*

be thoroughly and impartially tested. Aided by their judgment, and seconded by the untiring energy and patriotism of our deservedly popular Surgeon-General, he has, by a wise exercise of the appointing power, made the name of Massachusetts surgeons honorable throughout the length and breadth of the land; and has added another to the already numerous proofs as well of his enlightened appreciation of the benefits of thorough scientific training, as of his conscientious and consistent devotion to the cause of humanity.

To one, especially, of our numbert does the nation owe a large debt of gratitude for the perseverance with which, through evil report and good report, amid endless discouragements and deep personal affliction, he has steadfastly and unswervingly labored for the humane object of mitigating some of the dreadful horrors of the battle-field by the organization of an improved system for ministering promptly to the necessities of the wounded. It is to the noble earnestness and zeal of our honored associate, more perhaps than to any other agency, that the public interest has at length become aroused, and the establishment of a uniform and efficient ambulance system, as it were, forced upon the action of Congress.

Nor should we overlook the valuable yet unobtrusive services rendered by others of our number as agents of those great national charities, the UnitedStates and Western Sanitary Commissions. 1 will not parade the names of the gentlemen of this So

*WILLIAM J. DALE, M.D.

HENRY I. BOWDITCH, M.D.

ciety who have promptly responded to calls made by these organizations for professional services at a time when the machinery of the medical department of the army was as yet inadequate to its task; repairing at once to the scene of most urgent need, and cheerfully performing whatever work came first to hand. The good they accomplished is their sufficient reward.

In connection with the Sanitary Commission, it is our grateful task to record the lasting gratitude of the nation to its women for their untiring efforts in behalf of suffering humanity. The value of their example is above all estimate: but of the extent of their labors some approximation may be gathered from a recently published statement of the UnitedStates Sanitary Commission,-that the contributions of hospital-stores to this charity alone have amounted to no less than seven millions of dollars; and this in addition to large donations of money, and to immense contributions distributed through other public and private agencies. This was before the recent unexampled contributions from the great fairs held in all our large cities, which have already swelled the amount to several millions more than that stated.

One of the sad duties assigned to the orator of this occasion is to recall the labors and record the virtues of those of our number who have died during the past year.

Since our last meeting, thirty-eight members of this Society, some of them among the most distinguished in their generation, have finished their work on earth, and now rest from their labors.

One, an ex-President and most distinguished officer of this Society, of which he had been for more than half a century a fellow, ever laboring earnestly and efficiently in furtherance of its interests and in support of its dignity, in turn an honored and learned instructor and fellow of our University, having filled with distinction many high public trusts, was suddenly taken in the full activity of a ripe but vigorous age.

Another, whose sudden death we also mourn, long a successful and beloved practitioner in a neighboring city, and having but yesterday, as it were, come among us, had already won the esteem and love of every one, by the display, in a rare degree, of those highest moral and intellectual qualities which characterize the wise and skilful physician and the true Christian patriot.

A third, an honorary member of this Society, a native of Boston, and a graduate of Harvard, for many years a resident of London, where he had gained high distinction as well for his professional skill as for his eminent scientific attainments, had endeared himself to thousands of his countrymen by his kindly manners and considerate attentions. Although resident abroad for nearly fifty years, how many among us feel in his death the loss of a personal friend as well as of a most distinguished member of our profession!

GEORGE HAYWARD, M.D., late Professor of Surgery and Clinical Surgery in Harvard University, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society, &c., died Oct. 5, 1863.

JOHN CALL DALTON, M.D., died Jan. 8, 1864.

FRANCIS BOOTT, M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, VicePresident of the Linnean Society, &c., died Dec. 25, 1863.

And, lastly, within the past month, yet another of our most honored associates, a late President of this Society, and for more than a quarter of a century Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in our school, has been suddenly called to another and higher sphere of labor. Eminent as a teacher for the soundness of his reasoning and the judicious moderation of his views, his precepts have left a deep and enduring impression on the minds of a whole generation of followers. Distinguished in his professional relations for lofty integrity of purpose, eminent fairness in discussion, and modest confidence in the expression of his carefully matured opinions, he gained the affection and respect of his younger brethren by his uniform kindness of manner, and considerate regard for their interests.

In recalling the memories of our departed friends, we are insensibly led to consider a few of the causes which helped to raise them to the eminent social and professional stations they so worthily adorned; and, for an enumeration of the qualities most essential to success in the practice of the healing art, I know of no writings, which, for quaint appropriateness, compare with the ancient Hindu "Shastras," or sacred books of medicine.† The quaintness of the few extracts, with which I conclude, will be readily excused in view of their remarkable good sense and high moral tone.

* JOHN WARE, M.D., late Hersey Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society, &c., died April 29, 1864.

+ See "Commentary on the Hindu System of Medicine." By T. A. WISE, M.D. Calcutta: 1845.

"The scholar, on beginning his lessons, must thenceforth discard lust, anger, covetousness, ignorance, laziness, vanity, pride, envy, revenge, cruelty, lying, and evil actions. He must always be engaged in the search after truth, and in the performance of good actions; he must be clean in his person, must harbor no bad thoughts, must be moderate in the indulgence of the appetites, and must be contented with a small recompense; he must avoid bad company, and avoid entering a house as a medical man without an invitation."

"He must study the 'Shastras' with care; but if a physician does not know, or does not follow, the precepts of the 'Shastras,' he will be like a thief, and will commit as great a sin as beating a Brahman."

"The physician should possess a healthy body; he should keep his nails and beard short, his body pure, his clothes clean, and wear shoes and a small turban. He should carry an umbrella and stick in his hand." "He should study to remove curable diseases, but should avoid treating healthy persons."

"The physician must have practised his profession as well as have studied the 'Shastras.' "Without such a knowledge of books, he will be confused, will be a great sinner, and should be capitally punished by the rajah. On the other hand, a want of practical knowledge will impede his advancement, and his senses will be bewildered when called upon to treat acute diseases." "A physician, if he is to acquire celebrity, must still daily endeavor to improve his mind by an attentive perusal of scientific books. If such a physician does not gain money, it is his own fault."