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coholic beverages, cigars or cigarettes, at the expense of the State Society.

It has become very apparent to this board that certain additions and amendments to our by-laws are urgently demanded. For example, the question was asked whether a member expelled by one of the County Associations would thereby lose his membership in the State Society, and in view of the absence of definite statement in our present by-laws, was referred to Mr. Charles E. Gross for his opinion. He says, in reply:

"I have been examining the resolution amending the charter of the Connecticut Medical Society.

"Section 2 provides that the House of Delegates, which is practically the Board of Directors, shall have power 'to establish the conditions of admission to, and dismission and expulsion from, said society.'

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This relates, of course, to the Connecticut Medical Society, and not to the County societies.

"The resolution also provides, in Section 1, 'that all persons who are now members of the Connecticut Medical Society shall be and remain a body politic.'

"The physician to whom you referred was, I understand, at the time of the passage of the resolution, a member of the Connecticut Medical Society, so that he cannot be expelled, in my opinion, from said society, except in accordance with the rules for the dismission and expulsion, which must be formulated by the House of Delegates.

"Section 7 of the resolution provides for future members of the State Medical Society, and any one who shall be included in a list of members of said respective County Associations who are at the time in good and regular standing shall become and be members of the Connecticut State Medical Society without further action.'

"This latter section, however, cannot reach the physician who is already a member of the Connecticut Medical Society.

"Even though he be expelled from the County Society, I do not see that that will expel him from the State Society without action in accordance with the provisions of the conditions to be formulated by the House of Delegates.

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Now, as to his standing in the County Society: The by-laws of the State Society delegate, in Chapter XII, Section 2, to each County Association the decision as to all matters of qualification of its own members.

"I should look, therefore, to the by-laws of the County Association, and if there is any provision with reference to the expulsion or dismission of a member, the County Association can undoubtedly take advantage of those provisions and expel the physician in question.

"That, however, will not expel him from the State Society, as I have stated above."

Again, in the matter of taxation, under the old by-laws the secretaries of County Associations and certain elderly members were exempt, but no provision has been made in our present bylaws to this effect.

Consequently, when the Treasurer received the accounts from the County Associations with these deductions made, as has been for many years customary, the matter was referred to the Board of Councilors, and they have allowed these taxes to be rebated, as in accord with established precedents.

In view, therefore, of these and other features needing attention, the Board of Councilors would advise the adoption of the following amendments and additions to the present by-laws of this Society:

I. Chapter 2, Section 1, add:

"The annual tax shall be collected from all such members except the Secretaries of County Medical Associations, but the taxes of any member may be remitted by vote of the House of Delegates upon recommendation of any County Medical Association," so that it will read:

"The name of the physician on the properly certified roster of members of a component association, who has paid his annual assessment, shall be prima facie evidence of membership in this Society. The annual tax shall be collected from all such members, except the Secretaries of County Medical Associations, but the taxes of any member may be remitted by vote of the House of Delegates, upon recommendation of any County Medical Association."

II. Chapter 12, Section 3, precede by the following:

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Any County Medical Association may suspend or expel any member who is guilty of improper or unprofessional conduct, by a two-thirds .vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting, provided due notice has been given on the programme When from any

of said meeting at least ten days before its session.

cause a member of the Connecticut State Medical Society ceases to be a member of one of the component County Medical Associations, his membership in the Connecticut State Medical Society shall terminate, but," so that it will then read:

"Any County Medical Association may suspend or expel any member who is guilty of improper or unprofessional conduct, by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting, provided due notice has been given on the programme of said meeting at least ten days before its session. When from any cause a member of the Connecticut State Medical Society ceases to be a member of one of the component County Medical Associations, his membership in the Connecticut State Medical Society shall terminate, but any physician who may feel aggrieved by the action of the Association of his County in refusing him membership or in suspending or expelling him, shall have the right to appeal to the Council, and its decision shall be final."

III. Also that we add to Chapter 12, Section II, to read:

"The several County Medical Associations shall have power to adjourn; to call special meetings, as they shall deem expedient; and to adopt such by-laws as they find desirable, not contrary to the laws of this State or the Charter and By-laws of the Connecticut State Medical Society."

The accounts of the Treasurer have been audited and are found correct, with a balance on hand of $929.61, and taxes due and uncollected of $565 for last year.

The Board would advise a tax of $3.00 per member for the ensuing year. Very respectfully submitted,

GEORGE R. SHEPHERD, Chairman.

New Haven, Conn., May 23, 1906.

Discussion.

Dr. Gustavus Eliot (New Haven): Mr. President, I move that the report of the Chairman be accepted, and that the recommendations therein, regarding changes in the constitution, be referred to the committee already

appointed by yourself to consider similar matters in the Secretary's report. I also move that the recommendations in the President's address be referred to the same committee. Motion adopted.

(4)

the State.

Reports of the Councilors from the different counties in

Reports of the Councilors.

(a) Hartford County, by Dr. George R. Shepherd:

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates:

The Councilor of the Hartford County Medical Association would respectfully report,

That: The meetings of the Association during the past year have been well attended. The scientific character of the papers presented and discussed has been of a high order and given evidence of thoughtful study and preparation. During the past

year the practice of holding the sessions of the Association during the afternoon and evening, instead of morning and afternoon, as heretofore, was adopted, and has resulted in increased attendance and interest. At its last annual meeting the Association adopted such by-laws as appeared needful, and may be considered as now thoroughly organized under our new constitution. A very commendable and delightful spirit of harmony exists among the members, accompanied by sufficient friendly rivalry to stimulate the best attainments in all branches of professional effort, and the members of this Association may, I feel sure, be depended upon to do their part in carrying forward the designs of this Society and maintaining a high standard in the practice of scientific medicine.

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGE R. SHEPHERD, Councilor.

Hartford, Conn., May 23, 1906.

(b) New Haven County, by Dr. Charles J. Foote:

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates:

In the new Constitution the Councilor is referred to as organizer peace-maker and censor of the Society. So far as these functions are concerned, there is nothing to report from New Haven County.

There has been nothing new in organization in the New Haven County Society during the past year. There have been no quarrels to adjust, and, if not enjoying extreme peace, there has been nothing to require the interference of a peace-maker; neither have there been any indiscretions requiring an appeal to the censor.

I do not mean to imply that our organization is so perfect that there is no need for improvement, nor that we have arrived at that state of peace which is another name for indolence. There are still those healthy differences of opinion which stimulate and broaden thought, eliminate error, and bring us nearer truth.

But, though there has been no need of an organizer or peacemaker, I feel that the function of censor has a field of action. After reading over the Principles of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association, which should be our guide of conduct, I cannot but feel that we fall short of the ideals therein presented. Let me read from Chapter 2, part of Section 8:

"It is derogatory to professional character for physicians to dispense or promote the use of secret medicines, for if such nostrums are of real efficiency, any concealment regarding them is inconsistent with beneficence and professional liberality, and, if mystery alone give them public notoriety, such craft implies either disgraceful ignorance or fraudulent avarice. It is highly reprehensible for physicians to give certificates attesting the efficacy of secret medicines, or other substances used therapeutically."

There are

The intent of the above section is unmistakable. many of these secret remedies dispensed by physicians in each county in Connecticut.

As I consider the function of councilor, the consideration of this question comes plainly before him. He should be in the forefront on this question, and should use all means to assist in the campaign against this evil. Respectfully submitted,

CHARLES J. FOOTE,

Councilor for New Haven County.

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