sented two papers; one upon "Local applications in metrorrhagia," the other upon "Insanity and the Insane," a rare essay, which I have before commented upon. (See Insanity in Vermont, transactions of 1815.)

In 1871, he was President of this society, and his official address without a name, but in reality embracing the results of modern medical research, may be read with profit by any of us to-day.

In 1873, we find a paper upon "Remittent Sub-acute Meningitis." In 1875, he raised his voice in aid of the establishment of a State Board of Health, in an excellent paper entitled "Sanitary Reform."

An obituary of Dr. J. Y. Dewey, of Montpelier, was published by him in 1877, also an article on "Spinal Pathology," showing careful anatomical and physiological investigation; likewise one on cases of "Strangulated Hernia." In 1878, two papers appear in the Transactions, one upon "Pelvic Celluletis," and one upon "Puerpural Mania." "Cerebro-spinal Disturbance in Febrile Disease" forms the subject of a communication in 1879, and in the following year "Obstetrics in the first four weeks in May," illustrating the difficulties attending placenta prævia, formed an article, and "Two Cases of the Fatal use of the Aspirator" another.

In 1881, he relates "What I saw and Learned of the Epidemic of Diphtheria at Montpelier in 1880 and '81," especially in the use of whiskey as a remedy-graphically told and strongly put. In 1883 he records in a careful manner the autopsy of Dr. Corey, of Craftsbury, and in 1886 we note the last contribution from his pen, "A case of Erysipelas or Malignant Pustule," like all his cases faithfully portrayed and faithfully commented upon. In addition to these special papers, our meetings were indebted to him for many unrecorded experiences related in the course of debate, always modestly, but always illustrative and instructive.

It is noteworthy that five of the seventeen papers enumerated were upon subjects connected with nervous or mental diseases,—a fact showing the direction of his thinking-drifting away somewhat from those questions which engross so largely the time and thought of the general practitioner. It was perhaps this tendency in him which in subsequent years drew us more than usually toward each other in our professional relations. My acquaintance with Dr. Putnam dates from my admission as a member of this society, at the annual meeting in October, 1873. That evening the society was entertained at Bishop's Hotel by the medical profession of Montpelier, and the supper gave occasion for social interchange rarely afforded. It was on this occasion, too, that I first made the acquaintance of Dr. Butler, who like wise has passed beyond the horizon of our earthly vision. The friendly professional intercourse thus commenced between these honored members and myself was sundered only by their decease, and I trust it will hardly be

deemed a digression if I thus couple them together in affectionate remembrance on this fraternal occasion. My personal and professional relation to them both was more than ordinarily intimate.

He

Dr. Putnam was a close observer and a close logical reasoner. was all his life, as we have said, a diligent student in his profession. When not actually engaged in his practical round of duties, the cases under his care engrossed his thought and gave direction to his reading. He was not a man to jump at a conclusion, nor did he come to rely upon the lessons of experience alone, but sought to find also support in the experiences of others. His published observations were given as contributions to be weighed by the profession for what they were worth, rather than placed like manufactured products upon the market with their name and stamped value marked upon them by the vender.

Well was it said of him after his decease, "The science of medicine he never regarded as a trade, a mere means of subsistence, but as 'The holiest task by heaven decreed, an errand all divine,'—and he ever exerted himself to maintain a high standard of professional honor, abhorring all forms of quackery and pretence, whether practiced by members of the regular profession or not."

Truly, also, has it been said, "Dr. Putnam was naturally diffident, but constant effort throughout his life had overcome this reserve in a measure; still he seemed to have two natures—the outer, which the world saw, and the inner, revealed to those who knew and loved him best. They knew he was a true lover of nature; not a bird but he knew its note and more or less of its habits; not a tree, but he knew its name and its qualities; the flowers he loved, and tho' not familiar with their names he knew their faces and favorite growing places; while fine scenery, for which he ever had a quick and appreciative eye, stirred his best emotions."

Vividly do I remember the delightful surprise he gave me on an autumn afternoon, when after a two days' attendance, many years ago, upon a court in Montpelier, he proposed to take me out for an airing; climbing somewhat slowly the ascents for several miles to the northward, then descending and returning through the so-called Middlesex Narrows. Doubtless his own enjoyment on this occasion was heightened by my captivation; and I venture to say no point was lost to me, so adroitly was every wild and picturesque feature of this mountain pass brought to my notice as we rode thro' this bit of scenery, unparalleled by any I have seen in this Green Mountain State. Evidently this was to him a beaten path, one which he loved to seek, and out of which had come to him grand thoughts and conceptions of the great Creator.

I cannot learn that there was ever a time when his mind grasped great truths whole, without making allowances for the errors incorporated with or enshrouding them.

His son-in-law writes me, "He enjoyed very much the study of religious subjects, the most advanced theories suggested by modern scientific research." He approached these as he approached all the great subjects of human concern, in the attitude of the investigator, using his reason in the inquiry, and not ignoring the experience of himself and of others as an element in the inquiry. He was not one to be moved by appeals to the emotions. He reached conclusions slowly, by patient research and by logic, and I think his religious convictions crystalized late in life, but came to be unshaken and abiding with his latter years. Indeed, I am sure that at times his mind was greatly exercised upon the subject of the hereafter. It was in 1875, soon after the death of his only surviving son, that he wrote me asking if the work of Dr. Martyn Paine upon The Physiology of the Soul and Instinct as Distinguished from Materialism (a book to which I had made allusion in a published paper that year), was in my judgment likely to settle or disturb one's mind in respect to the future life?”

He was no skeptic, and no theologian. On the occasion of this memorable ride thro' the Middlesex Narrows, he spoke of some of his conclusions, conclusions with which I could heartily agree, and sentiments to which I could fully respond. He believed in a religion of evolution. Science exalted his conception of God, of the universe, of the nature of man, and of the grandeur of human destiny. He saw in every man the germ of immortal life, which here or hereafter was destined to be developed. He recognized law and order as the natural condition of all life, and as he saw it here, so he believed it to be hereafter; and within the stern rulings of law he saw likewise the Divine love incorporated therewith. To the great problems of the future he applied his reason, and held himself rigidly responsible to his Creator, so far as he could comprehend his laws, believing that, for perfect salvation, perfect knowledge and conscientious obedience must go hand in hand.

Taught by experience and knowledge that this life is a process of steady unfolding, tho' often accidentally and prematurely cut off, he came to the belief that it was but the beginning of an illimitable development; that progression was the law of life, and that man's highest destiny was not reached here. No adequate object was presented in the history of man, either sacred or profane, for the practice of Godgiven virtues, if death ended all. Yet the practice of these virtues alone satisfied the aspirations inborn in the human soul, growing with the spiritual growth and strengthening with the spiritual strength. Immortality alone answered his inquiries and responded to his convictions; and in this conviction, acquired thus step by step, strengthening year by year and confirmed on all sides to a firm belief, he passed beyond the confines of mortality.

OBITUARY NOTICE OF DR. F. L. MORSE.

By D. F. RUGG, M. D.

In 1868,

Dr. Frederick Langdon Morse was born in the town of Rochester, Vt., in 1847. He was the only son of Joseph L. and Eliza Chandler Morse. Besides attending the common schools he took a course at the Normal school at Randolph, also attended Barre Academy. immediately after leaving school, he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Huntington and Richmond, of Rochester, and remained with them, excepting what time was spent in attending medical lectures, until the spring of 1871. In 1871 he was married to Electa Adaline Webber, daughter of Sumner A. and Phœbe Guernsey Webber. He graduated at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1872, and about that time settled in Windsor, which place he made his home until the time of his death, excepting a short term of practice which I think was spent in some place near Boston.

He rapidly gained an enviable position as a practitioner of medicine. I shall not soon forget a remark that he made to me soon after our acquaintance, which was in 1876. He said, "It is not near so hard to attain a high professional standing in a community, as it is to maintain it." As a successful manager in the sick room he had very few equals Prepossessing in appearance, courteous and affable in his manner, he readily won the confidence and esteem of his patient. Unlike many physicians he had a special liking for the practice of obstetrics.

During a part of his life in Windsor he was quite prominent in Masonic affairs. Was a member of Vermont Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar; at one time Master of Vermont Lodge, No. 18; had attained to the 32° of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Masonry; he was a member of Windsor Lodge of Knights of Honor. His was the first death that occurred during an organization of over five years.

For about eight years he was Superintendent of the public schools in Windsor; took great interest in the subject of education, and labored faithfully for the advancement of school systems.

Three young men were students in his office, namely, Julian Pollard, Walter Bowen and William Stocker.

He joined the Vermont Medical Society at St. Albans at the semiannual meeting, June 25, 1872.

He was a communicant of the Episcopal Church at Windsor. He had great aversion to the thought of dying in winter and being laid at rest in the cold, frozen and snow-covered ground, desiring rather, that

when called to give up this life, he might find his last resting-place, when trees were green, flowers in bloom and all Nature smiling. He died June 11, 1888.

The following is from one who knew him quite intimately, and who attended at his bed-side during his last illness :—

"Dr. Morse had been suffering from a valvular disease of the heart since he was a student, and during the latter years of his life he suffered from the mental apprehension of death peculiar to his disease. His tact in the sick-room was quite remarkable, and I never saw one quicker to take in the salient features of a case. His energy in practice was exemplified by his work almost to the close of life, and his love for his profession is shown by the fact of his attendance at the Polyclinic in New York, during the last year of his life; his purchase of recent medical works and modern surgical instruments at a time when he must have known that his days for work were, indeed, few. During his days of health and strength he succeeded in a remarkable degree in holding the confidence and good will of his patients. Of his sickness and death I can say but little. When a medical man, who loves his life and work, sees and feels those grave symptoms of secondary lesions of organic heart disease, whose import he knows full well, who shall attempt to describe his feelings? I cannot. During the long weary months, with nights of wakefulness, which he described as simply horrible, with days of hope and fear and dread, I found his mind calm, clear and alert, and when the time came when hope was gone, he accepted the inevitable bravely, and, desiring the final rites of the Church, slept the sleep which knows no waking."

The following is copied from The Vermont Journal of June 23, 1888.

IN MEMORIAM.

In the death of Dr. F. L. Morse, Windsor has sustained an irreparable loss. Coming from a long line of medical ancestors, he inherited a love for and a knowledge of his profession which enabled him to attain and secure an exalted reputation for professional skill. His power

to diagnose a case was intuitive, and his successful treatment elicited admiration. Many lives have been saved and much suffering averted by his quick perception and speedy action combined. Possessing an extremely delicate organization, he was most sympathetic with all those who were suffering and afflicted. Never satisfied with the knowledge he possessed, he was diligent in studying and increasing his store of information. Repeated visits to the great center of enlightenment on special medical topics enlarged his field of usefullness and made him still more self-reliant. Among his intimate friends one of his pro