16. 1927 January 20-April 21

File — Box: 1

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: 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".