On motion of Dr. Wilder: Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to fence the Association from the market, and prevent disturbance of the order of proceedings. Doctors R. S. Newton, A. G. Springsteen, and A. J. Howe, were appointed such committee. Dr. S. B. Munn delivered a brief discourse on New Remedies. ESSAYS AND REPORTS. The President announced the next order of business to be the presentation of papers and reports, pursuant to Article VI. of the Constitution. The following were presented by title: Dr. J. R. Borland was next called, and read a spirited paper on The Contest in Pennsylvania. 66 Dr. S. B. Munn, from the Committee on Credentials, submitted the following report: "We, the Committee on Credentials, after due examination into the cases of Doctors George H. Field and J. M. Hole, of St. Louis, report that they are not entitled to representation as delegates to this Association." Dr. Filkins, of New York, raised the point of order that the adoption of this report would contravene the action of this Association at its last meeting, when the Missouri E. M. Association was decided to be the regular auxiliary society and would thus leave Missouri unrepresented. The President overruled the point of order, stating that the appointment of a man as delegate who had been expelled was an insult to the Association. The report of the committee was then adopted. MORE MEMBERS. The committee also reported the names of the following delegates, with the recommendation that they be elected permanent members: From the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association-C. B. White, W. S. Springsteen. From the Albany County (N. Y.) E. M. Society-John H. Con verse. From the Eclectic Medical Association of Pennsylvania-P. D. Flower, W. S. Flower. On motion of Dr. Scudder, of Ohio, the report was accepted and the candidates duly elected members. DR. FILKINS ACCUSED. Dr. A. J. Howe, of Ohio, called the attention of the Association to a circular headed: "Dr. Filkins Bros. Prescriptions!" and standing in his seat, preferred the following charge: CLEVELAND, O., June 18, 1879. "Addressed to the National Eclectic Medical Association: "In open convention, at the commencement of its session, I here and now prefer the specific charge against Morgan L. Filkins, a member of this Association, for issuing or causing to be issued, a printed circular, under the firmname of 'Drs. Filkins Bros., of Albany, N. Y.' "Said circular advertises Drs. Filkins Bros.' Prescription,' and embraces certificates of cures, pretentious and bombastic, and quite at variance with high professional conduct, and to the scandal of our organization. "I therefore challenge the said Filkins to prepare his defense at once, as immediate action will be taken upon this disgraceful cause. (Signed) "A. J. HOWE." The charge was referred to the Committee on Credentials. The committee immediately retired from the meeting of the Association. SPECIAL REPORTS AND PAPERS. Dr. S. B. Munn addressed the Association on State Legislation in Medicine, giving a particular account of its operations in Connecticut. The following papers were read by title: By R. A. Gunn, M. D.-On Hernia. By W. H. Hawley, M. D.-On Calculous Difficulties. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. Dr. Younkin, chairman of the Committee on Credentials. which had been referred the charge against Dr. Filkins, now made the following report: "We, the Committee on Credentials, upon examination of the charge against Morgan L. Filkins, M. D., by A. J. Howe, M. D., on the practice of advertising in a bold and bombastic manner, do find M. L. Filkins guilty of said charge, in the grossest manner, and in a way altogether unworthy of an honest, professional conduct, and in violation of the laws of this Association. (Signed) "E. YOUNKIN, M. D., "J. M. MULHOLAND, M. D., At the request of the accused the consideration of the report was deferred till the evening session. ESSAYS AND REPORTS. The reading of essays and reports was resumed. Dr. John W. Kermott, of Detroit, read a paper on Prevalent Diseases in Canada and Michigan. The Committee on Credentials reported favorably the names of Doctors James T. Kent and J. T. McClanahan, delegates from the "Eclectic Medical Society of Missouri," with a recommendation that they be elected permanent members. The report was confirmed without dissent and the candidates elected. Dr. R. E. Kunzé, of New York, read a paper on Stimulants which gave rise to a warm discussion. The Association then took a recess till eight o'clock. FIRST DAY-EVENING SESSION. The President, at the hour appointed, took the chair and called the meeting to order. MEMORIAL ON ADVERTISING. Dr. Anton presented the following memorial from the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association: "To the National Eclectic Medical Association : "The Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association, at its annual meeting in the city of Cleveland, held June 17th, 1879, adopted the following resolutions, asking the favorable consideration of the National Association to its prayer and memorial: "Resolved, that the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association respectfully petitions the National Eclectic Medical Association to enact a by-law in accordance with the spirit of a measure adopted by this association, to wit: It shall be the duty of each and every member to report to the Executive Committee the name of every person who advertises and falsely represents that he is a graduate of an Eclectic Medical College, or a member of any State or local Eclectic Medical Society, or of the National Eclectic Medical Association, with all the facts at his hand to sustain such statements as he may make; and the Executive Committee shall immediately proceed to publish the fact in some public journal, printed and circulated in the region where the person offending is so operating. (Signed) "J. T. MCLAUGHLIN, M. D., "Cleveland, Ohio, June 17th, 1879." "HENRY PARKER, M. D., "President. On motion of Dr. Wilder, the paper was referred to a select committee of three, with instructions to report on Thursday morning. Doctors Anton, H. B. Piper and Milbrey Green were appointed as such committee. DR. FILKINS. The President announced the special order, the consideration of the report of the Committee on Credentials in the matter of the charge against Dr. M. L. Filkins of unprofessional conduct. Dr. Filkins addressed the Association, denying the truth of the charge. He had published the circular in ignorance of the by-law of the Association prohibiting such publication. He was ready to prove his remedies genuine, his professional standing unblemished, his practice large and respectable, and his medicines and methods of cure no secret. Was it a crime to advertise, he would ask, where the benefits were inestimable? Dr. O. Davis, of New York, demanded whether he would erase the mention of the Association from his circular. Dr. Filkins replied in the affirmatine. Dr. Pitzer, of Missouri, considered the offense of Dr. Filkins as meriting immediate expulsion. Dr. R. S. Newton, of New York, considered it not proper to resort to summary action. The offense consisted in the publication of circulars; which having been done in ignorance of the bylaws, did not constitute an actual crime against the Association, Dr. Wilder remarked that the members were placed in a position of extreme delicacy. The by-law had been carefully prepared and considered. He would not bate a tittle of its stringency. The services of the accused to Reformed Medicine, as well as in the armies of the country, had been many and invaluable. He had held high public offices, and been an efficient champion against partisan medical legislation. There was the rule and they were to maintain it. The article stands for itself, and the man stands for himself. Dr. Younkin, of Missouri, pleaded that the accused was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability; that he was guilty and deserved the penalty. Dr. Mulholand, of Pennsylvania, denounced unprofessional advertising. Dr. Munn, of Connecticut, said that the Association was not figting men, but practices; and this advertising had no redeeming feature. Dr. Howe affirmed that he had brought the charge because he believed he was right in so doing. It was no pleasant duty, but one which he would always perform. Dr. O. Davis opposed the proposed action, declaring that they all advertised, and that this very meeting of the Association was an advertisement. Dr. Jay, of Illinois, stated the issue to be that there was a bylaw in the Constitution and they must live up to it. In such a case he would vote against his own brother. Dr. Scudder proposed that the accused have leave to withdraw from the Association. It was not the case of one man, but the absolute question of right and wrong-whether or no they would allow advertising of this character. Dr. Filkins appealed to the Association not to be carried away by prejudice or passion. A motion was made to lay the report on the table. The President put the question and declared it lost. A division was asked, and the majority again found to be in the negative, ayes, 22; noes, 23. The report was then adopted. |