The bill of Martin Leick, and that of the Recording Secretary, were presented, and ordered paid.

Dr. H. E. Firth then read a continuation of his paper, entitled "The History of Eclecticism of the State of New York." It was well received by the society, and the President requested him to present the remainder at his earliest convenience.

Dr. C. E. Griswold arose, saying that after listening to the paper of Dr. H. E. Firth, relating to the early history of eclecticism in New York, also relating to the literature and medical colleges, as well as reading from the early works and life of Dr. Wooster Beach, he felt that a memorial of some kind was due to that person, as the father of eclecticism in New York State. What shape or form the memorial should take, he thought, had better be left to a committee appointed for that purpose. He proposed that the Brooklyn Academy of Medicine take the initiative in the matter; that the memorial, in whatever shape, might be placed in the New York college building. He would like to hear the expressions of views on the matter.

After which Dr. H. E. Firth made some remarks in favor of Dr. Beach's eclecticism. That he was well pleased with Dr. Griswold's suggestion of a memorial; thought it a good idea.

Dr. Charles E. Griswold moved that a memorial committee of three members be appointed to take the matter in hand, and report to the academy from time to time.

An amendment was then made and received, increasing the number of the committee to five.

After some further remarks, President Chapman appointed the following gentlemen to act as a memorial committee:

H. E. Firth, M. D., D. E. Smith, M. D., B. J. Stow, M. D., C. E. Griswold, M. D., L. B. Firth, M. D.

Dr. Hersey called the attention of the society to a case of puerperal convulsions of a lady, who gave birth to a child (still-born), which measured eighteen inches around the shoulders, he being called in consultation by Dr. William F. Prankard. The patient was given B Keith's conc. tr. Ver. Vir., gtts. xxx, every fifteen minutes until seven or eight doses had been given. Patient made rapid recovery. Dr. C. E. Griswold arose, saying he also had been summoned to attend a lady with puerperal convulsions where there was frothing at the mouth. Could not give Ver. Vir. He used Chloroform. Patient's pulse rapidly sank, and was obliged to stop using it, fearing it was depressing the pneumogastric nerve. The engaged physician came in after asking the doctor's medical pedigree, of which he learned from the doctor all he pleased to tell him—asked for a mustard plaster. It was obtained and placed over the epigastrium, when the patient breathed her last.

Dr. H. E. Firth arose, saying: "That we can frequently anticipate an attack of puerperal convulsions from the symptoms which may present themselves, and may prevent them by judicious remedies. When such symptoms appear the urine should be tested, as, in a majority of cases, it would be highly albuminous. If the latter condition should be detected, general hydragogue cathartics may be

employed, if not contra-indicated, and the usual remedies employed, i. e., Vin Colchici, Potassæ Acetas, Sprt. Etheri Nitro, Tr. Digitalis, Tr. Ferri Chloridi; and in sthenic condition, small doses Tr. Verat. Viride (Norwood's), Pot. Bromide. When called to a patient with puerperal convulsions I immediately administer Chloroform or Ether Sulph., or, what I think better, equal parts of each. The patient need not be placed too deeply under the anaesthetic at the time of the convulsion, but if again you find the convulsions coming with more force, it would be advisable to put the patient more deeply under its influence, again withdrawing the anaesthetic as the spasmodic action ceases, but, above all, see that the Chloroform or Ether Sulph. be pure. As soon as the spasmodic action ceases sufficiently to allow the patient to swallow, give from ten to thirty gtt. of Tr. Verat. Viride (Norwood's). Repeat in from fifteen to thirty minutes, until all symptoms of convulsions cease, or until you get sedation from the medicine, which you will determine by the pulse falling to sixty, or in some cases as low as fifty, or even forty, beats per minute. If the case should be a severe one, and the patient not speedily return to consciousness, I think it advisable to administer a brisk enema, to which, to insure success, you may add a few drops of Ol. Tiglii, and Ol. Terebinth, 3 ss. Also procure if possible a bladder filled with broken ice, and apply to the head. After the convulsions are broken the Tr. Verat. Viride may be continued in small doses, and at longer intervals, say from two to five gtts. every three hours. In some cases there may be persistent vomiting from the effect of Verat. Viride. If such should be the case you may have to employ the usual antidote to prevent too much prostration, the Tr. Serpentaria Comp. of the Am. Dispensatory, as I have found it to be a good remedy, given in small doses often repeated. If there is coma following the convulsion give small doses of Tr. Belladonna until these symptoms abate. When the patient has somewhat recovered, treat her on general principles according to the indications, keeping in mind the necessity of changing the albuminous character of the urine. By this treatment I have not witnessed a death in sixteen years, although I have frequently attended such cases in counsel and otherwise. Although I have not witnessed fatal cases, I can readily conceive of cases terminating fatally even after the paroxysms have been broken, especially in the apoplectic variety, where, as in some cases, there is a rupture of a blood-vessel in the brain."

Dr. M. S. James related a case of convulsions where he injected into the arm Tr. Verat. Virid. (Squibb's) ten to fifteen gtts. His patient rapidly recovered. He was asked whether he injected the tincture diluted or full strength. He answered: "The tincture itself."

Dr. Hersey was then appointed by the President as essayist for the next meeting.

Being late, it was moved to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,

W. E. CROWELL, M. D.,
Secretary.

CENTRAL NEW YORK ECLECTIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.

SEMI-ANNUAL SESSION.

The Central New York Eclectic Medical Society met in semi. annual convention at the court-house, in the city of Syracuse, June 14, 1876.

In the absence of the President, the meeting was called to order by J. N. Betts, M. D., Vice-President of the society.

The session was opened with prayer by Dr. Josiah Arnold of Syracuse.

Dr. Harris, Secretary of the society, called the roll and the following responded to their names: Josiah Arnold, B. M. Genung, T. L. Harris, S. Millington, C. F. Lownsbury, C. S. Totman, W. D. Thayer, C. T. Merrill, P. Kohlis, C. S. Huntington, J. S. Wright, L. J. Phelps, C. E. Hill, H. W. Strubel, F. D. Gridley, C. Von Spiegel, J. N. Betts, G. E. Lawrence, O. S. Kenyon, D. N. Waterbury, H. Hunsicker, S. Griffing, T. H. Kemter, W. W. Nims.

Minutes of previous session read by the Secretary and on motion approved.

Drs. Charles McConnell and A. D. Monroe made application for membership and were referred to the Board of Censors for examination. In the absence of some of the board, the President appointed Drs. Arnold, Totman and Lawrence to fill vacancies.

During the absence of the Board of Censors for consultation, Dr. H. A. Bolles, President of the society, and Drs. E. L. Baker and A. J. Butterfield arrived and participated in the deliberations of the convention.

An essay on ahæsthetic agents, by C. Von Spiegel, was, in the absence of the doctor, read by his son and referred to the committee on publication.

The Board of Censors having returned to the convention reported that Dr. Charles McConnell passed an excellent examination and recommend him for membership, and that a license be granted him for the practice of medicine and surgery; also, that a license be given Dr. A. D. Monroe for the practice of medicine, with the recommendation that he attend another course of lectures.

The report of the censors was on motion unanimously adopted and the applicants by ballot duly elected to membership.

Considerable discussion was had in regard to the use of chloroform and ether, in which nearly all the members of the society engaged. Many of the members were opposed to the use of chloroform unless combined with ether. The combination was looked upon with favor.

Drs. Butterfield and Baker were, by special request, desired to prepare a brief report of the proceedings of the session for the press. Dr. Butterfield read a paper giving the different methods of treating disease, past and present.

An able article upon cancer by Dr. C. Von Spiegel was read by the doctor's son, which caused a general discussion in regard to the curability of cancer, upon which various opinions, almost as numerous as the membership, were expressed.

The Secretary of the society was instructed to publish notice of future meetings through the press in the district in addition to sending special notice to each member.

On motion society adjourned to 7.30 P. M.

EVENING SESSION.

The meeting was called to order with the President, Dr. H. A. Bolles in the chair.

Dr. Bolles made the request that each member express his views with regard to the effect of alcoholic stimulants in the treatment of disease. The almost unanimous opinion was against their use.

The semi-annual address was then delivered by the Vice-President of the society, J. N. Betts, M. D., of Pulaski.

At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks was tendered the doctor for his very able address, a copy of which was requested for publication.

The society then adjourned to Thursday 8 A. M.

THURSDAY MORNING.

The morning session was called to order by the President at 8.30

A. M.

Mrs. C. C. Gay applied for membership, and was referred to the censors. Pending the report of the censors cases were presented for the consideration of the society by Drs. Broga and Hill.

On motion of the Secretary Dr. T. L. Harris, J. Edwin Danelson, M. D., R. S. Newton, M. D., A. Wilder, M. D., Orin Davis, M. D., R. Hamilton, M. D., and H. Pease, M. D., were balloted for and elected to honorary membership in Central New York Society.

Dr. C. S. Totman offered the following resolutions which, after discussion, were adopted:

Resolved, 1. That, as eclectic physicians, we claim the right of each individual to select his remedies from the whole field of nature, vegetable, animal or mineral, holding himself responsible for results only to himself, his patrons and society.

Resolved, 2. That as a society we claim no right to dictate to any member what remedies shall, or shall not, be used. All expressions on the subject adopted or recorded by us, being considered as advisory

only, or as giving an expression of general opinion, to which any member has a perfect right to dissent.

Moved by Dr. Harris, and approved by the convention, that in the future the annual and semi-annual addresses before the Society shall be delivered on the evening of the first day's session, unless otherwise provided for, and that the public be invited to attend.

The following resolutions were offered by Dr. Josiah Arnold, when on motion it was ordered that they come before the society for discussion during the morning of the second day's session in January, 1877:

Resolved, 1. That for the evening exercise of our next annual meeting we consider the following subject, viz.: The comparative merits of the different theories of the practice of medicine.

Resolved, 2. That we hereby request our President to appoint two persons to write, each an essay on the above subject, which may be read in fifteen minutes, and that after the reading of the essays the subject shall be open for discussion; each speaker to be limited to ten minutes, and none to speak the second time (except by way of explanation) until all who desire it shall have spoken.

On motion of Dr. J. N. Betts, the President assigned subjects for papers to be presented at the annual meeting.

Dr. E. L. Baker, Diphtheria; Dr. C. S. Totman, Typhoid Fever, Dr. S. D. Hanchett, Typhoid Pneumonia; Dr. G. E. Lawrence; Scarlet Fever; Dr. T. R. Harris, Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis; Dr. J. N. Betts, Diagnosis; Dr. C. E. Hill, Metritis; Dr. B. M. Genung, Otorrhoea; Dr. W. W. Nims, Renal Calculi; Dr. C. F. Lownsbury, Cardiac Diseases; Dr. J. Arnold, Struma; Dr. C. Von Spiegel, Ophthalmia; Dr. S. Millington, Tumors; Dr. A. Wood, Carcinoma; Dr. A. J. Butterfield, Inflammation.

The regular business of the society being concluded, after a brief discussion of some matters relating to the future success of eclectic medicine, on motion, the society adjourned to meet in annual session at the court-house in the city of Syracuse, January, 1877.

T. L. HARRIS, M. D.,
Secretary.