"many towns" distant from his nearest homeopathic confrere, that this little habit of knocking so often practiced by the allopathic brother, is oft times the purest and best advertising for the homeopath, and from whatever source it comes he can be sure that, that is "where the pincers tear." It is a fundamental law of economics that every necessary thing creates its own demand, and it follows, that the purveyor to such demand will prosper in direct ratio to his ability to fulfill such wants quickly, intelligently and agreeably. A century of homeopathy has established a demand for practitioners of this system. It is the function of the college to supply it, and to this end earnest effort to enroll students is commendable in its management. J. H. M. THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. The Forty-sixth Annual Commencement Exercises of the Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri, took place at the Pickwick Theater, on Thursday evening, April 14th. A large and enthusiastic audience composed of friends of the college and the graduating class were present to do honor to the occasion. Clad in caps and gowns and grouped on the stage the members of the class received their diplomas, with various solemn adjurations relating to the future trials and tribulations of a doctor's life. An excellent musical program was interspersed with the exercises of the evening. After the invocation Dr. L. C. McElwee in the capacity of Dean of the College gave a short address in which he referred briefly to the birth and subsequent rapid growth of Homeopathy, how it had been a potent factor in modifying existing methods of treatment, and how in the one hundred years of its existence as a system of medicine, it had left an indelible imprint on medical history, eliminating crudity of form and massiveness of dose by the education of the public to simpler and more beneficial forms of treatment. He spoke of the college, its early struggles, its pioneer work; and called attention to the firm basis on which it is at present established, which latter has its foundation in the enthusiasm of its corps of instructors. Dr. Jas A. Cambell as President of the Board of Trustees, presented the diplomas to the class, and gave some very wholesome advice on the subject of their duties-duties to themselves and duties to the public. The doctor drew freely on his large fund of practical experience in admonishing them as to the future trials and exactions of a very exacting profession, and spoke of the efforts necessary to success. One of his aphorisms anent this subject, the writer remembers having heard him say years ago, viz: "The practice of medicine is a very jealous mistress; she must be wooed with great assiduity." The following named candidates received the degree of Doctor of Medicine: Dr. Willis B. Young on behalf of the faculty, presented the prizes and various floral offerings, on which occasion he displayed a very happy and versatile wit, which was highly entertaining and amusing to the audience, especially when some member of the class would be made a target for a delicately barbed thrust of pleasantry. The Gilbert prize, a set of "Hering's Guiding Symptoms," in the competitive examination in clinical medicine, was won by Dr. H. L. Baker, of Indiana, under the nom de plume of Happy Harry. The Faculty Prize, highest honors, was won by Dr. Edward Schultz, of St. Louis. Honorable mention was accorded Dr. Julius von Rotteck, of this city, who was also appointed to the position of interne at the St. Louis Children's Hospital. Any account of the evenings exercises would be necessarily incomplete without a reference to the masterly address of Rev. J. W. Ashwood, of the Second United Presbyterian Church, of this city, who spoke on behalf of the faculty. This gentleman has appeared at a previous Commencement of this college, and his talks are particularly adapted to the needs of the new graduates. Forceful, broadminded and intensely human in his conception of things, he has the faculty of clearly depicting and outlining the situations in life which call for the highest type of earnest effort. The trend of his remarks was in the direction of advice as to the conduct of the mental, moral and physical hygiene of self. His delineation of the physicians sorrows and joys, trials and opportunities was very apt, and displayed a keen insight into life in general and a physicians existence in particular. He spoke of the opportunities of the physician for good, his relation to society, his duty to humanity, and in an inspiring, happy vein, linked the lives of minister and doctor. They are he declared cognate forces for good in humanity's great strife. His address was enjoyed by all. The college is to be congratulated on the termination of another very successful year, and THE CLINICAL REPORTER wishes its graduates every possible success in their chosen profession. J. H. M. The Minnesota State Homoepathic Institute meets at Minneapolis, May 17th, 18th, and 19th, for its 38th annual Session. Dr. Henry C. Aldrich, is President. and Dr. E. L. Mann, Secretary. A good program is promised. THE ALUMNI BANQUET. The Annual Banquet of the Alumni Association of the Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri, given in the honor of the class of 1904, was held at the West End Hotel, on Wednesday evening, April 13th. It was largely attended by the faculty and alumni of the college. After spending an hour in the parlors where old acquaintances were renewed, and class ties strengthened, the party repaired to the banquet hall, where they indulged in pleasant social interchanges while doing justice to the excellent menu. The courses having been served, Dr. W. W. Gilbert the President of the Association, who acted as toast-master announced the following toasts. They were responded to in the order given: "The New Ones-the latest." H. L. Baker, who responded in behalf of the new graduates. "Our College-my favorite topic." Dr. Jas. L. Campbell. "The Professional Man." Dr. Wm. Davis Foster, Kansas City. A very pleasant time was had by all. These functions form a very pleasant diversion for members and friends, and formalities are not permitted to interfere with enjoyment. Pursuant to the ruling of the Association at their last years meeting, the regular election was held at the college library on the evening prior to the banquet. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Dr. Jno. H. McCaughan, St. Louis. 1st Vice-President, Dr. M. H. Harrell, Indiana. 2nd Vice-President, Dr. Bayliss Chamblin, St. Louis. Secretary, Dr. Geo. A. Mellies, St. Louis. Treasurer, Dr. L. E. Bunte, St. Louis. The customary election of the graduating class to membership in the Association also took place. SEX DETERMINATION FOLLY. The sex prognosticator is again busy in the public prints. This variety of mental alienation seems bound to appear at more or less regular intervals, and its votaries to secure considerable free advertising and much notoriety. Among the peculiar features of these revivals is the amazing avidity with which persons of education and refinement seize on and discuss this folly. That nature would permit her most fundamental process to be the subject of jugulation by man is a proposition removed beyond the pale of things rational. It is man's nature to seek and delve into the unknown, to try to fathom nature's most intricate and secret processes, but as complete as is the modern physiologist's knowledge of her vital phenomena, these problems of sex have ever been hidden from him. She has interposed a barrier here, beyond which she works out in secret the phenomena which we can see but cannot understand. The finite mind has only been intrusted with a knowledge of the more elemental of nature's secrets. To endow it with the powers claimed by these persons, would be as illogical as to vest the humming bird with the department of civics. The creator has successfully managed all questions of the reproduction of species, and the divisions of the sexes therein, aud we believe will not give over these problems at this or any other future time. Apropos of this the noted "impressionist," Ella Wheeler Wilcox believes, "there is a preponderance of mothers who would bring sons to the world could they dominate this question of sex, and in a century of time the earth would begin to be depopulated. Men would be tearing one another to pieces in the wild scramble for the few remaining women and devastation and destruction would end the human race." Terrible thought this. Continuing she says, "Had this secret of sex been universally known I tremole to think of the awful fate which might have been imposed upon me in this life-the misfortune of being a man." Worse still. Fortunately however, as a protection to E. W. W. this problem has been kept hidden in the innermost recesses of nature's workshop. Imagine the spectacle of a universal dissemination of such knowledge. The entire relationship of things human would be transposed. Politics even would take on a new significance. Suffrages would be contracted for twenty one years in advance. All social problems could be syndicated and Oh! millenium, the servant girl problem would cease to distract the house holder. The accoucher would be relieved of that oft times embarrasing question "Which do you think it will be doctor?" The proud parent would be minus that joyous feeling of uncertainty in the anticipation of the sex. Well, too much learning always has its penalty attached. Ignorance and bliss are delicately balanced on the scale of human happiness. It is said "every necessary truth comes to man when he is ready for it." Perhaps so, but if this matter of sex determination be a necessary truth we believe the time is not yet ripe for its divulgence. These chimerical theories are ever and anon certain to cause a ripple among those whose minds have greater place for the fantastically curious than for sober-minded reason. It remains for the medical man to protect the public against such absurdities, and if possible prevent follies which time at least will promptly disillusionize. J. H. M. With the increasing popularity of the socalled predigested foods, will the stomachs of our progeny a few centuries hence be only "developmental resemblances?" Subscribe for THE CLINICAL REPORTER. Keep in touch with the Middle West. DEAR DOCTOR: St. Louis, April, 1904. Realizing the magnitude and the universal character of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which opens April 30th in this city, the St. Louis Homeopathic Medical Society has appointed a committee to furnish to all Homeopathic physicians and their families such information and literature. as may be desired concerning this greatest of all expositions. Considering the difficulties of securing proper accomodations, this committee will be pleased to answer inquiries sent by mail relative to this subject, and will undertake to reserve desirable quarters in hotels, boarding houses, rooming houses or private families and there will be no charge or expense for such information or service. In corresponding with this committee concerning accommodations, physicians must state definitely the date for which they are to be reserved, the approximate length of their visit, the number in their party and the price they wish to pay. All hotels, boarding houses, etc., require a deposit at the time reservations are made, such deposit to be placed to the visitor's credit. The committee hope by these means to contribute to the comfort and pleasure of all members of the homeopathic profession. COMMITTEE: Dr. W. E. Jones, Chairman, 3859 Page avenue. The prolonged use of Peroxide of Hydrogen in fistulous openings and suppurating wounds retards granulation. Peroxide is a coagulant of albumenoids. CLINICAL. Several years ago, was called to see a lady in East St. Louis, who, her husband said, had "indigo sickness," at least the neighborhood oracle had so pronounced it. Inquiry elicited the following facts: The patient had contracted a bad cold a few days previously and gone to the druggist, who had given her a box of a very popular "cold tablet," the contents of which she had taken in twelve hours. She was cyanotic to an extreme degree, the cyanic shade suffusing the face, the limbs and neck. Respiration very shallow, temperature 952, pulse 48, very weak, second sound, prostration profound. Whiskey, strychnia, hot bottles and saline enema brought reaction in five hours, but normal temperature and pulse were not reached until the fifth day. Dr. Louis E. Schermann, 1900 H. M. C. expects soon to occupy the residence and office which he is building at 5440 Magnolia Avenue. Our congratulations Doctor, on your enterprise and prosperity. |