The following were proposed as permanent members: Samuel Tibbets, M. D., Kirkwood, Ill.; G. M. Chamberlain, M. D., Chicago; C. G. Simmons, M. D., Chicago; Charles W. Chaffee, M. D., Chicago; William M. Kaull, M. D., Princeton, Ill.; James H. Wallace, M. D., Monmouth, Ill.; John A. Meek, M. D., Jonesboro, Ind.; Josiah Rogers, M. D., Ripon, Wis.

Both reports were received, and the members declared elected as proposed.

The Secretary stated that the only reports as to necrology were those received from the States of Indiana, Maryland, and Missouri, and from the United States army. He moved the reference of the reports received to the Committee on Publication, which was ordered.

The Committee on Prize Essay reported that but one essay had been placed in its possession in time to permit of a reasonable examination, and that they do not consider it entitled to the prize. Another was received only a few day before the opening of the present session, and, as they had not been able to examine it, they recommended that the author be permitted to withdraw it and present it at the next meeting. The report was adopted.

The Judicial Council reported in regard to several cases before them of disputes as to representation, recommending in the case of the dispute between the Arkansas State Medical Society and the Arkansas State Medical Association, which was decided in favor of the former last year, that no further action be taken, and that the application for the admission of a delegate from the latter body be refused. They also reported favorably on the admission of delegates from the Branch County Medical Society of Michigan, and against the admission of a delegate from the Hendricks County Medical Society. In the matter of certain charges made by Dr. G. E. Frothingham against the Michigan State Medical Society and against Drs. Foster Pratt, of Kalamazoo, and G. K. Johnson, of Grand Rapids, the Committee reported that the charges had no bearing on the professional character of the defendants, and should therefore be dismissed. All the reports were accepted.

The Committee on Publication reported as follows: Your Committee is constrained to acknowledge that the late date which the volume for 1876 (Vol. XXVII. of the series) was issued needs explanation. The delay of a few months subsequent to the annual meeting is, of course, due to the fact, to which attention has many times been called, that the edition which it is proper to print cannot be arrived at except by means of answers to circulars sent to the members. It is unpleasant to find fault at all, but to be compelled to complain of annually recurring neglect, if not of downright inefficiency, is an exceedingly ungracious task. The Committee of Publication is profoundly convinced that the proceedings of a medical body like that of the American Medical Association can be adequately reported by men of medical education alone. No skill or training can compensate for the lack of this qualification. And yet for years past the Committee has been annually delayed by a mass of copy prepared by professional reporters, of which a large portion has been undecipherable, and of course unfit to be put into the hands of the printer. We allude to the copy furnished for the minutes of the sections. In this copy medical terms were misspelt in instances without number, while in equally numerous instances gaps represented the words which the reporters were unable to catch or to understand. Sometimes the confusion thus produced was of the most perplexing character. In fact, had it not been for the kind co-operation of several members who had attended the last session of the Association, and who had participated in the discussions, the Committee of Publication would have been forced to eliminate paragraph after paragraph from the minutes. To these causes the delay in the issue of the volume has been principally due, and in view of them the Committee thinks it can consistently claim the indulgence of the Association. The prize essay was put through the press as promptly as the very elaborate character of the work permitted. Of Vol. XXVII., 1,250 copies were printed, 1,207 copies distributed to members, and 43 copies are on hand. Of the prize essay 1,250 copies were printed, of which 1,067 have been distributed, leaving 183 on hand.

The report was referred to the Committee on Publication. The Treasurer reported as follows:

Under the positive instruction of the Association the prize essay has been published at a cost of some $6,000. This unusual outlay, in addition to the annual volume of transactions, leaves the Treasury in an exhausted condition, as it has practically given to each member $9 in value for $5 received. In this last report, after twenty-two years of service, it remains for the Treasurer to thank the Association for its long-continued confidence, and to regret that in leaving the Treasury solvent he cannot leave a more abundant surplus.

It was stated that the Treasury now contains a balance of $172.72. This report was also referred to the Committee on Publication.

Dr. Erzra M. Hunt, of N. J., Chairman of the Section on State Medicine and Public Hygiene, read a paper in regard to the use of vaccination and inoculation in zymotic diseases. He argued that the good effects shown in the case of small-pox tended to show that there was strong reason to believe it to be applicable to all zymotic diseases. He believed that it was possible, by energetic preventive measures, to practically remove these diseases, and contended for a more efficient sanitary police. If municipalities would furnish means, Boards of Health could go for epidemical disease in as systematic a way as a fireengine went to a fire, and could as effectually stamp it out. Public hygiene received much greater attention in England than in this country, and engaged the attention of many of her most prominent scientific men. There is no better way to train the medical student than to familiarize him with the methods of the best sanitary records. In conclusion, the lecturer urged upon all medical colleges to pay greater attention to the subject of public hygiene, and to make its study a part of the college curriculum. He believed that in the time to come, by paying the strictest attention to sanitary principles, disease might be almost entirely prevented, and instead of needing two Pharmacopoeias they would beable to dispense with any. There was no fear, however, that Othello's occupation would be gone, but the profession would become a preventive force.

The paper, which was well received, was ordered referred to the appropriate Section.

The Secretary read the report of the Librarian, as follows: During the past year, as shown by the catalogue, there have been added to the library 187 distinct titles, exclusive of yearly volumes of transactions of societies, reports of hospitals, boards of health, and volumes of medical journals, where these have been previously catalogued as distinct titles. This addition makes the library to consist at present of 817 distinct titles, which comprehend from a general estimate about 2,034 volumes, inclusive of pamphlets. In the catalogue will be found the names of forty-six American medical periodicals and nine American, national and State, medical societies, which, agreeably to previous resolutions adopted by this Association, send their publications in exchange for the yearly volume of Transactions. It is to be regretted that the list does not comprise all similar institutions in the United States, but as year by year, as shown by the Treasurer's report, renders previous volumes of the Transactions difficult to obtain, these institutions will no doubt endeavor to secure copies for their libraries in due season. It is exceedingly perplexing to the Librarian to have a State Society, for instance, on ascertaining that it needs a set of the Transactions of this Association, offer to exchange its own publications therefor, and to be obliged to reply that ten out of the twenty-seven annual volumes are out of print, and that it is impossible to supply them. All of these institutions have in previous years been duly notified of the objects, aims, and wants of this library. A change of officers may, in some instances, have caused these notifications to be overlooked or neglected. It is in the department of foreign exchanges that the library is reaping its most valuable benefits. With the number of volumes (100) now allowed yearly for that purpose, in time all foreign institutions which issue publications of interest to medical men, and which desire to exchange, may reasonably be expected to be included in the annual catalogue of additions to the library, In establishing this system, some of the volumes sent out will probably not be honored by a suitable return, but this is unavoidable, and year

by year these institutions will be eliminated from the list. Here follows a catalogue of the books received during the year, and a statement of small expenses incurred amounting to $37.20.

The report was referred for publication.

Dr. E. R. Squibb, of New York, then resumed the reading of his paper on the revision of the United States Pharmacopoeia. The advantages of his plan were detailed at great length, and several communications from leading medical authorities were read. By a vote taken on the previous day, Dr. Squibb was limited to twenty minutes in order to allow the opponents of the proposed measure to have a show. On motion, this vote was reconsidered, the lecturer having just about gotten to the beginning of his discourse when his time ran out. The vote was close, but enough to give him another twenty minutes, and he ran merrily along for that time. In summing up the lecturer said that there were two points to consider: first, whether the medical society desired to change its Pharmacopoeia or not, and if so, who had the power to decide as to how the revision should be made. The Association had three courses before it. The whole subject might be laid on the table, and this would be most acceptable to the speaker, who would thus be freed from all further responsibility in regard to a much disputed question, the discussion of which had already developed much personal feeling. In the second place, they might prepare a plan and offer it to the profession, allowing it to stand upon its merits. And in the third place, they might appoint through the Nominating Committee, a committee of three to prepare a report for presentation at the meeting next year. He would be glad to listen to discussion, and suggested that it be confined to a consideration of these three points. He moved, therefore, that the whole subject be laid upon the table.

This method of promoting discussions did not exactly meet the views of the audience, and was withdrawn.

NOMINATIONS.

The Chairman of the Committee on nominations offered a partial report, and asked a temporary change in the order for