have so far proved disappointing, I would only mention the modern treatment of cancer by the use of toxins of erysipelas. Having experimented diligently with the toxin and without other effect save to prove their general inefficiency, I am compelled to say that in most respects the treatment has proved a disappointment, the results in most of the cases under my observation having been negative, while for every instance in which more or less benefit has resulted I could bring two or three to bear in which positive injury has resulted. It may be, however, that we are on the right track in this matter or near it, and need mainly to enlarge our observation and still further use our reason. SECTION ON MEDICINE AND OBSTETRICS. OFFICERS: CHAS. W. HITCHCOCK, Detroit, Chairman. ANDREW J. BIDDLE, Detroit, Secretary. ERNEST L. SHURLY, Detroit, Orator. SECRETARY'S MINUTES. FIRST DAY, THURSDAY, MAY 13th. 2 O'CLOCK P. M. The section was called to order by the chairman. were read and discussed: The following papers PREVENTIVE MEDICINE. Duty of Governments Towards the Individual, Sidney I. Small, Saginaw. Marriage in Relation to Preventive Medicine, F. W. Mann, Detroit. Discussion opened by Henry B. Baker, Lansing. The Influence of Fresh Air in Acute Diseases, Walter H. Sawyer, Hillsdale. SECOND DAY, FRIDAY, MAY 14th. 9 O'CLOCK A. M. Notes from My Casebook, Heneage Gibbes, Ann Arbor.. Report of a Case of (a) Splenic Pseudo-leukemia; (b) Genito-urinary Tuberculosis; necropsy; (c) Tuberculosis of Lungs, Hip Joint, Spine, Testicles and Inguinal Glands, Herbert M. King, Grand Rapids. AFTERNOON SESSION-2 O'CLOCK. The first order of business was the election of officers which resulted as follows: Chairman-George Dock, Ann Arbor. The following papers were read and discussed: Tuberculosis, E. M. Houghton, Detroit. The Differential Diagonsis Between Malarial Fever and Typhoid Fever, John F. Jenkins, Tecumseh. Asthma, W. Warren, Detroit. An Easy Way to Learn the Anatomy of the Brain by the Aid of Generalization -Illustrated. William Fuller, Grand Rapids. Functional Gastric Diseases and Their Treatment, Elmer S. Pettyjohn, Alma. Adjourned. ANDREW J. BIDDLE, Secretary. DUTY OF GOVERNMENT TOWARD THE INDIVIDUAL. SIDNEY I. SMALL, M. D., Saginaw. In the work of preventing disease, whether epidemic or sporadic, much can, and of necessity must be done under the direction of the government-general, state and local, and the question naturally follows how far may government interfere with the liberty of the individual in order to protect the people. I believe it is a principle of common law that a man has the right to act in accordance with his own opinions so long as his actions do not work harm to his fellow man; and, if the converse be true, then until human nature is very different from what it is now it is necessary to have some guide other than personal inclinations; and the nearer to the individual the governing power is the better will be the results. Considering the local government, we notice first the necessity of one whose duty it should be to look after sanitary matters—a health officer in fact. The appointment should be on account of a peculiar fitness for the position, and not as a reward for work done for the dominant party. Beside having a knowledge of sanitary science he should be a man of tact and good sense. He should be an intermediate agent between the administration and the public, aiding the former in their work by reports, suggestions and technical knowledge, and so conducting himself in his communication with the people that instead of regarding his work an infringement of their rights and personal liberties they would see it in the true light of a public good, and, instead of antagonizing, be ready to aid him to the extent of their ability. He should be able to conduct a proper inspection of foods, decide upon the potability of drinking water, give advice in matters of ventilation and sewerage-in short, give advice in all matters pertaining to hygiene and the prevention of disHe should be empowered to visit the schools, examine cases of suspected disease in the pupils, and, acting with the advice of the board of health, suspend from attendance any one whose condition of health or morals renders him a dangerous associate for his school-mates. ease. He should receive a salary commensurate to his duties. We pay a man to superintend the construction and repair of streets and to look after the water supply-we pay a physician to attend to the sick poor-why not pay one to teach people how to keep well? I do not know what is the average salary of the health officer in the larger towns. In Saginaw we pay $60 a year. In some places I am told they pay less, and in some even nothing, and no doubt receive full equivalent. The public do not appreciate the work which should be done by this officer. I say which should be done for there is a wonderful difference between what is and what ought to be. In some towns he is recognized only because the law compels his existence, while his duties are delegated to a policeman or some other person who has as little comprehension of the laws of sanitation as a ward politician has of the principles of statesmanship. If you have not already done so, I wish you would read Sec. 1 of Act 137 of the Laws of 1883, defining a portion of his duties, then add what your own good sense tells you might be properly added, and then think of a competent man accepting the office for the honor attached and five dollars a month. There should be an enforcement of laws already passed in regard to inspection of foods. Not in the slipshod manner too often practiced, after a previous hint that the health officer may be expected about this time, but the milk vendor |