paper on Surgical Diagnosis by Dr. Rush W. Kimball of Norwich.

It is with great regret that I speak of the death of Dr. Francis. N. Braman of New London, a sometime President of the Connecticut Medical Association, one of our older practitioners and a man of sterling worth and character, and of the sudden taking away of Charles E. Brayton of Stonington, one of the most earnest workers on our County Medical Society's roll. Both of these men had been honored by the New London County Association by being elected president at various times, and both were, in the old days of the State Society, high in its councils. We, in New London County, have been during the past two years displaying more "get-together" spirit, that works for the best interests of our association. We hope to continue to have the same spirit.

Respectfully submitted,

PATRICK J. CASSIDY.

(d) Fairfield County, by Dr. Samuel M. Garlick. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates:

Fairfield County again comes to you, through its Councilor, with a report of continuous progress, a commendable degree of energy, and an encouraging state of medical activity. It is a pleasant duty to record that since my last report nothing has occurred to mar our pleasant social and professional relations. Professional rectitude seems to be the purpose, if not always the attainment, of all members of Fairfield County Association. Last year we reported an active membership of one hundred and seventy-nine. It has been our pleasure to receive during the year five new members. Of this number, three are young men of relatively recent graduation; we welcome one from a distant State-Dr. W. Lee Weadon, from Virginia,-and one as transferred from Hartford County-Dr. George A. Smith. It may be observed that none of the practitioners of longer residence in the County have been induced to join us.

One member, long beloved and of an honorable service, has been removed by death, Myron W. Robinson, for several years Resident Physician at the Soldiers' Home in Noroton. His obituary will be presented at an appropriate time. Ten members have been "dropped" for non-payment of dues; one member and three non-members have removed from the County. This total loss of twelve members, with an accession of only five, leaves us with an active membership of one hundred and seventytwo; a somewhat less total than at our last report. We reassure ourselves by noting the interesting fact that during the year we attained the largest membership which we have had since. the reorganization years ago.

There are in the County two hundred and ninety-nine practitioners; it is not right, it is not for the greatest good of the public, nor is it to the best interests of the profession, when but little more than one-half, only 55 per cent., of the medical men in any community are personally or directly interested in organized medicine. I repeat from last year's report:-"there are yet too many non-affiliated practitioners."

Our five local societies are all alive, active and doing good work, good work for the individual members, good work for the profession, and good work for their respective communities. The writer believes that only as "organized medicine" can we accomplish the greatest good for civic betterment and public health. I desire to emphasize this idea as a reassurance to discouraged and oftentimes overworked Society officials and as a needed stimulant to the altogether too many non-appreciative and often indifferent members.

Our efficient County Secretary has made a somewhat careful study of our statistics with the following interesting results: Of the one hundred and thirty-three practitioners and men of medical education not affiliated with us, fifteen belong to the homeopathic persuasion; thirteen are "eclectic" in their profession, whatever that may mean; three are of other association or non-descript. Of the remainder, all of whom also might be with us, sixteen are not in active practice or are employed in some allied or other calling; eleven have been "dropped" for

non-payment of dues; nine have not been resident the requisite time for admission; twenty are not sufficiently interested to become affiliated; and from forty-six no sufficient reason has yet been obtained for their non-affiliation.

Right here, in view of this work, let me divert enough to remark upon the importance of having a competent and efficient Secretary, and scarcely any less important is an efficient Treasurer. Upon these two officers depends, almost altogether, the continuity of the Association, the quality of the work done, the attendance at the meetings and the permanent interest of the members. Without cordial reception our members will not attend; without solicitation they will not prepare and present papers, and if annual dues are not promptly collected, members in arrears, but otherwise valuable, must be dropped. The best and most enthusiastic of us do not pay "back scores" cheerfully. In order to make some compensation for the really burdensome work of an efficient officer, our Association has just now voted to give the Secretary one-half of the rebate from the annual dues paid to the State Society; the other one-half goes to the Treasurer for his work. It has been suggested that inasmuch as the work of the two is much in duplicate, perhaps it were better to have one person as Secretary-Treasurer.

We have no less than eight general hospitals, twelve private sanatoria, several homes for the aged and for children both endowed and sectarian; two sanatoria for the tubercular, and others in view. Surely the sick, the needy and the deficient are greatly if not sufficiently provided for.

The hospitals in Fairfield County, public endowed, sectarian and private, are all and each industriously at work enlarging their borders, increasing their efficiency, accumulating gifts, and all are making by no means minor efforts to secure favors or financial aid from the public funds. It is a matter of just and righteous civic pride that the State of Connecticut has always dealt generously with the poor, the needy and the distressed within its borders. We trust it may ever be so. In the opinion of the writer, however, no public money should be granted to sectarian, or to purely private institutions, charitable or otherwise.

Of course the more intense medical activity is observed in the larger and more congested centres. It by no means follows, however, that useful activity is confined to such centres. The rural practitioner and the man influential in the country village is often doing, almost alone, more altruistic work for the general welfare than his confrères in the city. For all around intelligence, an active interest in the health of his community and an acute sense of what makes for the best welfare of his individual patient, let me commend to you the faithful doctor of our country towns.

Fairfield County has five cities. The local Society in Bridgeport is alert, watchful of all affairs pertaining to the health of child or adult. At the request of the Superintendent of Schools, the members volunteered to lecture before the parents and teachers one evening each week in different schools and upon different topics relating to child welfare. A considerable number of these lectures were given. The whole scheme was experimental; while some lectures were a flattering success, the larger number were not satisfactory. Too much was attempted. With the experiences of the past season we are confident that a modified course will be well worth an effort next year. Bridgeport continues to have the antivactionist. Honest in himself, he is terribly misinformed, and like so many other persons who know so much "that ain't so" he is vociferous in expressing it.

Largely due to the persistent and enlightened efforts of Dr. Geo. L. Porter, on the Board of Trustees, the Bridgeport Hospital has entered upon new and energetic plans. We have now a well-equipped laboratory, with a salaried pathologist, and we look forward to satisfactory research work. In the last four months more than two hundred patients have been declined admission. An effort is being made to secure more than a quarter of a million dollars, to be used in needed enlargement and reconstruction. Encouraging progress is being made; one gift of fifty thousand dollars and many more of lesser but yet very substantial sums are assured, so that nearly two hundred thousand dollars are in sight. New ground will be broken at an early date.

St. Vincent's Hospital is attractive and well equipped, an institution of which we are proud. It maintains an efficient clinic and dispensary, and has just recently completed a fine children's ward, thus greatly enlarging its beneficent service to the community.

It appears that for some time the physicians of Stamford have felt that the efficiency of the Health Board of that city has been hampered by a lack of direct responsibility. Also the good effects of adequate milk inspection has been prevented by non-publicity of the Inspector's reports. Through the efforts of the local Association these defects are apparently in a way to be corrected; the one through an appeal to Hartford and the other by efforts with the local administrative bodies.

At a cost of nearly four hundred thousand dollars, Stamford will soon open for reception of patients a new hospital; perhaps second to none in New England; model and modern in all respects. Beautifully and conveniently located on high ground; plain yet refined in architectural effect; ample in proportions, it will, without further additions, probably furnish all local hospital requirements for years to come. Especially interesting is the isolation or contagious disease ward. Remote from the main structure yet easy of access, it provides accommodation for about fifty patients with physician and attendants. It seems nearly perfect; indeed Stamford physicians say it is the most perfectly constructed and the most completely equipped structure of its kind. The erection of such a ward was made possible by a single gift of fifty thousand dollars for that express purpose.

Greenwich, reflecting somewhat the glory of its neighbor,New York City,—and profiting not a little by its overflow of wealth, is nevertheless looking for better conditions of public health, and improved conditions in its schools. Full to its capacity, Greenwich Hospital is in a receptive mood; wants more money, larger facilities and a more liberal service.

Norwalk harbors, as does also its next neighbor, Stamford, an excess of nondescripts calling themselves Chiropractics. It feels keenly, as does all western Fairfield County, the pressure