The history of the General Hospital, Belfast, and the other medical institutions of the town : with chronological notes and biographical reminiscenses connected with its rise and progress / [Andrew G. Malcolm].

  • Andrew George Malcolm
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of the General Hospital, Belfast, and the other medical institutions of the town : with chronological notes and biographical reminiscenses connected with its rise and progress / [Andrew G. Malcolm]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    180-i-6] 51) reiices of opinion among the Hospital attendants, who were then the main supporters of the Society. The demon of discord invaded its ranks, and a dissolution soon ensued. It Avas, at first, contemplated to dispose of the property, Avhich chielly comprised A’^aluable donations from Dr. Diennan, and Dr. Wniiam Halliday, among the members; but, this being over-ruled, the books w'^ere returned to the donors. After a little time, principally i through the influence of the late Dr. Stephenson, the volumes AA^ere re- placed ; notwithstanding, for a period of four years after the Society ceased to exist. The original spirit which prompted to the formation of the So- ciety, did not, however, entirely expire. The name of Dr. R. Stephenson is here associated Avith the rcAuval of the Society, in 1822, in connexion Avith those of Dr. Forcade, Mr. Moore, R.N., and Dr. M‘Donnell. These four—only one of Avhoin, om* respected President, surviA^es at the present j (lay—met together on the 8th of May of that year, and formed the nucleus I of the present Medical Society. Before the year expired, the folloAving gentlemen became enrolled as members, viz :—Mr. Bryson, Mr. M‘Cleeiy, Dr. Coffey, Dr. M‘Kibben, Dr. Halliday, Dr. Young, and Mr. MaAAdiinney. ! From this time forAvard there were continual accessions to its ranks, Avhich have been gradually extending, up till the present day. The unfortunate circumstance, to Avhich Ave have briefly alluded above, must certainly be deemed a blot upon our medical annals; but it is consola- tory to know, that one at least of the members of the original Society heartily co-operated Avith the projectors of the renewed Association, to AAupe aAvay the stain. We allude to the late Dr. S. S. Thomson, Avhose position among his professional brethren was ever so exalted and endearing, that aac agi’eed, during the latter part of his active life, Avhen his years also gave him a claim to the appellation, in designating him “ the father of the ! profession.” The members of the revived Society, naturally apprehensive for its sta- bility, from the experience of the origmal, set about rendering the basis of its regulations as secure as possible ; and among others of less note, devised, in the year 1825, a most important rule, excepting those members, whose term of twenty yeai's’ uninterrupted subscription has expired, from further annual contributions. It is believed that this single measure has established a greater confidence in its permanent integrity than all the others combined. Though the principal object in its foundation, and for many years after,