that a vote of thanks be extended to Dr. Lemon for his highly scientific and comprehensive summary, Dr. Walter L. Bierring moved that a rising vote of thanks be extended to Dr. Lemon for his interesting and instructive address. Motion seconded. Carried by rising vote and applause. Dr. Bierring: "I know you are in a hurry to finish this program, but I think we should pause to pay tribute to the Nestor of the profession in Iowa. Dr. Field of Des Moines, who is still young with his ninety years, was giving the profession scientific thoughts and using the microscope in Medicine long before most of us were born. I suggest that Dr. Field be brought to the platform so that we may have opportunity to see the oldest living practitioner of Iowa." Dr. Field was escorted to the platform and received an ovation, the members rising in a body to extend their greetings. He remained until the session closed, evincing keen interest in the program and discussions. Dr. Coral R. Armentrout, Keokuk, read a paper on "Ectopic Gestation as a Vital Subject to the Patient and to the Practitioner." Discussed by Drs. H. W. Barbour, Mason City; E. C. Junger, Soldier; B. D. Atchley, Shelby, and by the essayist, in closing the discussion. At this point the President, who had been in attendance at the meeting of the House of Delegates, entered the room, and was called by Vice-President Howard to take his place as presiding officer. Dr. Paul E. Gardner presented report of committee on the President's Address, as follows: REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS "We congratulate the Society upon the able and timely address of our worthy President, on this our seventieth annual session. "We especially commend the manner in which the address deals with the relations of the general practitioner to the city specialist and the recommendation for the establishment of the smaller community hospitals. "We give hearty endorsement to the resolutions submitted at the close of the address by Dr. Rohlf of Bremer County as representing the true spirit of all progressive members of our profession. Respectfully submitted, Paul E. Gardner, Chairman, Committee." Upon motion, the report of the committee was adopted. Report of the Transactions of the House of Delegates was then presented by the Secretary. Upon motion, unanimously carried, the report was adopted. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES The first meeting was held May 11, and was called to order by President Macrae at 3:30 p. m. Response to roll call included thirteen officers and fifty-three delegates. The reports from the Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, and the Medico-legal, Public Policy and Legislation, and the Eugenics Committees were presented, and the usual disposition of them made. At this meeting a motion requesting County Medical Societies to consider the question of securing cadavers for use in the Anatomical Department of the State University and notifying the members of the legality of sending to the State University Medical School certain unclaimed dead, was favorably acted upon. The second meeting, Thursday morning, convened at 8:15 with a total of forty-eight present-thirteen officers and thirty-five delegates. Reports from the Council, Committees on Constitution and By-laws, Health and Public Instruction and Publication were given, and the usual disposition of them made. At this meeting, the Publication Committee and the Board of Trustees were empowered to increase the size of the Journal to meet the needs of the Society. The third meeting, Friday morning, was called to order at 8:10, in the absence of President Macrae, by H. C. Eschbach, who had been chosen president pro tem. Eleven officers and forty-one delegates responded to the roll call. President Macrae then took the chair. The minutes of the first and second meetings were read and approved. The report of the Nominating Committee being the first order of business, the report was given by Dr. J. F. Herrick, Chairman of the Committee, following which officers and committee members were elected for the ensuing year. (See election of officers, Transactions House of Delegates, page ...) Des Moines was named as the meeting place for the next annual session-the seventy-first-and the date to be May 10, 11, 12, 1922. Total registration, 671. The Resolution which was presented to, and unanimously acted upon at the General Session, Thursday evening, May 12, was favorably acted upon by the House of Delegates Friday morning. A Resolution from the American Legion requesting that the "Poppy of Flanders Field" be made the memorial flower to be worn on Memorial Day, was presented and adopted. The retiring President said: "Gentlemen, I take great pleasure in introducing to you, although it is hardly necessary, our esteemed friend, Dr. Alanson M. Pond, Dubuque, Iowa, the President-elect." President Pond: "Members of the Iowa State Medical Society, ladies and gentlemen: There are moments in one's life when words seem so hollow, so useless; there are times when the sentiments that we feel and that call for expression seem too big for language. I think the essence of the whole situation, so far as any man who is elected president of the Iowa State Medical Society is concerned, can be very concretely expressed in the statement that it is nice to have friends. I am very glad indeed to have been able to follow such an illustrious predecessor as my friend Donald Macrae. It shall be my endeavor to carry on, in every possible manner, the plan that he outlined to us last night. I know, by the support you have always given your presiding officer, just what to expect from you as members. "I cannot say what I want to say-I do not know how to say it-I haven't words to say it; you must take my intent for the deed." It was moved by Dr. W. A. Rohlf that a vote of thanks be extended to the members of the profession of Des Moines and to the Polk County Medical Society for the great work that they have done in putting this meeting across, and also to the management of Hotel Fort Des Moines for the many courtesies extended. Motion seconded. Dr. Charles Ryan moved as an amendment to the motion that the captain of the team of workers, Dr. Tom B. Throckmorton, be especially cited. The amendment was accepted by Dr. Rohlf. The motion as amended was unanimously carried. The President announced that at some future time he would make recommendations for the membership of the committee to consider the resolutions adopted by the House of Delegates, stating, however, that it was his intention to appoint on the committee Dr. Donald Macrae. The Society adjourned, to meet in 1922 at Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa. To the Members of the House of Delegates of the Iowa State Medical Society: The following report for the year 1920-1921 is respectfully submitted: In bringing before the House of Delegates, this, my fifth annual report, I am peculiarly conscious of the fact that the work of the Secretary's office during the past year could not have been accomplished without the united support of the officers and members of this Society. Like the proverbial wine that improves with age, so has the work of the state organization improved, moving more smoothly and harmoniously as the years come and go, until, in the retrospect, it seems as if not even a riffle has appeared upon the surface of tranquility to indicate anything but a propitious and favorable year has just elapsed in the history of the Iowa State Medical Society. With the world still attempting to adjust itself from the effects of the past war, with Bolshevism still lurking in our midst, with social and civil discontentment all around us, nevertheless, with all these and still other added difficulties too numerous to mention, the medical profession of this state has valiantly pushed forward and onward with the one goal ever in mind, "Service to Suffering Humanity." As a profession we have just reason to feel proud of our accomplishments which have been possible only through such an organization as the one which you now represent as its legislative body: an organization made possible only by the whole-hearted support which has been accorded to me, as Secretary, and to the other officers, to all of whom has been entrusted the welfare and safe-keeping of this splendid Society. There is but little more to add to this report for, from every point of view, it seems as if the year just closed has been the best of any yet enjoyed by this organization. The membership of the Society compares very favorable with that of former years. In 1917, there was a total of 2,253 members; in 1918, 2,185 members; in 1919, 2,205 members; and the past year 2,340 members. As far as I am able to determine, the enrollment of the past year is the largest ever enjoyed in the history of organized medicine in Iowa. To date, dues have been received from 2,160 members, thus showing a substantial increase in membership for the corresponding period of time last year, and indicating, in all probability, a record breaking enrollment for the year 1920-1921. In closing allow me to express my thanks of appreciation to the Secretaries of various Component County Medical Societies for the almost universal co-operation on their part in helping this office to keep intact the membership of this Society; and for the help and support accorded me by the Council and Trustees, I am deeply grateful. Other matters in which the office of Secretary has been active, are reported to the House of Delegates from other sources. In the absence of the Treasurer, the Report of the Board of Trustees was called. Dr. J. W. Cokenower, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, read the annual report as follows: REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES The splendid report of the Secretary and Treasurer are self explanatory and show our Society's finances in good condition. Many of the State Societies have been compelled to increase their annual dues in order to make ends meet, but the Iowa State Medical Society has not found such action necessary. Although during the war, and now, the printing of our Journal and other printed matter necessary for the offices of our Society cost about double pre-war prices, the last fiscal year ending April 30, 1921, our I total income including approximately accrued interest on bonds was $19,892.65 and our total expenses were $14,273.10 which makes a net gain for the year of $5,619.55. The main factors which have contributed to this good report are our efficient and worthy Editor, our Secretary and Business Manager through advertisements, and our reliable Treasurer; and also our Defense Committee assisted materially in rendering valuable service in lessening the cost and number of mal-practice and damage suits. J. W. Cokenower, Chrm., T. E. Powers, Iowa State Medical Society. Gentlemen: In presenting the report on the financial condition of the Society for this year I wish to congratulate you on the commendable cconomy which has been observed in the administration of its business which is reflected more eloquently by the item showing the balance on hand, $32,225.44, than by any other comment which I can make. The medico-legal expense continues low in proportion to the amount and character of the work performed. The receipts from advertising have been particularly gratifying. When I received the Treasurer's books of the Society six years ago, its assets were about $2,500. They doubled the first year making a balance of approximately $5,000 and since then have increased consistently during the past five years at the rate of approximately $5,400 per year. I was always inclined to the view that the finances of the Society should be upon a substantial basis which to my mind was represented by a sum of $25,000 or better. The assets of the Society are now safely above $30,000. If the receipts and expenditures continue at the same ratio that they have for the past five years, which seems a reasonable assumption, it would be safe to reduce the state dues $2 per year per capita. If continued at the same amount it will create a fund which might be used to enlarge the Journal or for any other purpose which the Society cares to sanction. Balance Sheet Balance on hand 1920........ Total receipts to Apr. 30, 1921 Expended as per orders herewith attached................. Expended per Order No. 1024 issued during previous year (February 24, 1920)... Expended per Order No. 1035 dated April 10, 1920 but not cashed until after May 1, 1920 $27,463.88 18,933.86 425.00 333.79 $47,156.53 $14,273.10 250.00 407.99 $14,931.09 |