The Medical Convention at Madison, Wis.
By L. A. Hansen
ONE of the best, if not the best, medical conventions ever held among us was that at the Madison (Wis.) Sanitarium, June 5-10. Representatives from all our conference sanitariums were present, besides several general workers. Plans and recommendations were adopted which will be effective because of their general acceptance, and which, when carried out, will do more to organize and standardize the work of our sanitariums and training schools than any previous actions which we have passed. There were present the following: Elders I. H. Evans, F. M. Wilcox, L. H. Christian, P. A. Hanson, W. A. Westworth, E. A. Bristol; Drs. H. W. Miller, W. E. Bliss, L. E. Elliott, F. A. Loop, R. S. Ingersoll, W. T. Lindsay, F. C. Dean, Mary W. Paulson, L. H. Wolfsen, R. L. Stokes, J. D. Shively, E. D. Haysmer, Fred H. Weber, John Reith, Geo. E. Klingerman, Belle Wood-Comstock, Wm. J. Johnson, T. J. Evans; business managers, H. B. Steele, C. E. Hammond, C. M. Christiansen, H. H. Todd, P. L. Larsen, W. C. Foreman, R. L. Carsen, A. C. Gaylord, Lars Nielsen, C. M. Everest, Chas. E. Rice; head nurses, Leonora Lacy, Lola G. French, Mrs. H. W. Grimm, Mrs. Gertrude Johnson, Kate Macey, Flora E. Huenergardt, Frances J. Ellis, C. E. Garnsey; also Mrs. L. H. Wolfsen, Mrs. C. M. Christiansen, Florence V. Dufur, Grace H. Jennings, Mrs. C. L. Clough, Virle R. Neall, Jasper Wayne, and L. A. Hansen. A number of the workers of the Madison Sanitarium were in attendance most of the time. The program included a devotional meeting, 6:30 to 7:30 A. M.; sessions, 9 A. M. to 12:30 P. M., and 2:30 to 5 P. M.; preaching at 7:30 P. M. This schedule was followed quite closely, except that an early adjournment of some of the business sessions had to be taken to enable committees to work, and one or two sessions were run overtime in order to get in all the business. It was a most busy time for all, from the opening of the convention on Monday to its close on Friday afternoon. Practically the entire attendance of workers was divided about equally to form the three principal committees. Elder I. H. Evans was chairman of the committee on plans, Brother Chas. E. Rice of the committee on finance, and Dr. H. W. Miller of the committee on training schools. Subcommittees and several special committees were appointed. Very little time was spent aside from convention and committee work. Early and late all were busy, and the result was a large amount of business to which careful study was given. The recommendations adopted by the convention covered a large scope of institutional work, besides giving attention to health and temperance work in general. Several excellent papers were read, and some splendid addresses made. Some good discussions were also given. A large share of all these will be presented in these columns as soon and as fully as space will permit. The actions passed by the convention are to be printed in the form of a manual, especially for the use of sanitarium workers. Several articles will be given by persons who were in attendance, dealing with various phases of the convention. We feel assured that most of our people will be interested in the reports of this convention. Very noticeable was the exceptionally fine spirit of harmony and union prevailing throughout the convention and all its proceedings. Again and again was it expressed that the meeting had been a most enjoyable one, and that its influence for permanent good will be strong and far-reaching. In connection with the consideration of the work of our Central Purchasing Bureau, there were offered a number of items for our attention. Several representatives of reputable concerns were present to show their goods and to give demonstrations. Probably no feature of the convention was more appreciated by the sanitarium workers than the presence of general workers, such as Elders Evans and Wilcox. These brethren took a deep interest in all the work of the convention, devoting their undivided time to its interests. They rendered strong help, and their counsel was highly encouraging. Our convention closed with bright hopes for the future of our work.