DEAR NORTH AMERICAN:

I heard to-day that one of our fraternity, who was especially elated over the work of our Committee on Legislation for the District of Columbia, had written a letter to the Century giving it all the points, and that another one equally enthusiastic, had sent a similar letter to the Southern Journal. I remember with such pleasure my recent visit to New York, that I think you ought to have a chance to announce the joyful news to the profession, therefore I will give a brief summary of the report of the work of the Committee.

First, Dr. J. B. G. Custis, representing our School, in connection with Dr. S. C. Busey representing the old School, has succeeded in having passed a bill regulating the practice of medicine in the District. We all think that they have together obtained the passage of a model bill, inasmuch as it ensures absolute equality for our School, and a standard of requirements which is uniform for all practitioners. Our Committee has secured the passage of a bill regulating medical colleges, which bill requires that all institutions not chartered by special Act of Congress, shall receive licenses from the Commissioners, which licenses can only be had after a public hearing, at which the promoters and opponents of the institution shall have an opportunity to be heard. They have also succeeded in having the Senate accept the Hahnemann Monument, and pass a bill relieving physicians of the obligation to testify in courts on professional matters.

Hoping to meet you in Detroit, I am

Each person desiring the excursion rate must purchase a first-class ticket to Detroit, paying the regular fare, and obtain from the ticket agent a certificate that such ticket has been sold him.

If the ticket agent at the place of starting be not furnished with blanks, purchase to the nearest point where such certificates can be obtained and then to Detroit.

These certificates when vised by the chairman of the committee, to whom they should be given at once on arriving in Detroit, and a special railroad agent, will entitle the holder to a return ticket at one-third the regular rate.

Certificates going may be obtained from Saturday, June 13th, to Friday, June 19th, inclusive.

The return trip may be made any day to June 29th, inclusive. Those wishing to avail themselves of the three days extension of time to July 2d, inclusive, must deposit their certificates with the special agent in Detroit. He will hold them until the day the return trip is to be made. These directions apply to members, their families and friends. No refund of fare can be expected because of failure of the parties to obtain certificates. No stop-overs allowed on return tickets.

W. A. DEWEY, Chairman.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN SYRACUSE.

SITE FOR A

NEW HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL PURCHASED
AND PLANS DISCUSSED.

EDITOR NORTH AMERICAN :

The Onondaga Homœopathic Medical Society, May fifth, celebrated in a fitting manner the completion of a round century of Homœopathic progress, and laid many tributes of love and honor upon the grave of Father Hahnemann. This date was chosen as it was the time of the regular annual meeting of the society, and the double anniversary was celebrated with all the more enthusiasm on account of the bright prospects of the new school of medicine in Central New York.

For, as has already been related in these pages, a new Homœopathic Hospital is about to be founded in this city. The association having the matter in charge is composed of about fifty of the leading business men of the city, of whose business ability and financial standing no criticism can be made. A charter has already been obtained, and every member is full of the enthusiasm born of success.

At the regular business meeting of the society, the constitution and by-laws were amended by a committee previously appointed for the purpose. The annual report of officers followed, by which it was seen that seventeen meetings of the society had been held during the previous year. The following officers were then elected: President, Dr. C. M. Lukens; Vice-President, Dr. A. G. Anthony; Secretary, Dr. W. C. Du Bois; Censors, Drs. E. H. Flint, J. W. Sheldon and Leslie Martin.

While the society was holding its meeting the trustees were busy in an adjoining room and, later announced, as the result of their session, that it had been decided to purchase a tract of twenty acres of land in the eastern part of the city as soon as satisfactory terms could be agreed upon. This has since been done, and to-day we own the most elegant, sightly, and sanitary situation for hospital purposes that could by any possible means be secured in Syracuse. Its location is only one and one-quarter miles from the center of the city, and in securing this site the management has made, according to the unanimous verdict of the profession, a most perfect choice.

Following these business meetings all adjourned to the dining rooms of the Vanderbildt where the trustees were assembled as the guests of the physicians.

Following the banquet, which seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all, Dr. C. D. Hale, as toast-master, called upon the retiring president, Dr. B. W. Sherwood, who responded to the toast, "Homœopathic Organizations." The speaker brought the fact from medical history, that upon the old school, alone, belonged the blame of our being sectarian, and traced the history of our organized growth from 1844, when. was organized the American Institute of Homœopathy, that stands to-day the oldest national organization in the United States down to the present day with our two hundred national, district and county homœopathic societies.

To Dr. J. W. Sheldon was given the subject so full of past, present and future interest, "Samuel Hahnemann." In a lengthy address he reviewed the life of this great medical genius from his birth, speaking of his trials and persecutions and ultimate triumph.

"Women as Physicians was briefly but neatly responded to by Dr. Addie Dake. Aside from woman's central position as mother and home maker she claimed no sphere in life could be more aptly filled by her than that of the physician.

"Our Homœopathic Medical Colleges" were ably represented by Dr. J. W. Candee. Whatever we, as Homœopaths, have undertaken, we have engaged to win, and in no sphere has this been more true than with our colleges. He traced their growth from the first, sixty years ago, until to-day, when we have a choice of twenty to which to send our students. He pointed with satisfaction to the high percentages obtained by our students in the examinations required by the Medical Examiners of New York.

Dr. A. B. Kinne gave his ideas of a model "Homœopathic Hospital ” in responding to that toast. The first requisite was the united, harmonious support of every physician in the territory to be benefited. This in the present has been secured to a remarkable degree. He spoke of its surroundings upon a lot large enough to ensure pure air for every bed, perfect sanitary appointments, heating, ventilation, etc. He then mentioned a few statistics showing the admirable results already obtained in other cities in hospitals controlled by our school.

Dr. W. L. Hartman, of Clyde, responded in a few well-chosen words upon "Surgery,'' showing how, because a man has a knowledge of and a belief in the value of homœopathic medicine, it did not indicate that he knew nothing of the many other branches of medical study.

"Specialties and Homœopathic Practice' was responded to by Dr. E. Elmer Keeler, who pointed out the reasons why a homœopathic specialist, having the use of every method known to the old school in addition to the incomparable resources of the homoeopathic materia medica, should and does succeed in curing many cases declared incurable by specialists of the old school.

Mr. E. A. Powell, Vice-President of the Board of Trustees, presented a paper containing many indisputable arguments in favor of the establish

ment in Syracuse of a new hospital to be under the control of the more advanced school of medicine.

In the few moments allotted him, Dr. E. O. Kinne gave an exceedingly witty résumé of "One Hundred Years of Homœopathy." He ended by prophesying even greater victories in the coming century than in the past, and urged every physician to work together for the upbuilding of humanity, for "anything done for a fellow-man raises a monument more lasting than granite."

Next month the initial meeting of the Central New York MedicoChirurgical Society will be held at the rooms of the Syracuse Homœopathic Free Dispensary. In this society it is hoped to include every new school physician in those counties of which Syracuse is the natural center. An interesting programme, both gastronomic and intellectual, is being planned.

SYRACUSE, N. Y.

E. E. K.

BOOK REVIEWS.

A REPERTORY OF HERING'S GUIDING SYMPTOMS OF OUR MATERIA MEDICA. By Calvin B. Knerr. Philadelphia, F. A. Davis Co., 1896, Pp. 1232.

This repertory is prepared to be a "Repertory" of clinical verifications represented by Hering's "Guiding Symptoms. The order of arrangement or method of classification followed in the compilation of this repertory is the one inaugurated by Hahnemann, developed, perfected and used by Hering throughout his entire materia medica work, viz: the anatomical or regional division into forty-eight chapters. The division of the page into double columns is most convenient to the eye and is most advantageous to economy of space. The repertory was compiled by Dr. C. B. Knerr, who edited the "Guiding Symptoms." Much of the proof reading was done by Dr. Joseph C. Guernsey who needs no introduction to the homoeopathic profession. Emphasis is marked by the black line used throughout Hering's works. A careful explanation of the arrangement is given in the book and it is furnished with a copious index of subjects where the pages are indicated. The book is finely printed and bound and will prove of great value to every homoeopathic physician.

A MANUAL OF THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. By George Roe Lockwood, M.D., Professor of Practice in the Women's Medical College of the New York Infirmary, etc. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 925 Walnut St., 1896, Pp. 935.

This manual presents in a concise and available form the essential facts and principles of the practice of medicine. While these conpends can never take the place of larger and more complete works yet they are needed and serve a useful purpose. Dr. Lockwood has succeeded admirably in condensation and has not, as happens in some cases, sacrificed clearness to brevity. In his arrangement he has followed that of Osler with but little modification. The volume contains a number of illustrations in the text and twenty-two full page colored plates. An excellent index concludes the book.

PREGNANCY, LABOR AND THE PUERPERAL STATE. By Egbert H. Grandin, M.D., Consulting Obstetric Surgeon to the New York Maternity Hospital, and George W. Jarman, M.D., Obstetric Surgeon to the New York Maternity Hospital. Philadelphia: The F. A. Davis Co., 1896. Pp. 261.

This is a concise and practical text-book intended for the general practitioner. It aims at being a guide to practice. It is clinical in its teaching. The purpose of the authors has been to found direct statements on facts. Anatomical and embryological and pathological data are inserted only where essential. Wherever there appears ground for difference of opinion as to fact, that which preponderates is given even though liable to change. The book is illustrated with forty-one photographic plates and is well bound.

TWENTIETH CENTURY PRACTICE. An International Encyclopedia of Modern Medical Science. By Leading Authorities in Europe and America. Edited by Thomas L. Stedman, M. D. In twenty volumes. Vol. V., Diseases of the Skin. William Wood & Co., New York, 1896. Pp. 905.

Volume V. of this series follows volume VI. owing to unavoidable delay in the preparation of the book. The work opens with a lecture by Dr. C. W. Allen, of New York, on the " Anatomy of the Skin and its Appendages." Dr. L. Duncan Bulkley, the well-known New York specialist, contributes the next chapter entitled "Parasitic Diseases." Two important sections are furnished by Dr. H. H. Whitehouse, of New York, "Erythematous Affections, " and "Bulbous Affections." Nearly one hundred pages are occupied with Dr. James Nevins Hyde's account of Eczema and Dermatitis, Squamous Affections," and "Phlegmonous and Ulcerative Affections,'' and fully treated by H. Radcliffe Crocker, M. D., of London; “Papular Affections" are discussed by L. Brocq, M. D., of Paris; Arthur Van Harlingen, M. D., tells about "Diseases of the Sebaceous Glands "; Douglas W. Montgomery, M. D., of San Francisco, contributes the section on "Diseases of the Hair and Nails"; "Benign Neoplasms," is the subject given to John T. Bowen, of Boston, and the book closes with a section on "Dermatoneuroses," by H.Leloir, M.D., of Lille. The sections and authors just given afford a very good notion of the classification and style of the book. It is thoroughly up to date, and while conservative in tone throughout contains the results of all recent and important researches.

PRINCIPLES OF SURGERY. By N. Senn, M.D., LL. D., Professor of Surgery and Clinical Surgery in Rush Medical College, Chicago, etc., etc. Second edition. Thoroughly revised. The F. A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, 1896. Pp. 656.

It is not so very long ago that the first edition of this work was noticed in this journal and we are not surprised that a second edition has been required so promptly. It is a valuable book-one that no surgeon or physician can read without increasing his knowledge and feeling an aroused interest in professional work. A number of new topics have been inserted and many of the chapters have been enlarged. More than fifty new illustrations have been added, and the book contains 178 new engravings and colored plates.

A MANUAL OF SYPHILIS AND THE VENEREAL DISEASES. By James Nevins Hyde, A.M., M.D., and Frank H. Montgomery, M.D. W. B. Saunders, Phila. Pp. 618. According to the preface this work is intended for the student and practitioner rather than the expert. While the book has little which is new to advance, it gives a very complete and accurate resume of the subject in a well arranged and compendious form. The first half of the work is devoted to syphilis, the account of which is excellently arranged for