Medical Society of South Carolina Meeting Minutes: 1974

              Regular Meeting, Medical Society of South Carolina

7:00 P.M., Thursday, February 28, 1974, Country Club of Charleston

Call to order


Report of the Board of Comm. by Dr. E. S. Smith, Jr.

The regular quarterly meeting of the Medical Society of South Carolina 
was called to order by the President, Dr. Charlton deSaussure, at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, 
February 28, 1974 at the Country Club of Charleston.

There were 60 members and two Guests, Dr. Joan Gallagher and Dr. William 
Prioleau, Jr., present.

The meeting was opened with remarks by the President concerning the 
following problems facing the Society during the next few years: the Roper Hospital 
Consortium Committee; establishment of a laboratory for Roper Hospital; the problem of the 
further encroachment of the Federal Government and third party insurance carriers on the private 
practice of medicine; the further expansion of the building program; the 
construction and installation of a Cobalt treatment unit in the Department of Radiology; and the question 
of the possible profitable use of the hospital's property on the south west corner of 
Barre and Calhoun Street.

The minutes of the preceding meeting of November 27, 1973 were
read by Dr. Henry C. Robertson in the absence of the Secretary, Dr.
Ball. It was moved that an addition should be made to these minutes 
recognizing the tribute paid at the annual banquet to Dr. Harold S. Pettitt and Dr. Edward F. 
Parker for their many years of service on the Board of Commissioners. The Society presented these 
gentlemen with a silver platter, suitably engraved, and a memorial plaque.

REPORT OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

Dr. Bachman S. Smith, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, 
rendered the following report:

"Since the November 23, 1973 meeting of the Medical Society of South 
Carolina, the following are the developments within the hospital and action by the hospital 
Board which I believe may be of interest for the February 28, 1974 meeting of the Medical 
Society:

1 - The hospital census has afaii returned to normal after an unusually 
large drop during the month of December. Overall hospital operations continue to show a surplus.

2 - The year-end hospital audit has been completed and presented to the 
hospital Board. Operations for the year 1972-1973 showed a surplus of $421,121.16. Per diem 
cost for the year increased to $75.59.

At the Annual meeting of the Board of Commissioners held January 21, 
1974, Board officers were elected for the coming year.

Dr. Bachman S. Smith, Jr., was elected Chairman and Harold S. Pettit 
was elected Vice Chairman. Dr. Julian T. Buxton, Jr. was

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