Address delivered at the annual meeting of the South Midland Branch of the British Medical Association, June 29th 1869 / by William Newman.

  • Newman, William, active 1861.
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Address delivered at the annual meeting of the South Midland Branch of the British Medical Association, June 29th 1869 / by William Newman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Gentlemen, I take the position to which I have been nominated as your president for the ensuing year with mingled feel¬ ings of satisfaction and regret.—Well satisfied indeed with the honour so conferred, for no compliment can be so well worth wearing as that which represents the opinions of those who alone are competent to estimate daily medical life and work ; regret at the same time, truly enough, that I have so little to offer you either in material or in delivery, which will be likely to add to the charm of this our Annual Meeting. It is usual on these occasions, that your Chairman should deliver an address, and for subject matter that should carry somewhat of interest with it, I have hesitated long; very many topics would have formed fitting material, but as trenching on common ground, I have rather pre¬ ferred to speak of the interior economy of our profession and our position in reference to the public. It is no unmeaning phrase to ask your indulgence for the short¬ comings of my speech, and to beg that you will bear with the few words I shall deliver as suggestions for after thought, far more than as carrying with them even a trace of that authority which so many of my predecessors in this chair might well claim at your hands for their utterances.