Minutes of the Section on Ophthalmology of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Collection
Identifier: CPP 12/001-02
Scope and Contents
The records from the Section on Ophthalmology of the College
of Physicians of Philadelphia consist of four volumes
(disbound) of minutes, recorded by the clerk, spanning 1913-
1927, 1927-1939, 1940-1952, and 1953-1963. The minutes
contain reports on monthly meetings, annual financial
statements, lists of members and their addresses, and
records of dues. The minute book from 1953-1963 contains an
additional mailing list, an agenda for business meetings,
and procedural instructions for dinner meetings.
The minutes from each meeting of the Section on Ophthalmology are divided into two sections: "Scientific Program" and "Executive Session". Listed under the Scientific Program are the titles and authors of papers read at each meeting. The minutes from the Executive Session provide information about practical and financial matters. Also traced in the Executive Session minutes is the development of numerous committees, lectures, and awards, such as the Zentmayer Award Committee and the Annual De Schweinitz Lecture.
Of special interest are the minutes of 20 March 1913 and 18 March 1937, which document the Section's opposition to the state legislature's consideration of certain "optometry bills". Also of note are the minutes of 19 January 1928, in which members express their disapproval of the term "eyephysician", and the minutes of 18 December 1947, in which the Section agrees to send one thousand dollars worth of care packages to "needy ophthalmologists in Europe".
The minutes from each meeting of the Section on Ophthalmology are divided into two sections: "Scientific Program" and "Executive Session". Listed under the Scientific Program are the titles and authors of papers read at each meeting. The minutes from the Executive Session provide information about practical and financial matters. Also traced in the Executive Session minutes is the development of numerous committees, lectures, and awards, such as the Zentmayer Award Committee and the Annual De Schweinitz Lecture.
Of special interest are the minutes of 20 March 1913 and 18 March 1937, which document the Section's opposition to the state legislature's consideration of certain "optometry bills". Also of note are the minutes of 19 January 1928, in which members express their disapproval of the term "eyephysician", and the minutes of 18 December 1947, in which the Section agrees to send one thousand dollars worth of care packages to "needy ophthalmologists in Europe".
Dates
- 1913 - 1963
Creator
Biographical / Historical
The Section on Ophthalmology of the College of Physicians of
Philadelphia was instituted in 1893, the first Section to be
formed at the College. In 1890, Fellows specializing in
ophthalmology requested permission from the College to meet
once a month to read papers and discuss topics relevant to
their field. Although many Fellows were opposed to such
specialization, permission for the meetings was granted on
5 November 1890. On 16 November 1890, fifteen
ophthalmologists, including chairman William F. Norris and
secretary Edward Jackson, held their first meeting in the
College.
During the next two years, this group of ophthalmologists developed into a distinguished organization. Many significant papers were read during meetings, and members of the group became influential figures in the ophthalmological field. Because of the success of the ophthalmologists, other Fellows became interested in forming Sections; Edward Jackson became their spokesman. In late 1892, Jackson presented the College with a draft of rules and regulations for the institution of permanent Sections, and by April 1893, the College had formally approved his proposal. The Section on Ophthalmology had its first official meeting on 12 November 1893.
The rules for authorizing the creation of Sections of the College first appeared in the appendix of the 1900 by-laws. According to these rules, fifteen or more Fellows may "organize[d] a Section upon some department of medical science or practice" with the stipulation that their work remain "wholly and only scientific". The 1990 by-laws state that the Council is responsible for organizing and discontinuing the Sections of the College. In addition to electing a Chairman and a Clerk, each Section must establish its own by-laws, provided they do not conflict with the regulations of the College.
As of 1991, the Section on Ophthalmology of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia remains active.
During the next two years, this group of ophthalmologists developed into a distinguished organization. Many significant papers were read during meetings, and members of the group became influential figures in the ophthalmological field. Because of the success of the ophthalmologists, other Fellows became interested in forming Sections; Edward Jackson became their spokesman. In late 1892, Jackson presented the College with a draft of rules and regulations for the institution of permanent Sections, and by April 1893, the College had formally approved his proposal. The Section on Ophthalmology had its first official meeting on 12 November 1893.
The rules for authorizing the creation of Sections of the College first appeared in the appendix of the 1900 by-laws. According to these rules, fifteen or more Fellows may "organize[d] a Section upon some department of medical science or practice" with the stipulation that their work remain "wholly and only scientific". The 1990 by-laws state that the Council is responsible for organizing and discontinuing the Sections of the College. In addition to electing a Chairman and a Clerk, each Section must establish its own by-laws, provided they do not conflict with the regulations of the College.
As of 1991, the Section on Ophthalmology of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia remains active.
Extent
.4 Linear feet (2 half document boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
The Section on Ophthalmology records were donated to the
Historical Collections of the College of Physicians of
Philadelphia by Harold D, Earnshaw on 14 April 1989. The
records were processed and catalogued in 1991.
Creator
- Title
- Minutes of the Section on Ophthalmology of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository
