ful a purpose, as has the Illinois Medical Society. To relieve the suffering of the distressed, and to prolong human life, is certainly worthy of the highest consideration, worthy of the best men of the age, much more to be desired than are honors and emoluments of war. The profession throughout this State feel an interest in Chicago. They are glad to come to Chicago, to meet in the sessions of this Society! Every one, I think, feels as I do, that he has an individual interest in this city, whether living here or not. The knowledge, the enterprise, the pluck which has been displayed here, and which has given to Chicago the fame she enjoys, that has made the city hardly equalled by any other city, either in our own or in foreign countries, is a part of the State property. It is something that every resident of the State, as well as every resident of the city has a right to feel an interest in, and feel proud of.

The part which the physicians of Chicago have taken, in giving to the city the reputation she enjoys, in this respect, is also the property of the physicians throughout the length and breadth of the State. We all felt as deeply, as any of you could feel, the loss of Dr. Freer. He was admired, respec:ed and beloved, I believe, by every physician in this State-all deeply mourn his loss.

We all take an interest in the prosperity, and in the reputation of the physicians of Chicago. Some of you have reached a point in scientific attainments that is equal to that of the profession in the larger cities in this country; and, in fact, you cccupy positions that command the respect of the profession in the Old World. We are proud that we belong to a State having physicians who enjoy the reputation that many of you enjoy.

We thank you gentlemen, for the generous hospitality you have extended to us, for the banquet promised to us. We know that you partake of the surroundings of your city, as every one is more or less affected by his surroundings, and we are glad, gentlemen, to be the recipients of your bounty. [Applause.]

Dr. Hyde.-Chairman of the Committee of Arrangments, said he had omitted to make an important statement, which was that the proprietors of the Grand Pacific Hotel had kindly consented to invite the Society to occupy their parlors during its session in Chicago, and also had

offered to the delegates from abroad reduced rates to such as desired to become guests in the hotel.

The President remarked that it would be observed that no time had been appropriated by the Committee of Arrangements, for visiting the public institutions of the city. What would the society do with the report.

Dr. Walker moved that the report be received.

Dr. N. S. Davis said he thought the motion ought to be to adopt the essential portion of the report of the Committee of Arrangements, especially so far as it related to the hours of business. Members could visit the public institutions when they pleased, and they would find somebody to show them around. It would be impossible to do more, unless the Society should devote a day to the purposes of visiting. If the report of the Committee of Arrangements should be adopted, it would be impracticable to set apart any time to go to the parks or hospitals, unless it should be Thursday afternoon. The Committee of Arrangements did not feel justified in recommending the taking out of half a day for junketing about the city. If members should see fit to protract their stay, so as to go to the institutions on Thursday afternoon, there was no doubt that every one of these institutions would be glad to make arrangements to meet the members at that time.

Dr. Hyde.-I can only say that Dr. Davis has, in the fullest. manner, reflected the sentiment and opinions of the Committee of Arrangements. It was not without discussion that no definite time was given for visiting the various institutions of the city. The committee felt that if the Society desired to adjourn to visit, as a body, any of the insti tutions of the city, it was in their power to do so. The committee did not feel inclined to make any such arrangements, especially as they were given to understand that the managers of the medical schools, hospitals, etc., would be ready to receive any membors of the State Society at any time during the day, and particularly during the evening.

The President ruled that any further discussion of the motion under discussion was out of order. The discussion of the merits of the question was only allowable, upon a motion to adopt the report of the Committee of Arrangements.

Dr. N. S. Davis moved, as an amendment to Dr. Walker's motion, that the report be received and adopted. The motion prevailed.

The President announced that he had just received a note from the President of the Medical Board of the Cook County Hospital, inviting the members to visit that institution.

The Secretary read a note from Dr. C. F. Barnett, of Bunker Hill, offering to withdraw from the possession of the Board of Censors, charges preferred by him against the Macoupin County Medical Society. It was referred to the Board of Censors.

The Secretary announced that he had in his possession a letter from Dr. J. F. Thomas, of Chillicothe, Ill., announcing the death of James M. Allen, M. D., with a brief obituary sketch. Referred to the Committee on Necrology.

The next business in order being the call of the Standing and Special Committees, in order to fix the time for hearing the reports, the Secretary, Dr. N. S. Davis, read the list of committees, and they were disposed of as follows:

Committee on Practical Medicine was made the order for 3 P. M., Tuesday afternoon. The report of the Standing Committee on Surgery, Dr. J. L. White, Chairman, was ordered to follow the discussion which might take place on the report on Practical Medicine.

The report of the Committee on Drugs and Medicines, Dr. Griffith, Chairman, with a paper by Dr. Ransom, was placed at 10 o'clock A. M., on Wednesday.

The report on the Diseases of Children, Dr. Earle, Chairman, was set for 113 A. M., Wednesday.

The Committee on the Dietetics and Hygienics of Children, Dr. J. H. Hollister, Chairman, was made the special order for 23 P. M., Wednesday.

The Secretary announced several volunteer papers, as follows: Prof. Andrews, of Chicago, has a short paper, giving an explanation of a new Extension Splint for Chronic Inflammation of the Ankle Joint. On motion of Dr. N. S. Davis, it was placed to follow the report of the Committee on Surgery.

The same gentleman offers to read a paper on Drainage Tubes and Antiseptic Injections for the Treatment of Empy

æmia, illustrating it by the presence of a patient. It was made the order of business for 3 o'clock on Wednesday.

Dr. Davis presented a paper prepared by Dr. A. C. Corr, of Carlinville, which was referred to the Committee on Surgery.

Dr. J. S. Jewell announced that he had a paper, which he would present if opportunity should offer. It was a paper on certain researches upon the Action of the Nervous System upon the Nutrition of the Body. On motion of Dr. Davis, it was placed for 10 o'clock, Thursday morning.

Dr. J. S. Whitmire, Chairman of the Special Committee on the action of gelseminum, stated that he was unable to make his report at the present session. On motion, the committee was continued, with request to report next year.

Dr. Edmund Andrews stated that perhaps he could give some account of his treatment of empyemia this afternoon, in connection with the report of the Committee on Practical Medicine, and instead of reading a paper, would say something in connection with the discussion on that report. On motion, Dr. Andrews was invited to present the subject as he suggested.

The Assistant Secretary, Dr. Earle, read the names of Drs. James H. Bates, C. H. Lovewell, A. H. Foster, W. G. Dyas, who were recommended for membership. They were referred to the Board of Censors.

The President stated that Dr. Gill, of Jerseyville, a member of the Board of Censors, would not be present. He suggested that some one would be chosen to fill the vacancy. On motion, Dr. J. L. White was chosen to fill the vacancy.

The President suggested that if any one had any objections to a person proposed for membership, he should state his objections to the Board of Censors.

The Assistant Secretary, Dr. C. W. Earle, reported that Dr. S. O. Richards was nominated for membership. Referred to the Board of Cen

sors.

The President announced that persons who were attending the Society, as delegates from local societies having paid their dues, were permanent members, requiring no other proceeding to constitute them full members of the Society.

A member iuquired what the dues were.

The President said that all new members are required to pay two dollars as an initiation fee, besides the ordinary assessment. The permanent members are expected to pay the assessment.

Dr. J. H. Hollister said: A rule was made two years ago, that until otherwise ordered, the annual dues should remain at three dollars a year. It has been the rule of the Society, that whenever an individual became a member, he should pay the initiation fee and the annual dues. It has never been different whether the man was a delegate or a member received in the ordinary way.

Dr. Hyde, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangments, reported in detail, the localities of the several hospitals and other institutions of Chicago, to which the members have been invited. Dr. Hyde stated that he had been unable to obtain any discount from the regular railroad rates in any case.

The President, Dr. T. D. Fitch, then read his annual address as follows:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE ILLINOIS STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY:

One year ago you conferred upon me with flattering unanimity, the highest honor in your gift. For this expression of your confidence and esteem, I most profoundly thank you. And now as I come to assume the duties of the office of President of this Society, I hope and expect that I shall have your most cordial co-operation in the conduct of the proceedings of this session, that we may all feel when it shall draw to a close that it has been good for us to have been here.

By a provision of our Constitution, Art. 2, Section 4, it is made the duty of the President, in addition to the ordinary duties of that office, to deliver an address.

In conformity to said provision, I propose to make a few practical suggestions:

1st. I desire to call your attention for a few moments to the advantages of organized effort.

At the organization of our Society, in the city of Springfield, in the year 1850, the following preamble was adopted; viz., "Inasmuch as an institution so conducted as to give frequent, united, and emphatic expression to the views and aims of the medical profession in this State, must at all times have a beneficial influence, and supply more efficient means than have