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gress of putrefactive decomposition in a wound after that process is once established.

I can but look upon a patient who has undergone a surgical operation, performed according to our best light as to antiseptic surgery, as a much better subject for successful treatment with homœopathic remedies, should therapeutic measures become necessary, than one who has a wound reeking with foul pus. Very sincerely,

HORACE PACKARD.

VI. DR. GEO. R. SOUTHWICK.

I believe most thoroughly in asepsis, and that in many cases antisepsis is necessary. It is indispensable for the best good and most benefit to our patients. It has nothing to do with homoeopathy. It is part of the general prophylactic treatment, and is no more incompatible with the principles of homœopathy than is the sanitary plumbing of our houses.

Very sincerely yours,

G. R. SOUTHWICK.

SOCIETIES.

-:0:

MASSACHUSETTS HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Massachusetts Homœopathic Medical Society was held at Steinert Hall, Boston, Wednesday, April 13, 1892.

The meeting was called to order at 10.30 A. M. by the Presi dent, A. J. French, M.D., and the records of the semi-annual meeting and of the meetings of the Executive Committee were read and approved.

The following candidates were then elected to membership: Julia A. B. Russel, M.D., Malden; Kate G. Mudge, M.D., Salem; Frederick A. Davis, M.D., Boston; Julia F. Woodman, M.D., Boston; John H. Bennett, M.D., Boston; Cyrus W. Scott, M.D., Andover; Georgianna W. Harris, M.D., Boston; Winslow B. French, M.D., Brighton; S. Willard Coy, M.D., Boston; William T. Hopkins, M.D., Lynn.

The President then appointed the following Tellers: Drs. E. A. Murdock, F. D. Stackpole, James Hedenburg, and at II A. M. declared the polls open for the election of officers for the ensuing year:

I.

2.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CLINICAL MEDICINE.

Fred'k B. Percy, M.D., Chairman.

A few cases of Asthma. Fred'k B. Percy, M.D.
The epidemic of Influenza in Worcester County.
Chas. L. Nichols, M.D.

3. A clinical case. N. R. Perkins, M.D.

4. Traumatism as a factor in disease, with two clinical cases. Fred'k A. Warner, M.D.

5.

Was it a case of La Grippe? Samuel L. Eaton, M.D.

6. Abdominal elephantiasis. D. E. Brown, M.D.

7. A case of spinal abscess. J. K. Culver, M.D.

These papers were all of unusual interest and elicited the following:

DISCUSSION.

Dr. E. P. Scales wished to endorse the use of sambucus in asthma. In his hands it had proved a most satisfactory remedy in many cases.

Dr. H. E. Spalding had noticed toward the subsidence of the recent epidemic of grippe that many cases presented a subnormal temperature. This was so marked as to be regarded by himself and others as a diagnostic symptom, and was often a forerunner by twenty-four hours of the fever.

Dr. Joseph Chase spoke of several cases of asthma reflex from nasal obstruction removal of which relieved the asthmatic trouble.

Dr. Edward B. Holt spoke of the remarkable success of homoeopathic treatment in the late epidemic of influenza, and thought that its demonstrated superiority over other methods of treatment should be brought more forcibly to the attention of the profession at large.

Dr. N. R. Morse suggested that Dr. Eaton's doubtful case might have been one of malignant scarlatina instead of "la grippe." Thinks that homopathists lose comparatively few cases of influenza or pneumonia. Is heartily in favor of the cold pack in the treatment of these diseases.

Dr. Frank A. Gardner wished to add his testimony in favor of the cold pack in "la grippe." Thinks one reason for the poor results of old-school treatment of this disease is the use of antipyretics which strongly depress the already weak heart.

Dr. Frederick A. Warner in reply to a question, said that in the treatment of the cases of albuminuria mentioned in his paper, he used the dilute nitric acid strong enough to slightly acidulate the water.

Dr. N. W. Rand reported a case of influenza during the

entire progress of which the patient was either comatose or wildly delirious.

Dr. A. A. Klein spoke of the frequent occurrence of purulent otitis following "la grippe."

Dr. F. W. Elliott has lost but two cases of pneumonia following "la grippe," in each of which the patient was addicted to the alcohol habit.

Dr. W. H. Lougee has always believed that "la grippe

a neurosis and not contagious. One object of his treatment has always been to allay the condition of irritability which almost always exists, and to effect this he does not hesitate to give opiates. He also relies on phenacetin to reduce high temperature. He regards the bronchial type of the disease as the most troublesome; the first, or spasmodic stage of this type should be relieved by sambucus, but this remedy has disappointed him in this respect. The disease rapidly runs into the suppurative stage in which he has found hepar, mercurius, and aconite most useful. In regard to Dr. Warner's use of nitric acid in puerperal albuminuria it was his opinion that the cases would have recovered spontaneously, and doubted the efficacy of nitric acid in true Bright's disease.

Dr. Gardner spoke of the very gratifying results he had obtained from the use of the cold pack in the treatment of albuminuria.

Dr. A. J. French wished to call attention particularly to the profound effect of "la grippe" upon the nerve centers as the probable cause of many of the reported sudden and otherwise unaccountable deaths. Thinks that the disease is due to an atmospheric influence. Believes in the microbe theory.

Dr. O. S. Sanders regards discussion as to the etiology of "la grippe" as rather profitless. Thinks there is a great deal of speculation about the cause of disease, and that when we draw away from the totality of symptoms we get upon an open sea of doubt and uncertainty. Thinks that with the law of similars and good common sense the patient stands the best chance of recovery from "la grippe" or anything else.

This closed the discussion, and at 1 P. M. the meeting adjourned to Hotel Thorndike, where a very satisfactory lunch was served to 106 members.

The meeting was again called to order at Steinert Hall, at 2.30 P. M., by L. D. Packard, M.D., the President being unavoidably absent.

Dr. I. T. Talbot offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the thanks of the Massachusetts Homœopathic Medical Society are hereby tendered to the State of

Massachusetts for the aid received through the State officials whereby the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Hospital has been greatly enlarged and its usefulness increased; to the City of Boston and the generosity of many individuals for the erection of a fine Dispensary building, and to the Trustees of Boston University for the spacious addition to the School of Medicine; and we pledge our influence as a society to assist these institutions to fully meet the responsibilities which rest upon them. Carried unanimously.

The following resolution was also adopted:

Resolved, That a committee of three on the part of the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Medical Society, together with one from each of the other Homoeopathic Medical Societies and institutions of the State, be appointed by the Executive Committee of this society to have charge of and represent the Homœopathic interests of this State at the Columbian Exposition or Fair, to be held at Chicago in 1893.

Dr. J. Wilkinson Clapp, in behalf of the Faculty of Boston University School of Medicine, invited the Society to hold its next semi-annual meeting at the new college building. By vote of the Society this invitation was accepted.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OBSTETRICS.

Walter Wesselhoeft, M.D., Chairman. A few cases of puerperal albuminuria without convulsions. John J. Shaw, M.D.

DISCUSSION.

Dr. E. P. Colby has had the rare privilege of having under continuous observation for a period of eighteen years a patient, with albuminuria. At his first attendance upon the woman, eighteen years ago, her labor was normal, but at a previous confinement she had had albuminuria and convulsions. He has at intervals examined her urine since that time, and always found albumin until two years ago, when, at the climacteric, the albumin gradually disappeared, the headaches grew less frequent, and the woman was now apparently well.

Dr. J. Herbert Moore wished to remind the members that a congestion of the Malpighian tufts may cause albuminuria without the coexistence of true tubular nephritis, and spoke of the frequent existence of nephritis without albuminuria.

Dr. J. P. Sutherland said that the question of the relation of albuminuria to convulsions is not so important as that of nephritis to convulsions. Scarcely a pregnant woman will go to term without the occurrence of albuminuria, yet in the ma

jority of these cases the urine will show no diminution of the excretion of urea and no casts. Has seen actual nephritis existing and yet no sign of convulsions.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DISEASES OF CHILDREN.

Subject:

J. H. Sherman, M.D., Chairman.
Diphtheria, including Intubation.

1. Treatment of Diphtheria, with Report of a case.
man, M.D.

Discussion opened by L. D. Packard, M.D.

2. Intubation. Eloise A. Sears, M.D.

J. H. Sher

Discussion opened by Horace Packard, M.D.

DISCUSSION.

Dr. L. D. Packard thinks that a certain number of cases of diphtheria are doomed from the very inception, in spite of the most careful and scientific treatment known to-day. Has had very good success in the treatment of this disease with such remedies as phytol., bapt., merc. bin., etc.

Dr. James Hedenberg gave a brief and interesting resumé of the history of diphtheria in this country, and spoke in regard to the difference of opinion as to the identity of croup and diphtheria, urging physicians to err in this matter on the side of caution.

The tellers then announced the result of the annual election, as follows: President, L. D. Packard, M.D., South Boston. Vice-Presidents, Alonzo Boothby, M.D., Boston; John P. Sutherland, M.D., Boston. Corresponding Secretary, J. Wilkinson Clapp, M.D., Brookline. Recording Secretary, Frank C. Richardson, M.D., Boston. Treasurer, Herbert Clapp, M.D., Boston. Librarian, Horace Packard, M.D., Boston. Censors, H. P. Bellows, M.D., Boston; N. Emmons Paine, M.D., West Newton; Walter Wesselhoeft, M.D., Cambridge; John L. Coffin, M.D., West Medford; A. J. French, M.D., Lawrence.

It is a pleasure to report the presence at the meeting, of Dr. Robert G. Reed, of Woonsocket, R. I., as a delegate from the Rhode Island Homœopathic Medical Society.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASES.

Frank C. Richardson, M.D., Chairman.

Subject: Syphilitic Neuroses.

E. P.

1. General Syphilitic Neuroses. Frank C. Richardson, M.D. 2. Cerebro-Spinal Syphilis, with remarks on Treatment. Colby, M.D.

Discussion opened by N. Emmons Paine, M.D.

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