mediate change (i.e. a change to which no other change is mediate) from what is abnormal to what is normal (or approximately normal) in vital processes. This specified change in vital processes is not in itself knowable; and, for this reason, there is no rational way of attempting it else than under the law of similars.

Shall we, because the law of similars is, in a given case, an a priori reason for choosing a similar, classify homoeopathy as a part of rational medicine; or shall we, because the cure of which similia similibus curantur is the law transcends the possibilities of any rational medicine else than homeopathy, classify homeopathy by itself, and recognize rational practice as a technical term applicable only where an immediate end in itself knowable is sought? In what way one answers this question, is of less importance than that he clearly understand the significance of the question: that is of vast importance. CHARLES S. MACK, M.D.

La Porte, Indiana.

"An old lady, 84 years old, during the past winter was attacked with severe pain and the accompanying symptoms in her wrist. Traumatism as a cause could be eliminated; the absence of any febrile condition and the general lack of constitutional involvment made the diagnosis of impending rheumatic fever untenable. I have never before or since seen such swelling of the hand and the fingers with the attendant discomfort, and when I tell you that under the use of apis in seventy-two hours the whole difficulty cleared up, you will not doubt my contention that the remedy was responsible for the change."

Of rhododendron, a little understood or a much neglected remedy in the treatment of rheumatism,-in comparison with rhus tox., an old and tried friend in rheumatic troubles, we note the following:

Frederick B. Percy, M. D., in The Hahnemannian Monthly.

A number of methods have suggested themselves to me, whereby we might with dignity and credit to ourselves meet this demand for unity of medical schools. One is this: Suppose our American Institute were to select from its membership. ten men strong and true, who are our recognized experts in the homeopathic materia medica and men of analytical minds, men in whose faithfulness we would place our abiding trust; request the old school to select from their national body an equal number of careful, scientific men. Allow these members so selected to form a commission for the sole purpose of making provings of three or four of our more common remedies and to further test the law of similars in the most rigid manner. Place at the disposal of this commission sufficient funds to enable it to make the most scientific provings ever yet made. Let the drugs selected for provings be those which the old school has used empirically for years, like china, mercury, strychnia or arsenic, and which we have used homoeopathically for years. After a proving had been made satisfactory to the commission, then let it determine if possible what, if any, effect those remedies have upon diseased conditions, whose manifestations are similar to those produced by the drugs proven.-DeWitt G. Wilcox, M.D., in the North Am. Journal of Homeopathy.

EDITORIAL

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A COMMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS. The seventh Quinquinnial Homoeopathic Congress has passed into history. And its history is that of a success. We do not fear contradiction, in saying that of the great number who were present, very few, if indeed any, left Atlantic City regretting the trouble or the expense that were the price of their sojourn there. We cannot claim that the occasion had no drawbacks, no regretable features, no clogs on the wheels of its even and pleasant progress. Such in truth there were, some avoidable, some unavoidable. Chronic fault-finders, if such there were, found undeniable opportunity for their favorite exercise. But admitting all these, we repeat that the Congress viewed as a whole, scored a dignified and worthy success.

Not in the spirit of the chronic fault finder, but in that of those who "from bygones learn to meet by-comes," it may be well to frankly mention a few of these clogs on the wheels of smooth progress, briefly noting some as avoidable, some as unavoidable. Conspicuous among the latter was the the all but intolerable heat which vexed the occasion from beginning to end. If comfort, meterologically speaking, could anywhere be reasonably expected, surely it would be in a town situated on the very verge of the ocean, and in midSeptember. Instead of such comfort, we were visited with six days of fierce sun and soaking humidity, varied only with violent thunderstorms, which left no amelioration behind them. Add to this a very plague of mosquitoes. which justified the maddest of newspaper jokes as to the possibilities of that insect in the State of New Jersey. and one has a combination of unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances, which strained even professional patience nearly to breaking. Of drawbacks that were less unavoidable, the chiefest was the holding of the scientific sessions on a pier around and

under which the waves so surged and beat, as to make speaking a painful and fatiguing effort, and listening a weariness too often all but unrewarded. Some of the affiliated scientific societies early cut the gordian knot of this difficulty, by securing meeting-places in one or another hotel; but for the great number of attendants on the Congress, such wholesale shift was obviously impossible; and a harvest of laryngitis, aphonia, and nerve-strain was reaped from this unfortunate state of things. Moreover, the consequences of departing from the excellent practice of holding all the most important meetings under a single roof, and establishing headquarters there, as well, were an unusual lack of the intimate society unity, the "family feeling," if one may so phrase it, which is in general so characteristic of the Institute's assembling. Here, at least, is a "bygone" with its lesson for the "bycomes." For the rest-for we would not have our comments take on the nature of a Jeremiahwe may summarize, with the suggestion that in the near future there may be formulated, for permanent use, a set of instructions for all those having in charge either meetings of the Institute or the Congress; these instructions to cover all details necessary to be provided and overwatched, to secure the smooth running of the very complex machinery of a great gathering of the sort referred to. Such a set of instructions, formulated from the joint experience of those most familiar with such details, would be an invaluable safeguard of the comfort of future meetings; and the possibility of their being easily carried out, would be an admirable touchstone to determine the relative values of proffered places of meeting.

Looking at the Congress even from its material side, one sees far more than occasion for repining or for warning. No meeting place could have offered more abundant and varying lodgment than did Atlantic City; or hotel appointments more 'ideally up-to-date. Guests found uncommon opportunities for novel entertainment in the delights of the "Board Walk" and the pleasures of the "Rolling Chair;" and innumerable attractions in the line of "shows" offered ample beguilement. Facilities for impressive banqueting were unusually excellent. Private hospitalities were lavish and gracious. Even objectively, the occasion has many bright memories.

On its scientific side, the Congress was an unequivocal and memorable success. The foreign delegates, actually present, were less numerous than distinguished; but foreign homoeopathy had unprecedentedly ample and interesting representation. Reports on the status of homoeopathy were presented and read from Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, India, Italy, France, Germany, Holland,

Great Britain, Brazil, and Mexico. Pictures of homeopathic institutions abroad lent graphic interest; and scientific papers from our foreign confreres offered rich gleanings of original thought and ripe and valuable experience. The forthcoming volume of Transactions will be found a veritable miniature cyclopædia of suggestion and instruction along lines familiar and unusual. Every general practitioner, every specialist, found material in his own line, offered to the limit of his power of assimilation; and every listener to the vividly animated discussions, as well as every participant in them, will long carry into his work, the effects of the keen and wholesome stimulation of the atmosphere of trained and enthusiastic thought, there breathed.

One of the most successful and encouraging features of the Congress was the Materia Medica bureau. In no particular do the characteristics of homoeopathy more definitely assert themselves than in the study of materia medica, and no bureau so surely attracts a large, attentive, intelligent, and enthusiastic audience as does the bureau of Materia Medica. This was exemplified at Atlantic City, for this bureau opened its session at 10.30 A.M., and, with recesses for lunch and dinner, continued its work until 10.45 P.M. Even at this late hour the attendance seemed undiminished. The papers read were varied and stimulating, and the discussions temperate and earnest. The day was made especially memorable by the presentation to the Congress of Dr. John H. Clarke's "Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica" in three volumes recently completed, and its companion "Repertory," and of Dr. Howard P. Bellow's "Test Drug-Proving of the O. O. and L. Society," which had just left the press. On its scientific side, the Congress offered an average of work and thought, of which any body of workers may be honestly and justly proud.

Those who are interested in future Congresses will rejoice to learn that a permanancy which it has not heretofore known was given to the International Congress by the adoption of a "Form of Organization," whereby an Executive Committee was instituted, consisting of a permanent secretary, who shall be chairman, and the presidents of all national homoeopathic organizations.

The social side of the Congress, though, as we have already suggested, suffering somewhat from lack of concentration, nevertheless afforded much that was memorable and delightful. Our foreign delegates were heartily welcomed, and responded with every grace and cordiality to that welcome. The Anglo-Saxon alliance was, on its medical side, very materially strengthened by the friend

ships there formed or renewed. Our debt is indeed great, to the foreign homœopathic societies, who sent us such delightful representation.

The GAZETTE must express its pleasure that so large a delegation of New England physicians testified to the living interest of our part of the country in the Congress and its purposes. It is estimated that over one-ninth of the physicians present, stood registered as from some New England state. A showing to justly rejoice in.

It must not be forgotten what measure of the success of the Congress was due to the ability of its presiding officer, Dr. J. H. McClelland, whose firm and tactful rule held the occasion in order and rhythm.

The Institute, as was promised, in no wise suffered in opportunity, for its fusion for the year, with international interests. The Institute's business moved satisfactorily and to good result.

The "bycome" which draws most immediately from the "bygones" so lately passed is the decision that the Institute next year meets near historic Jamestown, within a few miles of the great Exposition, which is to signalize the ter-centenary of the settlement of Virginia. Such a prospect should surely lead to a long shaping of plans for participating in an occasion so unique and memorable.

DRUG PROVING.-The University Homeopathic Observer for August, 1906, contains much that should interest all homoeopathic physicians, as it publishes the first report of its Department of Drug Pathogenesis. Fourteen students have been under the direction of the department during the year, each having signed the following agreement:

"We, the undersigned, do hereby agree on our honor to follow the rules and regulations laid down by the Department of Drug Pathogenesy of the Homœopathic College of the University of Michigan during the proving of a drug. We agree, during the time which we board at the Homoeopathic Hospital, to use no other food or drink than that which is provided for us, with the exception of water, and that any water not used at the table will be measured and reported daily as part of the ration. We agree to continue the regular habits of life, to indulge in no unusual excess of labor, exercise or pleasure, and if tobacco be used it shall be used at such times and in such amounts as will be agreed upon between ourselves and the director of the department. We further agree that we will not hold the Homoeopathic College or the University of Michigan, or any person connected therewith, responsible for any illness or accidents that may occur during or may follow the proving of a drug."

These students have been carefully selected with the object of testing those as nearly physically perfect as possible. A special table was provided for them in their hospital, and all of their actions were carefully watched. The drugs as investigated were copaiba officinalis and euonymus atropurens, given in various strengths from tincture to the sixth dilution. Certainly such work as this should prove to be of great value to the School and to the cause at large.