Record of the events and work which led to the formation of that society by the amalgamation of the leading medical societies of London with the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society : being extracts from the Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, 1905-1907 / Royal Society of Medicine.
- Royal Society of Medicine
- Date:
- 1914
Licence: In copyright
Credit: Record of the events and work which led to the formation of that society by the amalgamation of the leading medical societies of London with the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society : being extracts from the Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, 1905-1907 / Royal Society of Medicine. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.
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![acquaintance. I feel sure tliat there would follow tliat closer union in the various elements of medicine which I think is exceedingly desirable, and that there would be given a much stronger position to the science as a science. I imagine, sir, that this amalgamated Society would in no way concern itself with medical politics or ethics, but would be simply and solely for the advancement of the art and science of medicine in the widest and most liberal sense of the term. I imagine that such a scheme as is now proposed is not in any way at variance with the project that filled the mind of the founders of the two oldest societies in this Metropolis, the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society and the Medical Society. I imagine that such a scheme as is now being discussed is but an amplification of that which occupied the minds of those who instituted those old societies. They certainly were intended to embrace the whole of medicine and surgery, and they did embrace the whole of medicine and surgery so far as those sciences existed at that time. If we could get at the spirit which actuated the formation of these institutions, I feel confident that that spirit would be agreeable to such a proposal as is now before this meeting. That such an amalgamation as this must involve sacrifice is inevitable. It certainly involves sacrifice of sentiment. It is scarcely to be supposed that an ancient Society like the Medical Society of Loudon should cede any of its old traditions with a perfectly equable mind. But, sir, we have always been celebrated as a profession for generosity and liberality of mind, and I think that this is an occasion when those two admirable qualities might very advantageously be exercised. I have the honour of pro])osing the resolution which I have read. Sii' Thomas Smith, Baet. K.C.V.O. : Mr. President and Gentlemen,—As Sir Frederick Treves has so well said all that is necessary, it falls upon me merely formally to second this motion, and as it is very important that this thing should be thoroughly discussed—and I hope discussed by a large number of the younger members, as Sir Frederick Treves has said—I do not intend to occupy your time by any considerable remarks, but will only say that I honestly believe that an amalgamation such as is proposed would be very greatly to the benefit of all concerned and very greatly to the benefit of science at large. Having been occupied in the year 1870, and for two years with Sir G-eorge Burrows, in endeavouring to carry out an amalgamation, I know something of the difficulties and I am certain of this, that if this thing is to be carried through, as I trust it will be, it will require a very considerable, strong majority of the members of the various societies to give their adhesion to it, or really it is not worth going into. I beg formally to second the motion proposed by Sir Frederick Treves. Mr. John Langton : Mr. Chairman and Grentlemen,—I wish it VOL, LXXXVIII. p](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21471605_0099.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
