when they return from this place, may they go rejoicing in their work as a divine calling; may they go in the spirit and with the benediction of the great Physician "who forgiveth all our iniquities, who healeth all our diseases, who redeemeth our life from destruction." Do Thou help them and crown their labors with abundant success.

And not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy great name, will we give all the praise and the glory, both now and forever. Amen.

Dr. Lankford then introduced Hon. J. E. Webb, who welcomed the Association, in behalf of the city of San Antonio, in graceful and eloquent terms.

Dr. Lankford then introduced Hon. Wm. Aubrey, who, on behalf of the citizens, welcomed the Association in the following words:

In welcoming you to the City of the Alamo, we do not feel that we are entertaining strangers. Every Texan who knows the history of his State must feel at home in this, its Mother City. Every Texan familiar with the deeds of those who have lived and died here, must regard the scene of their courage and devotion with admiration, if not affection.

The early fathers cast civilization, its comforts and security behind them, and established here the foundations of a new empire. On these foundations, other men of a different race built the enduring structure of Texas liberty and independence. The siege of the Alamo made the rout of San Jacinto possible. Missionary zeal has elsewhere shone with equal brilliancy and effect, but the flood of Anglo-Saxon valor reached its high-water mark here in the humble stone chapel within a stone's throw of us. Never went braver souls more calmly to certain death. Never was human sacrifice attended with more splendid results.

It is because of this history, common to us all, these glories of the past which we share together, and which, though their origin be local, belong to all Texans alike, we bid you remember you are at home.

Aside from these considerations, from that remote time when the pioneers of christianity raised their Master's cross in this wilderness, and bade all men come to rest in its shade, the people of this community have ever greeted those who came to them with warm hearts and open hands. The hospitality of this ancient city, if not proverbial, we may claim, with all fitting modesty, is not wholly unknown.

The city itself is filled with objects of interest, novel and strange, no doubt, to many of you-its venerable missions, its narrow streets with Spanish names, its spacious and beautiful plazas, its massive, thick-walled houses and serpentine river are suggestive of foreign lands. But the genius of our people is wholly American, and their warmest aspirations are for the growth and grandeur of our great State.

We feel that in the aggregate of our future greatness, there will be found no factor more interesting or important than your own profession. We know that the earnestness and intelligence of the profession in Texas, as well as the lofty ideals which they have established, have greatly intensified the respect and admiration of your fellow citizens.

Certainly, the physicians and surgeons of our own community command and deserve our esteem in the highest degree, and no class or condition of men wield a wider influence for good in our midst.

We feel assured that meetings such as these greatly broaden the scope of professional activity, and of necessity redound to the good of the public at large.

Permit us to hope that those who attend this meeting will find their sojourn here as agreeable as I doubt not it will be profitable. Of one fact you may be certain our people are glad and proud to have you with us.

Dr. Frank Paschal, on behalf of the medical profession of San Antonio, welcomed the Association as follows:

Mr. President, Members of the Texas State Medical Association, and Ladies: On behalf of the medical profession of this city, I extend to you a cordial welcome. You are always welcome, but at this time, when there will be before you matters of the greatest importance for the welfare of our Association, you are particularly welcome. We feel that you made no mistake in selecting San Antonio for your place of meeting this year.

Of course, the questions that will come before you will cause us to enter into the arena of debate, but let us understand that while we may differ in opinion, that we, like knights of old, must take and give, and submit gallantly to victory or defeat. Whatever the subjects may be that we differ upon, they can have but one object-the good of the profession-therefore let us work to this end, and feel that we have done our duty to the profession and to legitimate medicine.

One word regarding the profession of our city. Long ago, when this city was a village and the noises which rent the air were the whoop of the Indian and the howl of the cayote, when a man's rifle and bowie knife were his most trusted friends, then we had medical men of the highest attainments who were the pioneers of medicine in this State. It is here, for the first time in the history of the State, that the talented and lamented Doctor George Cupples administered chloroform; it was here that the first hysterectomy was done; that the first ovariotomy, and the first lithotomy, were performed. These operations are now done daily all over this State, but in those days they denoted talent of the highest order. We are trying to follow in the footsteps of our predecessors who did so much to advance medicine in our State.

Now, about the unity of our profession-the medical profession. We have well attended medical meetings for scientific work, and we never hear the word ethics mentioned. We presume that every gentleman is ethical, and if he is not, a code will not make him so, for a gentleman needs no other code of ethics than that which is inherent. The West Texas Medical Association has increased its membership over 100 per cent. during the last three years.

The prosperity of our profession is evidenced by the fact that we have just completed a magnificent hospital, at a cost of $50,000, and every cent of the capital has been paid in, and is non-assessable, and is the enterprise of thirty-five or forty physicians of this city. With these facts before you, you can judge whether we have not cause to be proud of the way the profession of our city is doing.

I hope, gentlemen, that there will be nothing to mar the harmony and good feeling during this meeting, and that your stay in this city will be pleasant and profitable; and, whether you have come prepared to change your plan of organization, or to keep on in the same lines, you will no doubt act for the best, and I certainly trust that you will leave here a united body and so well pleased that you will come to see us again.

Dr. Red then responded to Dr. Paschal's address in the following

manner:

Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen Representing the Municipality, Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is with unfeigned pleasure that we have listened to your kindly words of welcome, especially so since they are couched in such well fitting and appropriate words. I believe it was Alexander Pope who wrote "it is the touch of the artist that says what we have often thought, but never thought so well," and I feel assured if he were here today he would say that the race of such artists is not dead.

We have met in San Antonio before, are here now, and welcome again, I hope; however, not so often as to make you twice glad. While we are here on this occasion, we can assure Mr. Webb that we have brought no skeletons with which to frighten his fellow citizens. Likewise can we assure Mr. Aubrey that we will not carry off the Alamo. To Dr. Paschal we say, it is with bowed heads we stand in acknowledgment of the skill and honor of the physicians of San Antonio, both present and past.

We grasp your "glad hand" and hope to show you by the avidity with which we partake of what you have provided that we are fully appreciative of your efforts; and further, if this program is a foretaste of what you have prepared, we can truly say that San Antonio is living up to her reputation for hospitality. You know there is a peculiar flavor about the hospitality

of San Antonio-a flavor born of years ago, when every man's shack was his castle and the silence of the long stretch from home to home was only broken by the multiple voice of the cayote-a hospitality unfeigned, unstinted, boundless.

With such before us, we feel assured that when we go home we will carry away a lasting memory of the good time we had in San Antonio.

Roll was called, and a quorum being present the minutes of last meeting were read by title and approved.

SECRETARY'S REPORT.

Dr. H. A. West then read his annual report, which is as follows: Mr. President and Gentlemen:

I beg herewith to submit my annual report, as follows:

Dr. W. A. Adams, Fort Worth. Died October 15, 1902.

Dr. A. B. Gardner, Bellville. Died October 22, 1902.

Dr. T. C. Osborn, Cleburne (honorary member). Died September, 1902. Dr. B. F. Eads, Marshall. Died February 1, 1903.

Dr. W. H. Moore, Runge. Died March 11, 1903.

Dr. Osborn's death occurring prior to publication of the proceedings, his name was omitted from the list of honorary members in the last proceedings. These are the only deaths which have been brought to my attention. It is a singular fact that three at least of this number were present at the last meeting; I am not sure whether Drs. Eads and Osborn were present or not. Dr. Osborn, though an honorary member, took an active interest in the State Medical Association and had a high appreciation of its published proceedings. I recall a letter received from him not long previous to his death, in which he expressed his high regard for the Association and the work it was accomplishing in the State.

THE TRANSACTIONS FOR 1902.

The bid of Von Boeckmann, Schutze & Co., of Austin, as follows, was

The books were ready for delivery in October. Publisher's bill was paid promptly upon presentation. The increased cost was due to the larger number of copies issued and to the increased size of the book, the volume of 1902 containing 124 pages more than that of 1901. The book speaks for itself and affords a good index as to the scientific progress of the personnel of the State Medical Association of Texas. I wish, however, to reiterate my opinion that the interest of the Association would be materially advanced by a change in the form of its publications from an annual volume to that of a monthly journal. Especially would this be the case if federation of the State Association, embracing the various district and county associations, becomes operative. Then, when it becomes necessary to keep in touch and publish the proceedings of the various branches, it would be necessary to journalize the proceedings.

My account with the Association is as follows:

H. A. West, in account with the State Medical Association of Texas: