HISTORY
The New York Dermatological Society, the oldest dermatological society in the world, was founded on May 18, 1869, at the house of Dr. Henry Daggett Bulkley, 42 East 22nd Street, New York. This historic occasion was due to the efforts of Dr. Faneuil D. Weisse, who conceived the idea of a dermatological society in America while studying his specialty abroad. A letter was sent to certain physicians interested in dermatology, signed by Drs. Faneuil D. Weisse, H. D. Bulkley, Henry G. Piffard, and Foster Swift, reading:
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"Knowing as we do that you are interested in Dermatology, we would wish you to participate with us in the organization of a society devoted to the investigation and consideration of the same. The object of the 'New York Dermatological Society' shall be to afford all
those interested in this most important department of medicine an opportunity for a full exchange of their opinions and methods of practice, and to contribute American experience and investigations to the fast accumulating stock of our knowledge of diseases of the skin." In response to this letter, there were present at this memorable first meeting Faneuil D. Weisse, Henry D. Bulkley, William H. Draper, Alexander W. Stein, G. A. Winston, Frederick Levisser, H. G. Forbes, R. M. Taylor, J. H. Ripley, Charles I. Pardee, S. A. Raborg, and A. S. Hunter. Dr. H. D. Bulkley was elected Chairman and Dr. F. D. Weisse Secretary of the meeting, at which time a Constitution and By-Laws were submitted by a Committee composed of Drs. Weisse, Draper, and Levisser, and were unanimously adopted.
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The original constitution of 1869 has been modified considerably by amendments, additions, and revisions, but its major provisions and rules have remained basically unchanged during the ninety years of the existence of the society. The first revision of the constitution was in April 1872; subsequent revisions were made in 1898, 1916, 1928, 1946, and the current one in 1959.
In some ways, the original constitution was more elaborate than later revisions. In addition to resident and honorary members, a category of corresponding members was specified. The officers consisted of a president, vice-president, librarian, a recording and statistical secretary, a corresponding secretary, and a treasurer. There was also a committee on admissions. In the 1872 revision, the designated officers consisted of the president, secretary, and treasurer. In 1898 the offices of secretary and treasurer were combined; since that time no changes in the designated officers have been made.
The procedure for the acquisition of new members has been changed but little through the years. Originally, a candidate was proposed by two resident members. His candidacy was then considered by the committee on admissions, and if found worthy, was referred to the society for a vote by ballot. In 1872, the committee on admissions was replaced by the executive committee. However, the initial step in the candidate's nomination was to be made in an open meeting; this point was specifically emphasized in the December 1895 revision of the by-laws.
From 1898 on, each candidate was required to present an inaugural thesis. It is assumed that such "theses" were read at stated meetings, although this procedure has not been followed in recent years. These have not been required since 1949, and in the current revision of the constitution have been replaced by a curriculum vitae of the candidate. The curriculum vitae is considered to be a more accurate indication of a candidate's scientific attainments in dermatology.
In the original constitution, no specific restrictions were placed on the number of resident (active) members. Ten signatures were affixed to the original document, but there is presumptive evidence that the society soon contained twenty-seven members (page 13). Honorary members were limited to ten and corresponding members were eliminated, presumably in 1872.
In the 1872 revision of the constitution, the executive committee of five members came into being. This committee judged the merits of candidates for membership and transacted all business, not otherwise provided for or delegated. The executive committee has continued to function in those capacities, essentially unchanged to the present time.
Rules of participation and attendance were strictly enforced during the early years of the society. If a member defaulted on his obligation to present a formal paper, a fine of five dollars was imposed. If a member was not present at the opening of a meeting, he was fined fifty cents, while absence during the entire evening called for a payment of one dollar. A member could avoid this latter fine by presenting a valid excuse to the president ( 1887). The importance of entertaining the members after the scientific and business sessions was pointed up by an amendment to the by-laws in 1890. "In case any member whose duty it shall become to entertain the society upon a given date shall fail to do so personally or by a substitute provided by himself, he shall thereby forfeit his membership to the society." A search through the archives of the society does not reveal that this last edict was ever enforced and it was deleted in the 1928 revision of the constitution.
An interesting comparison between the proceedings of the society in its early days and at the present time may be found in the changing character of the scientific meetings. In the early days, case presentations were equally thorough, and the shrewd speculations of the early members do not suffer by comparison with later-day discussions. In addition, members often presented original papers on special topics. Specifically, an 1876 amendment to the by-laws stipulated that, "the proceedings of the society shall be didactic and clinical on alternate evenings." Many of these formal presentations later found their way into the Journal of Cutaneous Diseases or other publications. The importance attached to the "didactic exercise" or formal presentation by the members may be emphasized by the fact that the presenter of the "exercise" was specifically excused from entertaining the society on the same evening. At times, the host member would suggest a subject for discussion to the members through the secretary and at the meeting opened the discussion on the chosen topic. In 1893, an amendment to the by-laws stipulated that both formal papers and case presentations might be given at a stated meeting. The decline and eventual disappearance of the didactic exercise or formal paper from the archives of the society is to be regretted. This was due, no doubt, to the increasing number and importance of sectional and national dermatological societies, and dermatological journals.
The New York Dermatological Society was founded at the home of Dr. Henry Bulkley, and presumably, he did not neglect the social amenities at the close of the formal sessions. These amenities, designated in the constitution as entertainment by the host member, have always been an integral part of the monthly meeting. Originally, they were held at the close of the evening sessions. When the scientific meetings were changed to the afternoon, the host entertained the members and invited guests at dinner. The scientific sessions and the entertainment have continued to make the New York Dermatological Society a unique and distinctive organization.