| Description | Minutes of the Aberdeen Medical Society. Queries were often posed and discussed by members during the course of these meetings. The Treasurer was appointed to read the order of the discourses and collect any fines. At the meeting of the 24 January, anatomical and surgical examinations replaced the reading of second discourses (see pages 120-121). Contents include:
1808
3 May
1st Discourse: Typhus, Mr. J. Gourlay; After Dissertation: Cancer, Mr. Betty.
President: Mr. J. Greig.
Mr. Innes was also examined at this meeting on the subject of the eye and ear.
10 May
Discourses on diabetes and hysteria were delivered. At this meeting, several new laws were proposed, including some relating to the election of Presidents.
17 May
Discourses on chlorosis and hydrocele. Query regarding the best way of curing lumbar abscess posed, the discussion which followed highlighting purgatives, diaphoretics, astringents and swathing the body with flannels as remedies. 'To prevent infection fumigation with the Nitrous Acid was recommended'.
7 June
Mr. Copland delivered a discourse on dropsy, taking notice of its 'division into anasarca hydrocephalus hydrothorax ascites'. As the cause he mentioned debility of the system and proceeded to the cure which must consist 1st in removing the remote causes 2nd In promoting the discharge of the water 3rd In removing the debility of the system. To answer these indications he recommended purgatives, mercury, diuretics, digitalis'.
The election of Presidents also took place at this meeting, which caused some disagreement among members about who was allowed to vote and the merits of the outgoing President.
15 October
A discussion took place at this meeting regarding designating the Society as a friendly society and it was proposed that a letter should be sent to all the members requesting that they contribute to a new hall.
18 October
Brief notes are provided on a discourse delivered by Mr. Peter Rae on the history of medicine.
21 October
Committee of Honorary Members appointed to review laws presented their findings.
26 October
Brief notes are provided of the discussion which took place regarding the query posed at a previous meeting: 'What is the best method of treating chin-cough?'
29 October
List of laws annulled, altered or enacted by committee appointed to revise laws (pages 77-82).
1 November
'…a very neat apparatus for restoring suspended animations, the gift of Robert Wilson Esq., Surgeon, Hon. East India Company's Service' was presented to the Society. 'The President then in the name of the Society proposed him as an [Extraordinary] member, as this instance shewed [sic] how much he, who was not before a member, had the Society's welfare at heart. He was unanimously elected.' [See MSS. 413-443 and MS 3390, Papers of Robert Wilson and Robert Wilson's Trust].
Copy of a letter to be sent to all the members of the Society regarding the building of a new hall [see minute of 15 October]. Refers to Committee appointed to establish the Society as a Friendly Society, the subscription 'towards the erecting of a suitable building, for containing their Library, holding their public meetings, and affording other necessary accommodation to the Society', which it wishes to be paid up by the 20th December. Point 3 states: 'That as the sum already subscribed (amounting to about £300), is by much too small for the proposed building, application should be made to such Honorary, Extraordinary, and Ordinary Members, as well as other friends of the Society who have not yet contributed, requesting their benevolent assistance towards accomplishing this useful and desirable object' (pages 94-95).
28 December
Member expelled from the Society for 'ungentlemanly behaviour and blackguard conduct' (pages 98-99). Also list of books presented to the Society.
1809
3 January
A new law was proposed and unanimously carried at this meeting that no person can be admitted as an ordinary member until he has either studied for 18 months with a regular practitioner or has been three years at College or above 17 years of age. Also proposal to expel honorary member who had declared it his intention to do everything in his power to hurt the Society.
List of regulations decided upon by Committee appointed to examine the laws of the Society, Rule 1 stating: 'The office bearers of the Society are, two Presidents, a Secretary and two Librarians'. Rule 2 notes that the Presidents were to be elected every four months and the other office bearers twice a year (pages 104-111).
10 January
Reference is made at this meeting to a gift of £10 from Francis Knight, Inspector General of Hospitals, for the building of the new hall [See Correspondence Book 1805-1808, McGrigor papers]. There is also a list of the books missing from the Library (67 in total).
Copy of Latin card given to members who had attended the Anatomical Class (page 120).
7 February
The election of the Presidents and Secretary took place at this meeting.
14 February (page 149)
Query put forward by Mr. Alexander regarding treatment of diabetes mellitus discussed: 'It was generally allowed that a strict adherence to animal diet was the best remedy, but Mr. Greig read some observations on a case which he had read in a book entitled Watt's Cases…in which blood letting effectually cured the disease after every other means had failed'.
21 February.
Query regarding best treatment of scarlatina discussed with cold affusion, blisters, bark and wines recommended as cures. Two books were also gifted to the Society by Mr. Blaikie: 'Clarke's Practice of Physic and _ on scrophula'.
Other subjects discussed included:
tetanus (4 April 1809), scurvy (16 May 1809), dysentery (27 June 1809), cancerous mamma (1 August 1809), aneurism (26 September 1809), gonorrhoea (10 October 1809). |