Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/133

 Act of Incorporation. The objects of the association, as expressed first by its constitution, and afterwards in the preamble of the charter, are "to advance the science of medicine, and thereby to lessen human misery, by investigating the diseases and remedies which are peculiar to our country; by observing the effects of different seasons, climates, and situations upon the human body; by recording the changes that are produced in diseases by the progress of agriculture, arts, population, and manners; by searching for medicines in our woods, waters, and the bowels of the earth; by enlarging our avenues to knowledge from the discoveries and publications of foreign countries; by appointing stated times for literary intercourse and communications; and by cultivating order and uniformity in the practice of physic." The following were the original fellows who composed it, viz: John Redman, John Jones, William Shippen, Jr., Benjamin Rush, Samuel Duffield, James Hutchinson, Abraham Chovet, John Morgan, Adam Kuhn, Gerardus Clarkson, Thomas Parke, and George Glentworth.

No law has ever existed in Philadelphia regulating the practice of medicine or establishing a medical police; but on the occurrence of violent epidemics, and upon questions of