“RETROSPECTIVE

Hot Springs has had the honor upon one previous occasion of entertaining this association, and the meeting of 1894 has often been referred to as the greatest gathering, and the most successful, scientifically and socially, of any meeting in the history of the society.  The meeting was presided over by Dt. Xenophen C. Scott, of Cleveland, one of the old-time wheel horses of the association.  (I regret to learn that Dr. Scott’s health is very poor of late).  Dr. Tom Holland was chairman of the Arrangement Committee.  Many of our members will remember this great meeting, and the excellent papers read, although almost twelve years have passed–think of it!  This was before Dr. Moyer was married, or had even thought of such a thing–and when Dr. Lydston was a bridegroom; before Dr. Gant got married, hied himself to New York and became a proud father, and while Dr. I.N. Love was in his prime!

And what a lively session of the ‘Chut-Mucks’ was held during the meeting, with the illimitable Love as presiding officer.  One of my fellow editors, whose memory for such events is better than mine, tells the following story of the event:

The ‘Chut-Mucks’ were on hand as usual and initiated a number of candidates into the mysteries of this order of jolly good fellows, Dr. Love on the chair.  They held the meetings ‘four or five times,’ and remained awake all night in order to see the sun rise.  Prominent ‘chut-mucks’ are ‘the only lore’ who suffered from ‘whiskers on the larynx;’ Zenophon C. (better known as Great) Scott, the ‘eye-oculist of Cleveland’ ‘with his golden hair hanging own in front,’ William Warren Potter, and the Buffalo Bill of the profession; Owen of Evansville, he of the ‘rubicund countenance,’ Wm. H. Daly, ‘with his eye knocked out,’ Harry Townsend, that prince of railway general passenger agents; Charley Ware, said to be ‘the most disturbing element that ever came into Arkansas,’ Lyman T. Hoy, the Boniface of the Arlington; Old King Cole of New York, ‘who never follows the course of the fly, who passes his life in miseri;’ and Dr. Hummel, ‘the champagne cocktail’ of the profession; Herbert Durand, the poet lauerate of the M.V.; Eugene Smith of Detroit is the last but not least of the ‘chut-mucks.’ ”

Reference Data:

Medical Herald, Vol. 25, 1906, page 450