Persons afflicted with Scrofula are more apt to be attacked with Erysipelas; and this complaint, when successfully treated, has been beneficial to the patient in consequence of the elimination of the poisonous virus from the system. Most physicians, when treating such diseases as Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Gleet and attendant diseases, as eruptions upon the surface of the body, have discovered the importance of ascertaining whether any strumous condition had existed prior to the one in hand; to destroy and heal a chancre under such circumstances can only be accomplished by resorting to constitutional remedies; local treatment at best is temporary only, and never permanent.

Recently I called the attention of the parents to one of their children, a boy of twelve years, who was in their opinion healthy. The symptoms were a slight difficulty in hearing, a pale, dry skin, a thin growth of hair, and upon inquiry I learned that occasionally he had a headache. I prescribed as follows:

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Sig. Two-thirds teaspoonful three times daily; and a warm bath three times a week.

I discontinued this treatment in about sixty days. The hearing of the child was completely restored; the headache had disappeared, and his skin was moist, with a natural color. A few weeks afterwards diphtheria was prevalent in the neighborhood, many cases proving fatal; this boy was attacked and was confined to his room only three days, the diphtheritic membrane sloughing off readily under the influence of a mild gargle. I attribute this mild case altogether on account of his previous treatment.

MEDICAL DEGREES.

BY EDWIN YOUNKIN, M. D.

What should our medical colleges require from candidates before conferring the degree of M. D.?

Just at this time the medical profession in this country is much interested upon this question. All American medical institutions,

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of whatever school or party, are now undergoing the closest scrutiny in their standards or ideas of proficiency. The demands of the age are for a higher grade of qualification and a uniform curriculum. It is a notable fact that doctors are upon the increase by virtue of the rickety machinery employed in their manufacture, producing quantity without corrresponding quality. The yearnings and longings for a more scientific and thorough course of study may emanate in part from some constitutional grumblers, but from whatever source it may have sprung it cannot but be regarded as a favorable omen for a not far-distant period when the medical profession shall have a higher sphere and a more uniform basis. I think that it can be asserted with truth and successfully inaintained that, notwithstanding the loose and chaotic manner of the American colleges in making doctors, we can still boast of our success over the European physicians, especially those who come to this country; yet I would not plead this as an extenuation of the sins of the trustees and Faculties of our medical colleges in conferring degrees upon those whom the world finds totally unfitted for the practice of medicine and surgery. At a meeting of the American Medical College Association, convened in Baffalo, N. Y., June, 1878, Prof. S. D. Gross presented the following preamble and resolutions:

Whereas, It is eminently desirable that the medical schools of this country should adopt a uniform system of instruction, of a grade fully in accord with the requirements of the age in other branches of study and with the practice of the medical institutions of Europe; and

Whereas, All the efforts to bring about such a change on the part of the American Medical Association, of the Association of Medical Teachers assembled at Cincinnati in 1867, and at Washington in 1869, and of different State medical societies, have signally failed; and

Whereas, The present seems to be peculiarly favorable for taking strong ground upon the subject, inasmuch as it is now attracting general attention throughout the United States; therefore

Resolved, That this association respectfully and earnestly request that the regularly organized and accredited medical schools of the United States hold, at their earliest convenience, a meeting for the purpose of adopting some definite and final action upon a

subject of such vital importance to the dignity, character, and usefulness of the profession and the welfare of the American people.

Resolved, That in order to impart proper efficiency to this plan, each and every college be requested to send two delegates, consisting of one member of each Board of Trustees, and of one member of each Faculty, with full power to act for their respective institutions.

The city of Atlanta, Georgia, was the place fixed, and May the 2d, 1879, was the time set for the discussion and deliberation of the subject embodied in these resolutions, but we might say that this meeting was almost a total failure, so far as these resolutions are concerned.

WHO COULD ATTEND.

Notwithstanding it would seem from the reading of the preamble and resolutions that it was the design of Prof. Gross to have a meeting composed of delegates from "each and every' medical college, we found out, through a correspondence from the Secretary of the American Medical College Association, quite differently, as he politely informed us that none but the so-called "regulars" would be admitted.

Many of the schools so distinguished did not pay any regard to this call. That branch of the profession, with its boasted standard of excellence and its desire to protect its own mysteries and to hold the key of knowledge, stands in its nudity stripped of its disguises. We had hoped for something tangible upon this subject, but are again compelled to repeat that progress in the "regular way" has always been of slow growth and compulsory.

Feeling the weakness of minority, some of us have been too much inclined to stand still and wait for reforms to "turn up." It is my opinion, however, that it is our place to lead out in this matter of thorough education and uniformity—at least among our own schools. Let others do as they may, but let Eclectic colleges inferior to none in the land in the matter of thoroughly educating men for the profession. I wish it distinctly understood that I am for the right; I shall contend for the right; I shall speak for the right, though the heavens fall. We have been accused, as a class, of "shoving out" upon the profession ignorant men. We accept the charge and acknowledge the sin; but how is it with

our accusers? Have they seen the mote in our eye and have not beheld the beam that certainly is in their own eye? We acknowledge our error; if they do not acknowledge theirs with equal candor, we are ahead; if they acknowledge theirs, we are even, and upon this we are willing to compare notes at any time.

One of the features of the National Eclectic Medical Association is clearly expressed in a standing resolution in these words : "That this association pledges itself for the maintenance of the highest standard of Medical Education consistent with law and the custom of the times." This is, then, directly to the point.

THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE.

Two questions have been propounded to the American Medical College Association which would be well for us to consider:

I. Shall all the colleges require attendance upon three regular courses of lectures, during three separate years, before admitting students to become candidates for the degree of M. D.?

II. Is any uniform system possible in this or other things?

In the consideration of the first question I would urge that no narrow view of things be taken. The one thing essential to the conferring of the degree is the proper knowledge. Does the candidate possess the proper education? If he is unable to read and write ten courses of lectures would be insufficient. He should be able to spell senna without a y and rhubarb with an h. Then, other things being equal, three or four courses of lectures might qualify him to enter the graduating class. No man should be admitted to the lectures of a medical college who does not possess an ordinary common-school education, at least, and under all circumstances he should remain at lectures until he possesses the necessary knowledge. Let the courses of lectures bè few or many, a thorough education is indispensable to an honorable professional career.

The next point in this question is, shall all colleges require three regular courses during three separate years? If a man has the knowledge, I would ask, does it make any difference how he obtained it? If three separate years are required, which end of the year should be designated? No association or State Board can close the doors of a medical college six or seven months in the year and be consistent. Every medical college has full legal right

to hold its lectures 313 days in the year. It is the province of States and medical associations to require of all colleges a proper grade of educational qualification. This end being accomplished their work is done.

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UNIFORM STANDARD.

To the second question, whether any uniform standard is possible in this and other respects, my answer is: It is not only possible but desirable. We propose, first, that the Trustees and Faculties of the several medical colleges of all schools and methods shall come together in consultation. If this request be refused, let that refusal lie at the door of other schools-not A failure here, then the only uniformity we can hope for will be that among ourselves. Indeed, we need not wait for the moving of the waters; we should settle the question as to what we shall require of our candidates in a uniform movement along the line, and thus our power will be felt, and much good will be the result. If there are any methods of finding out how much a man knows upon any particular subject, then it is possible to devise some uniform plan. I do not advocate to present systems which medical colleges have. I think all are defective.

If our brethren of the Old School will not advise with us in this matter I am not willing to submit to their dictation. We are not their wards, nor under lawful age. We are abundantly capable of managing our own affairs, and, by the help of God, we propose to do it. The laws of the country are doing much for us just now. We are aided in closer relations, more unanimity, better feeling between schools, and everything is looking toward more rapidity in our professional bearings and advancement.

NATIONAL ECLECTIC MEDICAL COLLEGE ASSOCIATION.

I believe that we need a National Eclectic Medical College Association. It should be constituted of professors and trustees of all Eclectic colleges in good standing, their business should be to meet once a year to advise upon all questions pertaining to college matters. If it was thought best, that body could be made an Examining Board, who might pass upon all written examinations of students. Said examination to be agreed upon-the questions printed and the professors could