On motion of Dr. O. W. Sherwin, the President was directed to appoint a committee of five on nominations. Drs. O. W. Sherwin, S. Putnam, W. L. Hoisington. D. F. Rugg and E. F. Upham were appointed, and directed to report at the morning session.

NEW MEMBERS ADMITTED.

DR. C. G. R. JENNINGS, Bennington, Vt., U. V. M., also at Coll. Phys. and Surgs., N. Y.

DR. ANDERSON D. DYER, JR., Bellevue Med. Coll., N. Y., 1883. Dr. R. H. Sabin, of West Troy, N. Y., presented credentials from New York State Medical Association, as a delegate to this Society, was introduced to the Society by the President, and made an appropriate speech in response.

REPORT OF DELEGATES TO THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT.

The undersigned, delegates appointed by the Vermont State Medical Society, at its annual meeting in 1884, attended the examination of candidates for the degree of M. D., as conducted by the Medical Faculty of the University of Vermont, on the 23d, 24th and 25th of June.

There were 93 candidates. Of these 78 passed their examinations satisfactorily to the Faculty and to your delegates, and with much credit to themselves. The replies elicited showed that the instruction had been in the highest sense complete, and their clinical advantages had been both extensive and profitable. The examinations were thorough, practical and impartial, in which your delegates were very cordially invited to participate.

Of those graduated there were 11 from Vermont, 86 per cent. of the class coming from other States and countries. In our opinion the Faculty deserve the good will and support of the profession, especially in their untiring endeavors to still raise the standard of every branch of study in the curriculum, as well as the preliminary education required for admission. And with added facilities and improvements, the College certainly merits the success and reputation it has obtained, and the continued support of the profession.

W. L. HOISINGTON, M. D.,
D., Delegates.

F. T. KIDDER, M. D.,

Dr. O. W. Sherwin read a paper on "Advances in Anatomy, Physiology and Histology." Discussion followed.

Dr. Sherwin remarked that a slight surgical operation might interest the ladies somewhat, that pregnancy may exist without rupture of the hymen.

Dr. Sabin had seen such a case.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr. Terrill asks if a ruptured hymen is evidence of intercourse. Sherwin says it generally is, but such evidence is not positive. Munde states that the hymen may remain in a torn condition (but capable of being reunited) for years, if the woman has no children. Dr. Sabin read a paper on Rupture of the Vagina with the first

66

Coitus;

also two cases from the Medical and Surgical Reporter of June 27th, 1885.

Dr. Sabin presented specimen of hardened fæces, which case was fully reported at the last meeting.

Dr. Charles E. Chandler read a very interesting paper on "Reduction of Dislocations of the Shoulder by the Kocher Method," detailed cases, and explained the method. This subject was fully discussed by Drs. Terrill, O. W. Sherwin, Rugg, Kemp and C. M. Chandler. Adjourned to I : 30 P. M.

Met as per adjournment, at 1:30 P. M.

Prof. William T. Smith, of Hanover, presented credentials as a delegate from the New Hampshire Medical Society. Dr. Smith was introduced to the Society by President Draper.

Dr. D. G. Kemp read a paper on "Advances in Surgery," which

elicited considerable discussion.

Dr. Sabin said that he had used cocaine in diphtheria and tonsillitis, with great succces. In regard to explorations for the purpose of making a diagnosis, he thought the fashion quite too prevalent; referred to Lawson Tait opening the abdomen to find out the exact trouble; doubts the utility of such explorations; believes in Dr. Alonzo Clark's suggestion in 1853, "Give opium enough to stop the pain, and let the patient rest."

Dr. C. A. Sperry was called on to report a case of skin grafting. The lower third of the tibia was diseased to such an extent that Drs. Richmond and Sherwin thought the safest and best treatment was to amputate the leg. Dr. Sperry begged off from this extreme measure. After an operation to remove diseased bone and flesh, the wound presented a bony surface, elliptical in shape and about two by three inches. Dr. Sperry kept the patient on his back for two months, dressing the ulcerated surface with iodoform, vaseline and borated cotton bandaged on. It healed over and covered the bone, but as soon as patient was allowed to exercise the new formed tissue broke up, and ulceration became active. Dr. Sperry then resorted to grafting in pieces of frog skin from the belly and thighs. The pieces were at first mere specks; finally he used some the size of a finger nail. The frog skin was absorbed, or disappeared, in from four to six days. but it formed points from which healthy granulations radiated, and after three or four weeks the wound was completely healed, and the patient has been working on a farm ever since.

Prof. Grinnell, of the Medical Department of the University of Vermont, spoke upon the subject of small-pox, and vaccination as a preventive. The ignorance of the people on these subjects should be enlightened. They fear small-pox and they fear vaccination, the latter lest some other disease should be communicated to them thereby. Of this there is no danger when the vaccine virus has been properly taken and the vaccination properly performed. The bovine virus is better and safer than the humanized virus, because the latter may possibly have in it some commingling of the blood of the person from whom it is taken. But there need be no fear of either, in the hands of those who have a proper knowledge. True vaccination shows itself in three to five days from the insertion of the virus, and goes on to its completion about the eighth or ninth day. It is a prevention of small-pox. Occasionally there may be an exception, but this is the rule. Re-vaccination may be well as a safeguard, but the virus having once wrought its true effect in the system, the person is as safe from small-pox as if he had the marks of it on his face. The doctor's remarks were followed by a long discussion, in which the conclusions he presented were unanimously concurred in by the Society.

Drs. E. F. Upham and S. S. Clark, delegates to the New York State Medical Association, report by Dr. Upham :

President and Members of Vermont Medical Society:

As one of your delegates to the New York State Medical Association, at its first annual meeting, held at Murray Hill Hotel, New York City, November 18, 19, 20 and 21, 1884, allow me to report that, in company with Dr. S. S. Clark of St. Albans, I attended the meeting. We were cordially received, courteously treated and invited to participate in the discussions and scientific work of the meeting. Though this was the first annual meeting, between four and five hundred were in attendance, representing all sections of the State, and it has never been my fortune to attend a medical meeting where so general interest and so much zeal was manifested to make the gathering a means of scientific and practical instruction and improvement. The programme was full, embracing all departments relating to medical practice, and to complete the work evening sessions were held each day, except the last, which was devoted to sociability. At a banquet or dinner where sociability and humor were generally participated in by post prandial toasts and responses by the members and invited guests, several of New York's noted men from the ranks of law and theology were present, and added to the enjoyment by short responsive speeches. In closing this brief and imperfect report, allow me to say to the delegates from this Society the present year that they will be amply remunerated for their loss of time and expense in attending the meeting, by the instruction gained, and in the enjoyment growing out of the association with the eminent medical men who will be present and participate in the work of the Association. My excuse for giving you so meagre a report of the programme and special work of the meeting, is the fact that I supposed my colleague, Dr. Clark, was to make the report, and I have not my notes taken at the time with me, and as so long a time has passed, am unable from memory to give full details.

Respectfully submitted,

E. F. UPHAM, Delegate,

Prof. Smith, in referring to a quotation by Dr. O. W. Sherwin from Dr. Roberts, 66 that any portion of the brain can be examined," thinks that the idea, to say the least, is very radical; recollects but one attempt to remove a tumor from the brain. Aside from opening cerebral abscesses, he does not know of any safe way to interfere. It may hereafter be more common than now. If there is depression even without disturbance of brain function, let it alone. Tait and others are too radical, in my opinion. Tait always operates for fibroids, but even he loses 50 per cent. of his cases. Unless there are urgent and immediate indications for operation, let them alone. True, these bold ones show possibilities—they are pioneers, and as such we owe much to their

efforts.

Dr. Crain detailed a case of Cystic Fibroid. Patient had consulted Drs. Emmett, Kimball, and others, without benefit. Dr. Crain aspirated, and got 16 pounds of thick, yellow, coagulated fluid. The tumor filled again in three months; has resorted to electrolysis once in two weeks, with success thus far; will report result at next meeting.

Dr. W. T. Smith inquired if any member had seen a case of physiological albumenuria. It is understood as an abnormal condition. Senator holds that about 10 per cent. of adults have albumen in the urine.

Dr. Cutting detailed the case of Dr. Hubbard, in which there was constantly albumen in the urine. Examined his urine every four to six weeks, and never found less than 10 per cent. of albumen; thought he would die, but he lived 15 years.

Dr. SABIN: If you have albumen in the urine, is it not positive evidence that there is some trouble with the kidneys?

Dr. Smith says he has a case which presents no appearance of disease except albumen.

DR. FASSETT: Does albumen in the urine mean disease? Do pa'tients with albumenuria live? I think albumenuria not necessarily fatal. The case may go on for months and years before the friends or the patient notice anything unusual. These cases are not, by any means, necessarily fatal. You may even have the early stage of degeneration of the kidneys, without marked signs of disease.

In case of a man 40 years old, who passed large quantities of urine, I found albumen. The case went on for a few months and the man got well. I never told him about the albumen. The fact is, we cannot now determine this question.

I treated a boy eight years old in an advanced stage of albumenuria for three months, without benefit. This boy has for years spontane

ously resisted degeneration of the kidneys. I believe that some cases do recover. Feeding may temporarily produce albumen. We are taught that albumen alone is not diagnostic; that we must find casts to make the diagnosis sure. In Dr. Flint's case only albumen was found, and the doctor was in doubt about Bright's disease. Albumen is always a source of anxiety and significance to me, and still I do believe that some cases get well.

Dr. C. C. Perry thinks that heat and nitric acid are not entirely reliable to discover albumen; that alcohol must be used to dissolve resinous substances.

Dr. Sabin uses heat and nitric acid, or nitric acid and heat; spoke of cases of albumenuria following scarlatina, as frequent and not fatal.

Dr. Sabin detailed a case of rigid os uteri, into which one-third grain of morphine and one-sixtieth grain of atropia were injected. Soon the os became softened, and in one hour the child was born. It was perfectly narcotized.

Dr. Fassett frequently uses morphine in tedious labors; never had any trouble from it.

Dr. Smith has never had any trouble from the use of morphine in these cases, and thinks it perfectly safe to vaccinate a pregnant woman. Adjourned to 7 P. M.

At 7 P. M. Dr. L. C. Butler called the meeting to order, and President Draper delivered the annual address. Unanimous vote of thanks tendered the President for his address.

Adjourned to 9 A. M. to-morrow.

OCTOBER 16TH, 9 A. M.

President Draper called to order.

Dr. H. F. Crain reported, in regard to the draft of a bill received from the United States Medical Association, for the purpose of establishing a State Board of Medical Examiners and Licensers.

That If such a Board could be established in all the States and Territories it would be of great benefit to the profession and the people, but under the present condition of things, and especially under our present Vermont laws, it is impracticable, and therefore reports adversely to adopting the act."

The nominating committee reported as follows:

For President, D. G. KEMP,

Vice-President, E. R. CAMPBELL,

Montpelier. Bellows Falls,