"There is no fitter end than this, A glory that can never die." Respectfully submitted, WALTER R. STEINER, Councilor. (b) New Haven County, by Dr. William H. Carmalt: Mr. President and Members of the House of Delegates: The two regular meetings of the New Haven County Medical Association were held at Waterbury and New Haven respectively. At the semi-annual meeting held in October, 1916, a number of good papers were read by members and one by invitation by Prof. Frederick P. Gay of the University of California on "The Treatment of Typhoid Fever by Vaccines," in which the advantages and limitations of this method were clearly stated. At this meeting thirty-two new members were elected. This unusually large number was brought about mainly through the efforts of Mr. van Duzer working primarily in the interest of the Journal of the American Medical Association, with the soliciting for new members for the County Association as a by-product, as was fully set forth in the Councilor's report for last year. At the annual meeting in April of the current year, before the reading of the scientific papers a hearing was given to the Auxiliary National Medical Defense Committee to state the aims desired by the United States Government in the enlistment of physicians for the war, to report upon the results thus far obtained, to urge further enlistments and to discuss plans to further these ends. Drs. Edward T. Bradstreet, Edward S. Moulton, D. Chester Brown, and Augustin A. Crane spoke. The plan adopted by the Medico-Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, this being the name of the State Society, was read. As this has been presented at various times and ways to the members of this Society, it is not necessary to weary you with repeating it in full, simply stating that it recommends that members of the Society who remain at home, should agree to care for the patients of those who enlist, on a percentage basis, and return, so far as possible, the patients to the physician enlisting on his return. The percentage voted by the New Haven County was on a 50-50 basis. As a result of the report and the addresses fifty-five members have signified their intention of entering the government service. In the morning a surgical clinic was held at the Hospital of St. Raphael by Dr. Verdi, and in the afternoon a clinical conference at the New Haven Hospital by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Yale University, participated in by Prof. J. Morris Slemons and his assistants, Drs. Arthur Morse and William H. Morris. After the business of the National Medical Defense Committee was disposed of, the regular programme of the Society was resumed. Six new members were elected, and papers were read by Dr. George M. Smith, Frederick M. Williams, Esq., Compensation Commissioner, and Dr. Eugene L. Fisk, Director of Hygiene in the Life Extension Institute of New York City. The following resolution was passed, viz.: WHEREAS, Salvarsan is a drug which is of vital importance to the protection of health and to the saving of life; and WHEREAS, the patent rights conferred on Salvarsan and its congeners have created a monopoly which has permitted a price to be placed on the drug which makes it unavailable to tens of thousands of indigent sick in this country; and WHEREAS, the drug has hitherto been supplied to this country from foreign shores and the supply during the war has been uncertain and insufficient; and WHEREAS, the patents have prevented the preparation and distribution of the drug in this country by American laboratories; and WHEREAS, the patents conferred are operating against the health interests and public welfare of this country, therefore be it Resolved, by the New Haven County Medical Association, that Congress be earnestly urged to abolish the patents on Salvarsan and its closely related products. It is moved that copies of this action be sent to the chairmen of the committees on patents of the House and of the Senate and to members of the House and Senate from this State. I am informed by the Clerk, Dr. Hartshorn, that favorable replies have been received from all those mentioned to whom it was sent. It is hoped that this matter will be brought up again and acted upon by the whole State Society. As a war measure it will be of incalculable benefit to the whole United States Army to have Salvarsan manufactured in this country, as it can be, at a cost several hundred per cent less than is now charged for it; besides the amount received is very limited, and is only obtained in very roundabout ways. It costs at present about $4.50 per dose and if manufactured here may be sold at a profit for 50 cents a dose. The product is equally good, in some respects it is said to be better than the original Ehrlich formula. Three deaths from our number have taken place: Dr. F. N. Elmes of Derby and Drs. Frederick P. Lane and Matthew C. O'Connor of New Haven. Dr. Francis E. Gessner has joined the regular army but keeps his residence in this city. One member has been dropped for non-payment of dues. Dr. C. F. Heady of Milford was transferred to Fairfield County as he lives near the border line. The Clerk reports as follows, viz.: On May 1, 1917, number of taxable members 325 5 Less 10% to county association paid to State Treasurer 99.40 $894.60 $1,629.53 Total receipts including balance from last report The State Sanatorium at Undercliff, Meriden, and the Gaylord Farm Sanatorium are keeping on with their good work in caring principally for the incipient cases of tuberculosis in this county; it is expected that the tuberculosis annex to the New Haven Hospital for advanced cases will be ready for occupancy in the coming autumn. The main hospital on Cedar Street is still suffering for want of proper private rooms, but the hospital has no funds available for this purpose. The Hospital of St. Raphael, in this city, the Meriden Hospital and the Griffin Memorial Hospital in Derby are all doing good for the sick of the County. Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM H. CARMALT, Councilor. (c) New London County, by Dr. Patrick J. Cassidy: Mr. President and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates: The membership of the New London County Medical Association was increased to seventy-three during the past year, but this gross membership number has been diminished by the loss of eight members, seven automatically dropped and one, Dr. George D. Stanton of Stonington, one of our oldest members, a practitioner of fifty-two years standing, entered into eternal life. This past year has been a very successful one financially and scientifically. The semi-annual meeting was a very well attended session and at this meeting very definite action regarding medical advertising was taken after a free and vigorous discussion. The annual meeting, held at the Wm. W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, was the best attended and most enthusiastic meeting that we have had in years. It is very gratifying that this meeting of the oldest medical organization in Connecticut shows such an evidence of renewed activity and interest. A meeting of all the registered physicians in New London County was called at the order of the National Medical Defense Committee. At this meeting Dr. E. J. McKnight acted as the representative of the national committee, giving a very instructive talk to the assembled men concerning the aim and requirements of the committee. At the close of this talk thirty-four men and one woman signified their intention to act. The meeting then passed a vote instructing the delegates to the various State Medical Associations to vote the adoption of the so-called "Maryland Plan for the Prevention of Punishment of Patriotism." Respectfully submitted, P. J. CASSIDY, Councilor. (d) Fairfield County, by Dr. Frank W. Stevens: Mr. President and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates: The Fairfield County Medical Association has a membership of 212 this year, increasing its membership in the House of Delegates from six to seven. We have lost three members by death and five have been dropped for non-payment of dues. We have elected twenty-six new members and have received two by transfer; making a total gain of twenty-eight and a net gain of twenty. Our Association has held two regular meetings and one special meeting in response to a call from the Committee on National Defense. This was the largest meeting of the medical men of Fairfield County ever held, about 225 being present. Great enthusiasm was evidenced. The "Maryland Plan" was adopted on a fifty per cent basis, and some seventy-five men pledged themselves to apply for enrollment in the Medical Reserve Corps. The hospitals throughout the county are doing excellent work. Many are prepared to increase their capacity in event of war or |