nurse come from a large number of medical writers, of diverse character, living in different countries, and writing at different periods. And what is particularly noteworthy, there is a remarkable agreement or uniformity in all their statements, showing that the great facts or truths in nature, wherever carefully studied or collected, all harmonize one with another.

The laws of nature, when correctly interpreted, do not only always harmonize, but are also found complete in design-never disjointed or fragmentary. Wherever nature has made a demand, a natural supply has been provided. There are, then, two logical inferences from these facts: first, that the physiological conditions or standard found best or necessary for furnishing the proper nutriment for its productions, must also constitute the same standard of organization upon which nature in her normal state, or highest development, has established the law of production; secondly, as there is found such a general deficiency among our New-England women in the natural provisions for properly nursing their offspring, there must exist some radical deviations in their present organization from that normal, perfect standard upon which nature has placed her laws.

That this marked change from natural nursing to artificial feeding of infants, greatly endangers the health and the life of the child, requires here no proof. A great amount of disease and mortality can be traced, by every physician, directly to this source. But the injury does not stop with

the immediate effect on the body, but frequently extends through life. The early start of the infant in vigorous, healthy growth, with good blood, exerts a powerful influence upon its whole future health and constitution.

The profession and the public have had their attention of late called especially to the great mortality of infant life. That in a civilized, christian community there should be such a waste of human life that one-third or more of all children should die under five years of age-suggests the idea that there must be in it something wrong and unnatural. Where, then, is the blame? What is the cause of the evil? Is it not traceable, in a great measure, to human agency? We apprehend the principal causes, upon careful investigation, will be found to arise from these sources: 1st, Inherited weaknesses and diseases; 2d, Want of suitable nourishment, or plenty of healthy milk from the mother's breast; and 3d, Violation of hygiene, with respect to food, ventilation, clothing, &c. If this is admitted, it is very apparent where the responsibility rests, and that this infant mortality cannot be materially diminished till the laws of inheritance, maternity and hygiene are better understood and obeyed.

The question naturally arises, can these evils be corrected or checked? We answer, not easily in the present state of society. The chances are, we fear, that they are to increase more and more. Great organic evils cannot be cured, any more than diseases, till their causes are fully understood and

the sufferers are disposed to apply the right remedies.

DUTIES OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

This topic has so often been the theme of address upon similar occasions, that it has become hackneyed, and nothing new, perhaps, can be suggested. But here we need "line upon line, precept upon precept." Such is our position in the community, and such are our relations to it, that they impose upon us the most sacred duties and obligations. Inasmuch as our personal interests, as a profession, are so bound up and identified with those around us, it becomes us often to draw the line of demarcation, and look beyond and outside of ourselves.

Duties depend, both in nature and extent, upon the means or power possessed. The more valuable the possessions, and the more extensively they can be employed for human welfare, the greater the duty, and the more sacred the obligation. The medical profession are in possession of the most valuable knowledge and precious trusts with which human agency can be charged. Not only are the health and lives of individuals directly entrusted to their care, but the highest welfare of the public depends very much upon their agency and influence.

Once it was regarded as the chief duty of the physician to cure his patient, or to use the best means in his power for that purpose; and when that was done, his duty terminated. It was only

in relation to the sick, and while they were sick, that he was supposed to be charged with any responsibility. Very little interest was manifested for the prevention of disease, or the preservation of health. Nothing comparatively was then known of sanitary or hygienic laws. Seldom was any consideration given to the wide and practical application of the principles of physiology to every-day life. The fact that disease in all its diversified forms depended in a great measure upon human agency, was scarcely conceived or realized. But the more thoroughly we investigate the principles and laws which spring from physiology and hygiene, the more deeply are we impressed with the resources which God has placed in our hands for the prevention of disease, for the improvement of health and the increase of happiness. They permeate all the ramifications of society. They enter into the situation, the employment, and the circumstances of every individual and every family. Wherever there is food, or water, or air to be used, or exercise, or rest, or sleep required, their influence is felt. They should be a guide in all the social and domestic relations of life, as well as in the objects and modes of education. Upon certain departments of legislation they have a most important bearing; for in no other field or direction whatever can the legislator prove himself a greater benefactor to his constituents or the race, than in the enactment of wise sanitary laws.

These principles sustain, too, a most intimate

relation to sound morals and healthy religious development. In fact, till physical and mental laws are correctly expounded and observed, the · teachings of divine revelation can never be fully carried out or properly applied. It is only when we take this broad and comprehensive view of the application of these sciences, that the duties and obligations of the members of our profession can be properly estimated. They should be the teachers of these sciences, the almoners of this knowledge, the guardians of public health. They are here emphatically the high priests of nature, having free access to all her inner shrines, and should prove themselves true to their calling, faithful to the trusts confided to them. To every

individual and family that call upon them for advice and treatment in the cure of disease, they should give instructive hints as to the nature of their complaints. In all matters pertaining to hygiene and sanitary improvement, the members of our profession should make their influence felt in every village, town and city in the land. And wherever there are sources of disease in overcrowded tenements, in filthy localities, in badly ventilated dwellings and public buildings, in the use of poisoned food, water or air, the physician, of all others, should raise a warning voice. Whenever, too, the laws of life or health are violated by excessive labor or too close confinement, by false fashions, habits of dissipation, vice and crime, the physician should by all means prove himself a genuine reformer.