| Description | Minute book of the Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society, carried forward by Robert Finlay, Secretary. At many of the meetings, anatomical demonstrations were carried out, but no details of these are provided. Contents include:
1812
8 December (pages 1-4)
President: Mr. Riach. A discourse on stimuli was read by Mr. Finlay (detailed notes provided on pages 1-3). Mr. MacRae questioned Mr. Johnston on wounds of the scalp and affections of the brain from 'external violence'. Mr. Gray was examined by Mr. Angus on the muscles of the scapula, arm, forearm and hand. Mr. Farquharson was examined by Mr. Milne on water and its base and alkalis and their bases.
26 December (pages 6-12)
'The first general meeting of the Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society having been held here this day [at Marischal College], in terms of the new regulations contained in the Trust Deed lately executed, after being advertised in both the Aberdeen news-papers, there were present': Dr. William Livingston, President, Sir Alexander Bannerman, Dr. James Moir, Dr. John Charles Ogilvie, Physicians, Mr. John Grant, Mr. James Allan, Surgeons, Dr. Robert Hamilton and Professors John Stuart and George Glennie (all honorary and extraordinary members). Also present were Robert Mitchell and Robert Urquhart, Vice-Presidents, and the other office-bearers and ordinary members. Dr. Livingston was elected President for the following year, and the books, accounts and 'whole written proceedings' for the previous year were examined. The total of the subscriptions collected for the new building for the Society came to £202.2.3. It was agreed that copies of the minutes would from this point onwards be delivered to the factor for the trustees at each general meeting. A discussion of the subscriptions still to be collected took place and it was agreed that the outstanding debts of the Society should be paid from the money held by Mr. Hutcheon, the factor, this money to be repaid as soon as possible.
1813
19 January (pages 17-19)
President: Mr. Urquhart. A discourse on hydrocephalus acutus was read by Mr. Cummine (a page and half of notes are provided on the content of this discourse). Mr. Allan was examined on fractures, 'including the process of exfoliation and that by which bone is united', and Mr. McRae on the muscles of the neck and trunk.
23 February (pages 26-27)
The President, Mr. Stronach, delivered an essay on memory (one page of notes provided). Examinations were conducted on the subjects of amputation, 'with the causes rendering it necessary including Hectic Fever', and the joints of the whole body.
9 March (pages 31-35)
President: Mr. Stronach. Mr. Finlay delivered an essay on the liver (two and a half pages of detailed notes). Examinations on retention of urine and the viscera of the thorax were carried out. A list of books missing from the library was presented to the Secretary.
16 March (pages 37-42)
President: Mr. Stronach. An essay on croup was delivered by Mr. Grey (three and a half pages of notes). He recommended various cures including bloodletting, a warm bath, leeches applied to the throat and purgatives. Examinations were carried out on prolapsus [uteri?] and the viscera of the abdomen.
25 March (pages 44-48)
President: Mr. Stronach. Mr. Spark read his discourse on diabetes mellitus which he discussed under three headings: 1. the symptoms 2. its nature and causes 3. its cure (2 pages of notes). Mr. Urquhart delivered a discourse on tetanus (2 pages).
30 March (pages 50-55)
Discourse on asthma (4 pages) and sea scurvy. The latter discourse, presented by Mr. Allan, began by giving Dr. Cullen's definitions before describing the usual symptoms of this disease (including debility, spongy gums and foul ulcers) and its remote causes (a moist atmosphere, too long cessation from bodily exercise, dejection of mind, want of cleanliness, of wholesome drink, and especially of a nourishing diet). He also discusses the proximate causes of this disease and possible remedies (one page of notes in total). Mr. Black was examined on diseases of the penis and operations on that part and Mr. Smith was examined on the circulation in the foetus and adult.
27 April (pages 62-65)
Mr. Gray, Vice-President in the Chair. A discourse was delivered by Mr. Johnston on gonorrhoea (page and a half of notes). Mr. MacLean and then the Secretary were examined on the different types of hernia before Mr. Milne presented his discourse on apoplexy (recommending as treatment bloodletting, purgatives 'together with cold to the head', mineral waters, a country residence, avoiding the heat of the sun, and having no fire in the room [page of notes]).
11 May (pages 69-73)
Discourse on 'Rubeola Vulgaris' (page and a half of notes) and dysentery, Mr. Beattie remarking that 'the most singular advantages result from the diligent exhibition of purgative medicines' (2 pages). Mr. MacLean was examined on the nerves of the brain and Mr. Black on the iliac arteries with their branches and continuations.
26 May (pages 76-77)
Discourse on cancer, with half a page of notes on the treatment of this disease as proposed by the speaker. List of books presented to the Society including 'Cheyne on gout'.
[From the meeting of the 5 June, page numbers are no longer included.]
7 June
Discourse read by Mr. McLean on gunshot wounds (two and a half pages of notes).
14 June
Discourse presented by Mr. Nicol on dyspepsia, highlighting symptoms, causes and treatment of this disease. In the latter case he preferred Cullen's Indications: 'To remove the remote causes, to palliate certain prominent symptoms, and to strengthen the system in general' (two pages). Mr. Finlay was examined on the bones in general together with those of the cranium and face and Mr. Spark was examined on pregnancy.
28 June
Committee proposed new by-laws and the repeal or alteration of existing laws.
3 August
Mr. Smith presented a discourse on phthisis pulmonalis. For the cure, he argued that 'chief attention should be to prevent the disease from proceeding to an incurable state for which purpose he recommended change of air, exercise, in an open carriage [and] sea voyages' [also discusses diet and use of bloodletting, emetics, laxatives and other remedies] (two and a half pages of notes).
10 August
Discourse on subject of retention of urine (two and a half pages of notes).
14 August
Discussion of query 'How does respiration commence in the child after delivery' (half a page of notes).
2 September
Discussion of query 'The best method of performing the radical cure of hydrocele', Mr. Black favouring the method of injection but Mr. Ogilive arguing that he had observed many cases treated in this manner at Edinburgh during the last session which had all failed.
7 September
Discourse on ophthalmia presented by Mr. Cuddie (two pages of notes): 'In the treatment our first object he said should be to remove the exciting causes as that of diet, light etc. to which topical and in some cases general bloodletting must be had recourse to...'.
14 September
Mr. Black read a discourse on fistula lacrymalis [or lacrimalis, tear duct] (two pages of notes).
16 September
Mr. Smith read a discourse on hepatitis, addressing both the acute and chronic forms of the disease (two and a half pages of notes).
22 September
Discourse on intermittent fever presented by Mr. Robertson (five pages of notes): 'In the cure he advised the patient to be put to bed immediately upon the commencement of the cold stage and a gentle emetic to be administered to him...The remedies to be used during the hot stage he said were those which excite a sweat by bringing on the sweating fit or last stage for which he advised suderifics, the warm bath...'.
28 September
Discourse on diseases of the teeth by Mr. Nicol (four pages of notes) and icterus by Mr. Gray (two pages of notes).
5 October
Election of Presidents and other office-bearers. Discourse on 'compressed brain' (two pages of notes).
12 October
Discourses on white swelling of the knee joint (two pages) and menstruation (one and a half pages). Various medical journals and books received and books noted as missing from Library. Mr. Spark had left Aberdeen without paying the money owed to the Society [also see minute of 11 October and 16 October where it is noted that the Treasurer had received bills 'for the money which Mr. Spark had in his hands belonging to the Society when he left Aberdeen'].
19 October
Discourse on resuscitation (two and a half pages of notes).
26 October
Discourse on cholera morbus (five and a half pages of notes). 'A bond was then read by the Secretary from Mr. Thomas Black, Druggist, becoming Cautioner for Mr. Chas. Farquharson's Intromissions to the extent of £10 Sterling, during the time of his being Collector to the Society'.
2 November
Mr. Dalrymple read a discourse on pneumonia. For the cure, as in other inflammatory diseases, he promoted bloodletting, 'the quantity of blood to be taken must be proportioned to the violence of the disease, and to the age and strength of the patient. Scarifications, cupping and leeches have been of use when applied as near the part as possible' (two pages).
9 November
Discourse on dyspepsia. two pages
23 November
Mr. Smith presented discourse on cynanche trachialis recommending bloodletting (general and topical), blisters, purgatives, the warm bath and, for promoting expectoration, 'emetic tartar' (one page).
30 November
Discourse on puerperal fever (1 page)
7 December
Election of Secretary, Collector and two Librarians, in accordance with terms of Trust Deed. Mr. Mile presented discourse on diabetes mellitus: 'He began by giving Cullen's definition and mentioned that that celebrated Professor was of opinion that there were two species of the disease viz Diabetes Mellitus and [Diabetes] Insipidus; with this, however, he did not agree; he considered them only as varieties of the same...' (two and a half pages).
14 December
Five guineas donated by Geo. Barclay, Doctor residing in Aberdeen 'as his contribution for erecting a hall for the accommodation of the Society'. Motion to have Mr. Donald Smith Young expelled, who had previously been elected an Honorary Member under name of Mr. Smith, the other members unaware that it was in fact Mr. Young who several were acqainted with. [He was expelled at meeting held on the 18 December.]
21 December
Dr. John Charles Ogilvie elected President following term of office by Dr. Livingston [also see minute below for 25 December]. Discourse on apoplexy (one and a half pages). Donation of five guineas from Mr. Thomas Rose, Surgeon, Lord Wellington's army for building of new hall.
25 December
Annual general meeting held at Marischal College: George Kerr, Surgeon and one of first members of Society, was President at the meeting. Accounts of Treasurer examined; balance of £295.1.10,1/2 remaining. Reference to money owed by relatives of John Spark and the subscriptions still to be paid by certain members: 'Besides the above, there have been subscriptions obtained from Dr. James Macgregor [sic], Physician to the British Army serving in Spain and France under Lord Wellington, to the extent of upwards of £300 St. over and above fifty guineas presented by himself and already paid'.
1814
4 January
Discourse on fever (one and a half pages)
11 January
Mr. Hutcheon, Advocate presented Society with five guineas for building of hall.
15 January
Query 'The best treatment of the different species of burns' discussed.
29 January
Accounts of Messrs. Farquharson and Dalrymple were examined wherein it was found that the Society was owed £47.11.1. At regular meeting of Society the following query was discussed: 'How is the new bone formed in necrosis and what is the best treatment of the disease?' (1 page). Dr. James Brown, Honorary Member, presented Society with 2 guineas towards new hall.
1 February
Mr. Daun, Surgeon, presented Society with five guineas towards building of new hall.
[Noted at end: 'End of Volume XI'.] |