this oath and this stipulation, to reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him and relieve his necessities, if required, to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that, by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine; but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such council; and in like manner I will not give a woman an instrument to produce abortion; with purity and holiness I will pass my life and practice my art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and further, from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice, or not in connection with it, I see or hear in the life of men which ought not to be spoken of abroad I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men in all times; but should I trespass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot! BOSTON HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY. THE regular monthly meeting of the society was held at the college building, E. Concord Street, Thursday evening, March II, 1882. The report of the censors being favorable, O. G. Ross, M. D., of Revere, Mass., was elected to membership. Dr. I. T. Talbot and Dr. I. B. Cushing were appointed by the chair to make nominations for delegates to the coming meeting of the American Institute of Homœopathy. They made the following nominations, which were accepted by the society: Boston Homeopathic Medical Society. — C. H. Farnsworth, M. D. Boston University School of Medicine. — I. T. Talbot, M. D., J. Heber Smith, M. D. Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital. — D. G. Woodvine, M. D. Homœopathic Medical Dispensary. - H. C. Clapp, M. D. College Dispensary. — A. M. Cushing, M. D. Home for Moral Reform. - L. M. Porter, M. D. Dispensary of Women's Industrial Union.-H. A. Loring, M. D. Dr. Woodvine moved "that a standing committee be appointed to investigate the condition of Cochituate water from time to time. Dr. Sutherland offered as an amendment that the committee who served so acceptably this past winter be reappointed." The motion as amended was carried. This committee consists of Drs. C. Wesselhoeft, D. G. Woodvine, and I. T. Talbot. Dr. O. B. Sanders read a very excellent paper on "The Physiology of Digestion," which provoked a great deal of discussion, in which most of the members present participated. JUNE MEETING. F. B. PERCY, Secretary. The monthly meeting was held Thursday evening, June 22, 1882. In the absence of the secretary, J. P. Sutherland, M. D., was chosen secretary pro tem. The reading of the records of the last meeting was omitted. No report of censors or application for membership was presented. Dr. Church read a paper on the "The Etiology, Pathology, and Symptomatology of Cholera Infantum," and the subject was afterwards discussed by the members. Dr. Fisher thought vomiting had not been sufficiently dwelt upon; that the diarrhoea was only secondary. If the vomiting can be controlled the case will probably recover. Dr. Farnsworth considered that cholera infantum is to children what cholera morbus is to older people. He believed in giving cold or ice water, all that the patient can drink: a little will only increase the vomiting, while if enough is taken it stops the vomiting. Verat. and Ars. are his first remedies; and, if cases are curable, no others are needed. Helleb. and Camph. come in usefully, the former for head symptoms, the latter for collapse. Dr. Woodvine wanted to know if the medulla oblongata was or was not particularly affected in cholera infantum. He inclined to think that the nervous system plays a very important part, especially in the severe cases. Dr. Talbot agreed with Dr. Fisher in regard to the importance of vomiting as a symptom in this disease. He mentioned different kinds of summer complaint, all of which, even in infants, are unlike cholera infantum. He considered the remedies for Asiatic cholera useful for cholera infantum, especially Camph., Verat., and Arsen. Iris vers. is good in cases of frequent retching and slight vomiting with paleness, languor, and inability to raise the head. Guaco is a remedy which formerly engaged the attention of this society, or rather its predecessor, the Boston Academy of Homœopathic Medicine. Provings were made which exhibited the thin, watery diarrhoea, with nausea and vomiting so characteristic of cholera infantum ; and, though these provings have as yet never been published, still they have often been used as successful guides in the treatment of this disease. He hoped to see more research and study given to this remedy. Dr. Woodvine thought pure water of great importance in preventing this disease as well as typhoid fever. · Dr. Cushing said we did not know the primary cause of the trouble, but he thought it arose frequently from an affection of the brain and nervous system. He could not say as to the efficacy of cold water, but had been assured that certain affections of the brain in the horse are cured speedily by pouring cold water into the ear. He considered Salicylic acid and Æthusa good remedies. Baths are good, but, like all good things, are liable to abuse. Dr. Farnsworth thought sudden changes in temperature are injurious, and that great care should be taken to protect the child by flannels and otherwise. After remarks by other members the discussion closed. It was moved and carried that the president and secretary invite, by postal card or otherwise, each and every member of the society to make and report original investigations regarding cholera infantum as far as possible during the coming summer. Dr. Talbot gave an account of the meeting of the American Institute of Homoeopathy in Indianapolis. J. P. SUTHELAND, Secretary pro tem. WORCESTER COUNTY HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY. REPORTED BY CHAS. L. NICHOLS M. D., SEC. THE quarterly meeting of this society was called to order May 10, in their new library rooms, 13 Mechanic Street; Dr. S. H. Colburn, of Athol, president, being in the chair. After the records had been read and approved, and the report of the committee on location had been accepted, Dr. C. S. Collins, of Nashua, was elected a member of the society. The president then delivered an interesting address upon homoeopathy as a system, which was listened to with earnest attention, and was received with warm applause. A carefully prepared paper upon diphtheria was read by Dr. E. L. Mellus, and followed by an animated discussion. The writer wished to call particular attention to the hypothesis presented by Dr. R. R. Gregg, as to the cause of this disease. Dr. Gregg says that the only series of facts common to all forms and epidemics of diphtheria are the following: an irritation of the mucous membranes manifested by an increased secretion of mucus and consequent loss of albumen, which destroys the normal proportion of the blood constituents and produces an excess of fibrin, which excess it is the aim of nature as a curative process to expel from the system. The weak points of the theory were exposed, and the especial relation of excess of fibrin and cardiac thrombosis in this disease was fully discussed by reference to the most recent pathological investigations, the conclusion being drawn that this position cannot be at present sustained. During the discussion which ensued many valuable suggestions were made by the various members as to diagnosis and treatment, both medicinal and local, Dr. Carmichael calling particular attention to the value of Sulpho-carbolate of Sodal, four or five grains every two or three hours, in connection with the appropriate remedy. Suggestions as to treatment and indications for particular remedies were detailed. Extracts were then read by Drs. Barton and Mellus upon the recent experiments by Koch upon the inoculability of tubercle, and the expectorated matters being considered dangerous, and the practicability of inoculation being suggested. This was followed by an excellent abstract by Dr. Chamberlain, of a recent work upon the sanitary care of children; and, after the transaction of the usual business, the meeting was adjourned. AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION. MOSES T. RUNNELS, M. D., of Indianapolis, writes that the tenth annual session of the American Public Health Association will be held in that city, commencing Oct. 17, and continuing four days. Extensive preparations are being made for this occasion by the citizens of Indianapolis, and a meeting of unusual interest is expected. All who were present at the recent meeting of the American Institute of Homoeopathy can well believe in the warm reception which will be accorded to attendants of this forthcoming meeting; and as the Association is one in which homoeopaths are cordially welcomed, it is hoped that a large number will be present and contribute to the important work. Physicians and others intending to go should inform Dr. Runnels, chairman of the local committee. A MAD ALLOPATHIC SOCIETY. WE learn from the Indianapolis News of August 8, that the Marion County Medical Society has held a meeting and that the room "resounded with shrieks of denunciation because the mayor had appointed a homoeopathist upon the committee of arrangements for the forthcoming meeting of the American Public Health Association." Violent fire-eating resolutions were adopted, announcing to the world that "under present auspices the society will abstain from all participation in the proceedings." As the society has never been asked to participate, and as only one of its members belongs to the association, we are forcibly reminded of Dogberry's wish, "Write me down an ass! But masters, remember, that I am an ass though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass." CORRESPONDENCE. LETTER FROM PROF. C. E. HASTINGS. To the Editor of the Gazette: VIENNA, July 21, 1882. You asked me to write something for the GAZETTE from this place; if you think the following will be of interest you may use it : I arrived in Vienna, May 6, just two weeks from the day the "City of Rome" left New York, and Monday, May 8, I began my attendance at the hospital, in the confinement ward of Gustave Braun. The hospital as a whole is a very large one (3,000 beds) and covers a large area. That portion devoted to obstetrics is divided into three wards, and the patients applying for admittance are sent from 8 A. M. to 8 P. M. to clinic No. 1, the next twelve hours to clinic No. 2, and so on. The morning of my arrival there was a Cæsarean operation, and since May 8 I have witnessed at least seven cases of craniotomy; how many there may have been in the other clinics, I have no means of knowing. Contracted and deformed pelves are quite common here. The whole number of births in this hospital in a year is from 3,000 to 4,000, and it is supposed that each clinic gets its proportional share. A large proportion of the cases are primipara, and a lacerated perineum is seldom seen, even in forceps cases, owing to the careful management; but cutting the labia on either side, as a means to prevent laceration, is not infrequent. The larger |