of Russell Street, laboured under an affection of the eyes, the result of a burn, which rendered necessary a critical surgical process. Chloroform was applied, and the operation successfully performed T h e patient was rid of her troubles, and both she and by Drs. Greeves, Campbell, and Wilkie. her eyes got on well together for many years after.
THE FIRST MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
A meeting of the medical profession, "for the purpose of organizing a Society for the promotion of medical knowledge and a more free professional intercourse," was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel on the 16th May, 1846, when there were present Drs. Cussen, Black, Campbell, Wilmot, O'Mullane, Greeves, Griffin, Flemming, Thomas, Wilkie, and Keatinge. Resolutions were adopted, originating an institution to be designated " T h e Port Phillip Medical Association." T h e first office-bearers w e r e — D r . P. Cussen, President; Dr. D. E. Wilkie, Vice-President; Dr. T h o m a s Black, Treasurer; M r J. J. Keatinge, Secretary. Committee : Drs. W . H . Campbell, A. F. Greeves, and D. J. Thomas. T h e first dinner came off on the 29th July, at the Prince of Wales Hotel. O n the 8th August, a meeting was held, and the library was placed under weigh by a ,£25 remittance to a Mr. Simmonds, of London, to invest it in books and periodicals. Dr. T h o m a s Black, one of the most prominent members of this n o w defunct confraternity, has permitted m e to inspect a minute-book recording the transactions of the short but useful life of the Society from 1846 to 1851. I a m not n o w writing its biography, and shall therefore confine th is sketch to a few notable incidents, which deserve to be rescued from oblivion. T h e canons of physico-philosophy and etiquette were :— 1. That as the dignity and influence of this Association essentially depend upon the friendly co-operation and harmony of its members, this Association strongly reprobates all hostile collisions and personal animosities. 2. That as differences of opinion of necessity arise in the treatment of diseases, this Association enjoins upon its members the exercise of honourable feelings and mutual forbearance in their professional intercourse. 3. That no m e m b e r of this Association shall give any countenance whatever to disparaging reflections, or false reports affecting the professional character of other members. 4. That in all cases where one m e m b e r is called in to attend for another, and in all consultations of members, the m e m b e r called in shall neither say, look, nor insinuate such things as he knows will operate to the injury of the m e m b e r in previous attendance, nor otherwise endeavour to supplant him in the estimation of his patient. 5. That any m e m b e r w h o shall in any manner attempt to undermine, or otherwise injure, the professional reputations of other members shall, on proof of such offence, incur the highest censure of the Association. 6. That in the event of a difference of opinion in consultation, an additional medical man shall be called in, to be mutually agreed upon by those in attendance, but not without the consent of the patient or friends, the opinion of the majority to be final in the treatment of the case. 7. That when any m e m b e r is called to attend any case in consequence of the unavoidable absence of another member, w h o is the regular medical attendant, he shall be entitled to the usual fee for such attendance, but not to the case, unless by the express desire of the patient or his friends. 8. That any m e m b e r w h o shall attend a midwifery case in town or country for another member, shall be entitled to the whole fee for such attendance, but not to the case. 9. That when any m e m b e r is in regular attendance on any patient for any illness, no other m e m b e r shall consider himself at liberty to take such patient under his care until the patient or his friends have intimated to the former m e m b e r their intention of dispensing with his attendance.
