MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1202, 15 March 1895, Page 36

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

Christchurch, March 7.

The Medical Congress resumed yesterday. At a meeting of the Council it was resolved that the professors df biology, physiology and chemistry in the University of New Zealand, and the curators of museums at the four centres, not being duly qualified medical practitioners, should be honorary members of the Association. Dr Harnett was authorised to enter into Communication with the Australasian medical journals with a view to amalgamation. He was re-elected editor of the Nev) Zealand Medical Journal. At the Congress along report on typhoid fever and its causes was read by Dr Thomas. It was decided that tuberculosis and cancer should be the next subjects for investigation, and that the Otago branch should undertake the work and report to the next congress. , The Congress sat till after midnight last night. It was decided to establish a New Zealand medical benevolent fund. Rules -were adopted and officers elected. A letter was read from the Rev F. W. Isitt, president of the Prohibition League, asking if the Congress would deliver an opinion on the physiological effects of alcohol, and state whether in its opinion its free use as a beverage was conducive to health or the reverse. : After considerable discussion the following reply was ordered to be seut: “ That the New Zealand Medical Association is desirous of giving a courteous reply to the Prohibition League, but feels that the question asked as to the free use of alcohol —which the Association takes to mean excessive use —appears to carry on the face of it its own answer,"and the Association feels also that the question of physiological action of alcohol opens too wide a field for consideration at this meeting, with the limited time at its disposal.” Christchurch, March 8. The Medical Congress closed to-day. Dr Murray-Aynsley, of the Christchurch Hospital, was appointed permanent secreSteps are to be taken to have the New Zealand Association incorporated _as a branch of the British Medical Association. The Congress decided to form a Medical Defence Union, and officers were elected.