its delegates that they may be present at Dallas and participate in the reorganization.

In this connection let me call your attention to the fact that admission hereafter to the American Medical Association will depend upon membership in the State societies and their affiliated branches. In the event that your society does not hold a meeting before May 6, the delegates may be appointed by the president. I beg to remind you that a condition precedent for the recognition of delegates is the payment of your per capita assessment of ten cents per member. This assessment if not already paid should be forwarded without delay to Dr. R. F. Miller, treasurer, Sherman, Texas. (See Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.)

Trusting your society will appreciate the necessity of prompt action in the matter, I have the honor to be,

(Signed)

Fraternally yours,

H. A. WEST, Secretary.

P. S.-Please ascertain as soon as it is possible to do so, whether the society of which you are an officer will accept the invitation of the State Association to become one of its affiliated societies on the above mentioned basis or some immaterial modification of the same, and notify me the result.

H. A. W.

The Smith County Medical Society, Organized

in Tyler.

A large number of physicians of Smith county met in Tyler, Texas, March 24th, for the purpose of organizing a county medical society, the object of which is to elevate the standard of medicine and prevent quackery.

The society effected a permanent organization and will hold monthly sessions in Tyler, beginning April 14th, at which time a program will be carried out and medical subjects discussed.

The following officers were duly elected: President, Dr. T. J. Bell, of Tyler; Vice-President, Dr. W. S. Lacey, of Troupe; Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. Albert Woldert, of Tyler.

THE

TEXAS MEDICAL JOURNAL.

AUSTIN, TEXAS.

A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY.

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY

F. E. DANIEL, M. D.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR:

WITTEN BOOTH RUSS, M. D.,

San Antonio, Texas.

Published Monthly at Austin, Texas. Subscription price $1.00 a year in advance.

Eastern Representative: John Guy Monihan, St. Paul Building, 220 Broadway. New York City.

Official organ of the State Association of Health Officers, the West Texas Medical Association, the Houston District Medical Association, the Austin District Me dical Society, the Brazos Valley Medical Association, the Galveston County Medical Society, and several others.

THE DALLAS MEETING OF THE STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

In a few days after this shall have been read by our subscribers the big annual meeting of the State Medical Association will take place (May 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th). It will not only be one of the largest gatherings of Texas physicians ever held, but will be one of the most important meetings of the Association. There is to be a complete revolution in the organic law, a shaking up of the dry bones, a change in the policy which for twenty years has kept the membership at a standstill, notwithstanding the large acquisitions made every year. The JOURNAL has for years advocated some such change, and has repeatedly pointed out that the "fall off" every year, nearly or quite offsets the gains in membership, and has stated the reasons for it. The membership is scarcely more than it was in 1884. Now, under the new arrangement every reputable physician in the State will find it to his vital interest to become a member and remain a member. He will have to be a member of his local society in order to be eligible; and the time is not far distant when every man who is not a member will be a marked man. The people will soon recognize that he is not a member because he can't be; and thus the sheep will be separated from the goats, and the goats will be permitted to go to grass, or hunt pastures new. In this issue readers will find a circular letter from the State Association to local societies in affiliation, which should be carefully

read and studied before the reader goes to Dallas. It will let him know "what's up," and it is necessary to know it so as to save trouble and time in explanations after he gets there. I also publish the program in full. It will be found very attractive. For the information of those who intend joining I will state here, in reply to numerous inquiries received by mail, that until the new constitution is adopted, and it will be adopted at Dallas and go into effect from and after its passage, applicants will be received in the usual way. One must carry with him his diploma, or his certificate from the State Board of Medical Examiners; write out an application on blanks furnished, and secure the endorsement of two members. The fee stands as it is until changed, $5.00. Next year one cannot join unless he be a member of his local society.

COMING THIS WAY AT LAST.

It is a hopeful sign of the times that at last the people are being aroused to the dangers of infectious diseases in sleeping cars and hotels, and so are the railroads. Reference was made in our last to the open letter from the Drummers' Association, asking that sleepers and day coaches be disinfected. We learn that several damage suits against a certain railroad, for infecting passengers, have been decided for plaintiff, and approved by the Supreme Court. The railroads will find it to their interest to sterilize all coaches, and I think will not wait to be compelled by the State Health Officer to do it; and it will be a big thing for the competing roads to advertise "all day and night coaches thoroughly sterilized." Dr. Tabor, the State Health Officer, will cause all roads to carry earthen spittoons and to use bichloride to disinfect them. I understand that Dr. Jameson, Chief Surgeon of the I. & G. N. R. R., will at once institute fumigation of cars.

And the census people are touching up our Governor on registration of vital statistics.

AS OTHERS SEE US.

The committee from the Merchants' Association of New York, who visited Texas last May, have made their report. Dr. Geo. A. Soper, the sanitary member of the committee, and with whom I had several interviews, contributes to the report an extended comment upon the sanitary status, general and local, of the State, our sanitary laws, or rather, lack of them, our Great American (the only original and genuine; get the best) quarantine department, and indulges in some merited strictures upon the same. He points out how that a bomb-proof quarantine in time of a yellow fever scare costs merchants, shippers and railroads about $5,000,000. Speaking of the quarantine, Dr. Soper says:

"It is clear that a board of health is needed in place of the singleheaded office now maintained by the State, and that its scope and authority should be commensurate with the great responsibilities which should rightfully come to it. A board, based on principles

successfully carried out by such organizations as those of Massachusetts, Michigan and Connecticut, for example, with such changes and modifications as are required to adapt them to the needs of Texas, would be a strong argument to the outside world that the people were laying a strong foundation for their material and permanent advancement. By the operation of a State Board of Health the health conditions of all parts of the great territory could be accurately observed, epidemic diseases most readily controlled, valuable lessons and advice to towns and cities given as to water supplies, sewerage systems, food and drug inspection, disinfection, health ordinances, garbage disposal, etc. Not the least of the duties of the State Board of Health would be the dissemination of a broader and more accurate knowledge of the principles of preventive medicine, so that the people might receive those benefits to which they may fairly lay claim as citizens of the great commonwealth."

THE BATTLE CREEK SANITARIUM was burned recently, the main and hospital buildings. There are, however, four quite large buildings left, properly equipped, and they will accommodate between three hundred and four hundred patients. The magnificient establishment will be speedily rebuilt, and will be completed before September 1st. It is to be five stories high and about six hundred feet long, and will, if possible, exceed the former establishment in magnificence and equipment with the latest, most up-to date apparatus, appliances and resources for the successful treatment of diseased conditions, and for the comfort, ease and pleasure of patients. The sanitarium is known all over the world. I have always thought that it would be a perfect luxury to be sick

there.

WE PUBLISH herewith the proposed new constitution as it will be presented at Dallas for adoption.

H. B. PLATT, of Platt's Chloride fame, dropped dead at a railroad station in New York, March 28th. The business of the firm will go on as before.

THE MEETING of the Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Texas will be held at Waco, Texas, May 13th, ult.

IMPORTANT DECISION IN BOSTON COURT.—Infringement: Copying style of package. Mess. M. J. Breitenbach Company, proprietors of Gude's Pepto-Mangan, brought suit in February last against Henry Thayer & Co., of Boston, for trespass on their rights, asking that they be enjoined from using the style of package in which Pepto-Mangan, Gude, is put up, the same being original with them and protected by law. The court very promptly in March gave a decision in favor of Breitenbach Co. We copy a portion of decree: Henry Thayer & Co. are enjoined

from making or using in any way, the terra cotta colored wrapper with white letters thereon, and the package in connection therewith, heretofore used by the defendant, for its preparation of iron and manganese, or any other wrapper or package therewith which imitates the wrapper used by the complainant, the M. J. Breitenbach Company for its Gude's Pepto-Mangan, and from selling or offering for sale any preparation of iron and manganese in any package or wrapper of a terra cotta color with white letters of the same style, shape and general arrangement as those of the aforesaid wrapper used by the plaintiff, the M. J. Breitenbach Company, and from using the words "Peptonate-Manganese" on or in connection with such terra cotta colored wrappers with white letters of the same style, shape and general arrangement, as those of plaintiff.

Further, the defendant is directed to forthwith deliver to the plaintiff or its attorneys, to be destroyed, all the terra cotta colored wrappers and packages aforesaid like the said exhibit "B," which the defendant now has on hand or in stock or under its control in any way. And it is further ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the defendant Henry Thayer & Company account to the plaintiff, the M. J. Breitenbach Company for all profits which the said defendant has made from sales of said preparation in its said wrapper and package, and for all profits which the plaintiff would have made in the sales of its Gude's Pepto-Mangan but for the use made by the defendant of its said wrapper and package, and also for the damages to the reputation and standing of the plaintiff's said preparation, known as Gude's Pepto-Mangan, by reason of the said use by the defendants of its said packages and wrappers, and of its preparation therein contained, and for the damages. otherwise sustained by the plaintiff by reason of the matters charged in the complaint.

And it is ordered, adjudged and decreed that the plaintiff recover of the defendant the costs of this action.

Society Notes.

American Congress of Tuberculosis.-Session of May 14, 15 and 16, 1902.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY,

39 Broadway, N. Y.

NEW YORK, April 7, 1902.

Dr. F. E. Daniel, Editor Teras Medical Journal.

MY DEAR SIR: I have the honor to enclose you a copy of a letter by me received from the State Department of the government of the United States, assuring us of its kind sympathy and support with the governments of Mexico and the Central and South American Republics, as to representation at the approaching session of the congress in May next. The letter is as follows: