Supplement to The Wisconsin Medical Journal, May, 1913. The Wisconsin Medical Journal Owned and Published by the State Medical Contributors of Original Articles to Volume XI. Allport, Frank, M. D., Chicago. Andrews, Neil, M. D., Oshkosh. Axtell, Luella, M. D., Marinette. Becker, W. F., M. D., Milwaukee. Blaine, Edward S., M. D., Milwaukee. Darling, Walter G., M. D., Milwaukee. Echols, Chester M., M. D., Milwaukee. Gaenslen, F. J., M. D., Milwaukee. Haggard, William D., M. D., Nashville, Tenn. Higgins, Samuel G., M. D., Milwaukee. Hogue, G. I., M. D., Milwaukee. Houck, Oscar, M. D., La Crosse. James, J. B., M. D., Milwaukee. Kerr, A. N., M. D., Martell. Levings, A. H., M. D., Milwaukee. Marshall, Victor F., B. S., M. D., Appleton. McMahon, J. P., M. D., Milwaukee. McMichael, O. W., B. A., M. D., Chicago. Myers, A. W., M. D., Milwaukee. Nowack, Louis H., M. D., Watertown Orton, Susanne, M. D., Darlington. Patek, A. J., M. D., Milwaukee. Pfister, Franz, M. D., Milwaukee. Pottenger, F. M., A. M., M. D., LL. D., Monrovia, Cal. Ravenel, Mazyck P., M. D., Madison. Rogers, Arthur W., M. D., Oconomowoc. Sauthoff, August, B. S., M. D., Mendota. Sheldon, C. S., M. D., Madison. Strouse, Solomon, M. D., Chicago. Warfield, Louis M., M. D., Milwaukee. White, Joseph H., M. D., Washington, D. C. Wright, J. C., M. D., Antigo. Yates, J. L., M. D., Milwaukee. Zierath, W. F., M. D., Sheboygan. Volume XI MILWAUKEE, JUNE, 1912 ORIGINAL ARTICLES THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN.* BY J. M. DODD, M. D., ASHLAND. In presenting the President's address to this, the Sixty-sixth Annual Meeting of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, I desire to thank you for the honor you have conferred on me, and express my appreciation of this highest possible indication of your confidence and esteem. To me this marks another mile-stone on life's pathway-another dream of youth realized another added to the cherished memories of association with kindred spirits. Be it in whatever sphere we move, there is a sense of sadness attending the passing of events which mark important periods in life, and when we surrender a trust there is a lingering hope that we may have done some good for the cause in which we have been engaged. Our profession continues to occupy a high place in the public esteem, as should a calling so intimately associated with the life, health, and happiness of the people. It is to the credit of the profession of medicine that it is judged by the world on the ideals which constitute its basic principles, and it is our duty to guard the portals of entrance and control the conduct of those who are admitted to the honors and privileges of this profession that these ideals may be sustained. The profession of medicine, so far as the organization of the regular profession is concerned, is a unit throughout the nation, the only rivalry being; who can do the best work and get the best results. *Read at the Sixty-Sixth Annual Meeting of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, Wausau, May 22, 1912. Number 1 The same is true of our organization in the state. It is a strong and growing society, which is an agent for great good to the profession and to the public. The healing art, imperfect as it seems in the light of human needs, has kept pace with the rapid march of science, which has made the past quarter of a century the most wonderful epoch in history. It is emerging from a period of unprecedented growth to one of development, from a period of discovery to analysis and better application of theory to practice. Theories as to the causes of disease and therapeutic suggestions have come in rapid and bewildering succession. We have had to readjust our ideas and our methods so often that there is a constantly increasing desire for more definite knowledge and more effective treatment. But medicine is not an exact science, and will not be, until we find the means of unerring diagnosis and infallible treatment. We have thought we had it at various times, but like the Will o' the Wisp, it has evaded our grasp. Serum therapy has come nearer than anything else to the mark and has given us a few specifics. But as yet, its results are limited. While we are waiting for some one to find out this much sought secret, the practice of medicine has become resolved into a simple system of eliminating the nonessentials, and to the judicious application of the principles of rest, nutrition, and elimination of waste products. Some practitioners still adhere to the administration of a remedy for each symptom, but progressive men have learned that these three essential features can be obtained by simple means, and that nature is often more tolerant of him who does little than of the one who does too much. Over-zealous and nauseous medication has done more than anything else to drive the people from the regular to the many divergent branches of the healing art. The people are becoming educated to the fact that it is not only medicine they need, but often only advice and guidance, leading us often to wonder if there is not more therapeutic value in the physician's personality than in |