tient was overfed of fat prior to the examination which showed it in his feces.

Regarding proteid metabolism, Joslin is reported to have published in 1897 the results of observations on two patients who had been subjected to gastro-enterostomy. He is said to have maintained that proteid digestion and absorption were markedly interfered with, and this view has been clung to by many internists and physiologists as being established.

Several examinations of my patient's stools indicate that there is no interference with the normal digestion of such material-only a few scattered fibers being found on examination after a heavy meat diet. I have made no attempt, it should be said, to estimate the actual percentage of either proteid or fat absorbed from the ingested food, and, therefore, the deductions can not be made the basis of any scientific statement, even if they covered a sufficient number of individuals.

In conclusion, it appears that whether or not the gastric functions are interfered with; whether or not the food after gastro-enterostomy passes through the pylorus or the stoma; whether or not bile regurgitates into the stomach; whether or not fat and proteid digestion are embarrassed-all are, in the face of clinical results, questions rather of academic, than of practical interest; and, therefore, when the operation of gastro-enterostomy is indicated clinically, there is no metabolic bar to its performance.

DISCUSSION ON DR. JONES'S PAPER.

Dr. R. G. White, Savannah: About a year ago I had one case similar to a case reported by Dr. Jones. The patient had been sick for nine months and presented the typical symptoms of gastric carcinoma. The stomach

was dilated; there was no hydrochloric acid in the secretion. I opened the abdomen and found the arrangement of the glands very much as the doctor has described in his case. The whole chain along the upper part of the stomach was involved. The greater curvature was involved for about three or four inches. There was one beneath jejunum, and one at the head of the pancreas. I did not discover that until I began to operate. I took about two-thirds of the stomach out and found afterwards that one of the glands attached to the head of the pancreas could not be removed. I did a posterior gastroenterostomy by the Mayor method. That was one year ago; the patient recovered from the operation promptly. I haven't seen him since, but it has been reported to me that he has gained thirty pounds and is attending his business.

THE STATE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE DRUG

HABITUE.

BY J. L. FRAZER, M.D., FITZGERALD.

In presenting this paper to you, gentlemen, I do so not so much as my own plan for ridding the individual of his misfortune, but rather as a suggestion for the consideration of the entire medical profession. For unless we are a positive unit in our effort to stop this curse to our race, individual effort will be of almost no avail. And while different States are passing anti-narcotic laws, and prohibiting the sale of patent nostrums containing such narcotics, and druggists are almost everywhere forbidden to dispense any of the drugs belonging to this class, save on a physician's prescription, the burden resting almost entirely upon the physician and his integrity. Now, since we are almost entirely entrusted with the health of the nation, the protection of our race and its future welfare, I can but as one from among many say with all my heart, soul and strength, that I will lend my very best efforts in helping stamp out from our State and country this destroyer of so many lives and homes. I am persuaded that some one is responsible for this curse and I as firmly believe somebody in some way will as surely put a stop to it. We must at all hazards have the full cooperation of the druggist, and wherever one is found who will not act in good faith, he should be made to pay the penalty and that a heavy one. It is one thing to deal in speculation of stocks and bonds for money, and an entirely different

thing to deal in something that not only jeopardizes a man's property, but his physical being as well. I am ashamed to admit it, but it is nevertheless true, that there are patent medicine venders and fakirs who will deal out such preparations for the sake of a few paltry dollars. Now, gentlemen, this is no trifling matter, neither is it one that will permit child's play. It is one that demands our very best talents and tactics. It is by no means foolish, for nothing is foolish that involves a principle and a purpose, although a great many of us are in a measure very indifferent to the obligations resting upon us as physicians, and pay little or no attention to a thing that does not concern us as individuals or those that are dear to us, or dependent upon us. It is often of little concern to us when we see some unfortunate fellow "all in, down and out," gone to the dogs over the dope route, while at the same time we are ready in a rush to help him if he is bitten by a rabid dog, or if accidentally injured. It is not for us to say that he was foolish for tampering with the drug, he might have been careless about the dog, or reckless with the gun. The fact is staring us in the face. He is helpless, he is a victim, he is not himself, he has no will power; it is gone, and if he had any he is not physically and financially capable of caring for himself. Were he to lose his mind and not being able financially to pay for the necessary medical attention needed, the State of Georgia offers him succor. Why? Simply because he is not competent to care for himself and for that very reason this grand old State of ours offers him assistance and says nothing whatever about how long it will require to complete a cure, or how much it will cost, and in many instances they are cared for year after year at the expense of the State and no one ever murmurs. Now, we come to the poor doper. They are in a great many instances financially unable to receive treatment, which in nearly every instance

would be completed in from four to six weeks, and would be restored to his community a well man. In such an instance has the State done anything but her duty? Should she not help those who can not help themselves? I am listening right now for some one to offer objections. I will try to meet your objections as they come. Were any member of this Association to visit at any time in a foreign land and there receive maltreatment at the hands of such a foreign nation, these United States would demand, at the cost of every battleship and at the life of every American soldier, protection and consideration of one of her sons. So in like manner should we as Georgians stand ever ready to lend a helping hand to one of our unfortunates, and not let him perish because he is bound hand and foot by an enemy. Some one will say, "How will you keep him cured?" "Will not the dog return to his vomit and the sow that hath been washed to her wallowing in the mire?" I am answered by saying where will he find the vomit and how will she locate the mire. Gentlemen, if we will only lend our help to these most unfortunates, we can cure them and keep them cured. My plan is very simple, or rather I would try to make it so with your assistance. Let the State rent a home in three or four different cities. One in north, one in middle and one in south Georgia and put her doctors and nurses there. Let every man, woman and child be treated free who is not able to pay for their treatment, and let them be sent there at the expense of the county in which they live, as are the inmates of Milledgeville; and those who are able to pay their own expense, taking receipt for the same and turn them over to the clerk of the court, and he in like manner to the State auditor, whose duty it shall be to audit the books quarterly and thus will no chance exist for unfair treatment. Now, if the druggists will but tote fair with the physicians, and they all keep watch for awhile, Geor