in the judgment of the practitioner, yield to the demands of humanity."

It is not difficult to point out the result. Toleration begets friendship, and in the near future we may expect our Annual Meetings to be attended by the members of other schools of medicine. All restrictions removed, they will eagerly accept the opportunity for interchange and consultations in order to test practically the efficacy of Hahnemann's method of treatment in their more difficult and obstinate cases. It will remain for us constantly to demonstrate the superior efficacy of our method of cure, and who may question our ability to do it?

It may be urged by some that this measure will eventually bring the two schools together and extinguish Homœopathy as a special school. That practitioners of all shades will adopt what is of value in the teachings of Hahnemann and forget distinctive names in professional fraternity. Believing as we do in the stability of the law of similars, and in its sufficiency for our guidance in medicinal therapeutics, we do not fear the result.

If our method of treatment cannot stand the most rigid and searching examination, and if the light of science and accumulated experience proves it to be defective, then, as honest men, we should abandon it. Have no fears, for our method embraces so much that can attract honest seekers after medical truth who have never had a fixed guiding principle, and is in such full accord with the modern developments of science, that it can but commend itself and its faithful followers to general favor.

THE BENEFITS OF HARMONY.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the position of the medical profession of to-day. It does seem as if the dark cloud which has so long cast its shadow over a great part of the medical field, rendering the pathway of therapeutics a darkened maze, so unlike the well defined paths of the collateral branches of the art, is soon to be lifted so that the sunlight of truth may brighten and perhaps lengthen the life of man.

IT ADVANCES SURGERY.

The more definite and fixed rules of surgery are due to the absence of opposing systems. The common interest taken in this field by the physicians of all schools of medicine has resulted in a degree of advancement, or perfection, that argues strongly for the cause of unity in the profession. Great operations in surgery, which were regarded as impracticable, are to-day performed with comparative ease and remarkable success. It is but a few months ago that the medical world was amazed at the report of several cases of resection of the stomach, and yet Billroth and his assistants have performed the operation some half dozen times, and clearly demonstrated the advisability of the same under certain conditions. Just prior to this report, Czerny gave a detailed statement of these cases in resection of the intestines; in one subject six and onehalf feet were removed. The credit of having first performed this difficult and dangerous operation is due, and should be given, to the late Dr. Beebe, of Chicago, a homoeopathic physician of great learning and a surgeon of rare ability. For a full report of which case I refer you to the New York Transactions, 1869, page 169.

You are aware of the fact that both the spleen and uterus have been successfully removed. A few months ago, Dr. A. C. Post, of New York, enucleated the parotid gland, and Mr. Walter Whitehead, of Manchester, England, lately performed the triple operation of gastrotomy, tracheotomy and excision of the tongue with perfect results. Dr. J. H. McClelland, of Pittsburgh, and others, have extirpated the kidney, and at transatlantic surgeon has taken out the trachea. Enucleation of the ovaries is of frequent occurrence, and the aspiration of the different organs almost a daily practice. To the frequent operation of ovariotomy, lithotomy, colotomy, the tying of large arteries, the amputation of limbs, transfusion of blood, trephining, extirpation of cancer, &c., may be added those of laparotomy and gastrotomy.

In other special departments the advancement has been equally great. The operation for cataract, once so difficult, is now one of the most successful known in surgery, and in dis

eases of the ear and throat equal proficiency has been made. Verily do the blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb speak, and the lame walk, through the aid of the skillful surgeon.

IT ADVANCES SANITARY SCIENCE.

The united stand taken by the medical profession in sanitary matters has also contributed greatly to the advancement of public health. With firm belief in the truth of the old adage, that "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," we together have set to work to erect barriers in the pathway of the ruthless destroyers of our race. The American Public Health Association, with doors wide open to sanitarians of all schools of medicine, has steadily progressed until to-day it is a large body, wielding an immense influence, and numbering among its members the most distinguished names in the medical profession. It affords me great pleasure to note the fact that our own physicians have contributed greatly to this result. At the last meeting, held at Savannah, Ga., through the earnest effort of the efficient chairman of the delegation sent by this body, Dr. M. T. Runnels, of Indianapolis, our school of medicine was well represented. The papers presented by our delegates, and published in the volumes of Transactions, not only reflect honor upon their authors but likewise credit upon the cause they represent. These Transactions, together with the report submitted to Congress by the National Board of Health, embracing in a volume of four hundred and seventy-seven pages, most valuable statistics and general information, are sufficient evidence of the good quality and permanency of the work already accomplished. It is also gratifying to note that the papers and discussions have not been confined exclusively to the "outside sources" of disease. In the report to Congress, the National Board of Health has given considerable space to the discussion of the "deteriorations, adulterations and substitutions of drugs." And at the last meeting of the American Public Health Association, one of the best papers presented had for its title exactly the opposite line of thought, "The Inside Sources of Disease." These subjects have received so little attention from the medical pro

fession, and are so imperfectly understood, that we are glad to see sanitarians disposed to grapple with them, and we express the hope that they will be successful in their effort, if not to diminish the number of inside sources of disease, at least to make plain and provide for many of the evils resulting from them.

None but medical men can fully appreciate the importance of this subject. Perhaps none but the "family physician" may divine the cause of those sunken cheeks, that hectic flush, that gradual relaxation from the full vigor of health; nor comprehend the secret which consumes all desires, destroys all pleasures, and finally welcomes death as a long sought relief. Even he dare not state the truth in his burial certificate. Who of us has not seen the dissipated husband, rendered wifeless by a broken heart, stung for the moment by a pang of remorse, drowning his thoughts in the cup that has caused all his suffering, and which now enables him to believe his loss was occasioned by an act of divine Providence?

How little does the brilliant society woman, admired, flattered, and courted by every one, believe that the slight prick of the little instrument, and the injection of a few tiny drops of a solution of morphine, is but welding the chains that will bind her fast, and finally drag her to a permature grave a physical and mental, if not also a moral wreck? If the youth of our country could be instructed fully in the evils. resulting from their dissolute habits, suicides would be less frequent, insane asylums less crowded, and the social evil would no longer require special legislation.

These are matters that require careful and judicious handling; but being firmly rooted, we shall expect our sanitary boards to make headway against them slowly, remembering, however, "as the drop of water wears away the stone," so will repeated and constant efforts finally remove the greatest of evils.

HOMEOPATHIC PROGRESS.

But, as our time is limited, I will leave these general sub

jects and confine my remarks to matters more directly pertaining to Homœopathy. I must first say something of the grand gathering in London, England, during last July, "The International Homœopathic Medical Convention." It would be proper, perhaps, to give a more extended account of that Convention than I shall do, on this occasion; but, as our medical journals have already, so fully, presented it in all its bearings, and as the volume of its Transactions (which through the characteristic energy and ability of its President, Dr. Richard Hughes, was, in less than sixty days after the adjournment of the Convention, placed in the hands of the medical profession in America), has given you a complete report of the papers and discussions, I shall only venture to refer to its principal features. You have learned that the Convention was largely attended and ably conducted, that its doors were thrown open to "qualified medical men and women from all countries," and that it adopted for its standard the broadest liberality of thought and freedom of medical opinion.

HISTORICAL REPORTS.

Aside from the many able and interesting papers read and discussed, reports were received on the condition of Homoeopathy in nearly every country, which, I am glad to say, indicated progress in all directions.

The strong opposition brought to bear upon Homoeopathy in foreign countries through the machinery of different governments; the restrictions thrown around its practitioners and the absence of special educational facilities, had prevented the rapid development and brilliant achievements which have attended its progress in America. In one or two instances these restrictions have encouraged emigration to such an extent that there is danger of an insufficiency of fresh material to fill the vacancies made by time among the veterans in the service. But, notwithstanding this fact, wherever Homœopathy has been properly represented, it has not failed to win the confidence and respect of the people, and to secure a strong following among the educated and intelligent.