in 1820 this idea was advanced by a student of this subject. "Many authors have written concerning the animal nature of the contagion of infections, many have indeed assumed it to be developed from animal substances and that it itself is animal, and possesses the property of life. I shall not waste time in efforts to refute these absurd hypotheses."

"It was not until between the fourth and fifth decades of the present century that by the fortunate coincidence of the number of important discoveries the true relation of the lower organisms to infectious diseases was scientifically pointed out by Pasteur, Polender and Davaine. The question of contagium animatum was then taken up by Henle, and it was he who first logically taught this doctrine of infection. These studies had been conducted upon wounds and infections to which they are liable. In 1866 Reinfleisch and Waldeyer found these micro organisms in pyemia, and secondary occasionally to typhoid fever. Von Recklinghausen believed these bodies seen in abscess points to be micrococci, and not tissue detritus, and gave as a reason that they were regular in size and shape, and gave specific reaction with particular staining fluids." "Baron Hirchfield was able to trace bacteria found in the blood and organs to the wound as the point of entrance, and believed both the local and constitutional condition to stand in direct ratio to the number of spherical bacteria present in the wound." Since this period, wonderful and vital discoveries have been made, and we now know that nearly all the diseases by which man is afflicted can be traced to these living germs. If we had known anything of this all important and vital truth, and with thought in perfect knowledge of antiseptics and germ destroying means, hundreds of lives could have been saved that were lost.

We knew nothing of the hypodermic syringe, and little of the microscope, or rather of its use on the battle-field, hence we had no means of making scientific investigations, or of treating these infections upon scientific principles.

The greater portion of this manual is devoted to gunshot wounds and surgical operations. The texts on the arteries and hemorrhage and ligations, amputations and resections, are good, and with the exception of the cuts illustrating these different operations, they will compare favorably with the work of the

present day. These cuts are crowded so closely together-five or six or more printed on one small page, without the anatomy of the parts being well shown, it is impossible to gather much information from them. It must be remembered in criticising this work, that it was published in 1863, when the Confederate States Government was approaching its decline, and when we were sorely pressed for means and appliances in all the departments of the army. No body of men could have written a more convenient manual than those composing this committee, and while their work may be severly criticised by the surgeons of today, we who know the privations and hardships of a bloody war, hailed with delight the appearance of this volume, and it was our constant companion on every battle-field and on every march.

Obituary.

JOHN H. CURREY, M.D.,

After a brief illness Dr. John H. Currey died at his residence in the Fifth Civil District, six miles from Nashville, at 3:15 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, November 11. His death was sudden and unexpected, caused by apoplexy, followed by paralysis.

Dr. Currey died surrounded by a loving wife and family, and his unexpected death will bring sorrow to many friends who have felt the influence of his friendship and to those who have known his magnanimous character and open-hearted disposition.

Dr. Currey was born in the old Currey homestead, on Meridian, or Currey's Hill, in 1831. His father was Robert B. Currey, from one of the prominent pioneer families of North Carolina. His mother was Jane Gray Owen. Dr. Currey was the youngest son of the fourth Post Master and was the twentieth Post Master of Nashville, and, during his entire life, lived in or near Nashville. Entering the old University of Nashville he graduated in the class of 1848 at the age of 17. He subsequently received his medical education from the Medical Department of the University of Nashville, and the Shelby Medi

cal College, which then stood on the present site of the Custom House.

He married May 1, 1861, Mary T. Eastman, daughter of Maj. E. G. Eastman, a prominent political writer, and who, at the time of his death, was editor of the Union and American.

Dr. Currey served during the civil war as surgeon of the Ninth Georgia Battalion of Artillery, and at the close of the war was on duty at Lee and Walker Hospitals at Columbus, Ga., and was a member of Cheatham Bivouac, of Nashville. He became a member of the Association of Medical Officers of the Army and Navy of the Confederacy at the Atlanta meeting, and had a sincere and earnest interest in its work. He was appointed Assistant Postmaster in June, 1877, and continued in the service until 1884 when, for political reasons, his connection with the office was severed. In 1885 he was reinstated in the his old position by Gen. Cheatham, who had succeeded to the Postmastership. In 1888 he was appointed Postmaster, serving until September, 1899, when he was succeeded by Maj. A. W. Wills.

He was tendered and accepted the position of Assistant under Maj. H. J. Cheney, in February, 1894. Dr. Currey's close and constant application to his duties is well and favorably known throughout the State.

Dr. Currey has many relatives and family connections in this city. His immediate family consists of a wife, Mrs. Mary Eastman Currey, and these children, Eastman G. Currey, L. K. Currey, Richard O. Currey, M. Duncan Currey and John H. Currey, Jr., Mrs. Lytton Taylor, Mrs. John A. Hitchcock and Lucy Currey.

Editorial.

CLOSE OF VOLUME XXIV.

In concluding our editorial efforts for the year, a sincere acknowledgement is due to the many patrons of this journal throughout the goodly land. So many kindly expressions in connection with renewals of subscription and other correspondence connected with our work, and the liberal patronage demand our most sincere acknowledgements.

While we have claimed a success in past years that was more than gratifying, the year now closing has far exceeded them all. Our first volume, the first number of which we were preparing for the printer just twenty-four years ago, consisted of 416 pages of reading matter, while the one now closing will reach over 700 pages, which is respectfully stated as showing in some way that we have endeavored to show in our work, a proper application of the success that has attended our efforts. Again thanking kindly and most sincerely our many friends, we constantly hope to do still better than in the past. While it takes more time to fill the 60 pages of reading matter each month of the past year than the 32 pages of our first efforts in the line of medical journalism, double the amount of paper, and better paper, double the amount of type setting, all expenses being largely increased, yet it has afforded us a most unalloyed pleasure. We have felt from the assurances of our friends that we were giving them their "money's worth," an important consideration that we shall never lose sight of so long as permitted to wear the editorial harness.

Our subscribers during the past year have left but little indeed to be desired in the way of renewals of their subscription, and if this substantial appreciation on their part is continued during the coming year, we hope to make THE SOUTHERN PRACTITIONER still more worthy the appreciation of all. So now, in closing volume 24, we can go forward with the preparation of its succeasor, beginning our 25th year of editorial labors, a little older perhaps, but with that enthusiasm, encouragement and zealous effort, which we most sincerely hope will demonstrate our appreciation of the confidence and support given in the past.

COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETIES.

The Committee on County Medical Societies of the Tennessee State Medical Association have been doing satisfactory work in organizing and reorganizing County Medical Societies under the new Constitution and By-Laws adopted by the State Association at its last meeting.

The following County Societies are now in active working order, and will be represented at the next meeting of the State Medical Association: Carroll County at Huntingdon.

Henderson County at Lexington.

Hickman County at Centreville.

Henry County at Paris.

Loudon County at Loudon.

Warren County at McMinnville.

Washington County at Johnson City.

Weakley County at Dresden.

Williamson County at Franklin.

Maury and Sumner Counties will hold meetings in a few days, and other counties throughout the State have the matter in hand; so that by the time of the next annual meeting of the State Association, we have

every reason to believe that nearly all of the counties in the State will have a regular medical organization in full accord and affiliation with both State and National Associations.

The following gentlemen compose the committee on County Medical Societies of the State Association:

Dr. G. C. Savage, Nashville.

Dr. J. B. Murfree, Jr., Murfreesboro.

Dr. C. Holtzclaw, Chattanooga.

Dr. M. Goltman, Memphis.

Dr. C. J. Broyles, Johnson City.

Any members of the regular medical profession residing in counties in which no county medical society exists, and feeling an interest in this matter, as all should, are respectfully requested to correspond with any member of the committee, and full particulars, suggestions and advice will be most cheerfully furnished.

AWARD OF PRIZES.

The two prizes of a thousand dollars and five hundred dollars which was offered last January by the Maltine Company, for the best essays on "Preventive Madicine" have been awarded by the Judges, Dr. Lewis, of New York; Dr. Reed, of Cincinnati and Dr. Rhodes, of Chicago, who met for a final consultation in Buffalo. A copy of their letter of award is appended.

Two hundred and nine essays were submitted in competition, and although nearly every State in the Union was represented in the contest, both prizes were won by Philakelphia men.

The thousand dollar prize was awarded to Dr. W. Wayne Babcock, 3302 North Broad Street, Philadelphia. His essay is entitled "The General Principles of Preventive Medicine" and was submitted under the nom de plume "Alexine."

The five hundred dollar prize was awarded to Dr. Lewis S. Somers, 3554 North Broad Street, Philadelphia. His essay is entitled "The Medical Inspection of Schools-a Problem in Preventive Medicine" and was submitted under the nom de plume "Broad."

The two successful essays will first be published in representative medical journals, and in permanent form for gratuitous distribution to the profession at large.

Essays were received from the following States, which will undoubtedly prove of interest to our readers. It shows how the various sections of the country were represented in the competition:

Alaska, 1; Arkansas, 1; California, 6; Colorado, 4; Connecticut, 5; District of Columbia, 3; Florida, 5; Georgia, 5; Illinois, 15; Indiana, 11; Iowa, 8; Kansas, 2; Kentucky, 3; Louisiana, 2; Maine, 4; Maryland, 2; Massachusetts, 12; Michigan, 7; Minnesota, 7; Mississippi, 1; Missouri, 5; Montana, 2; Nebraska, 2; New Hampshire, 1; New Jersey, 4; New