bringing under the consideration of the Fellows the nature of this relation between the ovarian and uterine organs, and the organs of sensation and voluntary motion throughout the whole human frame. I have no theory to propose for the explanation of these phenomena.

April 25, 1871.

THOMAS BLIZARD CURLING, F.R.S., President, in the Chair.

Present-59 Fellows and 29 visitors.

Books were presented from Mr. Brodhurst, Sir William Fergusson, Sir Henry Holland, the Governor of Bethlem Hospital, and the " Société Medicale de la Suisse Romande."

Dr. Arthur Julius Pollock was admitted a Fellow of the Society.

The following communication was read:

On a Series of Cases in which Chancres have followed Vaccination. By JONATHAN HUTCHINSON, F.R.C.S., Surgeon to the London Hospital, and to the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, Moorfields. (Received April 11, 1871.)

(Abstract.)

ON the 7th February thirteen persons (young adults) were vaccinated from the arm of a healthy-looking infant. All, except one, had normal vaccine vesicles, which healed well. In all, except two, indurated chancres have since developed in the

vaccination scars. In nearly all, the scar began to inflame and harden during the fifth or sixth week. Several of them have two or three chancres.

The infant (vaccinifer) now has condylomata at the anus, and is beginning to waste (age six months). She is undoubtedly the subject of inherited syphilis, the taint having been latent at the time of vaccination.

None of those vaccinated have as yet shown any persistent secondary rash, but several have been feverish for a day or two, and have had transitory roseola. In all, the sores are disappearing under mercurial treatment.

The two who escaped the syphilitic contagion were the two first vaccinated, and probably they received pure lymph, whilst the others received the blood as well. It is known that the vaccinifer's spots bled during the vaccination.

The inferences from the cases were-1. That the blood of a child in the latent stage of inherited syphilis is capable of producing primary syphilitic sores in its recipients, and is indeed remarkably efficient as a means of contagion. 2. That the vaccine virus itself, even when taken from a syphilitic subject, produces nothing but the true vaccine disease. 3. That the two poisons may be conveyed (in two fluids) at the same time, and may each produce its specific effects.

After a few words from the President upon the importance of the paper and the serious character of its subject, a discussion ensued, in which Dr. Bakewell, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. De Meric, Mr. Brudenell Carter, Dr. Drysdale, and Mr. Simon took part, and which, on the motion of Mr. Henry Lee, seconded by Mr. B. Carter, was adjourned till the next ordinary meeting on May 9th.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.

Monday, May 8, 1871.
At 5 o'clock p.m.

THOMAS BLIZARD CURLING, F.R.S., President, in the Chair.

Present-21 Fellows.

The President addressed the meeting, and desired the Secretary to read the circular summoning the meeting, which had been sent round to the Fellows:

"53, Berners Street, April 26th, 1871.

"SIR,-We are desired by the Council to inform you that a Special General Meeting of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society will be held on Monday, the 8th of May, at 5 p.m. precisely, to consider the Recommendations of the Council for providing further accommodation for the Society's Library, by building an additional Reading Room at the back of the present Meeting Room, &c., &c.

"We have the honour to be, Sir,

"Your obedient servants,

"THOMAS BLIZARD CURLING, President. "EDMUND SYMES THOMPSON,

"THOMAS SMITH, Secretaries.

"An abstract of the Reports of the Committee appointed to consider the subject, with their recommendations and Plans of the proposed alterations, will be laid on the Library table a week before the meeting for the inspection of the Fellows."

The Secretary then read the Reports of the Committees appointed by the Council to consider the best means of providing increased library accommodation.

VOL. VI.

28

Mr. C. Brooke rose and gave details and explanations, additional to those already in the Report, of the reasons which had led the Committee to recommend the building of the New Reading Room, and the other alterations mentioned in the Reports, and concluded by moving the following resolution :

"That the Council be authorised to carry out, with such modifications as may be thought necessary, the plan for enlarging the Society's premises brought before the meeting this day."

This motion was seconded by Mr. John Birkett, who gave some details showing the difficulties that would be met with in any attempt to move to other premises, and the prosperous financial condition of the Society, which would enable them to carry out the proposed alterations with very little assistance from the funded capital of the Society.

A discussion ensued, in which Mr. Charles Hawkins advocated the carrying out of a former scheme for the enlargement of the Meeting Room, and Dr. Hare spoke in favour of a movement for the erection of a large central and more important building for all the Societies. Dr. Stewart spoke in favour of the proposed plans; and after short replies from Mr. Brooke and Mr. Birkett, the President put the motion from the chair, and it was carried nearly unanimously, one hand only being held up against it.

May 9, 1871.

THOMAS BLIZARD CURLING, F.R.S., President, in the Chair.

Present-72 Fellows and 33 visitors.

Books were presented from Dr. Lionel Beale, Mr. J. D. Hill, Dr. Benj. Howard (of New York), Professor F. Rizzoli (of Bologna), and Mons. S. Zennaro (of Constantinople).

Dr. Thomas Lauder Brunton was admitted a Fellow of the Society.

Dr. Hughlings Jackson and Dr. William Rutherford were proposed for election as Fellows of the Society.

The President stated at the commencement of the meeting that the Council had decided to appoint a Committee to investigate the cases brought forward at the last meeting, to which Mr. Hutchinson had readily assented.

The Secretary then read a supplementary communication from Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson on the subject of Chancres following Vaccination, giving the particulars of some additional cases, and a report of the previous ones down to a more recent date. At its conclusion the adjourned discussion on the first paper read on April 25 was resumed by Mr. Henry Lee, who, during his remarks, also introduced a case which had just occurred in his practice. The succeeding speakers were Mr. Cooper Forster, Dr. West, Dr. O'Connor, Mr. Hulke, Dr. Drysdale, Mr. Thomas Smith, Dr. Anstie, Dr. Althaus, Mr. Berkeley Hill, Mr. Maunder, Mr. Barwell,