MINUTES OF THE SECTION

ON

OBSTETRICS AND DISEASES OF WOMEN.

TUESDAY, May 3, 1881.

THE Section on Obstetrics and Diseases of Women was called to order by the Chairman, Dr. JAMES R. CHADWICK, of Massachusetts, at 2 P. M., in Wilkerson Hall.

Dr. PAUL F. MUNDE, of New York, read a paper upon The use of Pessaries, and exhibited a number of new modifications of these instruments upon plans suggested by himself.

Upon vote of the Section, Dr. MUNDE's time was extended, and he finished the reading of his paper.

Dr. R. BEVERLY COLE, of California, gave a running statement of the main points in his paper On the Mechanical Treatment of some of the Displacements and Diseases of the Uterus, and exhibited his method of making soft rubber pessaries, and of applying the actual cautery, with remarks.

The Chairman invited Dr. A. H. SMITH, of Pennsylvania, to open the discussion upon the two papers, and he was followed by Dr. H. P. C. WILSON, of Maryland, Dr. G. M. B. MAUGHS, of Missouri, and Dr. I. N. QUIMBY, of New Jersey. Drs. MUNDÉ and COLE closed the debate.

WEDNESDAY, May 4, 1881.

The Section convened at 2 P. M., the Chairman, Dr. JAMES R. CHADWICK, presiding.

Dr. J. J. CALDWELL, of Maryland, was called to read his paper, but as he was not present

Dr. F. C. LARIMORE, of Ohio, presented a Pathological Specimen of Uterine Calculus, and read the following history of its growth, symptoms, and removal:

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Mrs. B., aged 70, mother of five children, the youngest fortytwo years old. Two years after the birth of the last child patient was treated for prolapsus uteri. Eight or ten years later she had metrorrhagia, and called her physician, who detected a tumor of the uterus. In August, 1869, Dr. L. B. Potter, of Fredericktown, Ohio, was called to treat her for dysentery, and at this time the tumor was readily observable. Subsequently she enjoyed good health, until two years ago. During the last six months of her life there was a constant escape of urine. Three months prior to death a discharge about like the menstrual flux occurred and lasted twenty days and then ceased, a purulent discharge only remaining.

Autopsy four hours after death: Rigor mortis not well marked, and body not well nourished. Spleen enlarged to probably five times its normal size. Uterus enlarged to six and a half inches in long diameter and five and a half inches transversely. A longitudinal incision through the walls of the uterus revealed a calcareous mass which filled the entire cavity of the uterus and was firmly adherent to its inner surface, of a yellowish-white color, and weighing four pounds and one ounce.

An interesting discussion upon the calcareous degeneration of fibroid tumors and their removal occurred, which was participated in by Dr. DUNLAP, of Ohio, Dr. MARCY, of Massachusetts, Dr. DUNSTER, of Michigan, Dr. BYRNE, of New York, Dr. A. H. SMITH, of Pennsylvania, and Drs. MORRIS and ERICH, of Maryland.

Dr. H. P. C. WILSON, of Maryland, exhibited some instruments. for the dilatation of the cervix uteri after abortion for the better removal of the placenta and membranes, and made remarks explanatory and illustrative of their usefulness. The discussion. of this subject was opened by Dr. R. BEVERLY COLE, of California, and continued by Drs. PAUL F. MUNDÉ, of New York, A. F. A. KING, of District of Columbia, ERICH, of Maryland, WARNER, of Massachusetts, BATTEY, of Georgia, A. H. SMITH, of Pennsylvania, MAUGHS, of Missouri, and MARCY, of Massachusetts. Dr. WILSON closed the debate.

Dr. H. O. MARCY, of Massachusetts, presented some instruments-Double Injection and Irrigation Tubes for Washing out Vagina, Uterus, Bladder, and Stomach, and submitted some remarks concerning them.

THURSDAY, May 5, 1881.

The Section was called to order at 3 P. M. by the Chairman. The appointment of the following committees was announced: Committee to select a subject for a prize essay: Dr. E. S. DUNSTER, of Michigan; Dr. G. M. B. MAUGHS, of Missouri; Dr. H. M. FIELD, of Massachusetts.

Committee of Award: Dr. ROBERT BATTEY, of Georgia; Dr. A. H. SMITH, of Pennsylvania; Dr. PAUL F. MUNDÉ, of New York.

Committee to whom papers are referred for examination: Dr. Jos. TABER JOHNSON, of District of Columbia; Dr. JOHN BYRNE, of New York; Dr. H. P. C. WILSON, of Maryland.

Dr. JOSEPH TABER JOHNSON, of District of Columbia, read a paper On the Diagnosis of Pregnancy in the Early Months, which was discussed by Drs. COLE, of California, A. H. SMITH, of Pennsylvania, JENNINGS, of Virginia, MUNDE, of New York, DUNLAP, of Ohio, SCOTT, of Missouri, MAUGHS, of Missouri, ERICH, of Maryland, BATTEY, of Georgia, and the Chairman, Dr. JAMES R. CHADWICK, of Massachusetts. Dr. JOHNSON closed the debate.

Dr. PAUL F. MUNDE, of New York, exhibited some new forms of "curette," devised by himself, for the removal of portions of retained placenta or membranes from the uterus; also a modification of Sims's speculum; also pessaries, and explained their

uses.

The subject of the removal of retained secundines after abortion, by the curette and other means, was discussed at considerable length by Drs. MAUGHS, of Missouri, DUNLAP, of Ohio, A. H. SMITH, of Pennsylvania, Jos. TABER JOHNSON, of District of Columbia, MARCY, of Massachusetts, ERICH, of Maryland, CHADWICK, of Massachusetts, and McDONALD, of West Virginia. Dr. MUNDE closed the debate.

Dr. STONE, of Minnesota, presented a modification of Tarnier's forceps for the delivery of the head when resting on the perineum. The Section passed a vote of thanks to the Chairman and the Secretary, and adjourned.

JOSEPH TABER JOHNSON, M.D.,

Secretary.