provement in the science, shall correspond with the progress of our race in all that is great and worthy of the age, and here, perhaps, is one of the advantages, by no means the least, which will attend the associating of members of the profession; that it will elevate and enlarge the estimate of the work in which we are engaged, and make it appear as it truly is, worthy of the time and the energy of the most highly gifted minds. Properly considered, no pursuit has a more direct and powerful tendency to call forth the mental powers, and task them to the utmost of their capacities: comprising as the knowledge and practice of medicine does, both science and art, it is highly important, that there be a union and concentration of the various talents within the precincts of the profession. This can be done in no other way so well as by the combination of those who may be led by their different tastes or habits, or indications of duty, to pursue one or another of these branches with more zeal and earnestness. One man may have his mind directed to a particular subject, to which his peculiar mental constitution is especially adapted, and after having dwelt upon it with assiduity for years, accumulated facts and made generalizations, he can in one hour, communicate the result of all his labor to assembled members of a Society, saving time and labor for each member, equal to that which it has cost himself. Thus are brought into the common stock the gatherings of each; and not only is the sum total made larger, but a common interest is imparted and a truer sympathy is awakened, among all who arrive at the same grand result. effect too, upon personal character of a well-regulated, well-attended Medical Association is not to be overlooked, but the greatest inducement which can be held out to unite an associaton of this kind, is the improvement of its members in the knowledge of their profession.

The

Much may be acquired by reading, much by the careful observations, properly recorded of what comes under the

eye and hand of each practitioner, and those who silently cultivate science have a high claim to our respect; but that these solitary studies may be available for practical purposes, their results must be imparted to others. This can be done by the press, but if first presented to living, talking men, assembled for the purpose of hearing and conferring, impressions will be made, thought. excited, and errors corrected or truths confirmed by the action of different minds. The debate upon points of difficulty and upon diverse theories, will do much to awaken a spirit of inquiry. The very excitement of coming together, quickening mind and stimulating activity, will be of great use, especially for those who are in the beginning of their

career.

I am sure that for some of us to attend these meetings a degree of effort is necessary, and some sacrifice is unavoidable. The country practitioner, particularly, must lose more time, and be at more expense, but he will receive many enjoyments and advantages from meeting with his professional brethren. The dull uniformity of the drudging toil of a country town is pleasantly broken up, and he abandons for a few hours the confined ideas of a limited circle, who are unable to enter into his professional feelings, to mingle with those who can appreciate his aspirations, and returns to his course of duties with broader and more enlightened views, it may be, or at least cheered by the sympathy of those engaged in the same pursuit in which he is engaged. As the long continued gentle exercise of any one of the senses, like that of watching the graceful moving of a field of grain, or listening to the murmur of streams, produces sleep, so does the undisturbed routine of professional duties induce intellectual somnolence in him who plods his daily round, unthoughtful of all besides the few familiar faces, objects and scenes which pass monotonously before him. He needs the stimulus of collision with those who have taken

different or even similar views with himself upon subjects which they have separately studied, to awaken him from his aimless day-dreams.

"For ground in yonder social mill

We rub each other's angles down."

And in this friction with other minds flashes may be thrown off which will kindle ideas and give him subjects for agreeable and profitable meditation long after his return to his comparatively solitary life, and will reward him by brightening many an hour of depression. For as iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. And so, friends and fellow workers, let us sharpen our wits on this occasion by a hearty participation in all that can help us in our work. You come to us laden with the treasures of ideas or experience which another year has brought you. Some best fitted for it by circumstances or tastes, bring us scientific research; some ripe with experience come to us from hospital practice; some having the gift of the silvery tongue, come to charm us with your eloquence; and others come as learners now, who shall in future years be the leaders of these councils. We need you all. We have plodded through the year in storm and cold, in heat and moisture, sometimes jubilant, often discouraged. And you, as our guests, shall infuse into us new enthusiasm and hearty good cheer. Let our deliberations be so wisely ordered that each moment may be a jewel in our memories.

Not within my recollection have we had the pleasure of this Society meeting in our city, and we sincerely hope and trust that this meeting may prove a pleasant and profitable one, that shall result in making every one of us better fitted for the duties of our profession, and that more than ever we shall feel the importance of attending, even at some sacrifice, the meetings of our State Medical Society.

As Citizens of Minneapolis we also greet you; we are proud of our State, of her boundless prairies, and her myriads of lakes; of her charming climate; her schools and her colleges; all these you share with us; but above all we take pride in our beautiful city. It is not my province to inflict upon you statistics concerning our mills and manufactories, to tell you of our wonderful growth and prosperity, or to enlarge upon the brilliant future before us. All these you may see for yourselves. But let me assure you, as her representative on this occasion, that Minneapolis welcomes ever, and with all her heart, whatever of art, science, or culture, the world may send her. And gentlemen, as members of a most noble profession, she welcomes you.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

Gentlemen:

Custom demands that the President of this Association shall address you at each annual meeting, upon some topic or topics of prevailing interest to the profession.

I purpose treating briefly of some topics of special interest to us, and shall yield our valuable time for Committee reports.

The last year has been an epoch to the profession of Minnesota. Since our last meeting the American Medical Association have held one of the greatest and most interesting sessions of its existence. The profession of this State owe a lasting debt of gratitude to the medical gentlemen of St. Paul, who spent their valuable time and contributed to every detail of the success of that gathering. But a very small number of that learned body had ever visited the Northwest before, and without exception returned to their homes astounded at the magnitude and natural resources of this great empire and with a deep debt of gratitude to the people for their unbounded and unprecedented hospitality.

The generosity of our railway corporations did more to advertise the natural resources of this section than any other factor, and I feel that I but echo the sentiment of every member of this Society in thanking the profession of St. Paul and the managers of the different lines of transportation for contributing so greatly to the success of that meeting.