wings of electrical force, your message the agreeable task which has been allotwill be daily borne far and wide to the ted to me of returning thanks on the listening ear of more than sixty millions of American citizens. Sure am I that your message will be worthy, and equally that your thoughtful deliverances will be welcomed by a continent. The closer relations of mankind which modern invention has induced has been necessarily accompanied by an increased dissemination of disease, and the need is obvious of frequent international conference that, in the grand sweep of scientific observation, new discoveries in the healing art may be promptly tested and applied in counteraction. Forgive me if, as one of the great army of patients, I humbly petition the profession that in your deliberations Nature may be allowed a hearing when remedies are proposed; that her vis medicatrix may not be omitted in computing the forces of cure, and that Science may be restricted as often as possible to sound the alarm for Nature to hasten, as she surely will, if permitted, to the defense of the point assailed. part of the medical profession of Great Britain and Ireland, as represented by my professional brethren and myself now present at this Congress, for the warm and eloquent address we have just heard from the Honorable Secretary of the State of the United States. It is with great diffidence I rise to perform this task in the presence of the eminent men of world-wide reputation in medical science, who are now present among the English members of the Congress, and I could not have felt justified in undertaking it did I not know that my selection for the task is due to my official position as representing one of the public services of Great Britain. I have now to express our warm thanks and appreciation of the kind and cordial welcome we have received from the Congress, and the honor conferred by the presence and approval of the high officers of state of this truly great country. Dr. Leon Le Fort, of Paris, on behalf of France said: "Mr. President and Mr. Secretary My duty is very simple, and I fear I of State: I appear in the name of my have already overstepped its limit, for countrymen to thank you for your welthere was indeed little more for me to coming words. We have crossed the say than to repeat the words of an an- Atlantic to bring to our American colcient dame whose cottage was close by leagues the testimony of our sympathy. the battlefield of Waterloo, and, being The reception which was accorded us in somewhat deaf and hearing the sound Philadelphia has proved to us that we of the artillery when the famous "pound- can count upon theirs. In designating ing" was hardest, thought she heard Washington for the session of the Intersome one knocking at her door, and national Congress the physicians of simply said "Come in!" This may Europe desired to affirm their high may seem an unscientific illustration of esteem for the American medical proauscultation and percussion, but you fession. This is not the time to recall need not make half the noise of Well- the progress for which we are their ington or Bonaparte, and I can assure you the American people will hear you and heartly say to you, as I do for them, "Come in!" REPLIES TO THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME. At the conclusion of Mr. Bayard's remarks Dr. Wm. H. Lloyd, Inspector General of H. B. M. Navy acknowledged the welcome extended to Great Britain and Ireland. He said: Mr. President: I arise to perform debtors, but we may recall that it is to America that we owe one of the greatest of modern scientific discoveries, l'anasthesia. With it, pain is not only suppressed, but operations have been rendered possible which, without it, would be impracticable. The Congress of Washington will be worthy of those who have thus contributed to the progress of science. Consent, Mr. President and Mr. Secretary, to accept the respect and the thanks of the French physicians present at the Congress. ITALY'S RESPONSE. RUSSIA'S ADDRESS. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. Senator M. Semmola, of Italy, said he On behalf of Russia Dr. Charles Reywas happy to have the honor of replying ber said: "I would not dare to speak in the name of Italy and of bringing here," "if it were not my duty to do so. the salutations of his young and great I would not be understood if I spoke in nation, which regards with profound in- Russian, and, not knowing the English terest the marvelous growth of this edi- language well my position is almost the fice of independence-the United States. same if I attempt to speak in English. "I feel it a duty," he said, to "thank you Therefore, allow me to be brief. I and for the welcome so amiable and heart-all who come with me see and learn felt which you have accorded my con- much, but we have seen and learned far freres and ine. Such a welcome, indeed, more than we had hoped. Allow me to we could not fail to receive from a express my thanks for it, and if I were people noted not only for intelligence authorized by my government I have no and industry, but with whom hospitality doubt but that I could also officially exgoes hand in hand with nobility and press its thanks." generosity of heart. I believe Internanational Congresses to be incontestibly one of the best means of binding people together in liberty, equality and fraternity. But of all the International Congresses in which I have had the honor of representing Italy, I believe that of Washington will exert the greatest influence, for the reason that it takes place on the loved land of independence; and it will, I flatter myself, give a most striking example of the invincible power of humanity, marching with science allied to liberty, toward the great mark of the union of social peace, which was inspired in the United States and which will always be the most shining mirror of the patriotism of this great people." A RESPONSE IN GERMAN. Dr. N. S. Davis, President of the Congress, next delivered a lengthy address which was received with loud applause. At the conclusion of the address by Dr. Davis, President Cleveland and Secretary Bayard advanced and shook hands, offering their congratulations. A vote of thanks was also extended to Dr. Davis. The Congress then adjourned until 11 o'clock A.M., on Tuesday. WORK IN THE SECTIONS. Upon the adjournment of the general session of the Congress the members repaired to the various halls set apart for sectional work. The Section on General Surgery was Dr. P. G. Unna, of Hamburg, return- called to order by the President, Dr. ed thanks on behalf of his German col- William T. Briggs, of Nashville, Tenn. leagues, for the very friendly words Papers were read on "Abdominal Surwith which they had been welcomed. gery" by Charles T. Parkes, of Chicago, The German physicians who had come and on "Intestinal Surgery" with deto the United States, had been most monstrations of specimens and new ophandsomely received. Not only had erations by Nicholas Senn, of Milwauthey found in all parts of the country kee, Wis. There were between four men educated in German colleges in all and five hundred surgeons present durthe branches of medical science, but ing the reading of the papers. they had learned with pride that here German science was appreciated and that here it had gathered a rich harvest. He begged to convey the assurance that the German members of the Congress would do their best to make the meeting a success. Dr. J. J. Chisolm, of Baltimore, President of the Section on Ophthalmology, called that section to order. The following papers were read: "Eye Troubles in their Relation to Occipital Disease," Dr. A. Mooren, of Duseldorf, Germany; "Pathological Changes in the Retinal Vessels." Dr. Ole Bull, of In the Section on Public and International Hygiene, an address on the general subject of Hygiene by its President, Dr. Joseph Jones, of New Orleans, was the only subject considered, aside from reports of committees. The Section on Otology was called to order by Prof. S. J. Jones, of Chicago, The Laryngological Section was open- who gave a brief history of the progress ed by its President, Dr. W. H. Daly, of made in otology in the last twenty-five Pittsburg. Papers were read as follows: years, its present state and its relation to "A Contribution to the Cause of So- general medicine. The papers read called Hay Fever, Nasal Asthma and were as follows: "A Statistical Report Allied Affections, Considered from a of 5,700 Cases of Ear Disease," Dr. S. Clinical Standpoint," Richard H. S. Bishop, Chicago, Ill.; "The Treat Thomas, of Baltimore, Md.; "Hay ment and Bacteriology of Aural FurunAsthma," I P. Klingensmith, of Blairs- cles," Dr. B. Loewenberg, of Paris; ville, Pa.; "Some Remarks on the His-"The Cause and Treatment of Aural tory of Rhinology," D. N. Rankin, of Furuncle," D. L. Turnbull, of Philadel Allegheny, Pa. phia. These papers were fully discussed Dr. A. R. Robinson, of New York, by members in attendance from Europe, presided over the Section on Dermatology as well as from America. and Syphilography. The following An address by the President, Dr. De papers were read: "Vaccination During Laskie Miller, of Chicago, opened the the Incubation Period of Variola," Wil-neeting of the Section on Obstetrics. liam Welsch, of Philadelphia; "Rectal Papers were read as follows: "Vicarious Alimentation in Diseases of the Skin." Menstruation," Duncan C. McCallum, J. V. Shoemaker, of Philadelphia; M.R.C.S., of Montreal, Canada; "The "On the Occurrence of Ulcers Resulting from Spontaneous Gangrene of the Skin during the latter Stages of Syphilis and their Relations to Syphilis," Herman Klott, of New York. Mechanics of the Delivery of the Child's Head by Forceps, with Description of the New Normal Forceps," Professor Lazarewitch, St. Petersburg, Russia; "Contraction of the Uterus," Dr. J. Braxton Hicks, of London. (Read by Prof. Earle, of Chicago, Dr. Hicks not being present.) on "Chronic Pyæmia," by B. J. Gorre, of Cincinnati. An address from the President, Dr. J. B. Andrews, of Buffalo, N. Y., opened the Section on Psychological Medicine and Nervous Diseases. The papers The Section on Dental and Oral Sur read were as follows: "Distribution and gery was called to order by Professor Care of the Insane in the United Johnathan Taft, of Cincinnati, who deStates," J. B. Andrews, Buffalo, Super-livered an address reviewing the history intendent New York States Asylum for of dentistry in this country. the Insane; "Remissions and Intermis- A paper was read sions of Insanity," Daniel Clarke, Superintendent Asylum for the Insane, The Section on Medical Climatology Toronto, Ont.; "The Religious Delu- and Demography was opened by its Presi sions of the Insane," Henry M. Hurd, dent, Medical Director Albert L. Gihon, Medical Superintendent of the Eastern of the Navy, who called upon ViceMichigan Asylum, at Pontiac; "On the President Peter H. Bryce, of Toronto, Modes of Providing for the Insane in Canada, to preside while he read his Great Britain and the United States, opening address "On the Domain of and on the 'Rapprochment' between Climatology and Demography as DeAmerican and British Alienists as to pendencies of Medicine." the Employment of Mechanical Re- paper read was by Dr. George H. Rohe, straint," D. Hack Take, F.R.C.P., Han- of Baltimore, "On the Meteorological Elewell, England. ments of Climate and Their Influences on The next TUESDAY, SEPT. 6TH.-SECOND DAY. Health," and this was followed by a paper on "The Importance of the Study of Climatology in Connection with the The Congress was called to order at Science of Medicine," by Dr. William 11 o'clock A. M. in general session. The Thornton Parker, of Newport, R. I. President introduced Dr. Austin Flint, Among the distinguished foreigners on of New York City, who then read his the platform was M. Joseph Korosi, address entitled, "Fever, Its Causes, Director General of Statistics of Hun- Mechanism, and Relative Treatment." gary. Dr. Sternberg, of the Army, Dr. Flint's address was regarded a came in late, having just arrived from valuable contribution to the study of Rio de Janerio, Brazil, where he has Fevers. It was listened to with pro been investigating the yellow fever found interest. preventive methods of Domingo Freire. He said that Fevers, especially those In the Section relating to Pathology belonging to the class of acute diseases, Prof. Palmer delivered an address in are self-limited in their duration, and which he discussed the progress of Medi- are due each one to a special cause, a cine Toward Exact Science, upon which micro-organism, the operation of which Dr. Quimby, of New Jersey, and Dr. E. ceases after the lapse of a certain time. P. Allen, of Pennsylvania, made some We are as yet unable to destroy directly remarks. Dr. George R. Elliott, of the morbific organisms which give rise New York, read the next paper. to continued Fevers, and we must be content for the present to moderate their action and to sustain the powers of resistance of patients. The production of animal heat involves oxidation of parts of the organism or of food represented in the formation and discharged nitrogenized excrementitious matters, carrelations to general nutrition and proAs regards its duction of animal heat, water formed in the body is to be counted as an excrementious principle. Fever, as observed in the so-called essential fevers, may be defined as a condition of excessive production of heat, involving defective nutrition or inanition, an excessive production and discharge of nitrogenized exThe following papers were also read: crementitious matter and carbonic acid, "Fibroid Degeneration and Allied Lesions with waste and degeneration of the tis of the Heart, and Their Association with sues, and partial or complete suppresDisease of the Coronary Arteries," Dr. J. sion of the production and discharge of L. Steven, of Glasgow, Scotland; "On water. Aside from the influence of the Morphology of Rheumatic Blood complications and accidents, the ataxic with Lantern Illustrations," Dr. E. symptoms in Fevers, the intensity and Cutter, New York; "Vaccination and persistence of which endanger life, are Pasteur's Treatment," Dr. W. H. White-secondary to the fever and are usually marsh, England; "A Clinical View of proportionate to the elevation of temPyrexial Antipyretics," Dr. Preston B. perature. These symptoms are ameliScott, Kentucky. An address from the President, Dr. John H. Callender, of Nashville, opened the Section on Physiology. Papers were read by John Alexander McWilliam, of Aberdeen, Scotland, and Daniel Clark, of Toronto, Canada. In the Section on Gynecology papers bonic acid and water. were read by H. Marion Sims, of New York City; William H. Wathen, of Louisville, Ky., and by Nathan Bozeman, of New York City. The Section on General Medicine was presided over by Dr. A. B. Arnold, of Baltimore, who, in his opening address, spoke of "The Practice of Medicine at the Present Day." The Section on Military and Naval Surgery and Medicine was presided over by Dr. H. H. Smith, of Philadelphia, and a number of papers, some very interesting, were 'read. orated by measures of treatment directed to a reduction of the general temperature of the body. The abstraction of heat by external cold and the reduction of temperature by anti-pyretics administered internally without effecting the special cause of the fever improve were opened in the places assigned for the symptoms which are secondary to their work. the pyrexia. In health, during a period of inanition, the consumption of tissues in the production of animal heat is in a measure saved by an increased produc SECTION ON GENERAL SURGERY. MONDAY SEP. 5.-AFTERNOON SESSION. The meetings of the Section on Gention and excretion of water. In Fever, eral Surgery were held in the Congregathe effects of inanition, manifested by tional Church. destruction and degeneration of tissues, are intensified by a deficient formation and excretion of water. Alimentation in Fever, the object of which is to retard. The Section was called to order by and repair the destruction and degenera- the President, Dr. Briggs, of Nashville, tion of tissues and organs, is difficult, Tenn., at 3 P. M., who in a brief address mainly on account of derangements of of welcome opened the Section for the digestive organs, and this difficulty work. GUN-SHOT WOUNDS OF THE ABDOMEN. is to be met by the administration of Dr. Charles T. Parkes, of Chicago, articles of food easily digested, or of ar- read the first paper, entitled ticles in which the processes of digestion. have been begun or are partly accomplished. In the introduction of the hydro-carbons, which are important fac-1 No subject has interested surgeons tors in the production of animal heat, more than the treatment of penetrating alcohol presents a form of hydro-carbon wounds of the abdomen. In 1885 the which is promptly oxidized, and in whole number of the recorded cases of which absorption can take place with-operation for gunshot wounds of the out preparation by digestion. Precisely intestine, was but six. Since 1885 in so far as it is oxidized in the body, thirty-eight cases have been recorded alcohol furnishes matter which is con- with eleven recoveries. All cases opsumed in the excessive production of erated upon should be reported, whether heat in Fever, and saves destruction and successful or not. Surgical interference degeneration of tissue. The introduc- in appropriate cases is now the generally tion of matters consumed in the produc- accepted view. tion of heat in Fever diminishes rather than increases the intensity of the pyrexia. As the oxidation of alcohol necessarily involves the formation of water, and limits the destruction of tissue, its action in Fever tends to restore the normal processes of heat production, in which the formation of water plays an important part. The objects in the treatment of Fever itself are to limit and reduce the pyrexia by direct and indirect means; to limit and repair destruction and degeneration of tissues and organs by alimentation; to provide matters for consumption in the abnormal production of heat, and thus to place the system in the most favorable condition for recuperation after the disease shall have run its course. The condition and appearances of the external wound gives soine indication as to the presence or absence of penetration. A single wound of the abdomen affords a hope that the penetration has not taken place, but it is only a hope. Even the presence of a wound of entrance and exit does not positively indicate injury of the viscera. If there is a trace of tenderness from the wound of entrance some distance, it is fair to infer that penetration does not exist. A large bullet-hole indicates penetration. When in doubt the wound of entrance should be enlarged. In this way the presence or absence of penetration can be determined, and, with the usual precaution, this does not increase the danger. After the conclusion of Dr. Flint's adIn diagnosis much value cannot be dress the general session of the Congress attached to the subjective sensations. adjourned and the various Sections The usual rapid appearance of tym |