1887]. Society Reports. 699 avoid. Further dieting is followed, and the case goes from bad to worse. Nothing but good feeding will cure them. In closing his paper, Dr. Bartlett referred to hydrastis as a remedy for aphthæ associated with gastric disorder, and hepar as an important remedy in atonic dyspepsia. DR. WM. J. MARTIN, of Pittsburgh, read a paper by Dr. Thos. Nichol, of Montreal, Canada, on "Rhus tox. in Diptheria of the Lips." He then read his own paper on "Three Cases of Sciatica." The first case was cured by arsenicum, because of the well-marked aggravation after midnight, the restless tossing about in bed, and the marked relief from heat and hot applications. The second case was cured by rhus. The pain was very severe and was worse when the patient was still. The attack was brought on by overexertion during a long walk. A prompt cure was effected in this case as well as in the first. The third case was cured by colocynth, after having been abandoned as incurable by allopaths. The symptoms were sharp, drawing pains in the lumbar region, hip and thigh of the right side, coming at irregular intervals, worse from any motion and relieved when lying with the thigh flexed on the abdomen. DR. Z. T. MILLER read some "Reflections on Clinical Cases." The paper by the Allegheny County Society on Cystitis was read by title, as was also the papers by Dr. Jno. C. Morgan, on "A Peculiar Objective Symptom in Hepatic Ascites," and by Dr. Wm. A. Hassler on "Nabulus Albus in Chronic Diarrhoea." Dr. M. M. Walker's paper on "Zizygium in Diabetes," was read in abstract by Dr. Bartlett. DR. PEMBERTON DUDLEY, of Philadelphia, opened the discussion. He said that he had frequently used gnaphalium in sciatica and had cured more cases of that disease with this remedy than with all others put together. The special indications for it are burning pains followed by numbness in the affected part. DR. CLARENCE BARTLETT, in response to a question by Dr. Evans, of Altoona, described the operation of washing out of the stomach. DR. CHAS. MOHR, of Philadelphia said that in cases of indigestion in which milk diet was indicated but in which the patient declared his inability to take that article, he followed the same plan as suggested by Dr. Bartlett. He insisted that the patient take milk. He had met with a number of cases of dyspepsia produced by persistently following a diet inadequate for proper nutrition. DR. AUG. KORNDOERFER, of Philadelphia, suggested rhus as a valuable remedy in atonic dyspepsia. The special symptom indicating is severe pain in the left hypochondriac region apparently along the greater curvature of the stomach. The pain is not sharp or cutting but it is an aching pain, causing a sense of weakness. It is relieved by continued exercise. The discussion then closed and the Society adjourned until the following morning. During the above session, the report of the Bureau was suspended to permit of the delivery of the president's address, in which was reviewed at length the advances made by medicine and the allied sciences during the last half century. Special stress was made on the progress of homoeopathy. The speaker expressed himself as of the opinion that students should be well-informed concerning hydro-, electro, and palliative, therapeutics. He did not think that students so instructed were in danger of becoming eclectics. The success of homœopathy should not depend on keeping her students ignorant of these subjects. The address closed with remarks on medical education and on the relation of the medical profession to our colleges. The closing session of the Society was held on Thursday morning, September 22. The report of the Bureau of Pathology was presented. A paper on "Interstitial Nephritis in Children," by Drs. W. C. Goodno and E. L. Oatley, was read by title, and a paper on a case of "Obscure Brain Trouble," by Dr. F. F. Laird, of Utica, N. Y., was read by the secretary. The only paper presented by the Bureau of Sanitary Science was by Dr. B. W. James, and was entitled Epidemics be Excluded.” Can The Society then proceeded to general business. Bills presented by the secretary were approved and ordered to be paid. Dr. J. C. BURGHER presented charges of unprofessional conduct against a member. On motion, these charges were referred to the Board of Censors, with instructions to report at the next meeting the Society. of C.F. The election of officers was then held and resulted as follows = President, Hugh Pitcairn, M. D., Harrisburg; First Vice-Presi dent, W. B. Trites, M. D., Manayunk; Second Vice-President, Bingaman, M. D., Pittsburgh; Treasurer, John F. Cooper, M. D., Allegheny; Corresponding Secretary, Clarence Bartlett, M. D., Phila delphia; Recording Secretary, J. H. Closson, M. D., Philadelphia; Censors, Sarah J. Coe, M. D., Wilkesbarre, J. C. Burgher, M. D., Pittsburgh, H. W. Fulton, M. D., Pittsburgh; Delegates to the American Institute, Drs. Jos. E. Jones, A. R. Thomas, L. H. lard, and Clarence Bartlett. The following Chairmen of Bureaus were appointed: Wil Materia Medica, Z. T. Miller, M. D.; Clinical Medicine, W. B. Trites, M. D.; Pathology, W. K. Ingersoll, M. D.; Pædology, J. K. Lee, Jr., M. D.; Surgery, W. R. Childs, M. D.; Gynecology, C. P. Seip, M. D.; Obstetrics, C. F. Bingaman, M. D.; Sanitary Science, J. H. McClelland, M. D. After passing votes of thanks to the various officers and committees, and to the Pittsburgh physicians, the Society adjourned to meet in Philadelphia, in September, 1888. Correspondence. AN UNDESIRABLE ALLIANCE. PHILADELPHIA, October 13, 1887. EDITOR HAHNEMANNIAN MONTHLY:-In commenting on Dr. Orme's address to the American Institute of Homœopathy, the editor of the "Medical Times" says, "We have always held that science knows no sect and cannot. We are not aware that the so-called homoeopathists have done any work that could not have been done just as well in association with the great body of physicians." The editor must be well aware that "the great body of physicians" would never give them the opportunity of investigating this particular science in association with them. From the very beginning they have repudiated and discarded them. What other means were open to them, in order to establish their chosen belief, than to form separate societies? Is it then so terrible to be a sect? When once a great truth has been firmly established and acknowledged by the majority as essential, scientific men of all schools can then work together in harmony. That has never been done. In this homoeopathic law there is a much deeper meaning than is generally conceded. To be sure there are many means of restoring health, such as hydropathy, allopathy and other methods. It is not merely the dose as some maintain, which constitutes the difference between homœopathy and the old school. In order truly to cure human diseases there must be the most intimate affinity and correspondence between the disease and the remedy. The great law of cure, which Hahnemann first established, is not merely an appendix to therapeutics, but the very essence of it, and in no other way can true cures be so well effected as by these means. This, of course, does not deny the necessity of occasional palliative means, when the true simile is not found, or when a cure according to the nature of the case is impossible. Editorial. THE RETIREMENT OF PROFES SOR GAUSE. After twenty-seven years of official relation to the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, and twentyfour years of actual service as professor, Dr. O. B. Gause has resigned his chair, and withdrawn from the active duties of the position which he had so long and so acceptably filled. It is entirely needless to say that his resignation was accepted by the Faculty and Trustees only with intense reluctance, and with a full appreciation of the imperative personal reasons that prompted it. Professor Gause had greatly endeared himself to his official associates in both boards, not only by his natural geniality and kindliness, and his high personal character, but by his eminent ability as a professor, his acknowledged skill as a physician, his merited distinction as an obstetrician, his expansive views of the work of medical education, and his earnest sympathy with, and co-operation in, every plan and effort for the improvement of the college and the enlargement of its usefulness and efficiency. Professor Gause's connection with the institution extends over two-thirds of have any conception of. It is largely to his credit that long after the novelty of the position had worn off, when his private practice was making heavy demands upon his time and strength, and when the professorship had neither honors nor emoluments for him, he still adhered to the fortunes of the struggling school, and for a score of years aided in defending it against external and internal perils. He has a right to feel proud that he leaves the college with its various boards working together in harmony, provided with a new college building as complete and perfect in its construction and appointments as any to be found in America, with one of its hospital buildings finished, and with bright prospects for the early completion of the remaining structures. It must be a supreme satisfaction to him to know that his own labors have contributed so much towards achieving this magnificent result, and in elevating the college to so high a place in public and profes sional confidence. Professor Gause's signature adorns the diplomas of over one thousand physicians who have sat under his instructions, passed the col its entire history. Beginning his official lege examinations and received its de labors at a time when the school was young and feeble, his retirement leaves it in a position second to that of no medical college in America. The changes in its condition and prospects, and the vast advances it has achieved, have been secured under almost untold difficulties, and in spite of tremendous discouragements, such as few, save Dr. Gause and his associates in the Faculty, gree during his incumbency of the professor's chair. Most of these graduates are engaged in the practice of their profession in this and other countries, and not a few of them have won high distinction in the improvement of the science, art and literature of medicine. And all of them who hear of the retirement of their former teacher, will join in the hope that his life, his health, his happiness and usefulness may be long continued. The delivery of the annual introductory address before the class of 1887-8, by Professor Charles M. Thomas, was made the occasion for conveying to Professor Gause an expression of the feelings and sentiments of his associates in the College Faculty. At the close of the introductory lecture, Professor A. R. Thomas, the Dean, speaking on behalf of the Faculty, expressed the regret which. all of them felt at severing the relations which had continued so long and had always been of so pleasant a nature. He then presented to the retiring Professor a handsomely engrossed and framed copy of a preamble and resolutions recently adopted by the Faculty. Professor Gause in reply spoke briefly and feelingly of his association with the college, with its trustees and faculty and of its alumni, and of the necessity which impelled him to close his collegiate labors and to seek a more congenial climate for those who were near and dear to him. Brief remarks were then made by Dr. Pemberton Dudley, a member of the Faculty, who had been a member of the college class at the session of 1860-1, when Professor Gause delivered his first course of lectures; by Dr. H. Noah Martin, formerly associated with Dr. Gause in the Faculty, and by Professor J. Nicholas Mitchell, formerly the assistant and now the successor of the retiring Professor. Between these two gentlemen there had existed the highest mutual esteem and the warmest reciprocal friendship, and this was alluded to by Professor Mitchell, with scarcely concealed emotion. In closing, he said, "If, after perhaps years of service, my retirement from this position shall awaken as much regret as I feel in view of the event that has placed me in it, I shall be more than content." At the conclusion of the exercises, which were held in the New Clinical Amphitheatre of the recently completed Out-patient Department of the Hospital, a collation was served in Alumni Hall, at which a large number of Professor Gause's personal and professional friends were present by invitation of the Faculty. The following are the resolutions adopted by the Faculty in view of Professor Gause's resignation: Whereas, Professor O. B. Gause, M. D., in view of his intended removal from this city, has resigned his chair in this College, therefore Resolved, That we, his associates of the College Faculty, desire to express our high estimate and appreciation of the services he has rendered in his capacity as Professor of Physiology and ProPathology, and afterwards as fessor of Obstetrics and Diseases of infants, in which positions he has labored for a quarter of a century with marked fidelity and success. Resolved, That to his tireless devotion and his long-continued and effective labors in this institution, is to be ascribed much of the advancement that has placed it in the foremost rank of American Medical Schools. Resolved, That it is with keen regret that we consent to a severance of our professional relation with Dr. Gause, in which we have found him a genial and pleasant associate; and as he departs for his new field of labor he will carry with him our earnest wish that his later years may be as prosperous and happy as his earlier life has been useful and honorable. Resolved, That Dr. O. B. Gause be, and is hereby, elected Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics in this College, as a mark of our appreciation of his eminent services in the cause and work of medical education. The following tribute from the pen of the veteran professor and journalist, of Ann Arbor, Mich., will be warmly appreciated by Dr. Gause's friends, as coming from one so eminently qualified to estimate the public work and the personal worth of the one to whom it is addressed: |