whole subject of criminal insanity, but we are assured that the way to do it is not to leap to the conclusion that because a man commits a particularly horrifying crime, therefore he is insane. It is not the medical profession, but the lay press that needs more caution and conservatism. - Phil. Medical Journal.

COLEY presents the following conclusions as to the therapeutic value of the Röntgen ray in sarcoma: (1) That the results in the cases thus far treated prove that the Röntgen ray has a remarkable inhibitory action upon the growth of all forms of malignant disease and that this is especially true of sarcoma. (2) That the action in many cases of even far advanced and inoperable malignant disease may result in the total disappearance of the tumors, often without any breaking down of the tissues, the new growth being apparently absorbed. (3) Whether the patients have been cured, or the disease has been merely arrested, to reappear at some future date, is a question that time alone can decide. (4) Recent observations and experiments upon the various forms of carcinoma and sarcoma prove that an agent supposed to be of value only in a limited class of superficial epitheliomata promises to be of as great or even greater value in practically every variety of cancer. (5) While at present there is little evidence to show that deep-seated tumors in the abdomen and pelvis can be cured or benefited by the Röntgen ray, there is still more reason to hope that with improved apparatus or with greater knowledge and skill in using the apparatus than we now have, even these cases may be benefited. (6) The Röntgen ray has a very marked influence upon the pain of nearly all types of malignant tumors, causing entire relief in many cases. [T. L. C.] Phil. Med. Jour.

SOCIETY NOTES.

MY DEAR DOCTOR :

TOLEDO, Ohio, Aug. 21, 1902.

You are undoubtedly aware that under the new Constitution and By-Laws of the A. I. H., steps were taken at Cleveland to complete the organization of the Obstetrical Society of the A. I. H., the preliminary organization of which was formed at Richfield Springs; new officers were elected, but no Constitution or By-Laws has been adopted. In order to have the subject of Obstetrics presented at the next session of the Institute, we must proceed at once to secure material for our meeting. The Association is entirely without funds from which to draw to perfect the organization, prepare programs and to meet other expenses necessarily incurred in getting ready for the meeting at Boston. We therefore request that each one who has signified his intention of becoming a member of the Obstetrical Society of the A. I. H. send to the secretary and treasurer, Dr. B. H. Ogden, of St. Paul, Minn., two dollars towards defraying these expenses. It is agreed that this amount is to be applied upon dues and initiation fees for 1902, the amount of which is to be determined when we adopt our Constitution and By-Laws, and which will certainly be small. A receipt to this effect will be returned to you upon the receipt of the money.

We urge you to be prompt in this matter. The other organizations adjunct to the American Institute have already adopted their Constitution and By-Laws and fixed their fees and dues, and are in working order, while we, as an organization are incomplete.

Furthermore, Doctor, we very much desire that you send to the secretary and treasurer at once a topic upon which you are willing to prepare a paper for the meeting. If you are not decided as to a topic for a paper, please signify your willingness to write a paper or discussion, that we may estimate how much material we shall be able to get together for the meeting.

We hope that all physicians interested in obstetrical work will lend a helping hand to our Society and make it the success which it so richly deserves.

Yours very truly,

B. H. OGDEN, Sec'y and Treas.

WM. A. HUMPHREY, Prest.

OBITUARY.

DR. EDWARD PAYSON SCALES, one of the oldest physicians in Newton, died last evening at 9 o'clock, in the Newton Hospital, aged 71 years. For three days he had suffered from injuries sustained on Tuesday last in the Newton Public Library, where he slipped and fell while walking down a flight of stairs-striking his head on the stairs. These injuries were the immediate cause of his death. Dr. Scales was removed to his home in an unconscious condition, and later was removed to the hospital where trepanning was performed. The sufferer continued unconscious, however, and he gradually failed until the end came.

Dr. Scales was born at Henniker, N. H., July, 17, 1831. He attended the schools of that place and fitted for college at the Kimball Union Academy. While a student he taught school in Norwich and Hartford, Vt., and Plainfield and Newport, N. H. After graduating he was associate principal in a boys' boarding school at Prattsville, N. Y. In 1856 he went to Woburn and took up the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. T. S. Scales. He attended medical lectures at Dartmouth College, and later studied medicine at Cleveland, O., where he received the degree of M.D.

He married, in 1859, H. Lizzie Fowle of Woburn, and soon after established himself in practice at Norwood. He moved to Winchester, and in 1863 came to Newton. Dr. Scales was held in high esteem, and was actively interested in the Newton Hospital and the Eliot Congregational Church. Three sons and three daughters survive him.

PERSONAL AND GENERAL ITEMS.

DR. MARTIN DESCHERE, one of the most prominent specialists in children's diseases of the homoeopathic school and a member of the faculty of the New York Homœopathic Medical College, died in New York, July 21.

THE American Electro-Therapeutic Association, will hold its twelfth annual meeting, on Sept. 2, 3, 4, 1902, at Hotel Kaaterskill, Catskill Mountains, New York. Scientific papers are already promised of the usual absorbing interest, while the social features arranged are quite unusual in character and pleasure, including local excursions, concerts, balls, banquet and parlor entertainments.

PROF. WALDEYER, at the last sitting of the Prussian Academy of Sciences, summitted measurements of the skull of the philosopher Leibnitz, which was discovered recently in repairing a church in Hanover. The cranial cavity measures 1422 cubic centimetres, indicating a brain weighing 1257 grammes, which is unusually small. The contour of the skull shows that Leibnitz was of Slavic origin.

DR. GEORGE R. SOUTHWICK, of Boston, sailed for Europe August 6, on the fine new steamship "Hanoverian" of the Leyland line, on a "hospital visiting trip." Besides investigating recent work in surgical gynecology and obstetrics, he will make a special study of the application of the X-ray, and ultra-violet or Finsen rays for malignant disease and tuberculosis. Meanwhile, Dr. Herbert D. Boyd will conduct Dr. Southwick's X-ray work for cancer.

BY GEORGE S. ADAMS, M. D., PRESIDENT AND SUPERINTENDENT OF WESTBOROUGH INSANE HOSPITAL.

[Given before the Massachusetts Homeopathic Society.]

To the officers and members of the Massachusetts Homeopathic Medical Society:

In relinquishing the office which you assigned to me a year ago, I desire to express my acknowledgment of the honor, and my grateful appreciation of your kindness and forbearance with my shortcomings in the discharge of the duties which the position imposed upon me.

The condition of our society during the past year has not materially changed. While we are not able to report a large addition to our membership, the interest, individually and collectively, is stronger, and the influence and power for good of the association have in no degree lessened, while its reputation among its sister societies is of the best.

Death has removed several active members, allusion to which has already been made in the report of the necrologist. I cannot refrain, however, in this connection from expressing my personal sense of the loss of our esteemed colleague,