Smith Bowlin, of Bedford County, on Fallopian pregnancy. Dr. Knight reported a case of gun-shot wound of the leg re- sulting in the formation of an ancurism. Dr. Haskins, a partial report on the epidemics of Tennessee, and was con- tinued. Dr. Buchanan narrated the case of a penetrating wound of the chest, with protrusion of portion of the lung, which was discussed by Drs. Bowlin, Martin, Haskins, and D. W. Yandell. A prize was offered by this meeting of fifty dollars for the best original, practical, or experi- mental essay, and twenty-five for the next best. The pres- ident's address was on the retrospective, prospective, and perspective views of medicine. The complete catalogue of the membership of the society up to date (1853) was three hundred and seven.

1854 .- The meeting of 1854 was held in Nashville the 6th and 7th of April. The president. Dr. Robertson, called

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the meeting to order, and thirty-two members answered to their names. Not one of all the committes appointed or one nominated to report cases was prepared. Even the orator for the occasion was also absent. Dr. Haskins pre- sented the outlines of an analysis he was engaged in making of the Tennessee collection of urinary calculi, em- bracing one hundred and eighty specimens,-derived from Dr. Eve, one hundred and fifteen ; Buchanan, fifteen ; Es- till, of Winchester, twelve; D. W. Yandell, ten ; Overton, seven; Avent, five; Jones, of Springfield, three; Briggs, three; House, of Clarksville, three ; Debow, of Hartsville, two; Porter, two; Robertson, one; Ford, one; Martin, one; Irwin, one; and Evans, of Shelbyville, one,-which was ordered published. Dr. Eve made a statement of his contributions to the history of surgery in Tennessee, which was ordered published with the proceedings. Dr. Richard- son read the notes of an interesting case of tumor in the anterior mediastinum, which proved fatal. The society was informed that their memorial to the Legislature in refer- ence to the registration of marriages, births, and deaths had again miscarried. Dr. Bowlin, editor of the Nash- ville Journal of Medicine and Surgery, offered to publish the transactions of the society free of expense.

1855 .- The society met in the Firemen's Hall, Nash- ville, 10th April, 1855, when the venerable president, Dr. Robertson, occupied the chair, and delivered an address, on the " Pioncer Physicians of this City," of the deepest in- terest to the profession of Tennessee, and which was or- dered published. Dr. Haskins was elected president. Dr. Lipscomb, unavoidably detained, sent a paper on " False Conception or Mole." Dr. Eve reported a case of " Liga- ture to the Brachial Artery for Varicosed Aneurism," which terminated fatally. Dr. Maddin, a case of " Typhoid Fever." Dr. Briggs presented the specimen with the ac- count of a case of " Diastasis in the Femur of a Patient Fourteen Years Old," which produced such injury to the popliteal artery that mortification ensued, and amputation was performed. But for the examination of the amputated limb, the gangrene would have been attributed to tight bandag- ing. These communications were ordered published. Dr. R. Thompson read a paper on his peculiar views of " Treat- ing Fever." Dr. Conwell reported a case of tape-worm, in which were to be seen an immense number of smaller ones, resembling somewhat the silk-worm. Dr. Manlove was made orator for the next meeting.

1856 .- April 1, 1856, the Medical Society assembled in the Firemen's Hall, Nashville, and, in the absence of the president, the vice- president took the chair. About thirty members were present, and others added during the meet- ing. Dr. Lindsley proposed that the society invite the American Medical Association to hold its next meeting in our city, which was unanimously adopted. Dr. C. K. Winston read a paper on " The Value of Veratrum Viride." Dr. Eve submitted a communication entitled "The His- tory of the Ligature to the Brachio-Cephalic Artery." Dr. Ford, one on " Unusual Lactation." Dr. J. D. Win- ston, a case of " Spina-Ventosa." Dr. Maddin, an essay on " Dysentery-its Pathology and Therapeutics." These communications may be found in the tenth and eleventh volumes of the Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery,

to which was added a paper from Dr. R. Thompson entitled " A Chapter of Accidents." Dr. Winston's address was also ordered published. The transactions of the year make a pamphlet of sixty-three pages.

1857 .- The twenty-eighth meeting of the Tennessee Medical Society convened in the Mechanics' Institute, Nashville, 7th April, 1857, and continued in session three days. Dr. Haskins was in the chair; about forty mem- bers were in attendance, and Dr. Ford was elected presi- dent. Dr. Haskins, the retiring president, read an excel- lent paper on " Therapeutic Cultivation-its Errors and Reformation." Dr. Watson presented his report on " Ob- stetric Surgery of Tennessee." Dr. Manlove reported a case of intussusception of a portion of the colon, and pre- sented the specimen. Dr. C. K. Winston, a case of mixed measles and hemorrhage. Dr. Eve presented the statistics of forty-six cases of urinary calculi. Dr. Avent, a case of successful removal of one-half of the inferior maxilla with one of its articular surfaces. Dr. W. P. Moore read a paper on "The Influence of the Mother's Mind on the Foetus in Utero." Dr. Buchanan, that of the " Removal of a large Tumor from the Thigh, Resulting in Death, in Connection with the use of Chloroform." The society, computing its actual membership at two hundred and fifty of the three hundred and twenty-one names on the roll, nominated twenty-five delegates to the American Medical Association, to assemble next year in this city.

1858 .- The president, Dr. Ford, being ill, and the vice- president, Dr. Avent, absent, Dr. Richardson called the meeting to order, April, 1858, in the city of Nashville. Nineteen members were present, and Dr. Manlove was made president. Dr. Winston read an interesting paper on '" The Treatment of Traumatic Tetanus." Dr. Moore, an article on " Obstetric Medicine." Dr. Woodson, one on " The Cerebro-Spinal Centres Characterized by Constant Hiccup followed by Death." Dr. Eve, " The Treatment of a Case of Traumatic Tetanus ;" also one in which three teeth wero swallowed on a gold plate; also a case of lipoma on a finger and one of anterior dislocation of the head of humerus, yet the patient could place his elbow on the sternum and the hand of the dislocated side on the same shoulder. Dr. Buchanan thought that the coracoid process was fractured in this latter case. Dr. Maddin read a paper on the action of chloroform, and examined the question, How does it cause death ? Dr. Buchanan reported an interesting case of caries of the os calcis, produced by the puncture of a nail, in which, having scooped out the diseased structure, new bone was deposited, and the functions of the foot preserved. Dr. W. P. Jones, the orator for the occasion, delivered an address on the virtues and vices of the profession.

1859 .- The thirtieth anniversary of the society was celebrated in Dr. Wright's office, April 5, 1859, in Nash- ville. As both president and vice-president were absent, Dr. Buchanan was called to the chair. Dr. C. K. Winston was elected president. Dr. Wright stated verbally the par- ticulars of a case in which two foetuses were expelled, each having its own membrane and placenta, after ten or fifteen days from discharge of waters. Dr. Buchanan exhibited a remarkable specimen of exostosis, anchylosis, etc. Dr. Manlove reported a case of monstrosity. Dr. C. K. Win-

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ston read a paper on the use of Veratrum viride in inflam- matory diseases. Dr. Buchanan was appointed to write the history of the Tennessee Medical Society, and submit it to the next annual meeting.

1860 .- The thirty-first annual meeting of the Tennessee Medical Society was held in Firemen's Hall, Nashville, April, 1860, the president, Dr. C. K. Winston, in the chair. Only eleven members were present, and three united during the day. Reports were called for, but no one answered. A committee, appointed for the third time, on the subject of registration, reported that after waiting two months on the Legislature, Dr. Peters had the bill acted upon in the Sen- ate, but in the House, notwithstanding all the special efforts there made, not a member, " it is believed, ever read the bill, or gave it a moment's consideration ; not a voice was raised in its advocacy, except to vote in the affirmative, nor a voice against it, except to vote negatively." Dr. Newman reported a case of typho-enteritis, which was published. Dr. Shelby's death was announced to the meeting, and reso- lutions were passed deploring his loss to the profession and society.

1861 .- Murfreesboro', April 2, 1861. The State Medi- cal Society met here in the Masonic Hall; present eleven members, but neither president nor vice-president. Dr. Ransom was called to the chair; six new members were then admitted, and others at a later period. Dr. Avent was made president, and Dr. Nichol vice-president. Dr. W. T. Richardson reported a case of phlegmasia dolens, which was followed by an interesting and protracted discus- sion. After the usual arrangements for the next meeting, to be held in Clarksville, the society adjourned; but at the time appointed that place was inaccessible to its members because of the strife between the States.

1866 .- The first meeting of the Tennessee Medical So- ciety held after the war couvened the 20th of April, 1866, in the Episcopal reading-room of the city of Nashville. There had been, of course, no sessions in 1862, '63, '64, and '65, and this was, therefore, its thirty-third regular meeting. In the absence of Dr. Avent, the late elected president, the vice-president, Dr. Nichol, took the chair. Seven members alone answered the roll-call, and four others were admitted. But little business was transacted, and after the appointment of several committees preparatory to the next one, the meeting adjourned. Dr. Robert Martin had been elected president, and Dr. Nichol re-elected vice-presi- dent.

1867 .- The thirty-fourth anniversary was held in the rooms of the Board of Health, Nashville, April 10, 1867, the president, Dr. Martin, in the chair. The secretary, Dr. Hatcher, having died, Dr. Plunkett was requested to act pro tem. Twenty-four old members registered, and twenty-two were added during the meeting. The presi- dent delivered the annual address on the advantages of social and professional relations, replete with practical and fraternal advice. Dr. Lipscomb, of Shelbyville, was elected president, Dr. Menees vice-president, Dr. Du Pre cor- responding secretary, and Dr. Plunkett recording secre- tary and treasurer. Dr. Bowlin stated that he had represented the society at the meetings of the American Medical Association held during the recent unfortunate

political strife, under the impression that he was qualified to do so by appointment of its president. Dr. Atchicson reported that he had a case under treatment in which the patient had passed one hundred and twenty-five gall-stones, and a large amount of what resembled sand. Dr. Thomp- son related the instance of a girl having a finger completely separated, which on being replaced adhered perfectly. Dr. Eve reported the details of seven successful operations for stone in the bladder performed in three consecutive days.

1868 .- April 7, 1868, the thirty-fifth anniversary of the State Medical Society convened in the hall of the City Medical Society in Nashville this day, Dr. Lipscomb, its president, in the chair, when twenty-six members answered the roll-call. Dr. Buist, as chairman of a committee once again, and for the fourth time, appointed to get the Legis- lature to have registered marriages, births, and deaths, reported that that body had refused to pass the law. Reading essays being in order, Dr. Jos. Jones reported a paper on the " Use of the Thermometer in Diseases." Dr. T. L. Maddin reported two remarkable cases of traumatic ancurism. Dr. Eve, by request of the president, after others had declined, read a paper on "Injuries of the Spine," detailing three cases met with during the war. Dr. Lipscomb, the retiring president, delivered the annual ad- dress, which was referred to a committee. Dr. Bowlin submitted to the inspection of members memoirs of Dr. Benjamin Rush, his autograph tickets and diplomas of 1799. Dr. John D. Winston was made president, and Dr. Grant, of Pulaski, vice president. No reports were received from the regularly appointed essayists on the in- vasion of Tennessee by cholera in 1866, diphtheria, typho- malarial fever, treatment of hemorrhoids, dysmenorrhoea and sterility, trichiniasis, results and advantages of exsection of bones, history of epidemics in Nashville, epidemics of East Tennessee, native medical plants of East Tennessee, and rheumatism.

1869 .- Senate Chamber, Capitol, April 6, 1869. The thirty-sixth meeting of the State Medical Society convened this day, the vice-president, Dr. Grant, in the chair. Dr. J. D. Winston, the president, stated that from feeble health during the past winter he had been unable to prepare an address, but promised to write one out on the harmony and more intimate intercourse of the fraternity. The committee on Dr. Lipscomb's address of last year reported the four points it contained-viz., that on the subject, " A Glance at Some of Our Duties," were first to discourage intermarriage with blood relations; 2d, the riddance of quackery by law, making it criminal to practice medicine without proper qualification ; 3d, the dissemination through our literary schools of a knowledge of anatomy and physiology ; and, lastly, the establishment of an examining board, independ- ent of teachers, to grant license to practice,-each and all of them worthy of profound consideration. Dr. Grant was elected president, and Drs. S. P. Crawford, W. L. Nichol, and Frank Ramsey vice-presidents, one for each division of the State. Dr. Searcy read a paper on the question, " Can Scarlet Fever be Prevented ?" proposing to do this by a strong solution of nitrate of silver to the fauces, mild laxatives, and proper diet. The thanks of the society were voted to the author. Dr. T. L. Maddin read an able

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paper on diphtheria, its history, pathology, and treatment. Dr. Eve read an exhaustive article on gun-shot wounds of the cranium, in which the vulnific agent lodged in the brain. Dr. Lipscomb moved that the thanks of the society be returned to Dr. Eve for both this and his paper read last year on gun-shot wounds of the spinal cord. Dr. R. Thompson presented a communication on the use of medi- cated elm-bark, both as pessaries and bougies. Resolutions were passed deploring the loss by death of Dr. E. B. Has- kins, of Clarksville, as a member of distinguished worth, and offering our deepest sympathy to his family.

1870 .- Federal court-room, Capitol, Nashville, April 5, 1870. The Tennessee Medical Society here assembled, and in the absence of the president, Dr. Grant, Dr. Nichol, the vice-president, took the chair. Twenty-eight members an- swered to their names and several others united. Dr. Man- love was elected president and Dr. Fowler, of Columbia, vice-president. Dr. Abernethy, of Pulaski, read an inter- csting paper detailing the particulars of two cases of vica- rious lactation by the bowels and uterus. On this subject Drs. Winston, T. L. Maddin, and Briggs had an animated discussion. A paper from Dr. Eve, then in St. Louis, on the life of Dupuytren, was read by the president. Dr. R. S. Anderson read an interesting communication on the dif- ferential diagnosis between paralysis and progressive loco- motor ataxy. Dr. R. Thompson, one on the powers of recuperation. Dr. T. L. Maddin presented a specimen of a tape-worm, with its history and successful treatment.

1871 .- Episcopal Chapel, Pulaski, April 4, 1871. The thirty-eighth annual meeting of the State Medical Society convened this day. Vice-President Fowler took the chair, as the president, Dr. Manlove, had been removed by death. Eleven members answered the first call of the roll, although more than double that number were subsequently present at the sessions. Dr. Eve was elected president and Dr. William Batte, of Pulaski, vice-president. Dr. Davenport read a paper on cerebro-spinal meningitis, and Drs. Fowler and Wilks commented on it. Dr. J. B. Lindsley was ap- pointed to write the history of the society, since Dr. Man- love, previously appointed, had died. Dr. Abernethy read . an interesting paper advocating the use of the lancet, as did also Dr. R. G. P. White. Dr. Eve presented a case of amputation at the hip-joint, complicated by complete anchylosis. Drs. Abernethy and Roberts introduced several patients presenting great interest in a surgical point. A resolution was passed recommending that in future the profession would patronize those druggists and apothecaries who confine themselves strictly to their own legitimate bus- iness, and who refrain from prescribing for patients; and yet how many ignorant of anatomy, physiology, and pathol- ogy daily recommend as well as sell physic to the sick ! But the time is coming, the alarm is already sounded in the East, that all prescribers, whether legitimate or not, can, by the common law, be held responsible for the promises made in their advertisements.

And now, gentlemen, what think you of this hasty and imperfect glance at the transactions of the Tennessee Medi- cal Society ? What of its numerous and valuable contri- butions to medical science; of the clucidations in medicine made by its five hundred members; and what of its many

martyrs who have fallen gallantly battling with disease and death, standing in many instances almost alone between the living and dying ? Did I then over-estimate the com- pliment when unexpectedly called by the unanimous vote on the first ballot at Pulaski to this high office, by declar- ing it to be one of the greatest compliments ever paid me ? All that I could ever expect has been generously bestowed, and it would be the basest ingratitude not to acknowledge on all suitable occasions my indebtedness to my professional brethren. To the profession I owe everything, and am with you to serve its interest to the end of life.

Here ends the outline history of the Tennessee Medical Society by Dr. Paul F. Eve, bringing it down to 1872. We compile from the medical journals a continuation of the sketch to the present time (1880).

1872 .- This year the society held its thirty-ninth an- nual meeting in the Senate-chamber of the Capitol, at Nash- ville, beginning on the second day of April, at eleven o'clock A.M .; President Paul F. Eve, M.D., in the chair, who de- livered the annual address, epitomizing the history of the society from its organization, in 1830, to 1871. Dr. S. S. Mayfield was elected president, as given above, for the ensuing year; vice-presidents, East Tennessee, Dr. P. D. Sims; Middle Tennessee, Dr. B. F. Evans; West Tennes- sec, Dr. B. W. Avent. A committee of nine, three in each grand division of the State, was appointed for the pur- pose of forming and encouraging local societies. The at- tendance was large, and many valuable papers were read and discussed.

1873 .- The fortieth annual session of the Tennessee Medical Society was held in the Senate-chamber, at Nash- ville, April 1, 1873. The president, Dr. S. S. Mayfield, delivered the annual address, and officers were elected for the ensuing year, as follows: Dr. C. C. Abernethy, presi- dent ; vice-presidents, Drs. Woodson, of Gallatin ; Wright, of Chattanooga; and Pearce, of Union City, for their respective divisions of the State. Dr. G. W. Currey, of Nashville, was elected corresponding secretary, Dr. J. D. Plunkett recording secretary and treasurer.

1874 .- The forty-first annual session of the Tennessee Medical Society was held at James' Hall, Chattanooga, April 7, 1874. The president, C. C. Abernethy, of Pu- laski, being absent, ex-President Thomas Lipscomb was called to the chair. The officers elected for the ensuing year were: Dr. J. B. Murfree, Murfreesboro', President; Dr. S. Y. Green, Chattanooga, Vice-President for the Eastern Division of Tennessee ; Dr. P. T. Evans, Union City, Vice- President for the Western Division of the State; and Dr. T. B. Buchanan, Nashville, Vice-President for the Middle Division of the State; Dr. G. W. Currey, Nashville, Cor- responding Secretary. The president, Dr. J. B. Murfree, read the annual address of Dr. Abernethy on the second day of the session. The following delegates to the Ameri- can Medical Association were appointed : Drs. R. N. Burr, L. Y. Green, E. M. Wight, J. H. Van Deman, Chatta- nooga ; W. T. Briggs, T. B. Buchanan, Paul F. Eve, J. D. Plunket, Nashville ; R. F. Evans, S. M. Thomson, Shelbyville ; J. W. Duncan, Philadelphia ; B. B. Lenoir, Lenoir; J. J. Abernethy, Decherd; D. A. Slack, Spring Hill.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 71

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013