[The private society 'Utrechtsch Geneeskundig Gezelschap Matthias van Geuns' as a source of history and inspiration].
The Utrechtsch Geneeskundig Gezelschap [Utrecht Medical Society] Matthias van Geuns (1793 to the present) is the oldest still active local medical society in the Netherlands. Membership is select and limited to only one local representative from every medical specialty. Proceedings of the medical meetings have never been published, neither was a prize offered for a best essay. The minutes of the meetings, however, have been preserved. They give a fascinating insight into the way this small society reacted to the developments in medicine during two centuries. Infectious diseases, for example cholera, abdominal typhus and tuberculosis, and newly introduced surgical procedures like anaesthesia and antisepsis or asepsis were discussed. The lectures had to be attended by all members and were meant to be aimed at a general medical audience. The society members were expected to prepare themselves and take part in the discussion afterwards, everyone from his own point of view. This procedure was both instructive and stimulating. The minutes of the Utrechtsch Geneeskundig Gezelschap Matthias van Geuns are a valuable source for scientific research on medical developments in the Netherlands, particularly in Utrecht.
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D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D009426:Netherlands; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000266:history*