So.

But here is the difficulty: Members don't send even the titles to their papers until the very last hour. I have requested two gentlemen to present papers here this year, Prof. Conner and Prof. Dudley, and both assured me they would gladly do so; but now I am here and neither of these men have put in an appearance. Another thing: I have wished sometimes that we had a smaller room. I don't know but what we ought to meet in a church where they have "close communion," so that we could get closer together. Yesterday we passed a resolution that the "sample room" should be closed during our business sessions, but it was not carried out; it was open right along. It is a disturbing element and should be closed. We seem to lack the grit and "sand" to carry out our intentions. Next year we ought to come down flat-footed, and when we make a law let it be like the laws of the Medes and Persians.

Dr. Higgins-I wish to say that the object of my resolution was not to accommodate the readers of papers, but to accommodate the members.

Dr. Lewis-I think the suggestion of the President a good one. When I read over the notice of the New York meeting and saw the papers to be read, I thought it would be a capital thing to adopt a similar system here. If we had the titles of the papers beforehand and a synopsis of each, we would come better prepared to discuss them and to profit by them. I think it would add to the interest of the Society to adopt some such method; but we should not only adopt it by resolution, but adopt it with grit and backbone to carry it through. That being so, we should be careful about the resolution that we adopt.

Dr. Hibberd-I think the resolution ought to be to give our officers backbone. I would object to the resolution that papers be sent in twenty days before hand. Some of us would hesitate about sending our papers in to be handled and mussed up.

Dr. Elder-Then when the Committee on Arrangements come up next year with a program and two papers on it what a storm of censure would arise against us. The members havn't any idea of the trouble we have in getting up this program. We have several papers on this program that the authors havn't the least

idea of reading. Here is one paper, and I have learned that the man is not a member of his own county society even. That is the way we are treated. As I said, if you say to enforce the law, I will say to you in behalf of one member of the Committee of Arrangement and of Publication, that the law shall be enforced. Our laws are good; we have the best State organization in America. It is recognized as such by physicians all over these United States, but the difficulty is we do not live up to the laws. Secretaries of county societies and county societies themselves should be exceedingly careful about referring papers. More than once letters have come to me, "Doctor use your influence to keep that paper out of the transactions; our county society referred it up simply as a compliment to the author." The county societies assume the responsibility of sending them up, and the Publication Committee, when there is nothing seriously against them, have placed them in. Let the county societies refer nothing they are ashamed of.

Dr. Ferguson-I wish to ask whether the by-laws make it the duty of county medical societies to send those papers, or whether it is expected that the authors send them. It seems to me if the county secretaries were required immediately after a paper is referred, to inform the Committee of Arrangements that a paper bearing such a title had been read before that society and referred to the State Society all this trouble would be obviated.

Dr. Woolen-Dr. Lewis has suggested an objection that some of us would hesitate about sending our papers in, to possibly be taken advantage of. They have to go into the hands of the Publication Committee, and that simply gives four or five a chance to see them. Those papers ought to go there and writers of papers ought to understand if they don't get there they are a "dead duck.”

Dr. Higgins's resolution was carried.

Dr. G. J. Cook-Mr. President, I move you that the Committee of Arrangements and Secretary be requested to enforce the laws without fear or favor, with the understanding that the Society will stand by them.

The motion was carried.

t

Dr. Kemper-Gentlemen of the Indiana State Medical Society, the time has now arrived when I shall be relieved of my office, and I desire to thank you for the honor that you have conferred upon me, and for the indulgence you have bestowed upon me, and the attention you have given me. I now have the pleasure of presenting to you your new President, Dr. S. H. Charlton.

Dr. Charlton-Mr. President and gentlemen of the Indiana State Medical Society, I desire to return my profound thanks to the Society for the honor they have conferred upon me, the highest honor in the gift of this Society, and I only regret that I am not more worthy of the place. Having spent forty years of my life in the study and practice of medicine, and during the whole of that period having cherished a zealous regard for the honor and dignity of the medical profession, I hope I will not make a shipwreck of the interests of this Society during my term of office. It will be my highest pleasure to see this Society prosper during my administration; indeed, it will be my chief joy. I again return my thanks, and I will promise, so far as I am able, with your assistance, to make next year a profitable year to this, Society.

The Secretary announced the following committees for the ensuing year:

Ethics.-G. W. Burton, Chairman, Mitchel; H. D. Wood, Angola; C. H. Parsons, Rushville; L. L. Todd, Indianapolis; J. Z. Powell, Logansport.

On Publication.-A. W. Brayton, Chairman; A. Maxwell, W. N. Wishard, C. B. Higgins, E. S. Elder.

On Arrangements.-L. M. Rowe, Chairman; C. I. Fletcher, Frank Morrison, C. S. Bond, N. N. Shipman.

On Necrology.-J. F. Hibberd, Richmond.

On motion of the Secretary, the papers mentioned on the program, which had not been read, were read by title and referred to the Committee on Publication.

Dr. Lomax-Mr. President, I move you that the thanks of this Society be tendered the retiring President for the faithful, impartial and efficient manner in which he has conducted the business of the chair at this meeting.

The motion was carried.

Upon motion of Dr. Fields the thanks of the Society were tendered the Secretary for the faithful discharge of his duties.

On motion the Society adjourned to meet the first Tuesday in June, A. D. 1888.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

. OF THE

INDIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.

ARTICLE I.

TITLE.

The name and title of this Society shall be THE INDIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.

ARTICLE II.

OBJECTS.

The objects of this Society shall be to provide an organization through which the regular physicians of the State may be united in one great professional fraternity for the purpose of giving frequent and emphatic expression to the views and aims of the medical profession; to supply more efficient means than have hitherto been available for cultivating and advancing medical knowledge; for elevating the standard of medical education; for promoting the usefulness, honor and interests of the medical profession; for exciting and encouraging emulation and concert of action among its members; for facilitating and fostering friendly intercourse between those engaged in it; for enlightening and directing public opinion in regard to the duties, responsibilities and requirements of medical men; and for the promotion of all measures adapted to the relief of the suffering, and to improve the health and protect the lives of the community.

ARTICLE III.

MEMBERS.

SECTION 1. The members of this Society shall consist of delegates from the various county medical societies of this State, organized in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, who shall serve one year, or until others are elected to succeed them.