MORNING SESSION. THURSDAY, April 15. The meeting was called to order at half past ten by Vice-President Brooks. A partial report of the Committee on Clinical Medicine was presented by Dr. A. M. Cushing, and the following papers were read : I. A Case of Neuralgia cured by Kali Carbonicum. By Dr. II. III. IV. Two Cases of Dyspepsia cured by Hepar Sulph. By Dr. Two Cases of Purulent Conjunctivitis. Caust. Sulph. One Case Nausea of Pregnancy. Lactic Acid. By Dr. A. One Case Delirium of Typhoid. Gelseminum. By Dr. V. VI. Three Cases of Gastrodynia. By Dr. A. M. Cushing. Tartar Em., Nux., Puls. By Dr. C. A. VII. A Case of Bronchocele. Arsenicum. Libby. VIII. A Case of Asthma during Phthisis. By Dr. E. P. A Case of Lumbago. Bryonia. By Dr. E. B. Holt. X. A Case of Colic and Constipation, Chronic. Coloc. and XI. A Case of Rheumatism. Kali bich. By Dr. E. B. Holt. Norton. XIV. A Case of Diarrhoea. Croton. By Dr. C. A. Norton. XVI. A Case of Threatened Maxillary Necrosis. Hecla Lava. XVII. XVIII. A Case of Migraine. Iris. By Dr. H. M. Hunter. dies. By Dr. A. M. Cushing. The following papers were presented by Dr. O. S. Sanders in the afternoon: XIX. Clinical Notes. By Dr. T. A. Capen. XX. A Case of Erysipelas. Veratrum v. By Dr. William Bushnell. XXI. A Case of Hay Asthma. Arsenicum. By Dr. W. J. Richards. XXII. A Case of Gonorrhoea. By Dr. O. S. Sanders. By XXIV. Bismuth in Dyspepsia. By Dr. O. S. Sanders. By Dr. O. S. Sanders. DISCUSSION. Dr. T. S. Scales had treated several cases of small-pox with Baptisia, and had lost none; two of these cases were of the confluent type. Gives Baptisia for the headache, chills, backache, and especially for all those symptoms which indicate a typhoid condition; fetid breath. Baptisia acts more rapidly than other remedies seem to do, and he now gives it in the same cases in which he formerly used Aconite followed by Rhus. He uses it low. He has frequently used this remedy in scarlet fever. In one family there were five cases, all of whom had fearful sore throats. His indication for Baptisia in sore throats is that they are intermittent. He has never had any trouble with the ears in scarlet fever, whenever he had used the Baptisia. In the stupidity of the fever he gives Opium. Dr. J. H. Smith has been much interested in the Baptisia. It seems likely to become a prominent remedy, and we ought to have more valuable provings of it. In a case of severe congestion of the lungs, with high fever, the patient had a feeling of having several in the bed with him. He gave the Baptisia in the tincture, as he always uses it. The next day the pulse had fallen from 120 to 90, and the mind was perfectly clear. He had been called in consultation with an allopathic physician in a severe case of diphtheria in a lad about seven years of age. It was the fourth day of the disease. The tonsils were enlarged, and covered with a foul membrane; there was a sanious discharge from the nostrils, offensive breath, and great prostration. The physician had prepared the day before a tincture of Baptisia, and given it in water, as we usually do. We found the patient relieved of the prostration; the discharge from the nostrils had ceased, the fœtor had gone, and the membrane had disappeared. The doctor was not a little astonished at the results of his first trial with Baptisia. The report was received and referred to the Committee on Publication. Dr. T. S. Scales presented the request of Dr. C. M. Weld, that, in consequence of his age and inability to attend the meetings of the Society, he be placed on the retired list, and offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That this Society cordially accede to the request of Dr. C. M. Weld, that he should be placed on the list of retired members, and exempted from annual dues; that we gratefully recognize the important work which he performed as a pioneer of Homoeopathy in this State and as one of the founders of this Society; that we are thankful for his continuance with us to the present time, and earnestly hope that, for many years to come, he may be able to meet with us, to counsel with us in our efforts, and to enjoy with us any progress this Society may make in the advancement of that profession to which he has so earnestly devoted the greater part of his valuable life. In connection with this resolution. Dr. Scales also presented the following amendment to Art. XXV of the By-Laws. Section 2. Any member, who for twenty-five successive years has paid all annual and other legal dues to the Society, may be placed on the list of Retired Members, and thereby become exempted from all dues, but yet shall retain all his rights and privileges as a member of the Society. This amendment was referred to a committee, consisting of Drs. T. S. Scales, D. G. Woodvine, and David Thayer. The committee to whom was referred the Address of the President reported as follows, through the Chairman, Dr. J. H. Woodbury. The committee to which was referred the President's Address, after duly considering the most important points presented by the same, would respectfully suggest : First. In regard to the election of the President, Resolved, That the last clause of Article V, of the By-Laws "Members shall not be eligible to the office of the president more than once in five years"-be stricken out. If this prevail, the Society will be able to avail itself of the experience and ability of any of its members by re-election as president and executive officer of the Society. Second. In regard to improvement of pharmaceutical preparations, Resolved, That the Committee on Pharmacy be re-established, and that an earnest and continuous effort be made to improve the quality of all our drugs. Third. In regard to State Medicine, Resolred, That while this Society recognizes the importance of State and Local Boards of Health to act on all matters of sanitary character, it is utterly opposed to any plan which shall interfere in the slightest degree with the freedom of medical opinion or action. Fourth. In regard to deceased members Resolved, That in the deaths of J. C. Neilson, M.D., of Charlestown, and E W. Sanford, M.D., of Brookline, the Society has sustained. a severe loss of two active, earnest, and efficient members, and extends to the families and friends of its late associates and members its warm sympathy and regret. Fifth. Our retiring President. Resolved, That this Society presents its cordial thanks to Dr. L. Macfarland, President of the Society, for his valuable and suggestive addresses. While sympathizing with him in his severe illness, the Society hopes for his complete restoration to health, and that, for many years to come, he will be able to meet and counsel with us, and enjoy with us the fruits of the labor he has so well done in our cause. The report of the committee was accepted and adopted, except that Suggestion 1 was referred to the same committee to whom was referred the motion for amendment of Art. XXV of the by-Laws." The Committee on Surgery reported, through Dr. I. T. Talbot, Chairman, six papers: I. Facts in Dental Physiology, Pathology, and Therapeutics. By E. W. Foster, M.D. II. Surgery as applied to Homœopathy. By J. K. Warren, M D. III. A Surgical Case. By H. C. Clapp, M.D. IV. Calendula in Lacerated Wounds. By R. L. Dodge, M.D. V. Suggestions on the Treatment of Fractured Clavicle. By J. H. Sherman, M.D. VI. Ferrum candens in Persistent Hemorrhage, and a Case of Compound Comminuted Fracture of Fore Arm. By G. W. Swazey, M.D. Accepted and referred. Dr. S. M. Cate spoke for an hour on Electricity and ElectroTherapeutics. The Society adjourned to 2 o'clock, P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. The Society was called to order at 2 P. M. by Vice-President J. H. Burpee, M.D. On motion of Dr. A. M. Cushing the Secretary was requested to furnish a copy of the remarks of Dr. S. M. Cate on Electricity and Electro-Therapeutics for publication in the New England Medical Gazette. D. G. Woodvine, M.D., spoke in behalf of the College Library, soliciting subscriptions of books, and naming the various volumes of different magazines that were incomplete. The election of officers for the ensuing year then took place and resulted as follows: President, C. H. FARNSWORTH, M.D.; Vice-Presidents, J. T. Harris, M.D., J. H. Smith, M.D.; Corresponding Secretary, D. G. Woodvine, M.D.; Recording Secretary, E. U. Jones, M.D.; Treasurer, T. S. Scales, M. D.; Librarian, O. S. Sanders, M.D.; Censo's, H. P. Hemenway, M.D., E. B. Holt, M.D., L. Whiting, M.D., E. P. Colby, M.D., A. M. Cushing, M.D. The Society then listened to the annual address by Dr. Geo. Barrows, of Taunton. The thanks of the Society were expressed to Dr. Barrows, and his address was referred to the Committee on Publication. A partial and verbal report by Dr. L. D. Packard, from the Committee on Organization, Registration, and Statistics was made. Dr. Wm. Gottschalk, delegate from the Rhode Island Homœopathic Society, made some interesting remarks relative to the re-establishment of the Society, the progress of Homœopathy, and the success attending the measures taken to establish a Homœopathic Hospital in the city of Providence. Dr. H. M. Jernegan made some interesting remarks on catheterization, as a part of the report of the Committee on Surgery. Dr. O. S. Sanders has never found any difficulty in using the gum elastic catheter. He uses the largest size that he can, first removing the stylet. He has always allowed it to pass by its own weight, except in one case in which there had been a rupture of the mucous membrane of the canal some years previously. He considers that there is danger in using the metallic catheter. He has never had a case of stricture from gonorrhoea, but believes it is always caused by the use of injections. If an injection is needed he uses one drop of laudanum in four ounces of warm water. No report was received from the Boston Homœopathic Society. Reports were given by J. M. Barton, M.D., of the Worcester County Homœopathic Medical Society, and by N. R. Morse, M.D., of the Essex County Homeopathic Medical Society. No other reports received. The meeting was one of the most successful we ever had, more than eighty physicians being present. Vol. III of the Society's Publications was distributed under the direction of Dr. F. H. Underwood. Adjourned. E. U. JONES, Secretary. ITEMS AND EXTRACTS. DR. BARNES, in the Lancet, says: "I have recently been honored by a visit from a lady of typical modern intelligence, who consulted me about a fibroid tumor of the uterus; and lest I should stray beyond my business, she was careful to tell me that Dr. BrownSéquard had charge of her nervous system; that Dr. Williams attended to her lungs; that her abdominal organs were intrusted to Sir William Gull; that Mr. Spencer Wells looked after her rectum; and that Dr. Walshe had her heart. If some adventurous doctor should determine to start a new specialty, and open an institution for the treatment of disease of the umbilicus, - the only region which, as my colleague, Mr. Simon, says, is unappropriated, I think I can promise him more than one patient."-Tenn. Phar. Gazette. HOMEOPATHIC DISPENSARY. The homeopathists of Portland met Wednesday, April 7, and took preliminary steps in the formation of a Homœopathic Dispensary, agreeable to the charter obtained at the last Legislature. Judge B. Kingsbury, Jr., presided. The following Board of Managers were chosen: Hon. B. Kingsbury, Jr., Hon. Nathan Cleaves, Mayor R. M. Richardson, Geo W. Woodman, Jas. Cunningham, Mrs. H. M. Payson, Mrs. George S. Hunt, Mrs D. M. Rea, Mrs. E. C. Greely. The Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, and it was voted that the Board of Managers elect a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer and attending and consulting physicians. There are forty-eight members already. These pay an annual due of $2.00 each, or by paying $20.00 at one time any one may become a life member. The following constitute the present Medical Board: Consulting Physicians, M. Dodge, M.D., Chas. H. Burr, M.D.; Attending Physicians, S. E. Sylvester, G. A. Clark, R. L. Dodge. Dr. R. L. Dodge is a recent graduate of the Boston University School of Medicine, and if the alumni so promptly enter upon charitable work they will not only make their own reputation, but add to that of the school. THE LATE PROFESSOR WALKER. The investigation of the case of Prof. F. W. Walker has been concluded, the jury finding that he came to his death from the medical use of the fluid extract of conium, prescribed by Drs. C. R. Agnew and David Webster, and that the medicine acted with extraordinary potency. They do not censure the physicians or druggists from whom the hemlock was obtained. |