106 Litcrar]) Assoclatloiis. [Chap. XXIII. 



together and compare opinions, and little habi- 

 tuated to the task of committing their observa- 

 tions to writing, each was compelled to proceed 

 almost unassisted and alone. Soon after the 

 confusion and devastation of war had given v/ay 

 to the arts of peace, attempts began to be made 

 to remedy this serious evil. Associations for the 

 purpose of improving medical science were soon 

 formed, not only in Philadelphia, which had been 

 for some years the seat of a medical school, but 

 in almost every state in the union. Few of these 

 societies have made very large or important pub- 

 lications J but they have produced many lasting 

 advantages to the individuals composing them, 

 and to the interests of the healing art. They 

 have brought physicians to be acquahited with 

 rach other. They have collected a large mass of 

 facts, hints, observations, and inquiries, which, if 

 not always given to the world, constitute a source 

 of improvement to the associates themselves. 

 They have instituted annual orations, which, in 

 various ways, tend to promote their primary ob- 

 ject. They have issued prize questions, and be- 

 stowed premiums, which awaken dormant powers, 

 and excite a laudable spirit of emulation. In a 

 word, they have contributed to raise the practice 

 of medicine in America from a selfish and sordid 

 trade, to a libei:al, dignified, and enlightened pro- 

 fession. • 



4. AgrkuUural Societies. Associations for the 

 promotion of agriculture and the auxiliaiy arts 

 and sciences, while they have been multiplied 

 in every part of the scientific world, have also, 

 during the latter half of the last century, l^ecom^ 



