The subject of development, its tardation and growth, is always full of interest. It combines so many questions of vitality, heredity and deterioration, all of which are embodied in the normal and abnormal as to afford for all time food for continuous study and thought. In making such studies and observations there is in this city and elsewhere splendid fields for thought Man is at best a religious animal, and the individual who is devoid of a religious belief of some sort is a veritable degenerate; his moral nature is so defective as to be idiotic.

Two or more persons, equally honest, often firmly believe in very opposite religious opinions; the same may be said of those who hold different political views-they are equally honest, equally sincere.

Sometimes large portions of the earth's population are swirled as in a cyclone in the fervor of a religious enthusiasm. This fervor is apt to be unreasoning, and always accompanied by outbursts of extreme exaggeration on the part of sanguine leaders in such movements. Some such leaders, and among whom may be mentioned those who have exerted world-wide influences, have changed the tenor of thought among the masses and reconstructed governments, yet were, according to the teachings of Lombroso, unquestioned degenerates, and to be classified among the paranoiacs.

At this time, in this city, one of the leading ministers in the revival services which are being held seems to take the greatest delight in telling his congregation they are on the broad road to hell, and that they are unrepentant sinners, while he himself does not hesitate to

Among the professional evangelists there is scarcely one who does not make use of such claptrap thunder for sensational purposes. Tell them of an ordinary incident, and the spirit will move them to tell it over again and again, with a distortion of statement that in a court of justice would convict them of perjury. Yet those men are sincere, but infatuated with an enthusiasm which carries them away beyond the bounds of intellectual normality. They mean well, but lack in the conditions which go to make up what is commonly called a well-balanced mind.

In the Dark Ages Joan of Arc and the leaders in the great crusades were of the type of degenerates under consideration. Those were days of ignorance, and intellectual darkness covered nearly the entire earth. The art of printing was the great evangel which brought light to a darkened world, and forever made impossible a repetition of the great religious movements of the Medieval Ages.

In the early part of this century there were great religious movements among the people, which were accompanied by singular physical, mental and emotional eruptions. This was possible, because the people possessed a naturally religious temperament, and at the same time were living in a state of ignorance which made them extremely superstitious.

To-day there is not a professional evangelist who does not parade his work in grossly exaggerated lines in precisely the same manner as the most sensational showman or manager of a theatre business. In fact, at this moment so-called religious posters are just as broad, just

as high and just as long, and gotten up in precisely the same manner and are placed right along side of the public bill-boards of the theatres and other shows. God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform, and here it may be found illustrated on the theatre bill-boards.

Those things, manipulated in this way, may do good, and perhaps they do. But these are days of common enlightenment, free schools, cheap literature and universal spread of knowledge, because of which there does not, and never will again, follow the emotional disturbances which were so marked in years gone by.

The pendulum of thought swings to and fro with unceasing rhythm, ticking off its work in response to a spreading of light, knowledge and truth, which is summed up in exemplifications of the quintessence of true religion as found in the common Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man, the cardinal principles of which are embodied in the Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association.

The people who now constitute the world are a better people, and in proportion to their number have fewer degenerates than ever before.

Distinct classes of people in our own land have more knowledge and righteousness than their ancestors. This may be observed in the medical profes sion and in every other profession. There is more of humanity and less brutality, more charity and less animosity.

Good people who are doing their very best to live up to the light, knowledge and opportunities given them, are infinitely superior Christians to the man who presumes to hurl at them the anathemas of hell because they have better balanced minds than he unfortunately possesses.

The writer believes in and reveres what he thinks is true religion as much as any man, but he also believes in degeneracy and in its manifestation by enthusiastic but misguided paranoiacs, who love to parade their own phylacteries before men while engaged in terrorizing and wheedling innocentminded, simple-hearted and emotional listeners to their outbursts of exhortation.

FLOOD INFluences.

During the past month there has been an excess of rainfall in this vicinity to such an extent as to cause a great destruction of property, and a number of lives have been lost in consequence. The conditions of health and life produced by the excess of rain should have the earnest consideration of the city and State sanitary officers who have been placed in authority by the people. The floods have thoroughly washed out and cleaned innumerable places that were reeking with filth and foulness. In many instances the vile compounds have been displaced and are a greater menace to the health of the people than ever before. These conditions should be remedied as rapidly as possible.

Weakened walls of old and new structures should receive peremptory attention. Damp walls are frequent causes of disease, in consequence of which the people should be advised as to their unhealthfulness.

The opportunity has come for an improvement of water channels which should be made at once. Elevation of grades of streets and roads will require attention, new sewers built and many other improvements made in order to an adjustment for future conditions of health. These improvements should be made along the lines of known sanitary science, and much good will be made to

months in the years 1877-78; at Druidic University College, city of Lewiston, State of Maine, for six months in the years 1881-82."

Whereas, in truth and in fact, the socalled colleges mentioned by you were not medical institutions and gave no medical instruction, but were frauds, conducted, during the years you said you received instruction at them, for the purpose of selling fraudulent diplomas without giving or requiring medical instruction.

TESTIMONY.

a

(a) Exemplification of the original papers in the quo warranto suit brought by the Attorney-General of the State of Pennsylvania ousting the Eclectic college in the city of Philadelphia, on the grounds that it was notorious diploma-mill. It was such an institution during France's alleged stay there. Also the exemplification of the original papers showing the conviction and sentence of one Buchanan, first for having issued medical diplomas unlawfully, and second, for unlawfully signing and antedating medical diplomas, Buchanan being the head of the so-called American Eclectic College.

(b) The affidavit of Warren E. Riker, of Lewiston, Me., who testifies that France's reputation in that locality for honesty was very bad, and that he was generally regarded as a quack, pretender and charlatan. Riker says that France is a son-in-law of Samuel S. York, and that France was connected, in the capacity of a professor, with the Druidic University of America. Riker also shows the charter of the Druidic University.

(c) Affidavit of George W. Haynes, show ing the time that France was initiated into the United Ancient Order of Druids, France's connection with the Druidic University, France's relationship to York and the bad character of the Druidic University.

(d) Affidavit of John B. Wright showing his experience at the Druidic University, where he entered as a student and obtained a diploma | without any knowledge of medicine whatever in three hours' time; also the following exhibits:

Exhibit A.-Being the receipt for his matriculation fee.

Exhibit B.-Being an obligation signed by the affiant wherein he agrees never to divulge any of the secrets which may be imparted to him in his initiation into the United Ancient Order of Druids, and whereby he obligates himself never to expose the methods of the Druidic University.

Exhibit C.-Is the admission card to the Druidic University.

Exhibit D.-The newspaper article written by affiant, relating in detail all of afliant's experience in obtaining his diploma, all of which details the affiant incorporates into his original affidavit.

Exhibit E.-A certificate of examination, upon which certificate W. A. France's name appears as Professor in the Practice of Surgery; France gives affiant a grade of 70 in this

examination.

Exhibit F.-The diploma given affiant as a result of the examination described in Exhibit D.

(d) Affidavit of Frank L. Noble, Mayor of Lewiston at present, and member of the House of Representatives in his State in 1887 and still a member; also Chairman of the Legislature Examining Committee which recommended the revocation of the charter of the Druidic University. Mr. Noble testifies as to the bad character of the Druidic University. (e) Affidavit of David Penn showing that said France, instead of being in the States of Maine and Pennsylvania in January, 1881, as he states in the affidavit accompanying his application, was in Harrison county, O., practicing medicine, and during that time affiant was treated in a professional capacity by said France.

(f) The register of the Swan House, Cadiz, O., showing W. A. France to have been registered there on the 15th day of January, 1881.

(g) Charter of the Druidic University of Maine in the form of a copy of the laws of Maine in 188o, and the act repealing the same contained in a copy of the Journal of the Senate of the State of Maine for the year 1887.

SPECIFICATION 2.

In this, that while the so-called Druidic University of America, located at Lewiston, Me., was being conducted by Samuel S. York, your father-in-law, as a fraudulent institution, for the purpose of selling unlawful and fraudulent diplomas without giving or requiring medical instruction, you were connected with it and permitted your name to be used as one of its alleged professors, and advertised yourself in Ohio as being one of the professors of such institution.

TESTIMONY.

(a) Affidavit of John B. Wright and exhibits attached to said affidavit, showing France's name in connection with the Druidic University.

(b) Affidavit of Warren E. Riker showing France's relationship to York, and his connection with the Druidic University.

(c) Affidavit of George W. Haynes showing the bad character of the Druidic University, France's relationship to York, requirements for admission to the Druidic University, and France's connection with the United Ancient Order of Druids. Also an exhibit in the nature of a picture of the Druidic University.

(d) The books of the Secretary of the United Ancient Order of Druids showing France to have been initiated into that order on the 19th of June, 1883.

(e) Advertisements of various dates in the Ohio State Fournal during the years 1885-86 and 1887 wherein France claims to have been a professor in the Druidic University of America. SPECIFICATION 3.

In this, that in the year 1886, William Withrow, then residing in London, Madison

county, O., gave you his check on the Ex-| change Bank of London for $9.00; that this check was afterwards presented at the bank and paid for $90.00, you receiving the proceeds; that in December, 1886, Withrow had you arrested on the complaint for forgery filed before the Mayor of London, but you secured a dismissal of the complaint by paying Withrow $81.00 and the costs of the prosecution.

TESTIMONY.

(a) Affidavit of William Withrow showing that in the year 1886 he was treated in a professional capacity by W. A. France, that he gave his check in the sum of $9.00 in payment of such service, the presenting and payment of the check in the sum of $90.00 instead of $9.00. Also showing the arrest of France under, the charge of forgery, the dismissal of the suit without his consent, the payment of the costs in the case by France, also the payment of $81.00 to himself, it being the difference between the $9.00, the original amount, and the $90 00, the sum to which it was raised.

(b) Testimony of Mr. Durflinger, the attorney for William Withrow at the time when Withrow had France arrested on the charge of forgery. Mr. Durflinger testifies as to the arrest, the dismissal, the amount paid back to Withrow by France, and that all costs in said case were paid by France. Mr. Durflinger further testifies as to the appearance of the check, says that it had very evident marks of having been changed from its original form, and that the check showed itself to be a rough piece of forgery and would require no special skill to detect the change. Mr. Durflinger also testifies as to the good character and sterling qualities of William Withrow.

(c) Mr. Stephen Watson, President of the Exchange Bank of London, who testifies that Withrow did business with him in 1886, and that in the month of March a check went through his bank on Withrow for $90.00, that the check was sent to the bank through the mail, that afterwards his attention being called to the check he saw evidences of its having been changed from $9.00, its original form, to $90.00, the sum in which it was paid. Mr. Watson also testifies as to the good character and sterling qualities of William Withrow.

(d) Testimony of M. L. Bryan and John Kilgore showing the bad character of W. A. France.

Upon this specification Dr. France offered in his own behalf Mrs. France, who testifies that she was in the room when Withrow made the check, and that the check was sent to the bank that same day for payment, the date being the 24th of March, 1886; France also offered a photograph purporting to be a photograph of the face of the check taken at the time of France's arrest, the photograph being identified by Mrs. France as a photograph of the check given at that time. The photograph shows only the face of the check, there being no photograph of the endorsements thereon. The records of the Exchange Bank of London and the testimony of Mr. Stephen Watson show that the check was not presented on the 24th

day of March, 1886, but on the 29th day of March, 1886, and that the check came through the bank by mail.

SPECIFICATION 4.

In this, that on or about November 11, 1892, you falsely and fraudulently represented to one William A. Hartinger, of Pickaway county, O., that, by the administration of certain drugs and remedies, you could cure his son, Frank Hartinger of osteo-sarcoma, an incurable disease, the only remedy therefore being amputation of the affected part; that, by such false and fraudulent representations, you induced said William A. Hartinger to pay you in cash $200 00 and to deliver you a cognovit note for $300.00; that his son's illness being aggravated by the treatment you prescribed, said Hartinger demanded back his note and the money paid, and on your refusal brought suit against you in the Court of Common Pleas of Pickaway county, setting up the facts, praying the return of the note and the recovery back of the money paid you, and damages for injuries suffered; that, after filing an answer and crosspetition denying the facts set up by Hartinger and asking judgment on the note you held, you settled the case by giving up the note and paying back the money you had received from Hartinger.

TESTIMONY.

(a) Petition and other papers filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Pickaway county in the case of Hartinger vs. France. Petition alleges said France undertook to cure Frank Hartinger of the disease osteo-sarcoma by means other than amputation, that as a result of the treatment of said France the condition of the patient became very much worse; petition also alleges that the defendant, France, induced William Hartinger, the plaintiff, to execute to him a promissory note for the sum of $300.00, made payable to the France Medical Institute Company, and that on that note said plaintiff had paid $200.000, said petition being sworn to by William Hartinger.

(b) Affidavit of A. H. Roose, counsel for Hartinger, who testifies as to the filing of the suit of Hartinger vs. France, No. 10,479; also the settlement of the same by France by paying back the the notes and money beside.

(c) Affidavit of Mr. and Mrs. Hartinger, who testify as to their experience with France and the treatment prescribed by him, saying they called upon France and France agreed to cure their son of osteo-sarcoma for the sum of $300.00, and that they paid said France the sum of $200.00. Affiants say France represented to them that he could easily cure their said son in a few months of said disease by his treatmeut.

(d) Affidavit of Dr. John Leslie, who testified that Frank Hartinger was afflicted with a disease known as osteo sarcoma, that the proper treatment for such disease is amputation of the affected member; affiant also says that he saw Frank Hartinger immediately after he had quit treatment with the said France, and that he was brought to him in a