that especially during the formative stage of life timely attention to physical and perhaps mental defects accomplishes much in producing normal conditions or correcting the abnormal. It is rather startling to read that in Springfield, Mass., in a class of 40 pupils there were found two consumptives, an epileptic, three with inherited syphilis, a typical moral degenerate, besides many suffering from defects of the teeth, tonsils and ears. The claim is made that an actual decrease in the death rate of individuals from five to fifteen years of age amounting to about 38 per cent. during these years-is brought about. "While the majority of communicable diseases incident to child-life occur in the

public schools as the result of bringing a number of individuals into daily close contact for several hours at a time, yet there are a number of diseases which seem in their development to bear a close relationship to school attendance, and which therefore, may be grouped under the title of school diseases, or preferably, diseases incident to school life." Among these may be curvature of the spine, and nervous affections, especially headache, insomnia, chorea, etc. The condition of the eyes is a very important factor in child life. In Minneapolis 32 per cent. of the children examined had defective eye-sight. A world of good can be accomplished by attention along this line.

Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 14, 1903. Editor Cleveland Medical and Surgical Reporter, Cleveland, Ohio.

My Dear Doctor:-In your December issue I notice a rather scathing editorial on the action of the Missouri Valley Homeopathic Medical Association on the subject of kissing.

These are the facts. First, there was no paper read on the subject as stated by the public press. Second, one party barely mentioned the subject, and there was no further discussion. There was no action of any kind taken by vote or otherwise by the Association. A newspaper reporter was evidently present and short of news and made out of whole cloth all that has been published. You gentlemen are wise enough and old enough to know better than to publish editorials upon the authority of newspaper re

ports, and it is a little bit tough on those of us who happen to live in the west to be so called down without any inquiry having been made of any one officially connected with the Association. I know very well you did not intend any injury, but an unintentional injury should certainly be corrected at as early a date as possible, and we ask you to do this.

As one who has attended medical meetings east and west, north and south, permit me to say that in my own judgment I find the scientific character of the meetings of western medical societies fully abreast of the times. In them I take pride and honor their fellows equally with those of any part of our country.

The regular meeting of the Ohio Valley Homeopathic Medical Society was held Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1902, at 2 p. m., eastern standard time, at the office of Dr. R. W. Muhlemann, of Bellaire.

The meeting was called to order by the presi

dent, Dr. W. B. McClure, of Martin's Ferry, (). The following physicians were admitted as members of the Society: Drs. J. W. Morris, John McColl and Geo. S. Wells, of Wheeling, W. Va.; Dr. F. M. Evans, of Bellaire, and Drs. Curtis and Gleason, of Marietta, O.

After the conclusion of the routine business the following papers were read and discussed by those present:

The subject of "Hepatic Diseases" was ably handled in an excellent paper by Dr. S. c. Shane, of Steubenville.

Dr. A. A. Roberts, of Wellsburg, W. Va., was listened to with great attention during the reading of his paper on "Acute Urethritis."

The paper of Dr. F. M. Evans, of Bellaire, on "Sexual Weakness and Neurasthenia," received close attention and was thoroughly discussed.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:

President Dr. S. C. Shane, of Steubenville, O.

Vice-President-Dr. J. B. Prentiss, of Steubenville, O.

Secretary-Dr. Wm. N. Rogers, of Bellaire, O. Treasurer-Dr. Jennette Erskine, of Steubenville, O.

The retiring president, Dr. W. B. McClure, read a very interesting and instructive paper that was highly appreciated by all present.

The following physicians were present at the meeting: Drs. J. W. Morris, Geo. S. Wells and John McColl, of Wheeling, W. Va.; Dr. A. A. Roberts, of Wellsburg, W. Va.; Drs. S. C. Shane, J. B. Prentiss and Jennette Erskine, of Steubenville, O.; Dr. W. B. McClure, of Martin's Ferry, O.; Drs. R. W. Muhlemann, F. M. Evans and Wm. N. Rogers, of Bellaire, O.

After considerable discussion it was decided that the next meeting be held at the Hotel Windsor, Wheeling, W. Va., in May, 1903, in conjunction with the West Virginia State Homeopathic Medical Society. All homeopathic physicians in the Ohio Valley are cordially invited to attend that meeting.

On motion, meeting adjourned.

WM. N. ROGERS, M. D., Sec'y.

Akron, O., Jan. 6, 1903. The Summit County Clinical Society held its monthly meeting at the office of Dr. O. D. Childs at the customary hour of 3 p. m., President C. H. Whipple in the chair. After the customary reading of the last minutes, the president called for reports on former clinical cases, which came as follows:

Dr. Cauffield reported the case of a young woman, aged 16, with swollen liver and supposed distended gall bladder. Was visited by an Allopath (who had also been consulted) next morning following her visit to the clinical meeting in December. This doctor spent about two

hours trying to convince the family that medical treatment would avail her nothing and that an operation was the only source of relief, if done immediately. Patient was taken to the city hospital and prepared after the best approved manner of cleanliness, etc. On the third day she was anaesthetized and placed upon the operating table, the Allopathic surgeon and his son, also a doctor of medicine, being ready to operate. Upon exposing the abdominal area no swelling was present, the whole space having assumed normal proportions. Why, there is nothing here for operation," exclaimed the elder surgeon. "Can it have been phantom?” said the son. Truly a surgical farce. The elder .surgeon now tells the family the swelling is due to strong muscles and heavy omentum.

Miss G., reported in December, improved under the influence of Gelsemium and Kali phos. until disturbed by family trouble.

Case of gastralgia and bloating, entered in December, uses Morphia. Has not reported to Dr. Cauffield since.

Case of woman who contracted syphilis from husband, reported by Dr. Smith in November, and much improved in December, continues to do well.

NEW CASES.

Reported by Dr. Cauffield: Mr. S., aged 30, medium height, motive mental temperament, pale face, rubber worker eleven years. When aged 15 ill abed thirteen weeks from disease said to be pleurisy by the attending doctor; patient then lived in a village. Not well since. Eight years ago he was injured at the rubber works in such a manner as to cause rupture of the perineum, for which a partial operation was made here. Later patient was taken to Philadelphia, where final and successful operation was made. Patient long since suffers from gastralgia. Declares he has " taken pounds and pounds of soda," which gives temporary relief.

Pain located mostly in left hypochondrium and at lower inner angle of left scapula. It is dull, severe, often awakens him at night; relieved by heat. Eructation sour. Particles of

food regurgitate sour. Anorexia. Feels unrefreshed in morning. Dizzy; eyes blur so he can not read. Constipation. Has long been treated by Allopaths. Sweats at night. Mother, sister and brother died from consumption.

Discussion-Dr. Murdoch: "His disease, said to be pleurisy, was probably acute gastritis. I would expect crude charcoal to relieve temporarily."

Dr. J. W. Rockwell: "I would give tubercu

lium, which will influence night sweats and tubercular taint. Later Abies nigra or Lycopo-, dium."

Dr. Childs: Iris versicolor, then Nux v. as constitutional remedy; later on Phos. acid.” Dr. C. H. Whipple: "I have found Argentum nit. useful in similar cases when given before meals."

Dr. Whipple: Miss X., aged fourteen. Called to see her some days ago because of apparent suppression or retention of urine and cystic pains. After prescribing medically and to use warm sitz baths, promised to return next day, at which time no improvement appeared, Finding the pelvic and perineal space much distended, the catheter was introduced, drawing off small quantity of urine with no decrease in swelling. Further examination revealed an imperforate hymen, which, when punctured, was followed by discharge of about one quart of dark, offensive menstrual blood. Patient was somewhat ill in this respect one month ago.

Remarks on Dysmenorrhoea by Dr. M. W. Kapp were brief and without special interest,

except that he finds Gel. low most beneficial, and that lately he has relieved membraneous dysmenorrhoea in a young woman by painting the os and cervix with a combination of glycerine, iodine and carbolic acid.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Dr. Wm. Wilson, Akron; vice-president, Dr. W. A. Mansfield, Barberton; secretary and treasurer, Dr. Katherine Kurt, Akron.

A committee was appointed to co-operate with a similar committee from Summit County Medical Society, with a view to the establishment of a medical library in a room in the city library building now being built.

Arrangements have been completed for the annual banquet on January 15, with Dr. R. B. Carter as host.

The members present at the meeting were Drs. O. D. Childs, R. B. Carter, E. J. Cauffield, M. W. Kapp, Katherine Kurt, Wm. Murdock, J. W. Rockwell and Wm. Wilson, all of Akron; Dr. C. H. Whipple, Barberton; Dr. F. D. Smith, Cuyahoga Falls.

The Southern Tier Homeopathic Medical Society, comprising physicians of the southern part of New York State, held its annual meeting at Corning, N. Y., Tuesday, January 20th. The following program was presented:

President's Address "The Fraternity Spirit in The Medical Profession." Dr. Mark S. Purdy, Corning, N. Y. "Aconite." Dr. S. S. Simmons, Susquehanna, Pa.

"Deliver Us From Our Friends." Dr. E. W. Bryan, Corning, N. Y. "Pneumonia. Dr. Arthur Dundee. N. Y.

Besemer,

The Homeopathic Hospital at Syracuse, N. Y., was lately the recipient of a very handsome gift in the form of a site for a new building, given by Mr. and Mrs. John Lyman, of that city. Arrangements are being made to at once take advantage of this gift and place the Hospital, which is now occupying rented quarters, in a building of its own under the best surroundings for the treatment of disease.

It is rather interesting to note that a young Japanese lady who was brought here by one of our alumni, after spending two years at Hiram College taking up a course of instruction in English, has entered the training school service at Lakeside Hospital, having decided to do this work rather than take up the work of a physician. The name of this young lady is Kumi Sato, her home being in Akita, a city of some 40,000 inhabitants.

* *

It is with regret that we announce the death of Dr. C. E. Watson, '98, which occurred early in January. Dr. Watson had been for some time ailing with pulmonary

trouble and had gone to New Mexico in the hope that the climate there might be beneficial. In this, however, he was disappointed. Dr. Watson had been in Conneaut for some time having established a private hospital there. His venture proved very successful, but failing health forced him to relinquish it. We desire to extend our sympathy to Mrs. Watson.

*

The late Dr. Bushrod W. James by his will, which was probated January 16th, left to the city of Philadelphia some $55,000 and valuable real estate for the purpose of establishing a free hospital to be known as the Washington James Eye and Ear Institute. Dr. James also gave to the city of Philadelphia three houses, books, relics, jewels and $40,000 as an endowment fund for a free public library, which is to contain books for children, the aged and the blind.

The annual meeting of the Rhode Island Homeopathic Medical Society was held at Narragansett Hotel, Pawtucket, January 9th. A very full program was presented at the meeting, which was attended by a goodly number of the members of the Society. Probably the most interesting part of the program was a demonstration by Dr. Sayer Hasbrouck, of Providence, of the rhythmo-pneumatic massage apparatus designed by him for the treatment of various forms of diseases of the eye.

*

The Toledo Homeopathic club met in regular session Dec. 16, at the St. Charles hotel and was highly entertained and instructed by Dr. O. C. Rees, who, according to program, read a paper on "Sinus Thrombosis, " in which he described a case of dramatic interest and in a very eloquent manner. Among those in attendance were Drs. Anthony, Barnum, Crawford, Dawley, Humphrey, Harvey, Butman, McVay, Flower, Strong, Goodwin, Parmelee, Maxwell, Rees, Roll, Walls and Stafford of this city. Drs. W. A. Dewey of Ann Arbor and G. W. Rhonehouse of Maumee were invited guests. After the subject of the evening

had been thoroughly discussed the club adjourned to meet at the same place on Monday evening, December 29th, the next program to be taken care of by Dr. F. A. Stafford.

*

The Dayton Homeopathic Medical Society met Monday evening, Jan. 12th, at the residence of Dr. W. H. Webster on North Ludlow Street, the President, Dr. W. J. Blackburn, occuping the chair.

Dr. Webster read an interesting paper upon "Neurasthenia," and the subject was thoroughly discussed by the doctors present.

A lunch was enjoyed, after which a general discussion ensued upon the germ theory of disease. The meeting was an enthusiastic and enjoyable one.

Those present were: Doctors J. E. Welliver, Frank Webster, Howard H. Herman, H. J. Guy, Frank Murphy, W. J. Blackburn, T. A. McCann, H. E. Palmer, W. H. Dickinson, Ira J. Herr and W. W. Ensey.

Under the head of Modern Novelties, one of the secular papers discussing some observations of the late Minister from China-Wu Ting Fang, quotes him as follows:

HOMEOPATHY IS ANTIQUATED.

Even more ancient is the practice of Homeopathy, which has now become a recognized branch of medicine. There was "healing by similarity" nearly 2,000 years ago, and curing by minute doses of poison. These and other practices died out for something over seventeen centuries, only to be revived in our own day as a nineteenth century invention.

*

At Hahnemann Hospital, in New York, Dr. J. Oscoe Chase, of that city, made a second trial of the new treatment of puerperal septicæmia by the method of Dr. Charles C. Barrows, of injecting a solution of formalin into the veins. After the operation the woman had a chill and her temperature ran up to 105, showing a decided reaction. Three hours afterwards the temperature was nearly normal and the indi