Time and tide wait for no man, if you're not up with the procession, begin looking around for that old life preserver.

"I have found doctors to be the most cut-throat unethical, selfish, slandering and unprincipled group of professional individuals in this country today. Since the armistice was signed I have noted on frequent occasions their actions that have compelled me to make this appraisal." This was the indictment pronounced as we heard it in the smoking apartment of a Detroit train the first of September. Later we learned that the speaker was an editor of a large daily paper in a metropolitan city and his friend an attorney. No, we didn't join in the conversation or start an argument. Still, we pondered and have been pondering since upon whether we merit this appraisal. We are passing it along for your meditation. Are you doing anything to warrant this pronouncement? Are you doing anything to refute it?

This harping and everlastingly commenting upon the need of active participation in society work through your local county organization is not a pleasant editorial task. Nevertheless it seems that in doing so we succeed in a measure in stimulating a moderate degree of enthusiasm and interest. Frequently it's only very moderate and hardly justifies being termed enthusiasm. Sometimes we admit discouragement and feel that probably a good hard jolt will be beneficial. Said jolt to be caused by everyone indulging in several months of hibernation followed by an awakening that we have lost out, individually, collectively, professionally and financially in our sphere of medicine and surgery in its relationship to the public, state and nation. We preach the need of organizational activity, the need exists, but the response is often very, very feeble. Will someone please rise up and tell us why?

"Tonics and Sedatives" (A. M. A.) is bemoaning the fact of "Land, Land Everywhere, and not a drop to drink." If he is so hard pressed we invite him to sojourn in Michigan awhile-no, not to drink but to drive the bar room cobwebs out of his brain by inhaling pure air, eating delicious fruit, meeting aggressive people and learning how to live. We never did like Chicago and especially the northside near the lake front where only natives hold "threes," "fours" and full houses. And then who ever heard of "Teeandesslets?" That's a new one, sprung during our absence, and what is stranger still it doesn't seem to be of French origin. But, Oh Hum, some must have something "freakish”

Gratiot-Isabella-Clare County Society has attained and maintained an excellent standard of society activity. The result is a group of doctors who are profiting by the splendid meetings that are being held. Secretary Highfield's persistence and capable work is responsible to a large degree for developing the interests and maintaining such a commendable professional cooperation. We have always maintained that a live, aggressive secretary will be found in every county society that is awake and flourishing. If your society is dead or asleep, elect a live secretary and he will wake things up, though some- · times it takes time. However, if he is the right man he will have his society "hitting on all six" before many months pass by.

comes effective this month. It now devolves upon the profession not only to treat these diseases by accepted modern methods but also to disseminate information that will prevent their spread. An opportunity is thus presented whereby we can do effective work to lessen the evils of this "black plague."

Military Surgeons and Veterans of the Medical Service will hold their annual meeting in St. Louis, October 13-15th. Michigan should be well represented for we have a large number who are eligible to membership in that organization. Dr. Vaughan is President of the Medical Veterans' Association.

Do you want a meeting or re-union of all exservice men at our Annual Meeting in Kalamazoo? We would like to learn your wishes and offer to assist in arranging for such a meeting providing sufficient interest is shown. Please do not wait, because it takes time to plan for such a meeting and six months is not any too long a time to prepare and execute such plans as will be necessary for a worth-while meeting.

Are we striving in vain for a concerted boost for the profession of Michigan only to find part of the rungs of the ladder missing?

If we are unable to secure replies to three letters from County Secretaries we do not wonder that some county societies are dormant. If your Society has a secretary who is too busy to answer a letter he is too busy to secure speakers or plan a program for your meetings. So we suggest that you bear this in mind when holding your next annual meeting. Incidently if you have a good secretary, keep him and show your appreciation by something more than a "vote of thanks." An honorarium, a gift, or some similar token for the work of the past year will please him and cause him to feel like digging in harder next year.

We are ready and eager to help in providing essayists or the arrangement of a clinical meeting for your meetings. Program Committees will have all our facilities available to aid them during the coming year.

Just because the other fellow shows a little extra pep and "get-up-tiveness" don't get sore and commence to knock. A knocking auto engine is sufficient trouble for most of us but deliver us from a "knocking doctor."

A Rally and Reception meeting of Bay County Medical Society will be held at Elk's Temple, Monday evening, September 8th, 1919.

Banquet at Six P. M., after which we will be addressed by the President of Wayne County Medical Society, Dr. Geo. E. McKean, of Detroit.

Subject: The Present, the opportune time for the man in "General Medicine." All returned members from the U. S. Service are cordially asked to be present.

DR. MORTON GALLAGHER,
Secretary and Treasurer.

The above is a splendid indication of Bay County members' start for a prosperous year. Similar meetings should ensue in all our counties. We urge officers and program committees to plan and conduct such meetings for their respective societies this month.

A little child shall lead them. The infant prodigy -coordination-is just cutting his eye teeth. Get in the band wagon and go over the top with the bunch.

Many of our returned soldiers are evidencing signs of neuroses of one type or another. When a physician is consulted, unless he is careful, he may attribute the condition to some local condition that is the chief complaint and thus direct treatment and overlook the principle underlying factor. The condition of the patient is aggravated and harm is done. We urge a more careful study of these patients less we unintentionally encourage a large percentage of disability. Many of these boys, anxious for discharge, covered up their physical condition, thus escaping detection in their final physical examination. They returned home and soon their family or friends detected a gradually increasing set of symptoms functional in origin. It is here that a display of sympathy is so dangerous.

We urge the refrainment of undue sympathy or coddling care. Withhold and tell the family to withhold emotion or anxious concern. Treat the disability as though it were non-existent and direct your efforts to aid the patient to regain his equilibrium. Remember that the majority respond to proper treatment for their psychoneurosis.

We have seen several such cases in the past few weeks. One had been in bed for six weeks with the doctor treating him for heart weakness. Another had been in the hospital for five weeks with treatment for his lungs as the result of "gas." Neither presented heart or lung lesions. The heart case is now walking five miles a day and engaging in other physical exercises and is rapidly improving.

The lung case spent three weeks at a small lake and then felt well enough to go to work.

There have been published a number of excellent articles on War Neuroses and Neuro Circulatory Asthenia. We urge a careful perusal of the literature and an alertness to this feature of the returned soldier problem.

We are in receipt of an advertisement stating: "Carnegie an earnest supporter of Metric Units." We are unable to determine whether this is ante or post mortem information. We await further enlightenment by our "air service."

"Let's Go" was a favorite doughboy expression. It's applicable to our organization right now. "Let's Go" to our County Society meetings and as County Societies "Let's Go" on a series of meetings that will attract and interest every doctor in your vicinity-What do you say?-Let's ALL Go?

Again do we solicit news notes, case reports and personal items. Your comments are also welcome. We want you to have a vital and personal interest in your Journal.

Samson was a wonderful guy in his day but since the advent of the safety razor, it's no longer a one man job. It's a case, now, of all the king's horses and all the king's men.

Correspondence

Boyne City, Mich., Sept. 5, 1919.

Dr. F. C. Warnshuis,

c-o The Journal Mich. State Society, Grand Rapids, Mich.

My Dear Doctor:

In this section we hear a great deal about the system of fee-splitting and this pernicious proposition, from all reports, is most active and no defence can be offered by any person operating such a plan. If it exists and if it is wrong it should be attacked. I would appreciate if you would kindly let me know what position the Michigan State Medical Society takes on this question. The editorial, Eventually, Why Not Now? was fine and gets back to my subject regarding the medical fraternity, being efficient in a moral question of finance as well as scientific. Trusting I shall have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Harold O. Gurney and with kindest regards. Yours fraternally, Harry E. Shaver.

Deaths

Dr. R. R. Lawrence of Hartford, Michigan, died September 10th at the age of 69 years. Doctor Lawrence had been ill but a very short time. He had practiced in Hartford for about forty years and was the oldest physician in the town.

Dr. Lawrence had long been a member of the State Society and also served as Local Surgeon at Hartford for the Pere Marquette Railroad. He is survived by a brother and two cousins.

Following a two day illness, Doctor Charles C. Anderson died at his home, 709 Iroquois avenue, Detroit, Mich.

Dr. Anderson, who was fifty years of age, was a graduate of the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery, a member of the Detroit Club, and of the Detroit Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar.

In the death of Dr. George S. Williams, who died August 15th at his home, 63 W. Webster avenue, Muskegon loses one of its most prominent physicians.

Dr. Williams was born in Rome, N. Y., in 1856. He attended the University of Michigan and the Rush Medical College of Chicago,, and was a graduate of the latter institution. He is survived by the widow, one sister and one brother.

The deaths of the following doctors, not members of the State Society have been reported to us: Dr. Frank S. Hoag of Elk Rapids, Dr. A. M. Allen of Adrian, and Dr. F. J. Schouten of Holland.

State News Notes

Are you looking for a practice in town of 800 that will pay you $5,000 cash first year. I collected $7,800 last year. We have factory employing 50 hands, good schools, Methodist and Baptist churches, electric lighting. Fine state roads. American population. Fees good. Collect 95 per cent. Competition nil. Fine farming country surrounding. Have modern residence and office for sale on easy terms. It will pay you to investigate. c-o Journal.

COLLECTIONS.

Physicians' Bills and Hospital Accounts collected anywhere in Michigan. H. C. VanAken, Lawyer, 309 Post Building, Battle Creek, Michigan. Reference any Bank in Battle Creek.

In honor of the forty-fifth anniversary of his commencement of the practice of medicine, the Houghton County Medical Society Monday night tendered a banquet to Dr. J. E. Scallon of Hancock. It was given at the Onigaming yacht club and was in all respects a function that will be retained long in the memories of those in attendance. Thirty-five medical men of Houghton county, with a small contingent from Keweenaw and Baraga counties were seated.

Dr. W. H. Dodge acted as toastmaster and toasts were proposed in honor of Dr. Scallon by Drs. Simon Levin, A. I. Lawbaugh, J. G. Turner, W. K. West, A. F. Fischer, P. D. Bourland and A. Labine There was excellent music by Balconi's orchestra, which won high praise from all who heard it.

Dr. Scallon was last on the list of speakers, being called upon to respond to all the many encomiums that were showered upon him by his professional associates old and young. In discussing Dr. Scallon's remarks, the physicians say he never was less witty. He was compelled to bear up under a load of praise and good wishes such as a modest man naturally would stagger under and his remarks were keyed on a dignified note in consequence. He reviewed the forty-five years of his professional life, of the changes and developments of the practice of medicine, the advances in surgery, the discoveries, the revolutions, the steady advance of the profession throughout the world. He addressed himself for a time to the younger physicians with sage observations for their guidance out of the fruits of nearly half a century of striving toward their common goal.

In every way the gathering was a success. The physicians of Houghton county feel that it was an inspiration to them.

Friday evening, Sept. 12, Dr. and Mrs. E. T. Lamb opened their beautiful home to the Medical profession of Gratiot County for a farewell to Dr. E. A. Bagley. At 7 supper was served to 24, after which we moved to the billiard room where Dr. E. H. Foust acted as toastmaster. Dr. I. N. Brainerd, who came to Alma a few weeks after Dr. Bagley, was called on first, then Drs. J. N. Day, A. R. Wheeler, F. J. Graham and N. F. McClinton, who had all known Dr. Bagley from 25 to 30 years, related what an upright, honorable, and ethical practitioner he had been. Always modest and retiring, never capable of stooping to any chicanery to further his own ends. Dr. L. A. Howe of Breckenridge said Dr. Bagley had been his ideal family physician ever since the doctor had treated him when he was a boy of 10.

On behalf of Dr. Bagley's many professional friends, Dr. W. E. Barstow with appropriate remarks presented the doctor with a handsome gold watch engraved "from the Gratiot County Medical Society."

Dr. Bagley is closing up his office to retire. after 45 years in practice, 33 years of that in the same office in Alma..

Twenty years ago this fall, the Michigan State Board of Registration in Medicine began its work. The Board at that time was composed of the following members: President, Dr. M. C. Sinclair, Secretary, Dr. B. D. Harison, and Doctors A. W. Alvord, William Bell, B. Whelan, Albert Lodge, H. Haze, J. Kost, Samuel Bell and Z. L. Baldwin. During these twenty years the following doctors have been president of this board: M. C. Sinclair, William Bell, J. H. Cowell, Oscar LeSure, H. C. Maynard, A. Nyland and George Le Fevre. Doctor B. D. Harison has been its secretary throughout the whole twenty years. The physicians who were members of this board for eight years or more are Doctors A. Nyland, William Bell, H. C. Maynard, A. W. Alvord, J. H. Cowell, A. M. Hume and J. L. Campbell. Twenty-seven physicians have been members of this board at one time or another during its twenty years of life.

Thos. L. Hills, formerly holding the chair of Bacteriology in Idaho University and later in the Central Laboratory of the A. E. F. in Dijon, France, is now located in Grand Rapids. Dr. Hills is Director of the Western Michigan Clinical Laboratory which has just been opened and whose chosen advertisement appears in this issue.

The Perry Hotel Petoskey has been purchased by the Doctors Reycraft and Nihart and will be remodeled into a hospital building. It will be known as the Petoskey Hospital and will have a bed capacity for 150 patients.

We haven't heard of any Michigan doctors using an airplane for making professional calls. We are anxious to print such a news note just as soon as such an event occurs.

Don't fail to read the editorial page where you will find two new laws providing for treatment and reporting of venereal diseases. Every doctor is involved in the enactments of these two laws.

The Calhoun County Society honored its service men at their first fall meeting. All the ex-service men were called upon for personal experiences drawn from their military life.

DICKINSON-IRON COUNTY

For the year to come we are going to try and transform the Dickinson-Iron County Medical Society from a "Dead One" into a real Medical Society. However, this cannot be done unless each member of the Society is willing to do his share toward making the Dickinson-Iron County Medical Society one of the best if not the best County Society in the state. Will YOU help to make our Society better by attending each meeting and presenting a paper when called upon to do so? If you will, success is assured us.

The next regular meeting will be held at the Pine Grove Country Club, Iron Mountain, Mich., on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1919, 3 p. m., at which time Dr. Holmboe will present a paper on "Preoperative and Post-operative Technique." This will be discussed by two members of the society. The final discussion of "Increased Fees" will be taken up at this meeting.

If you have not paid your 1919 dues please remit to the Secretary-Treasurer at once so that we may clear our records with the State Society.