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or gastro-enterostomy are not admissible, and yet in which the malignant growth has not involved neighboring structures. Every physician who is familiar with the behavior of cancer in the peritoneal cavity will appreciate the extreme rarity of such cases, and notwithstanding the fact that the operation has already been repeated in this country, we feel sure that it is likely to be years before any surgeon will have a case in which it will be demanded as the best procedure for the patient's interest.

From a surgical standpoint then, we cannot credit our confrère with having added anything of material value to our knowledge. Turning now to a consideration of the physiological side, the claim is made that this case shatters many of the idols of the past, but closer investigation has shown that nearly all of these idols had one by one previously been demolished by experimental physiologists and by surgeons who have done gastrectomies which were practically complete. These facts are especially brought out in an article by Dr. John C. Hammeter in a recent number of the Medical Record.

It may be safely stated then, that the best we can say of the incident is that it was an unusually successful, delicate operation, which received unmerited attention from the lay and professional press-that it has introduced nothing new into surgery, and has only confirmed previous knowledge of physiology-that it is a procedure which will be applicable only in the rarest instances of malignant disease, which has not extended beyond the limits of the stomach and in which other, less hazardous, procedures will not accomplish. as much for the patient.

The surgeon who is continually hunting for the opportunity to say incidentally and in ultra-modest tones, "The author was the first to perform the operation in this country" ("city" or "state" as the case may be) will doubtless grasp this as a rare opportunity to cover himself with glory, but the honest man who works for the interest of his patient and rejoices in the substantial progress of surgery, will upon the average, practice for a number of lifetimes before he feels called upon to perform a complete gastrectomy.

Notes and Comments.

British Homeopathic Congress.-The annual Homoeopathic Congress of Great Britain will be held in London, June 3, 1898. A large attendance is expected.

Typhoid Fever in Philadelphia.-After nine weeks of a severe epidemic of typhoid fever in Philadelphia, signs of an abatement are apparent. The number of new cases reported is markedly less and the number of deaths is decreasing.

Klondike Examinations. According to an exchange, the Board of Medical Examiners of the Northwest Territory do not propose to allow any physician to practice at Klondike until he has passed a satisfactory examination before the Board. This will be unwelcome news to many who have gone in search of a fortune for the doctor.

For the Institute. The Missouri Valley Homoeopathic Medical Association has decided to hold no meeting during the present year. This action has been taken to further the interests of the American Institute, and President L. C. McElwee, M.D., and Secretary A. M. Linn, M.D., urge every member of the association to be present at Omaha next June.

The Medical Visitor.-Under the vigorous editorship of Dr. Wilson A. Smith, The Medical Visitor has taken on new life and new ways. The journal has been much enlarged, both as to size and number of pages and is full of valuable and timely articles. Its editorials are bright and pointed and the signs are that The Visitor, under its new management, will be very popular.

The Fulton Asylum.-We much regret to learn that the Board of Managers of the Fulton Insane Asylum in Missouri has deemed it wise to make a change in the superintendency of that institution. The Fulton Asylum has just been put in the hands of the homoeopathic school and a scandal in connection with it now will not tend to convince the doubtful of the wisdom of the change from one school of medicine to the other. Boards of managers and superintendents have a most unfortunate propensity to fall foul of one another, sometimes on slight provocation. It may be hoped that the new superintendent will be a diplomat of the first order.

Hospitals not Liable.-Justice Cohen, in the Supreme Court, has handed down a decision in the case of Helen D. Ward to recover damages for injuries received while a patient of St. Vincent's Hospital, which holds that hospitals are not liable for the negligence or carelessness of servants if it is shown that due precaution has been taken by the hospital authorities in their selections. Miss Ward was a pay patient in the institution, and while being treated one day was

placed in a bed by a nurse, between the sheets of which had been left a hot-water bag, which burned Miss Ward's leg so badly that a surgical operation was necessary.

Omaha in June. The American Institute of Homœopathy will meet at Omaha on the 24th of June, 1898, and will probably continue in session for five days, not including Sunday. The prospect for a splendid meeting could not be better. The chairmen of the various sections have their work well in hand and will present carefully considered programs. The revival of interest is marked and there is an evident intention to make the Omaha meeting a most valuable one. The local committee are working hard and have already accomplished wonders. The great International Exposition is preparing to open its gates. Make plans for Omaha in June and let nothing interfere.

Spain and Homeopathy. While war is threatening between the United States and Spain the benign influence of Homœopathy_in the Iberian peninsula is increasing. In the Homeopathic World, Dr. Jose Sanlléhy of Barcelona states that homoeopathy has been rapidly increasing there for the past few years. At present the number or homœopathic physicians practicing in Barcelona is more than fifty and all of them are prosperous. For over eight years they have had a medical association and each April they hold an annual meeting to commemorate the birthday of Hahnemann. They also publish a medical journal and maintain several dispensaries for the working classes. Evidently the Barcelona doctors have learned the value of organization.

The Alumni Banquet.--The annual banquet of the New York Homœopathic Medical College and Hospital will be held at the new Delmonico's, Fifth avenue and Forty-fourth street, New York City, on May 5, 1898, at 6:30 o'clock P. M. Dr. Charles McDowell, the toastmaster, has already arranged a notable toast-list, and the dinner will be one of Delmonico's best. Almuni Day will be Thursday, May 5, 1898, and clinics and lectures will begin at 9 A. M. The success of Alumni Day last year was marked, but it is intended this year to do much better. All those who signed an agreement to give onehalf the proceeds of their practice on the 11th of April, 1898, towards the establishment of an alumni fund for the benefit of the college, will send checks or cash to the treasurer of the Alumni association, Dr. Charles H. Helfrich, 158 West Forty-seventh street, New York City.

Why Not Protect Doctors?-Barratry, the crime of promoting litigation and urging the bringing of suits where no actual cause exists, is widely practiced in this country, as the large number of groundless libel suits brought against publishers testify. The abuse is especially pronounced in New York, where the Publishers' Association has taken steps to stamp out the evil. The association has offered rewards aggregating $5,000 for proof against lawyers who

have excited groundless actions against a New York daily newspaper. Why shouldn't medical associations take similar steps against the shyster lawyers who are the real instigators of ninetenths of the suits brought against doctors?

Report of the Regents.-In its annual report the Board of Regents state that during the past three years the medical students have increased from 3,420 to 4,025, a gain of 605 in three years, or 150 last year. In law the gain has been from 1,486 to 2,041.

Five years ago one-quarter of the academic students were in private schools. In 1897 the number had fallen to one-sixth.

The number of boys in high schools rose to 19,504, a gain of 63 per cent., and of girls to 24,322, a gain of 49 per cent. The extraordinary increase in the number of boys remaining in the high schools has been for the period in which the State has exacted a preliminary high school education before students can take the courses and degrees of the professional schools and receive licenses to practice in New York. New York now has in her high schools. and academies 53,464 students, or one-eleventh of the whole number in the United States.

International Health Exposition. This Exposition will be held in the Industrial Building (Grand Central Palace) New York City, from April 25 to May 31, 1898. Public interest in health matters will be aroused by making a display of the best sanitary apparatus in every line. Old and new appliances will be placed side by side, to show the advances that have been made. Models of buildings will be shown to illustrate the changes in construction and the recent improvements in plumbing, heating, lighting and ventilation. There will be in practical operation a model kitchen, dairy, stable, laundry, nursery, school-room, work-shop and hospital. The principal departments will be "Domestic Sanitation," "Municipal Hygiene," "Food Products," "Health Resorts and Sanitariums," "Hygienic Literature," "Sanitary Organizations and Their Work," "Progress of Preventive Medicine," "Military and Naval Hygiene," "Animal Sanitation," "Industrial Hygiene," and "Fire Protection." Among the members of the advisory committees are Edward Atkinson, Andrew H. Green, John Dewitt Warner, Dr. Wm. Tod Helmuth, Mrs. James Scrimgeour, Frances E. Willard, Mrs. Melville Dewey, Dr. George F. Shrady and Dr. Eugene H. Porter. Charles F. Wingate, a man of national reputation, is the supervising director.

The Hahnemann Monument. The great monument to the memory of Samuel Hahnemann, already famous for its artistic beauty and strength, is completed, but the money to pay for it is still lacking. As the committee on the monument very justly say, "This monument is not designed alone to honor the teacher of a great reformation and founder of a school of medicine, but also as an en

during monument to the stability and growth of our method of cure, directing general attention to our existence, exerting an influence on local recognition and legislation and strengthening our position everywhere in this and other lands. And the committee proposes to inaugurate a uniform subscription of $5.00 in honor of Hahnemann's birthday. If there is a general response to this very modest and reasonable invitation the funds needed for the monument will be secured at once. The amount asked for is small and may be easily spared. Let each homœopathic physician send at once his $5 contribution to H. M. Smith, M.D., 288 St. Nicholas avenue, New York City.

Speaker J. M. E. O'Grady. The retirement of Mr. O'Grady from the legislature of the State of New York will be noted with regret by those who have been conversant with his great services to the medical profession. Mr. O'Grady is a man of great sagacity, of keen and quick discrimination and possesses a broad and tolerant mind. His endeavor has always been, in medical legislation, to serve the highest interests of the profession and the people of the state. In partial recognition of the disinterested work of the speaker for several years, advantage was taken of an opportunity that offered and on the evening of the 8th of March last a beautiful loving-cup was presented to Mr. O'Grady at the Fort Orange Club at Albany. There were three inscription on the cup, as follows: On the front, "To the Honorable James M. E. O'Grady, Speaker of the Assembly of the State of New York. On one side: "In remembrance of the efficient and most valuable services for higher education and elevation of the standard of the medical profession in the Empire State." On the other side the names of the donors: "Charles E. Jones, M.D., Arthur B. Norten, M.D., Eugene H. Porter, M.D., Edward G. Cox, M.D., J. M. Lee, M.D. The presentation was purely informal and there were no set speeches made.

E. H. PORTER, M.D.,

Correspondence.

EDITOR NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY:— MY DEAR DOCTOR:

Among the recent discussions and criticisms of Institute matters I have looked in vain for one suggestion of improvement that has for years been uppermost in my mind, but omitted from my letter in the December NORTH AMERICAN on account of its length. All of the old attendants at the Institute will recall that for a number of years I have regularly opposed the selection of any city as the place of our meeting.

The objections to all cities are the same and we shall attempt to

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