creates a painful absence in the vacant chair of the society convocated, once occupied by the manly form, cheerful face, and willing heart; still it inspires us with pleasure to contemplate that he, who is no more, was a lover of truth-one who as dearly cherished the honor and true nobility of his profession as he avowedly hated the falsification and charlatanry of the mercenary and the vile.

NEWVILLE, PA., May, 1874.

S. H. B.

REPORT OF THE FAYETTE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

THE principal epidemics which have came within the knowledge of the writer, have been measles and hooping-cough. There were but few deaths caused by either disease, and they occurred from the ordinary complications in children during dentition. We have a few cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis, one (a child six years of age, a patient of Dr Lindley, of Connellsville) was of more than ordinary interest, as, owing to the obstinate vomiting, no food or medicine was retained in the stomach for several days. During this time all medicine as well as nourishment was introduced into the rectum, and the patient recovered.

The following case illustrates the great amount of injury a joint may sustain without necessitating the loss of the limb.

I saw

I. M., about thirty-five years of age, muscular and healthy, was riding on a light (or narrow gauge) locomotive. The engine was thrown off the track and turned completely over, remaining in an inverted position. Mr. M. was held fast under the end of the boiler, while the steam and boiling water poured out in jets upon him, through the gauges and other openings. He was in this position for more than twenty minutes before he could be released. him, in consultation with Dr. Clark, of Dunbar, about one hour after the accident. Nearly the whole left side of his body was more or less scalded, and in many places on his thigh, back, and arm, the injury extended to considerable depth, destroying the skin, connective tissue, and considerable muscular substance beneath. These sloughed out in the course of a few weeks, and left clean granulating surfaces beneath. One of these sloughs involved the elbow-joint, leaving exposed the external condyle of the humerus, and about one and a half inches of the head of the radius. The slough extended from one inch or more above the joint to about three or four inches below it, and in width embraced more than the outer half of the circumference of the joint; while only a narrow band of skin separated it above from a similar slough, extending to the shoulder and down the back, involving the posterior and inner third of the circumference

of the arm. There was also another slough extending from the back of the hand, up the forearm, almost to the one involving the joint. In consultation with Dr. Donnelly, of Pittsburg, it was decided to remove the exposed portion of the bones, and trust to the wounds healing by granulation. The operation was performed, the wounds did heal, and the patient is well satisfied, although there is complete anchylosis of the elbow, and the use of the arm is much impaired. E. PHILLIPS, Chairman.

B. F. CONKLIN, M.D., 1844-1873.

The death of Dr. B. F. CONKLIN, which occurred at his late residence in Fayette City, Pa., on the 18th January, 1873, of typhoid pneumonia, calls forth a few words to his memory, from your committee, a memory which should always be cherished by this Society.

Dr. Conklin, the son of Wm. Conklin, was born in Washington Co., Pa., Sept. 18th, 1844, and after enjoying the usual advantages of a common school education, and further pursuing his studies at Waynesburg College, Pa., entered as a medical student the office of Dr. Kelly, and finally graduated at the Western Reserve Medical College, in Cleveland, Ohio.

In the spring or early in the summer of 1869, he visited Fayette City with the view of locating there permanently in the practice of his profession, having, for a brief period previous to this, been located at California, some four miles further up the Monongahela River. On the 28th of Oct. 1869, Dr. Conklin was married to Miss Amelia Kelly, daughter of Mr. Wm. Kelly, a prominent citizen of Minerva, Ohio. At the very outset of his career in Fayette City, he gained the esteem and confidence of the people, which a more intimate acquaintance enlarged and strengthened.

From the first his practice rapidly increased, indeed far exceeded his most sanguine expectations. Nor did a three years' trial diminish this confidence; to the last he was considered a safe, reliable, and able physician. Undoubtedly, as a man Dr. Conklin was affable, kind-hearted, and generous; in all his relations to society he was manly and upright, and few were more generally respected and beloved.

As a physician the members of this Society remember him as honorable and truth loving, devoted to scientific research, and never failing to take advantage of everything that would add to his professional knowledge. Ever seeking information from the latest writings and the experience of his colleagues, he had accumulated a fund of knowledge and practical experience that eminently fitted him for the extensive practice in which he was engaged.

In all his intercourse with his professional brethren he was courteous and kind, always ready to give or receive advice, and showed

his love for the profession of his choice in the courteous manner in which he treated all its members.

As a member of this Society, he was always a regular and constant attendant, though at great inconvenience. A faithful performance of all duties imposed by the society marked his course, and in its discussions he took an active part, showing a clearness of information and ripeness of judgment rivalled by few.

Had he lived, he would undoubtedly have ranked high in the profession, and made his mark among the scientific men of the age.

REPORT OF THE HUNTINGDON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

OWING to the want of sufficient data, growing out of the failure of members to contribute to the report, I shall be incomplete and superficial in my statement. It is not quite two years since the present Society was organized; though many years ago a very successful medical society was operated here for a length of time. The present Society is composed of such parts of the former one. as are still living in the county, with one exception, and new, enterprising, and intelligent younger members of the profession. Upon the whole, the Society as at present constituted bids fair to be useful and successful; though it is to be regretted many excellent practitioners in our district have failed as yet to appreciate the importance of the organization, and have not connected themselves. with it.

The meetings have thus far been held only semi-annually, and not much has been accomplished beyond an organization. hope to have, during the coming year, more frequent meetings, a good accession to our numbers, a lively interest manifested by those concerned, which will lead to that interesting interchange of opinion so essential to medical progress.

Huntingdon County is centrally situated in the southern part of Pennsylvania, in a mountainous district. It is more of a mineral than an agricultural region, with a population largely engaged in the production of coal, iron, lumber, and leather. It is traversed by numerous fine streams of water, and several railroads. During the past year much variation of temperature has been experienced among us, and an especially open and unseasonable winter. The health of the county, notwithstanding, has been comparatively good. We have been visited by no epidemic of importance; but most parts of the county have had a larger amount than usual of catarrhal affections in the latter months of the winter and early spring. In some localities these have been marked by considerable fatality.

In the extreme southern part of the county, where I live, we have had no fevers, but much rheumatism, and a large amount of pneu