I desire through this communication to especially call your attention to the fact that our members, consisting of those who were originally active participants in the cause so dear to our lives and which we annually meet to commemorate, are year by year growing fewer, and must ere long be known only to memory; it behooves us, therefore, to endeavor to get new material into our organization in order that this result may be avoided.

Our Constitution provides that, in addition to the classes originally composing the organization, now Contract Surgeons, Hospital Stewards, Chaplains, and Physicians who are Veterans, may become members, and that physicians who are sons of Veterans may be admitted as Junior Members, contemplating, of course, their maintenance of organization, for it is this class to whom we must look for the perpetuation of our Association after a few years longer.

First, I desire to express the hope that you and all others that are members, will strain a point to be at and participate in the approaching Reunion.

Secondly, that you will endeavor to influence all within your knowledge, who are entitled to membership by reason of actual service during the war, to make application at once, in order that we may have their co-operation in working out the destiny of our organization.

Thirdly, that you will endeavor to influence all other privileged classes, especially the young physicians who are eligible and upon whom we must depend in the future. The membership fee is only One Dollar.

Lastly, permit me to express the hope that you will write some reminiscent matter from your army observations, and bring it to our coming Reunion, which I hope will be the largest and most interesting of our history.

Very truly and fraternally yours,

J. S. CAIN, M. D.,

President of the Association of Medical Officers of the Army

and Navy of the Confederacy.

Obituary.

PATRICK H. THORNTON, M. D., University of Louisville. (Ky.) Medical Department, 1857, chief surgeon of Division in the Confederate service during the Civil War, died at his home in Lockspur, Cal., March 24, aged 69.

HECTOR MCNEILL GRANT, M. D., Louisville Medical College, of Helena, Ark., surgeon in the Confederate service during the Civil War; several times mayor of Helena, and four times State senator, died at the home of his daughter in Clarksdale, Miss., April 6, after a long illness, aged 82.

Editorial.

FIFTY-FOURTH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE.

IN the presence of an audience which taxed the capacity of the chapel of the University of Nashville was held on Friday night, March 31, ult., the fifty-fourth annual commencement of the Medical Department of the university. Not only was the chapel packed, but every window and doorway was occupied, as was also the corridor adjoining the chapel. Hundreds of people, unable even to reach the entrance, went away before the exercises. Hereafter the commencement exercises of the Medical Department will be held at the Vendome Theater or some other equally capacious auditorium.

The exercises were opened by a prayer by Rev. W. D. Holmes, D. D.; Chancellor James D. Porter, who presided over the meeting, then introduced Prof. Wm. G. Ewing, M. D., Dean of the Faculty, who delivered the faculty address. He reminded the young doctors that they had passed through the period of preparation and had reached the happiest moment of their lives in the possession of their diplomas. He said that hope, faith, and confidence in their ability had brought them there, and that by dint of hard work they had accomplished the desired end. Dr. Ewing then made a few suggestions to the graduates, which were calcu

lated to help them in their future work. He said that they would stand or fall just in proportion as they impressed their personalities on the world, but that though they would have to work out their own fortunes, the training which they had received would speed them on the highway of success. He said that the world would give a place and a welcome to the man who earned it, that the world would give them a chance, but nothing else. "If you do your work better than anybody else, you will be sure to win a place in the great lottery of life. You may not be brilliant, but you can be patient and persevere." He said in regard to the earning of money that "all the roads leading to the golden gate were full to overflowing," but that there were things which money could not buy. He admonished them to let each day's duties and pleasures be within the twenty-four hours. "Don't be ashamed of being poor," said he, "but don't tell any one about it. Do not get mad, for you will have to get over it again, and that is not always easy to do."

He closed by saying, "To-night we part as teachers and pupils, tomorrow we meet as gladiators in the field of actual service."

Dr. Clarence Eugene Elgin, of South Carolina, was next introduced, and delivered an eloquent valedictory address. He spoke of the great influence which the man of science has had on the progress of the world. He said that by the application of the principles of science the luxuries of the rich had been made the necessities of the poor. He said that no branch was more important than that represented by the man of medicine; that the modern conception of medical advancement was not so much the cure as the prevention of disease, and that the profession was working more and more to that end.

Chancellor Porter then conferred the degrees on the following

class:

D. C. Batson, W. R. Bethea, P. D. Biddle, B. E. Britt, T. Brown, R. N. Buchanan, S. H. Burnett, S. Campbell, O. M. Carter, C. H. Crawford, J. M. Cullum, J. McC. Denby, Marvin Denton, N. C. Denton, N. E. Dick, W. B. Dozier, C. E. Elgin, A. L. Erwin, R. S. Erwin, M. J. Ferguson, W. A. Fletcher, A. B. Garland, W. A. Grant, W. C. Groce, E. D. Gross, H. C. Guerin, N. P. Guill, F. B. Hamilton, Jr., G. W. Hays, J. E. Henderson, G. P. Hicks, R. L. Hughes, J. T. Irby, C. D. Jacobs, J. F. John, J. H. King, W. T. Lowe, J. W. McClain, S. McDonald, J. McGovern, W. B. Madeley, J. H. Maples, J. R. Mason, R. B. Mays, J. W. Moon, F. C. Myers, L. F. Naylor, W. J. Neal, H. M. Owen, S. L. Parnell, P. Pelæz-Laredo, C. W. Phillips, J. C. Pickett, W. S. Polk, A. E. Reed, E. L. Roberts, J. L. Saunders, H. C. Shearer, M. D. Shearer C. N. Sisk, H. T. Speck, H. H. Stephenson, W. P. Sumners, M. Terry, W. B. Threlkeld, W. Thomas, Sam Webb, L. K. Warren, T. D. Welch, J. M. Wheelis, G. R. White, D. V. S., J. B. White, R. N. Whitfield, W. H. Woods, A. D. Yoho.

The "University of Nashville medal" was then presented to Dr. Warren Algy Fletcher, who made the highest general average of any man in the class. He was offered the interneship at the City Hospital, but found it impossible to serve, and a man to take his place will be selected by the faculty.

Prof. Charles E. Little, Ph. D., made the presentation speech in a very original and pleasing way. He said that the tendency of modern student life was to magnify the glory of muscle and the greatness of brawn, but that there was one time in the school year when scholarship got its deserts, and that was at commencement.

The commencement for the spring term will be held during the latter part of June.

THIRTIETH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE.

BEFORE a large audience of happy friends and relatives in Watkins Hall Monday night, April 3, ult., occurred the thirtieth annual commencement of the University of Tennessee, Medical Department. After a march from "Sergeant Kitty" by Pellettieri's orchestra, Rev. W. M. Anderson delivered the invocation.

Dr. Paul F. Eve gave the charge from the faculty to the graduates. He dwelt largely on the development of character in the physician. He said in part: "There are in man two kinds of character; first, that character that leads to public influence and success, and second, that drifting with the current of life which seems always to be striking against obstacles, and at last wrecks itself on the rocky shores of life. Before you are fields of opportunity and influence. These can only be reached by high ideals. You will soon be battling with disease. In this fight I recommend you to your text-books, your lectures, your journals, and above all to that greatest of teachers, experience. Learn above all things to be a perfect gentleman.”

Adjt. Gen. Harvey H. Hannah delivered an eloquent address to the graduating class. Gen. Hannah said in part:

--

"It is not for the poor lips of a layman to speak about the ethics of the profession of medicine. If I can touch only a minor chord in the hearts of you young gentlemen I shall be satisfied. Nothing in this world succeeds like success, is an old saying, but true in every respect. The world loves to follow and applaud the man that wins, that means to do something in the battle of life. The surgeon with his knife struggles with death over the bedside of mankind. The profession of medicine is a profession in which brain and genius alone survive. The

doctor of to-day is to the doctor of old as sending messages on the wings of chained lightning to the old town criers of the seventeenth century.

"The profession is yet in its infancy. Every possibility lies before you. I wish to express no sectional spirit, but I love every heart in this land of Dixie. [Applause.] This is your glorious country. Our Dixie leads the world in orators and statesmen. It lies with you what the reputation of this land remains. Raise your eyes to the skies, and take the hand of him who is the Great Physician, the great Balm of Gilead."

Dr. Brown Ayres, President of the University of Tennessee, conferred the degrees upon the graduates. Prof. Paul Nichols awarded the prizes. Searle B. Gillespie, of Tennessee, was awarded the first prize, the Paul F. Eve faculty medal. He attained the remarkable record of gaining 875 points out of a possible 900. Hal T. Pitts and Toria J. Bratton, both of Tennessee, were awarded the second and third medals. The class roll is as follows:

J. E. Arrington, I. T.; D. W. Allen, Texas; I. H. Beasley, Tenn.; T. J. Bratton, Tenn.; P. M. Bristow, Tenn.; F. M. Blankenship, Tenn.; R. K. Bingham, N. C.; T. Y. Carter, Tenn.; James Crosson, S. C.; Ira J. Dawson, Texas; O. W. Fesmire, Tenn.; Luther M. Freeman, Tenn.; B. E. Giannini, Tenn.; Charles H. Gulley, Texas; Lewis Gaddy, Ark.; S. B. Gillespie, Tenn.; William T. Hunter, Miss.; Thomas B. House, Tenn.; Alvis Y. Kirby, Tenn.; Arthur R. Kempf, Ky.; Wiley E. Lindsay, N. C.; Basil S. Mayo, Tenn.; Edwin C. Morgan, Ky.; Samuel W. Minor, Tenn.; Earle R. Mulheron, Tenn.; Edwin L. Maxwell, Fla.; Hal T. Pitts, Tenn.; Frank Savage, Va.; Herman E. Sidwell, Tenn.; Nard F. Smith, Tenn.; Sam L. Wadley, Texas; Thomas D. Wilson, Tenn.; Wilburn C. Williams, Texas.

The next session will begin Monday, October 2, 1905.

ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

THERE was a large audience in the lecture hall of the Medical Department of Vanderbilt University on Monday evening, April 3, the occasion being the annual commencement exercises. All of the standing room was occupied, and there were many ladies present. The exercises marked the close of a prosperous year in the history of the medical department, degrees being conferred upon a class of thirty-five young doctors, and honors being awarded. The program was interspersed with music by an orchestra.

The first number on the program was music by the orchestra, after which there was an invocation by Rev. Geo. A. Gowen. The faculty