ART. XX.-A Discourse delivered at the Funeral of Luther Ticknor, M. D., of Salisbury, Conn., April 20th, 1846. By ADAM REID.— Hartford, 1847, 8vo., pp. 16.

THIS is an exceedingly interesting and appropriate discourse, though hastily prepared, and reluctantly given to the public. We have room only for a single extract:

"Luther Ticknor was born in Jericho, State of Vermont, March 9th, 1790. In an auto-biographical sketch which he recently commenced, and which un fortunately remains uncompleted, Dr. Ticknor thus remarks: In recording some of the incidents of my life and reminiscences of my family, I have no other than the following motives-to record some of the instances of God's goodness which may soon slip from my memory, and to oblige a little friend or two who may wish to know, at a future day, somewhat more particularly than they can otherwise learn, the manner in which I have been helped so far on, in the journey of life. If youth would take lessons of age, much time would be saved, many disappointments and unavailing regrets avoided; and hence, every succeeding generation would grow practically wiser. No events in my history previous to the death of my father, which took place when well advanced in my fifteenth year, deserve your attention, perhaps; and yet you will indulge me I hope, in a few remarks.'

"Dr. Ticknor then proceeds to describe what he considered his early traits; among these he mentions his social character,' which, he says, was 'strongly marked.' The intellectual and moral character which he attributes to himself, during his earlier years, is by no means flattering; but he speaks of his strong, deep, and controlling filial affection'-a trait which he is believed to have possessed in a very eminent degree.

"Soon after marriage, the parents of Dr. Ticknor removed to Vermont, then a new State, and settling rapidly, chiefly by emigration from Connecticut and Massachusetts. They remained however, but two or three years, when they returned to Salisbury. From here they removed after several years, to the town of Windham in the State of New-York, where they settled on a farm. Soon afterwards, the father of Dr. Ticknor was instantly killed by the falling of a tree, while chopping. The eldest brother, Dr. Benajah Ticknor, now surgeon of the U. S. ship Columbus, having left home, the whole charge of the family, including eight persons, devolved on Luther Ticknor, then a lad of 15 years; who, by his own personal exertions, kept them together, and furnished them the means of support for the space of three years. At the end of that time, it was thought expedient, that the family should be separated; and young Ticknor came to this place, where he lived with the late Samuel Lee, Esq., for two years; then he engaged as a school-teacher for one year, near Hudson; after which he returned to Salisbury, and commenced the study of medicine, with the late James R. Dodge. During a portion of the year, he was engaged in teaching, by which he supported not only himself, but two of his younger brothers and sister, whom he kept constantly at school. One of these brothers was the distinguished author and practitioner, the late Dr. Caleb Ticknor of New-York, who has left behind him a name and reputation which will not speedily perish from the earth. In 1816, at the age of 28, he was licensed to practise medicine, by the Board of Medical Censors, which met at New Milford; and after spending one year in Sheffield, in practice with Dr. J. Delamater, he returned and commenced practice in this town in the year 1818; 28 years ago, on the 9th of this month.

"No man ever enjoyed in a higher degree the confidence of the profession in this State than Dr. Ticknor, or stood higher in their estimation. For several years past he officiated in the examination of the medical students at Yale College, and, at the time of his death, was President of the Connecticut State Medical Society.

"That he fell a martyr in the cause of humanity there can be no doubt. His

benevolence was as unselfish as is ever met with. He probably did more for the poor than any man that ever lived in this town or county. The call of distress never found him unready-the cry of need never appealed to him in vain; and he was emphatically the beloved Physician,' as you all know.

"Dr. Ticknor was a man of great native talents. His mind was large, copious, brilliant, original in its conceptions, and acute to discriminate; having at command figures and illustrations and a power of felicitous expression, equal to that of any man we have ever known. He was warm and generous-hearted; unwearied in his work; storm or sunshine, night or day, it made no difference; like the great Physician, spending his life in ministering to human ills, healing sicknesses, and comforting the afflicted; and has now, we trust, gone to his reward. There is no man in this town whose death could make such a gap in society-whose loss would be felt so deeply, so extensively, and so long. He died with a good hope through grace, resting implicitly and alone on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ."

ART. XXI.-Proceedings at the Annual Convention of the Connecticut Medical Society, May, 1847, together with a List of Members and the Annual Address. Hartford, 1847. 8vo., pp. 40.

WE are highly gratified in noticing, from year to year, the increasing prosperity of the Medical Society of our native State. Embodying a large proportion of the most respectable practitioners throughout the State, it exerts a silent, but controlling influence over medical matters and opinions, and is destined to have a still wider and more powerful sway over public sentiment, as connected with the practice of the healing art. We want no better example to show what organization can accomplish in our profession, than that of the Connecticut Medical Society; as it is one of the oldest, so is it one of the most active medical associa tions in our country-Esto perpetua.

Among the resolutions passed at its recent meeting, (May 12th, 1847, we notice the following:

"Resolved, That the subject of selling secret or patent medicines, be referred to a committee of one from a county, who shall, as early as convenient, make a report to this Convention, of the best method, in their opinion, to be had in the premises.

"Resolved, That before any person can be admitted into the office of a Physician, as a Student of Medicine, he shall furnish evidence of good moral character, and shall be examined by the preceptor and one of the Fellows of this Society: the examination to be upon the subjects of English education, and Greek and Latin languages. If found qualified, he is to receive a certificate to that effect, and be enrolled as a regular student of medicine.

"Resolved, That the Medical Societies of each County, be requested to appoint one or more delegates to attend the next meeting of the American Medical Association, which is to be held in Baltimore, on the first Wednesday of May, 1848.

"Resolved, That a memorial be presented to the Legislature of the State, relative to the registration of births and deaths, within its limits, and that Drs. Sumner, Beresford and Barry, be a committee to present the same on behalf of this Society."

The Annual Dissertation was read by Dr. E. K. Hunt, of Hartford, the able translator of Esquirol on Insanity. We have read his Essay with high satisfaction and pleasure. It does him and the Society infinite honor. We would that it could be read by every physician in the

United States, for we believe it would tend to impart the very stimulus that is now wanted, to rouse the profession to united action. His subject is, the "Importance and Advantage of a Medical Organization." We have not space for extensive quotations, (and should hardly feel satisfied without quoting the whole), but we give the following, taken at random, as samples of the entire discourse:

"Let us inquire then, what advantages may, and do usually attend and follow such meetings as the terms of our organization contemplate. In the first place, they renew and strengthen the ties of friendship between those already known to each other. Time, like fire, dissolves all bonds of whatever nature, that are not occasionally repaired and cemented anew, by the hands that formed them. Beneath its touch friendships crumble, and the tenderest affections of the heart, imperceptibly, yet surely, fade away. Hence the necessity of frequently renewing those acquaintances and friendships, which accident or design may have led us to form.

"In the second place, it enables those who are strangers, at once to establish a fellowship with their medical brethren, and if, as we have a right to suppose, the parties are equally worthy of a mutual acquaintance, the interview is mutually and equally advantageous. What would otherwise have probably been a work of years, and indeed might never have taken place, is, by means of an organization, suitably formed and conducted, made the business of a day, and minds which had previously been separate and isolated, are now made to act in concert, while sympathies never before felt, are called into active and delightful exercise. Moved by common interests and impulses, experiencing amidst the every day duties of life, the inspiring influence of professional sympathy, and sustained amidst the manifold perplexities and trials incident to practice, by timely professional council, we come to regard the relation as indeed, what it is so frequently called, fraternal.

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Entertaining for each other sentiments like these, the members of our Society, it must be admitted, convene under circumstances most favorable to improvement. A mutual confidence opens every heart, a generous friendship renders all communicative, and a high regard for truth, with a clear conception of its bearings upon the interests of man, as well as the profession itself, leads to an earnest boldness in the expression of opinions, and a careful discrimination between fallacious theories, and well established principles. Thus each imparts, and in turn, derives much good from these free and kindly interchanges of sentiments, sympathies and opinions.

"We should leave these general views but half considered, did we omit to dwell for a moment, upon the moral effect connected with a medical organization. The very constitution of our being forbids that it should be wholly inoperative in this respect. From infancy we have been subject to the sway of moral forces of various kinds, as we passed along through the successive stages of life, and have observed the power of associated influence upon the minds of many others. I can but think, that the high moral tone, characterizing the sentiments and actions of the members of this Society, the purity of the principles contained in that code of ethics by which we are governed in this relation, exercise a powerful influence over the minds of all; and are especially serviceable by the encouragement they afford, for "patient continuance in well doing," to those who are prone to despond, either from a want of firmness of soul, or in consequence of observing the temporary triumphs of the wicked; and those, also, who see little to admire in virtuous principle, except when illustrated by a shining example."

In relation to the facilities, which a State and County organization affords, for acquiring and disseminating useful knowledge, Dr. H. remarks as follows:

"The County Societies will first, and especially, claim our notice. Occupying, as they do, a middle place between the individual on the one hand, and the State Society on the other, we may safely infer, that whatever means

may be adopted, by which they shall be made the instruments of good, will be equally serviceable to all at either extreme.

"Let us then, suppose a County Society, the members of which, animated by a sincere and earnest desire for professional improvement, are ready to adopt, and submit to all the inconvenience and fatigue incident to it, any plan by which this object may be attained.

"Divide then your members into two, four or more classes, as shall seem to be most desirable; select for each a subject for study, observation and investigation, and require from its Chairman, a written report at the meeting next succeeding. Let them not be subjects, novel and strange, which furnish few practical examples during a life of professional observation; but rather, such as are comparatively familiar.

"Fear not that these will fail to furnish matter of interest and instruction to members, or that entire unanimity of opinion or practice with respect to them, will be found to exist. A few trials will resolve your fears, and doubtless change your minds. Require your several committees to consider their respective subjects practically, having reference mainly, to the satisfying of such inquiries as will naturally occur to an intelligent, active member of the profession. Let them ascertain as near as may be, the numbers who suffer from the diseases of which they are each to take especial note, and the deaths that are occasioned by them respectively. Let them report the circumstances that attend their development and progress to their termination, the treatment employed, accurately, and in detail, and its apparent effect; the age, occupa tion and habits of the patient; the predisposing and proximate causes, so far as they can be satisfactorily ascertained; the locality in which the patient resides, whether upon a hill or in a valley; in a primitive or alluvial district, upon a damp soil, or one well drained; together with any other facts that may serve to elucidate the case, and add to the interest or information of members. Finally, let each committee present the general truth which may be fairly deducible from a careful survey of the subject, and leave it impressed as strongly as possible upon the minds of all. By bringing the energies. of the whole medical mind of a County, to concentrated action upon a few subjects of the utmost practical importance, and in reference to which, we enjoy the most favorable opportunity for observation and investigation, we cannot fail to collect an immense mass of the most valuable material, with respect to which, explanations may be made, if required, discussions permitted, and data furnished for most accurate pathological deductions.

"The facts and observations presented in the reports prepared for the County meetings, should be collated by a committee appointed for the purpose, which might well consist of the Fellows elect of the County, and those of special value and importance, forwarded in proper form to the Convention, there to be again read and considered, and the good they are capable of conferring, spread throughout the State.

"A single County has been the basis of the above remarks, yet they will apply equally well to every and all other Counties of the State, which by an equally diligent use of the means and opportunities at their disposal, might collect an equal amount of facts and information, to swell the mass already accumulated. Indeed, they would furnish matter for deductions of great interest, and possibly of far greater proportionate practical value, than a single County could be expected to do. For example, these returns would show in what portions of the State, the diseases considered were most, and where least prevalent; where they were most severe, and where their course proves generally mild. In regard to some diseases, we know, that within the limits of a comparatively small district, great diversities exist with respect to their prevalence, if not their severity. I believe that a careful survey of this State, would show, that typhus fever prevailed much more extensively and severely in some parts or districts than others; and probably the same is true of many other diseases. Should such prove to be the fact, it might lead to examinations that would present important practical truths, of much interest to society, a swell as to the profession.

"Thus would each and every part, become a contributor of the most valuable and interesting information to every other part, receiving in return, more than an equivalent in kind, from its associate members, and furnishing to every individual belonging to the Society, the results of the experience of the four hundred and eighty-three physicians, now practising in the State, together with the leading facts upon which they are founded. How else could a like amount of equally authentic and valuable information be obtained; and is any thing more required to secure it, in all the vigor and freshness of its prime, than for each to resolve to perform his allotted portion of the task of obtaining and recording it? A task by no means difficult of accomplishment, when once resolutely undertaken."

We commend these suggestions to medical men in other States and territories, and trust that as we now have a general organization of the profession, we may also have such a system of local organization as will embrace every reputable physician in the United States. Let them adopt the code of Medical Ethics prepared by the committee of the National Convention, and see that they are duly observed by their members, and we have, at once, contributed much to elevate the profession, and gain for it the confidence of the community,