hepatization of the right lung took place. cardial and pleural effusion. I was too late to even puncture the cavities. Until a week ago last Monday he seemed to be slowly improving, but in the evening of that day he had a chill and fever and sweat. He is now emaciating fast and sweats a great deal. Under the circumstances, what is the best course to pursue? Dr. Andrews-I saw a case, two years ago, where a lung became completely hepatized, but finally opened up again under the administration of iodine, both internally and externally. Dr. Carstens-I would suggest the use of syrup of the hypophosphites, cod liver oil and carbonate of ammonia. Dr. Robertson-I have lately met with a fine example of herpes zoster brachialis. The eruption covers the anterior surface of the shoulder and arm. Dr. Hawes-The notes of a post mortem examination which I made this afternoon are so interesting that I do not hesitate to relate the condition of affairs which I found. The previous history of the patient will be related by Dr. Chapoton. I will only say that the man was suffering from an unreduced right inguinal hernia, which was easily replaced under ether by Dr. McGraw and Dr. Hawes had seen a few cases of simple myself about 4 P. M. on the 9th inst. Symp scarlatina. Dr. Yemans-I have met with several cases of acute rheumatism. What has been the experience of the members in the use of the salicylates? Dr. Chapoton-In the report made by a committee of some foreign medical society as to the value of the salicylates in the treatment of rheumatism, I read that to obtain the full benefit of the salicylate of soda in inflammatory rheumatism, it should be given in a daily dose of not less than two drachms. I have since, about eighteen months, always given it in that quantity per day, divided into six doses, and have always been pleased with its effects, as in three or four days the severe suffering was overcome, both in private and hospital cases. Dr. Andrews-I have also had good results with the salicylates, and have observed that a large quantity is necessary to obtain the best effects, and that the remedy must be continued for some time after the acute symptoms have subsided, if permanent relief is desired. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS. Dr. Andrews-I would like to call attention to the large number of cases of light scarlatina which have lately been seen. I have had five cases in which the secondary symptoms were present, and where no previous fever had been suspected. In several cases of dropsy the mothers remembered that some time previously the children had complained of sore throat. One child, to whom I was giving tinct. ferri, alkalies, tinct. digitalis and saline cathartics, I considered as improving nicely, when I was suddenly called one night to find the child dying from peri toms of strangulation, however, continued, and the man finally sank and died at 4 A. M. on the 11th inst. The bowels were deeply congested throughout, and the peritoneum contained a quantity of dark fluid. The hernial sac was empty and afforded free passage into the scrotum. In the pelvis was a mass of small intestines in a gangrenous condition, encircled at the point of stricture by a ring of fibrous tissue, of about the thickness of whip-cord. The gangrene had extended both above and below the stricture. Dr. Chapoton-The patient had had a former attack of obstruction of the bowels some years ago. The hernia was finally reduced, after six hours work, by an Eastern surgeon. The patient first noticed his present difficulty on March 1, when he remembered that his bowels had not moved the previous day. On Monday, 3d inst., vomiting began and continued until his death. He was brought to St. Mary's Hospital late Thursday evening, and on Friday morning he came under my care. On seeing the patient, and learning the symptoms, I looked for a hernia and found a large-sized one in the right inguinal region and scrotal sac. I endeavored immediately to reduce it, but after an hour's patient work, without success, I desisted, leaving word to show the patient to the hospital surgeon, as operative measures would probably be necessary if he did not have better success than myself. Dr. Jenks I would like to call attention, with your permission, Mr. President, to an epidemic influence now prevailing, and which is particularly noticeable in surgical and puerperal patients. In these particular lines of practice I have lately had trouble with all The case, he my patients in the city, even in very trivial never be removed or cured. operations, while in much graver ones, per- said, was one among too many of a similar formed in the country, everything has gone character which had come under his observaon to perfect satisfaction. In a late case of tion. Nothing, he remarked, could be worse amputation of the breast, the patient died in the early treatment of inflammations of of septicemia, although every antiseptic the conjunctiva than the injudicious use of precaution, both during and after the oper- strong caustics let down upon the eye. In a ation, had been carefully carried out. Have majority of these cases, besides rest in the the other members had the same experience? outset, with a saline cathartic, and if need Dr. Noyes said that within a fortnight he be, soothing applications to the eyes, with had had occasion to enucleate two eyes; no mild, astringent washes, little else is needed untoward symptoms followed in either case, to bring about a speedy cure. as both healed kindly. One of these cases he would report, as it presented some points of practical interest to the profession. A farmer, aged 35, from a distant part of the State, recently came to him to be treated for his eyes; he had been afflicted with granular conjunctivitis for three years; the attack came on suddenly, affecting first the right and in a few days the other eye; there had been On motion the meeting was adjourned. The Detroit Lancet. LEARTUS CONNOR, A. M., M. D., EDITOR. The American Academy of Medicine.* THIS Association was organized in Septem previously no sore eyes in his family; he had ber, 1876, and holds its next annual meetbeen treated by a number of physicians in ing in New York, September 16, 1879. The almost as many places in this State; not get. fellows of this academy must be alumni of ting cured, he, nearly blind, went finally to respectable collegiate institutions, who have New York, and entered the New York eye received therefrom: (1) The degree of and ear infirmary. He stayed there three Bachelor of Arts, after a systematic course months under treatment; he returned home of study, preparatory and collegiate. (2) in September, 1877, but little improved. The degree of Master of Arts, in accordance Since his return, he continued to receive with the usage of these institutions. (3) treatment from one and another up to the The degree of Doctor of Medicine, after a time he came under my observation. Vision regular course of study, not less than three in right eye had been for some time lost. years under the direction of preceptors and The eye was staphylomatous, the front part professors. They must also have had an exprotruding beyond the lids; paracentesis of perience of three years in the practice of the cornea had been repeatedly made. The medicine. The objects of the academy are eye, however, continued to enlarge, was very broadly : First-To bring those who are tense, tender and painful, and seemed to af- alumni of collegiate, scientific and medical fect injuriously the fellow eye. It was ac- schools into closer relations with each other. cordingly removed. Double canthoplasty Second-To encourage young men to pursue had also been performed; could see in re- regular courses of study in classical or scienmaining eye barely enough to get about un- tific institutions before entering upon the attended; careful examination of everted up- study of medicine. Third-To extend the per lids revealed marked scars and cicatrices bounds of medical science, to elevate the coursing across their conjuctival surfaces, profession, to relieve human suffering and to with atrophy and contraction of same, evi- prevent disease. dently the result of early and too strong topical treatment with caustics, nitrate of silver, etc.; he had suffered intensely, he said, from these applications. These scars of the lids are now constantly acting mechanically and injuriously upon the eye with every movement of the lids, keeping the eye constantly inflamed and irritated. This condition of the lids, it need hardly be said, can Imperfect preparation for the study of medicine and its almost inevitable sequence, imperfect qualification, are admitted clogs upon the power and usefulness of the medical profession. The Academy of Medicine *Those desiring to join this organization can get terms of membership, etc., from the Secretary, Dr. R. J. Dunglison, Philadelphia, Pa. For our facts we are indebted to his circular call for the next meeting. letters, so will the student as a rule. The schools in turn are influenced by the students and doctors. They find it impossible to suddenly change the low standards of doctors and students. We all need to look higher, and it is to be hoped that the Academy of Medicine will exert a beneficent influence in furnishing an incentive to all to both look and go up higher. Mineral Waters and their Practical Value. exists to aid other societies and forces in the abolition of this evil. As will be seen from its conditions of membership, no one can become a member who has not spent at least twelve years in preparatory or professional study-six in general study and six in professional. For ourselves we have always believed that no one should enter upon the study of medicine without at least a full college training. The world would be vastly improved if, from this day forward, no person could be admitted to a medical college Robley Dunglison taught that nearly all -except he could exhibit the degreee of A. B. the benefits derived from mineral waters or B. S. In such a preliminary requirement should be attributed to "the corrected habits we have faith-all others are so exceedingly of life, the change of air and scene, the rest elastic as, on the whole, to be practically from labor or dissipation, and the increased useless. We wish the academy all success amount of aqueous fluid imbibed, which are in its efforts to render the medical profession always associated with the springs." Had more worthy of being called a learned pro- he added that the same salts taken in the fession. We trust that members of the pro- same amount of water would accomplish all fession will present these facts to young men that these accessories did not accomplish, he of their acquaintance who propose to enter would have expressed our own view in the upon the study of medicine. Let these be matter. We are no believers in any mystical taught that it is an unbecoming thing for properties of water from any springs. Ten them to enter upon the study of a learned grains of chloride of sodium will have the profession without suitable classical and same effect when taken in a gallon of pure scientific knowledge and without mental dis- water from the Detroit or the Hudson rivers, cipline; that without this knowledge and and so with all other salts or combinations of discipline it is impossible to make even re- salts. It seems to us absurd for learned men spectable attainments in the science of medi- to append their names to a testimonial setcine; and that it is a disgrace to attempt to ting forth the virtues of the water from a enter upon the practice of medicine without spring whose exact composition is settled. It a competent knowledge of its science. The is fully established that magnesium sulphate practical presentation of this matter by all in certain doses acts as a laxative, and in earnest physicians in the United States would other doses as a cathartic. Now, if a mineral speedily revolutionize the popular notion that water contains say a drachm of this to a a boy unfit or too ignorant to hold a plow, pint, certainly anyone can tell what its wield the ax, work in stores or get an honest therapeutic effects will be. Topers, gluttons living by ordinary methods, must be placed of full habit, chronic rheumatics, etc., who in a doctor's office and sent to a medical col- are full of waste materials, effete matters, lege. The fact is, the medical profession are benefited by drinking large amounts of needs recruits only in its highest ranks. The any bland water. Their sewers need flushlower ranks are over-crowded and seriously ing, and to guzzle from a spring is more encroach upon the higher. It wants only fashionable than to do the same thing from those who love it enough to, figuratively the well at home. Alkalies and acids largely speaking, wade through fire and water to diluted often produce the happiest effects, as enter its ranks. It wants those alone who all will testify. But why shall not those be are so fired with zeal and enthusiasm for made in the chemist's shop as well as in the their chosen calling that they are willing to diversified strata of the earth? The only sacrifice ease, comfort and all else incompat- possible avowal is that at home the patient ible with the highest possible attainments. gets the benefits of the artificial waters alone, It is a fact that the students of the day draw while at the springs he adds to these the eftheir inspiration from their preceptors-as is fects of the "accessories" of the springs. We doctor so is student. If the doctor has a have honestly tried to ascertain in what, if low standard of knowledge of science and any, respects the natural combinations were the place of one or more courses of lectures, was a positive advance. Now that it is supported by the law of the State of Illinois, its force will be still greater. We are unable to understand why all reputable colleges cannot see that their interests, the interests of medical education, and the interests of the profession, would all be promoted by their union with the American Medical College Association. To the complaint that it has not elevated the standard, we reply that it has done so to such an extent as to disqualify for membership not an inconsiderable number of colleges hitherto regarded as reputable. better than accurately made artificial ones, but the proof of their superiority has been utterly lacking. Still we are inclined to the conviction that to obtain the "accessories" of the springs is worth all it costs to the pa tient, casting aside utterly any value of the mineral water. So we rather encourage those to visit suitable springs who are able so to do. But we do it with the understanding that the spring will do no harm, while the change of diet, air, surroundings, etc., will rest certain exhausted tissues and glands, while it stimulates others to a normal activity. A change of almost any sort will improve a large class of invalids, and the mineral spring, with its form of medication, But if it does not go fast enough, why gives, if properly selected, a most complete do not our critics among the advanced transformation of the patient's environment. colleges help us to go faster? By joining We would like to see a more thorough study our ranks they might lead us in the better of the virtues of these waters, with a view way, faster than we otherwise might be to settle the question, "Have natural combinations" a greater value than "artificial combinations"? If so, in what does this increased value consist? If they have no greater value, then Dunglison was correct. The Illinois State Board of Health-Its Approval of the Action of the American Medical College Association. The Illinois State Board of Health has adopted the following: Resolved, That on and after July 1st, 1879, the Board will not consider any medical school in good standing which holds two graduating courses in one year. Resolved, That on and after July 1st, 1879, the Board will not recognize the diplomas of any medical school which does not require of its graduates the actual attendance upon at least two full courses of lectures, with an interval of six months or more. able to go. There is now pending before the association an amendment to its articles of confederation, requiring three courses of lectures instead of two as a condition for conferring the degree of M. D. Now is the time for such colleges as are willing to throw their influence with a general advancement of education, to join the association, and so vote as to make the above amendment binding. Unlike a convention, this College Association has organic laws, and these cannot be changed arbitrarily without the fullest discussion. When once this three course plan is made a part of our organic law, it will be as binding as membership in the association. Among all the good things that it has accomplished the action of the Illinois State Board of Health, to which we have alluded, Thus it will be seen that this Board throws will take a prominent place. We have good the weight of its authority on the side of the reason to believe that any action relating to requirements of the American Medical College medical education which may be adopted by Association. An examination of the cata- the College Association, will receive the logues of the several colleges proves that hearty indorsement of this Board. Both seek relatively few outside of the College Asso- a common end, the best development of ciation conform to the above requirements. medical education. In fact, their unwillingness to do so constiVital Statistics for the Census of 1880. tutes an obstacle to their union with the association, one reform of the College AssoOf the difficulties attending the collection ciation, in endeavoring to make the giving of comprehensive, reliable vital statistics few But the value of of a diploma always represent a definite physicians are fully aware. amount of study, has not been recognized as such statistics all recognize and wonder why it should have been. The shutting off the they are so incomplete. Now, if such will giving of ad eundem degrees, or degrees in remember that each item must be noted and which years of practice were made to take reported by some observer, it will be clear Lynn, Mass., has already followed Newport in the above rational self-protection plan. Memoranda. that there must be a nation of observers. The objects thus sought all admit as in the The performance of this task of observation highest degree desirable. The method strikes and recording consumes time and requires an us as practicable. We trust that the exeffort. Naturally human beings are careless ample of Newport may be initiated far and and inefficient in making such exertions un- wide, by cities, towns and villages. To preless they are paid for it, or are compelled by vent disease is the keynote of the times. legal penalties. Now, the medical profession have a peculiar interest in the perfecting of our next United States census. The superintendent of the census has perfected a plan which calls for an exhibition of this interest. We trust that no physician will neglect to do his part in the execution of this plan. Briefly, each physician is requested to report all deaths that occur in his practice from June 1st, 1879, to May 31st, 1880. To all physicians in the United States whose names could be obtained the superintendent has sent books containing twenty-four blanks, each affording space for the record of one death. Should the number of deaths in the practice of one physician exceed twenty-four, another book will be furnished on application Quinine has, at last, been placed on the free list by Congress. It should have been done long since. of the refrigerating ship. An English writer, speaking of the lunatic asylum management of his country, says: "Theoretically it ought to work perfectly and to shut out the possibility of wrongful detention and illtreatment. As a matter of fact there are complaints from all partiesfrom the public, from the general profession, and, to some extent, from the special ists." to the census office. The books are to be returned to the census office as soon as practicable after June 1, 1880. All cost growing Dr. W. B. Hammond says that he has out of this service is defrayed by the office, been most successful in curing stammering and the arrangement of the blanks is such as by diverting attention from the act of speakto require but a few moments to fully record the essentials in any one case. We trust that carelessness or laziness on the part of a few physicians may not vitiate the accuracy of the whole. ing. To do this he performs some slight muscular action synchronously with the articulation of difficult syllables. The movement of a limb or even a finger suffices. use of tobacco. The Medical Press and Circular says that in certain towns in Germany the police have The Newport Sanitary Protective Association. had orders to forbid all lads under sixteen Newport, R. I., has the honor of organiz- years of age to smoke in the streets, and to ing the first "Sanitary Protective Associa- punish the offense by fine and imprisonment. tion" in America. Its objects are to provide An investigation under the authority of the its members with such advice as is needed to Belgian Government results in ascribing insure the proper sanitary condition of their color-blindness to the general and excessive own dwellings and those of their tenants, and to take such actions as shall improve the sanitary condition of the city. The association is really a mutual insurance company in the matter of health. The cost of membership for permanent residents is six dollars yearly. The business of the association is in the hands of a council elected by members of the association. The paid officers are a consulting engineer, an inspecting engineer and a chemical analyst. The remuneration of these officers is based upon the actual work performed. With the energetic Dr. H. R. Storer as a member of the council, the association cannot fail of attaining success. An interesting part of the ceremonies dedicating the McDowell monument was the presentation to the orator, Prof. S. D. Gross, of the knocker which had hung on the door of the great ovariotomist during his residence in Danville. In most fitting and graceful terms Dr. Cowling made the presentation speech. Dr. J. C. Browne states that there is a great intolerance to alcohol in persons under the influence of chloral. A single glass of beer will cause intense congestion of the face and head, with excitement of the muscular system and conjunctival injection; this he |