An application for membership to the society from a physician who practiced that system was promptly rejected at the next meeting and much discussion ensued. The subject was frequently referred to in the minutes of the meetings for a number of subsequent years, and in 1851 several members were expelled from the society for practicing homeopathy. Rules forbidding members to consult with homeopathic physicians were passed, and in 1856 there was prepared and printed for public information a system of popular ethics, explaining fully the position of the society regarding the whole subject of ethics. Feeling ran high over the matter for a long time, as is shown by the lengthy discussions and resolutions devoted to the subject in the minutes, year after year. Gradually, as it became evident that there was an increasing abandonment of sectarian practice, a reaction came; but it was not until 1883 that this society, following the lead of the State Society, adopted a new code which permitted, under reasonable restrictions, consultations between regular and sectarian practitioners.
Dr. Merritt H. Cash, by his will in 1861, left a legacy to the State Society of five hundred dollars which is known as "The Merritt H. Cash Fund." The fund now amounts to seven hundred and fifty dollars and the interest is devoted to a prize essay written by members of the county medical societies throughout the State. Dr. Cash also left four thousand dollars for the monument erected at Goshen in honor of those who fell at the battle of Minisink. The society was, of course, much interested in this event and was accorded a prominent place at the unveiling of the monument July 22, 1862.
Four members represented this society and served as surgeons with credit and distinction during the Civil War: Dr. R. V. K. Montfort and Dr. J. H. Thompson in the 124th, Dr. Solomon Van Etten in the 56th, and Dr. Theodore Cooper (assistant surgeon) in the 156th regiment of volunteers.
In 1879 the society received a special invitation to attend the celebration of the centennial of the battle of Minisink. This invitation was in recognition of the county's obligation to the donor, Dr. Merritt H. Cash, and for the patriotic and heroic services rendered by Dr. Benjamin Tusten at the battle of Minisink, July 22, 1779, where his life was sacrificed in the actual performance of his professional duties.
The last quarter of the century is notable in the history of the society for a renewal of interest and increased literary work. This was the developmental era of antiseptic and aseptic surgery, and the records, as shown by the papers read and the cases reported, were creditable to the progressive spirit and practice of the members of the society.
A resolution to the effect that all members of the society, in good standing for thirty years, be constituted honorary members was adopted in June, 1887. This honor was accordingly bestowed upon Dr. Bartow Wright, whose membership dated from 1834, and upon Dr. Harvey Everett, who joined the society in 1839. The former died in 1890 and the latter April 8, 1899, having been a member of the society for sixty years.
In 1895 revised by-laws were adopted, one of which admitted to membership any licensed physician who declared his full abnegation of sectarian principles and practice. This invitation was an expression of a principle and belief which it is hoped will in the near future rally all physicians to a broad standard of practice, and the recent law enacted, which provides but one board of examiners to grant State licenses to physicians of all schools, is another hopeful sign of medical unity.
In 1898, at the breaking out of the war with Spain, Dr. James R. Wood, a member of this society, volunteered and accompanied the 101st Regiment to Cuba. There he afterwards died in the performance of his duties, which were those of endeavoring to render sanitary the almost impossible conditions at Guanajay.
In February, 1901, the Orange County Medical Association was organized, about which time a successful effort was made to complete the organization of associations in those counties where they had not been formed when the State Association split off from the State Society, because of the code question in 1882. The two sets of organizations had not been long maintained, however, when a comparison of their ethical standards revealed the fact that twenty years had so modified opinions as to have practically removed the differences. The associations, however, had the advantage of the recognition of the American Medical Association, which had never been accorded the societies since their adoption of the new code of ethics. In order to avail themselves of membership in the national association many of the members of the societies joined the associations, too, and the barriers between the two organizations eventually became completely broken down.
The first meeting of the amalgamated county societies was held at Newburgh, January 25, 1906, the combined membership being seventy-nine.