A century of progress : the development of medical societies : inaugural address to the Leeds and West Riding Medico-Chirurgical Society.

Wright, Charles James.

Date:: 1900

Credit: A century of progress : the development of medical societies : inaugural address to the Leeds and West Riding Medico-Chirurgical Society. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

18/56 page 12

$This circular was signed, amongst others, by Drs. Williamson, Hunter, Garlick, Teale, W. Price, S. Smith, S. Hare, Wm. Hey, jun., Morley, and Nunneley. The idea of this society was suggested, I find, at a meeting of the West Riding Medical Charitable Society at Pontefract, July. 1833- A committee was formed, with Dr. Williamson, of Leeds, as chairman, and the late Dr. Wright, of Wakefield, as honorary secretary. Members joined from all parts of Yorkshire. Four district associations, including the Manchester District Association and those of the counties of Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmorland, were after- wards amalgamated with it. It apparently, however, did not flourish for long. Since that time nearly every town and city of importance has formed its own Medical Society. Coming more to our own time, we find that on November 24th, 1862, at a meeting at the house of the late Dr. Hardwick in Park Square, was founded the Leeds Medical Club. Of the eight members enrolled on that evening, two are now no more —Dr. Hardwick himself, whose death took place soon after the formation, and the other the late Wm. Nicholson Price.* The others have all in turn since been Presidents of this Society, viz. : Dr. AUbutt and Messrs. Atkinson, Jessop, Scattergood, T. Pridgin Teale, and Wheelhouse. Those who afterwards became members of this select circle included Mr. William Hall, Dr. Eddison, and myself Meeting once a month at each other's house during ten years in a more or less informal way, many very pleasant evenings were spent, experiences were exchanged, and much good work was done. Dr. Clifford Allbutt acted throughout as hon. secretary. The limited conditions of the Medical Club encouraged some of us in 1867 to start the Leeds Medical Society, which met monthly at the Medical School in Park Street, Mr. Charles Richardson being the first honorary secretary. It was joined by a large number * Since the above was written the name must now be added of the late Thomas Scattergood.—March, vyxt.$