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care for her properly, she would be so unreasonable and determined that he should do whatever was to be done, no matter how many nurses were ready to assist her. Then if he did try, she would hold his efforts up to the ridicule of those about her. When he would leave her room she would scream loudly for him to come back and stay with her, but while with her she would talk most unreasonably and abusively to him. When asked why she wanted him with her if he made her so uncomfortable, she said it was because she loved him so. It would be difficult to present a clear picture of her strange conduct and actions towards her husband and towards those who had the immediate care of her.

The fact that the will may have been a reasonable one and perhaps just to all concerned seems to me to have no bearing on the case, nor to have been any indication of mental balance on the part of the testator, for it was strictly in accord with what the law compelled her to do in order to make the will valid at all, that is, so far as the provision for her husband was concerned. Had she given him a cent less it would not have been allowed, and this, of course, she was told by her lawyer or her friends. Had she acted freely it is quite probable, judging from what she occasionally threatened, that she would have left him nothing.

Dr. Jelly and Dr. Cowles were present during the trial, with the understanding that they were to hear the evidence and give hypothetical testimony in regard to the mental condition of the testator. They, however, were not called upon to testify, for the judge, after hearing the evidence on the side of the plaintiff and before the witnesses for the defendant testified at all, announced that he had decided as to her intellectual ability, and that it only remained to be seen whether undue influence had been exerted.

This practically dismissed these two experts, and the evidence on the side of the defendant was briefly given. The case was then ably argued by the opposing lawyers, and, when they had finished, the judge immediately announced his decision that he considered that no evidence had been given to indicate sufficient perversion of the intellect to

affect her power to make a valid will, and no evidence of undue influence.

This case has been interesting and instructive to me as showing how the evidence of physicians, who are making a special study of mental diseases, who have constant oppor tunity to watch such cases, and who have had the occasional or even daily care of some particular patient, is overruled as of no value in the opinion of a judge whose actual knowledge of such cases must be limited. It also raises the oft-mooted question as to where the border line comes which divides the sane from the insane. This is a question which is of great practical importance to physicians who are at any time liable to be called upon to decide whether a patient shall, or shall not, be committed as legally insane to an insane hospital. There are many cases in which there is no question about the right in the matter, but there are others where one feels to hesitate long before saying, "These persons are insane and should be restrained." Yet, as in this case, a change from normal is noted, new and trying characteristics are prominent, often making the lives of those near to them very uncomfortable.

The decision of this judge seems to be in accord with what Dr. Clouston says "may be held as proved by legal decisions, that a lesser amount of mental capacity is needed for making a valid will than for managing property or enjoy. ing personal liberty."

EDITORIAL.

Contributions of original articles, correspondence, etc., should be sent to the publishers, Otis Clapp & Son, Boston, Mass. Articles accepted with the understanding that they appear only in the Gazette. They should be typewritten if possible. To obtain insertion the following month, reports of societies and personal items must be received by the 15th of the month preceding.

THE NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY.

The "Jubilee" meeting of the New York Homœopathic Medical Society, which took place on the third and fourth of last month, was a very interesting event.

The program extended over three days. The opening exercises included addresses by the Hon. Bird S. Coler, of New York City; address of welcome by Dr. Daniel Simmons, of Kings County Society, and a special address on "The Homœopathic Medical Society of State of New York," by Dr. Horace M. Paine.

There was an elaborate banquet at the Brooklyn Germania Club House on the evening of the fourth, and the mere mention of the fact that Dr. William Tod-Helmuth acted as toastmaster is sufficient guarantee of brilliant and witty postprandial exercises.

Among the special addresses was one on "Homoeopathy Fifty Years Ago," by Dr. Conrad Wesselhoeft, of Boston; and Dr. Horace Packard, in conjunction with Dr. Helmuth, held a surgical clinic at the Flower Hospital on the morning. of the fifth.

The remainder of the program was devoted to the reports of the various bureaus, and the subjects were many and interesting.

THE TALITHA CUMI HOME.

This institution, conducted under the auspices of the New England Moral Reform Society, is doing a good and muchneeded work, a work which should commend itself to every physician, and which every physician should know

something about. The object is thus stated in the society's circular:

It is not the mission of this Home to deal with degraded women who have been promiscuous sinners, but rather with those young girls who have slipped through ignorance or unguarded surroundings, or who have been deceived and seduced through their affections, and are in need of such care for the first time.

Unfortunately, there is hardly a physician under whose care does not come at some time one or more of these unfortunate young women, who as a rule are much more sinned against than sinning; and it is well to know a place where they can be well cared for, both physically and spiritually, with a maximum of safety and a minimum of disgrace. The names of Dr. Hastings and Dr. Plummer, under whose care the institution is managed, are sufficient guarantee of the character of the Home and of the conscientious work which is done.

MRS. EMILY FAIRBANKS TALBOT.

Mrs. Emily Fairbanks Talbot, who died on Monday at her summer home in Holderness, N. H., was prominently identified with philanthropic work in this city. As the wife of the late Dean Talbot, of Boston University Medical School, she was closely associated with all public matters, to which he gave his attention. The announcement of death came as a shock to her large number of friends, as few were aware that she was in ill health. The immediate relatives knew that her health was failing since the death of her husband, about one year ago, but it was not until a month ago that there was apparent reason for any fear. The first public work in which she became interested was that of the Massachusetts Infant Asylum when it was founded. Many years of her life were devoted to the work of the Westboro Insane Hospital, of which she has since been a trustee. A great many students, especially girls, were the recipients of her kind benevolence. Every one who knew her sought for her

sound judgment and wise councils, which were filled with inspiration and proved so many times of great value. With her originated the idea which has since been so usefully developed in the Association of Collegiate Alumnæ. To her also was due the formation of the Round Table, a literary club, which includes many prominent authors of Boston and vicinity.

Mrs. Talbot was born in Winthrop, Me., February 22, 1834.

SOCIETIES.

BOSTON HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.

The regular meeting of the society was held at the Boston University School of Medicine, Thursday evening, October 4, 1900, at eight o'clock, the Second Vice-President, T. Morris Strong, M.D., in the chair.

The records of the last meeting were read and accepted. J. P. Stedman, M.D., of Brockton, was admitted to membership. (Dr. Halsey took the chair at this time.)

Voted, That the Hahnemann Committee, having finished its business and reported to the Treasurer, be discharged.

On motion of Dr. Frank C. Richardson, it was voted that the society, through its Secretary, extend to J. Emmons. Briggs, M.D., its sincere sympathy in his affliction.

The Executive Committee recommend the adoption of the following resolution, which was read by the President :

STANDING COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, the President being a member ex officio, to serve one, two, three, four, and five years, and have in charge all legislation or other interests which in any way affect the members of this society.