nearly all of the visitors were accommodated in private families, not really boarding houses. As to hotels, Dr. Simmons urged the necessity of getting from each proprietor prices for rooms, with bath, without bath, for one, two, three or four in a room. These rates to be given in writing and published in advance. Some hotel keepers do not care to furnish this information in writing. However, they can be given to understand that unless these conditions are complied with no notice will be made of these establishments in the advertising matter sent out.

DR. SIMMONS called attention to the New Orleans number of the Journal of the Association, which would be published four to six weeks before the meeting. This number to consist of 35,000 copies, and there would be eight, ten or twelve pages available for exploiting New Orleans and its resources. In this number would be found the program of the meeting; this number of the Journal would be sent gratis to any one to whom the committee would write a circular letter.

MR. CHARLES FARWELL, CHAIRMAN OF CITIZENS' AUXILIARY COMMITTEE, reported that he had secured a number of ladies who had consented to act on the Ladies' Reception Committee, of which Mrs. Samuel Delgado would be Chairman.

CONFERENCE OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL SOCIETIES ON ORGANIZATION.

A conference on the organization of the medical profession in the Southern States was held in New Orleans on January 27, in the rooms of the Orleans Parish Medical Society. This had been called by Dr. Frank Billings, the President, and Dr. Geo. H. Simmons, the Secretary of the American Medical Association, who were in New Orleans at this time in the interest of the May meeting of the Association.

While representatives from all of the Southern States were expected, the following were present at the meeting:

Besides Drs. F. Billings and George H. Simmons, there were present Drs. W. E. B. Davis, President of the Alabama State Medical Society; J. P. Runyon, Secretary of the Arkansas State Medical Society; J. H. Pierpont, President of the Florida State Medical Association; S. C. Red, President, and H. A. West, Secretary of the Texas State Medical Association; H. M. Folkes and J. F. Hunter, of the Mississippi State Board of Health, and

Isadore Dyer, President of the Louisiana State Medical Society. Among the local physicians present were: Drs. Parham, Matas, Callan, Friedrichs, Barnett, LeBeuf, Lemann, Perkins, Holt, Martin, Larue, Sexton, Dabney, Miller, Jacoby, Chavigny, Storck and Graner.

Dr. E. J. Graner, President of the Orleans Parish Medical Society, called the meeting to order and introduced Drs. Billings and Simmons. Dr. Billings then took the chair and presided throughout. He stated the object of the meeting and reviewed the work of the national organization with its relation to State societies, and urged joint effort of State and local societies to further the work and organization of the American Medical Association. The difficulties confronting the associations were considered, and a story of the gradual evolution of the American Medical Association was given.

Dr. Simmons enthusiastically addressed the meeting, stating that the object of the meeting was principally to confer on the difficulties of organization; to meet the problems in each State, as each has a problem of its own, not, however, incapable of being overcome.

Formerly the whole meeting of the National Association was made up of delegates, while now the House of Delegates consists of selected men from the State societies, which constitute a federation of these State societies. The doctor dwelt upon the honor of being a delegate, and that in the future this would mean more and more distinction.

Nearly 80,000 physicians in the United States do not belong to medical societies; this means two-thirds of the medical profession. Reorganization should be done on business and logical principles. We must know how many physicians there are in each State and their relation to the ethical profession. At present we have no way of knowing the number of physicians in this country, as the directories carry names of dead men, horse doctors, and the same man may be registered from several States at one and the same time. The American Medical Association should be the Bureau of Information in this field. We cannot have all men in the societies, but we do want the list of them. Licensure does not mean qualification, and many a man practices medicine who has no right to do so.

In order to perfect the organization in the territory covered, it should be districted, and the profession should advise itself of every man privileged or not to practice medicine. The medical history of every man should be kept, and such information should be filed for reference in every State.

With the idea of weeding out evils, it is the purpose of the Association to drop 1,000 names before March 1. This includes those who are known to have forfeited the rights of membership through irregular practice. The only way in which quacks can be detected and expelled is through the local and State Societies. Dr. Simmons said that eleven States had already adopted the constitution proposed by the Association and have found its provisions adequate. Michigan has raised its membership from 400 to 1600 on this account, and Ohio has done as well. Arkansas is in line, and Alabama has for some time been using the delegate system.

When States are districted, this should be done according to accessibility. The councillors must see that county societies are kept alive and that all eligibles are brought into line.

Dr. Davis, of Birmingham, reviewed the history of the Alabama Medical Association, saying that the scheme now adopted by the American Medical Association originated in Alabama. Under the present system there are 100 councilors and about 1000 members. When a councillor serves twenty years, he is elevated to a more honorable place. The system cares for the examination of candidates and provides for the supervision of public health, almost directly promulgating and executing the laws. Records are kept by each county and by State Associations.

Dr. Runyon, of Little Rock, stated that the constitution as suggested by the Association had been adopted and recommended. The membership of his association had increased from 300 to 750 since May. There are ten councillors actively at work, and the future promises much. The County Societies regulate fees, and a per annum tax of $2 is paid the Societies. Dr. Pierpont, of Pensacola, said that his State was not well. organized. The membership is only 175.

Dr. Red, of Houston, pointed out Texas' difficulties, and stated that the proposed plans had been only partly considered and the matter deferred until the San Antonio meeting next April.

Dr. H. A. West, of Galveston, discussed the difficulty in the Texas situation. That the Texas State Society had taken up the matter and had referred it to a Committee which was divided in its report. That the minority report had considered more directly the plan as proposed by the American Medical Association. This considered redistricting the State of Texas into 15 districts, arranged according to the geographical definition, Because of the number of district societies in Texas the problem was perhaps greater than in some other States.

From indication the proper plan of organization will probably carry at the San Antonio meeting in April.

Dr. Hunter, of Jackson, Mississippi, stated that Mississippi Association had taken up the question, had referred it to a Committee which proposed making a favorable report with one dissenting vote.

Dr. Dyer, Dr. Parham and Dr. Perkins reviewed the recent history of the Louisiana State Medical Society, stating the increase of membership in the past few years and the outlook for the future. A present system of card index is being used, keeping a full record of every man practicing medicine. Dr. Parham especially accentuated the necessity for organization and referred to the disposition of the proposed constitution at the hands of the State Society.

Dr. Simmons in further remark spoke of the advisability of the exchange of information between States so that track could be properly kept of individuals moving from one place to another. The index system excellently provided for this so that the information should be prompt and effective.

Dr. Simmons referred to the ease with which each State from its card catalogue could obtain a directory of the State.

Considerable interest was taken in discussion of funds and fees; how much each Society or combination of Societies paid in fees. Opinion seemed to vary widely.

Dr. Billings closed the meeting, reviewing the field which had been covered in discussion, finally urging all those present to be sure and attend the May meeting.

Medical News Items.

HAWAIIAN LEPERS.-The commission which was sent to report on conditions to the Sandwich Islands, among other things reported a thorough investigation of the leprosy situation-of chief interest is the statement current as from that committee, that the management of the Molokai colony be transferred to the Marine Hospital Service and that a general leprosarium for all the United States be established on Molakai.

There were 858 lepers in the settlement, which evidently does not include all of those with this disease.

Much diversity of opinion was found in the Territory as to whether the control of the settlement should be retained by the Territorial Government, though all the Territorial officers were found to be favorable to such retention. The committee takes strong ground in favor of a change, saying:

"Your committee has been somewhat surprised to find that under existing management of the leper settlement, indiscriminate illegitimate and legitimate cohabitation is permitted in the settlement. Marriages are suffered to be celebrated between lepers. Children are born in the settlement of leprous union, and as a result of concubinage, and the leading officials seem to regard all this not only as permissible, but to protest vigorously against a system of segregation that would prevent it."

The committee adds: "The only attempt seemingly to abate or minimize this evil is by counseling and earnestly urging mar riage on the part of lepers, even going so far as to aid in facilitating divorces where a leprous man or woman has a wife or husband outside of the settlement, so that the husband or wife thus released from the marriage obligation might again be married to a leper, an inmate of the settlement."

DR. A. W. DE ROALDES, of New Orleans, has been elevated to the rank of Officer in the French Legion of Honor. The conferring of this decoration indicates distinguished services for a period of something like thirty years. We are proud of. our confrére.