not needed for respiration, as was invariably the case after total extirpation."

4. "The power of deglutition was, in the main, well preserved in all cases except one."

EXTIRPATION OF THE LARYNX-Ibid.-Dr. Roswell Park of Buffalo, N. Y., reports a successful case of extirpation of the larynx, in a male, aged sixty-three years. June 28, 1885, after chloroform anæsthesia, the larynx was dissected out and removed. In eight weeks the patient was well, successfully employing Gussenbauer's artificial larynx. A complete description of this instrument is given.

Dr. Frederic Lange of New York, Ibid, reports a fatal case in a female, aged thirty years, in which the larynx was extirpated for carcinoma. Death caused by septic inoculation.

FROM THE FRENCH-Dr. E. J. Moure.—(Revue Mensuelle de Laryngologie, D'Otologie, et de Rhinology, January, 1886), reports three rare cases of laryngeal polypi: one, in a woman aged fifty-two, of ten years duration, apparently gelatinous, dull gray, bleeding with difficulty, three lobed, and commencing to completely obstruct the laryngeal opening, concealing not only the inferior vocal cords, but the ventricular bands and ary-epiglottidean folds. It was attached a little above the right cord, by a long broad pedicle. The tumor was seized by Fauvel's polypus forceps, and removed piecemeal. The recovery was rapid and successful.

A second case of a young woman, aged twenty-five, seven and a half months pregnant, suffering from aphonia and difficulty of respiration of four months duration. Laryngoscopic examination showed a large tumor, like a cauliflower, filling all the orifice of the larynx; on one side, sessile springing from the entire length of the left ventricular band, and on the other slightly pediculated, budding as if distinct from the former, from the base of the epiglottis. The tumor was easily seized with a polypus forceps, and several days afterward a sphacelated piece was ejected. The patient was very negligent and irregular in her attendance, and thus prevented the complete removal of the tumor. The essential point in

such cases is the facility with which the forceps may be employed; the presence of the neoplasm, familiarizing the larynx to foreign bodies, and thus rendering the operation of laryngotomy, thyrotomy, etc., unnecessary. A third case of mucous polypi inserted in the entire length of the two vocal cords, simulating oedema of the latter, occurred in a ship-captain, aged forty-five, who gave a syphilitic history. The aryepiglottidean folds and ventricular bands were normal; but the tumors were long, and inserted almost symmetrically on the free border of the cords, smooth, even, slightly red or rather grayish and gelatinous. By the use of hydrochlorate of cocaine, the tumors were easily extirpated. A month later the patient left Bordeaux with his voice much improved.

THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.-On Tuesday, May 4, this Association will meet in St. Louis, and we wish to urge the members of the various State, county and local medical societies to take such steps as may ensure an intelligent and efficient representation of their bodies at this coming meeting. This Association is the only national organization of regular physicians, and if its work has not always shown the highest scientific standard, this failure is attributable to the individual members of the profession rather than to the organization. In other words, if some of the better-known members of the profession are not known as active workers in the Association, the onus must rest upon them and not upon the Association. itself. It is most ill grace for any regular physician who is not a member of the Association to sneer at its work, or seek to undermine its influence. We make the distinction between member and non-member because the former--with an honest prejudice and difference of opinion-may be seeking to correet what he considers existing evils; the latter is more apt to exaggerate, finding evils where none exist, and yet making no effort to improve.

In an editorial in the St. Louis Courier of Medicine for March it is truly said that "there are many reasons why this meeting should be very largely attended. This will be one of the most important meetings in the history of the Association. The future prosperity of this, the only organization which VOL. VI-9

stands in a position to act for the profession of the whole country, depends very largely upon the course that shall be pursued at the coming annual meeting." The editorial further states that no reference has been made to the International Congress imbroglio. But it is upon this point that the most intense feeling exists. While we hope that the scientific work of the coming meeting will surpass all previous ones, we must also be prepared to act regarding the matter of the Congress of 1887.

In an editorial in the November issue of the MONTHLY We expressed our convictions regarding the status of the committee for the International Congress. As we considered the original committee responsible to the American Medical Association, and its acts subject to revision thereby, so is it our opinion that at the coming meeting of the Association the work of the amended committee may be revised and be in every way subject to the majority of the Association. Whatever this decision may be we promise to abide thereby.

We earnestly hope that this may be the general sentiment of the profession, and that the characteristic fairness and sound common sense of the American are not qualifications lacking in the American physician.

NEW YORK POLYCLINIC.-The report of the secretary at the annual meeting of the directors and faculty of the New York Polyclinic, held at the college building on January 28th, 1886, showed an attendance upon the clinics in that institution since the opening on November 7th, 1882, of 709 physicians. Of this number 156 had taken out the general ticket which admits the holder to the lectures in all the departments taught at the school.

The ratio of attendance upon the various departments is shown in the following list of tickets sold since November, 1882, up to January 28, 1886: Gynecology, 461; surgery, 412; medicine, 313; throat, nose and ear, 300; children, 273; eye, 250; skin, 234; mind and nervous system, 207; physiological chemistry, 173; obstetrics, 163; pathology, (laboratory only recently opened), 15. Total, 2801. The attendance for the present session is in excess of any previous term.

MEMPHIS HOSPITAL MEDICAL COLLEGE.-The Sixth Annual Commencement of the Memphis Hospital Medical College took place at the Central Baptist church on the evening of February 26th, in the presence of a crowded house of intelligent citizens. This commencement marked the termination of the most successful session the school has ever had. There were thirty-seven graduates, about 30 per cent. of the entire class.

The exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. Eugene Daniel, and were interspersed with music.

The salutatorian, Charles D. Shipp of Mississippi, made a happy effort.

Hon. Eli. S. Hammond was the orator of the occasion, and with grace, ease and dignity, entertained the audience in elegant style.

Conferring the degrees was done by Hon. L. P. Cooper, President of the Board of Directors, with his usual urbanity, upon the following

GRADUATES-1885-6.

The prizes were awarded by Prof. S. H. Brown.

The first to Dr. E. A. Neely of Mississippi, the second to Dr. J. B. Lockhart of Texas.

Sim charged the graduating class.

Upon Dr. Eugene A. Neely of Mississippi, to whom had fallen the first honors of his class, also devolved the pleasant task of delivering the valedictory. This he did in a gratifying manner to all present, especially the young ladies, and was rewarded by a shower of bouquets.

The benediction was pronounced by the minister in charge of the beautiful church in which the exercises were held, Rev. Abner W. Lamar.

The following figures, taken from the conspectus of medical colleges, are interesting, showing as they do the flattering increase in the attendance at the Memphis Hospital Medical College:

First session, Dr. W. E. Rogers, Dean-Students, 52; graduates, 18.

Second session, Dr. W. E. Rogers, Dean-Students, 70; graduates, 30.

Third session, Dr. W. E. Rogers, Dean-Students, 73; graduates, 31.

Fourth session, Dr. W. E. Rogers, Dean-Students, 58; graduates, 22.

Fifth session, Dr. A. G. Sinclair, Dean-Students, 71; graduates, 31.

Sixth session, Dr. A. G. Sinclair, Dean-Students, 90; graduates, 37.

THE TREATMENT OF SYPHILIS WITHOUT MERCURY.-Although the best authorities now agree that mercury judiciously administered is the best agent we have for treating syphilitic manifestations, the abuse of this drug has created against it a strong prejudice in many quarters, which, however unjust it may be, must be recognized by the practical physician.

While the etiology of syphilis remains a mooted question also, its treatment must be largely if not wholly empirical; and since this is the fact, any remedy or combination of remedies, which, after a sufficient trial, has proven itself to be of value in combating the protean manifestations of