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member by invitation from that State. Car-report received from Dr. S. D. Gross, of ried.

On motion of Dr. Parker, of Virginia, the resolution offered yesterday, from the Vir ginia Medical Society, recommending the appointment of a Chemist, and laid on the table, was taken up for consideration.

Kentucky, on the results of surgical operations for the relief of malignant diseases, which was referred to the Committee on Publication. Dr. G. read a brief abstract, with the following conclusions:

From the facts and statements which have

Dr. Parker, of Virginia, offered the fol- now been presented, embracing the opinions lowing as an amendment:

Resolved, That this Association recommend Congress to consider the propriety of passing a law compelling all importers of nostrums to state upon all compounds thus imported their true constituents, and in English.

of many of the most intelligent, experienced, and distinguished practitioners in different ages, and in different parts of the world, the following conclusions may be legiti mately deduced:

1. That cancerous affections, particularly those of the mammary gland, have always, in-with a few rare exceptions, been regarded by practitioners as incurable by the knife and escharotics. This opinion, commencing with Hippocrates, the father of medicine, has

Resolved, That the Secretary be structed to forward a copy of these resolutions to the Executive of the General Government.

An amendment to strike out all after the prevailed from the earliest records of the proword" English," was accepted.

fession to the present moment. Nature never After a discussion by Dr. Bond, of Mary. cures a disease of the kind; nor can this be land, Dr. W. Hooker, of Connecticut, Dr. effected by any medicine or internal remeSayre, of New York, Dr. Cox, of Mary-dies known to the profession. land, Dr. Bolton, of Virginia, Dr. Richards, of Ohio, and Dr. Jackson, of Massachusetts, the resolutions and amendment were laid on the table.

2. That excision, however early and thoroughly executed, is nearly always, in genuine cancer, followed by relapse, at a period varying from a few weeks to several months

Dr. Condie, of Pennsylvania, offered the from the operation. following resolution :

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3. That nearly all practitioners, from the time of Hippocrates to the present day, have been, and are still averse to any operation for the removal of cancerous tumours, after the establishment of ulceration, rapid growth, firm adhesion, organic change in the skin, lymphatic invasion, the cancerous dyscrasy, or serious constitutional derangements, on the ground that, if had recourse to under

Resolved, That we have heard with sincere regret of the death of our late fellow member, Dr. Isaac Parrish, of Philadelphia, who was distinguished by his early and earnest advocacy of the establishment of this Association, by his ardent interest in its proceedings, and by his valuable contributions to its published proceedings. Dr. Cox, of Maryland, moved the follow-these circumstances, the malady almost ining:

Resolved, That in the demise of Dr. William E. Horner, which has occurred since the last annual session of this body, the American Medical Association has lost one of its illustrious and useful members; and the science of medicine an indefatigable student and most distinguished teacher.

Resolved, That the memory of the gifted subject of the resolutions, dear as it must ever be to the lovers of medical science universally, will be especially cherished by this Association, to whose great objects and aims his last efforts were, during life, promptly and liberally bestowed.

evitably recurs in a very short time, and frequently destroys the patient more rapidly than when it is permitted to pursue its own course.

4. That in all cases of acute carcinoma, or, in other words, in all cases of this disease attended with very rapid development and great bulk of the tumour, extirpation is improper and unjustifiable, inasmuch as it will only tend to expedite the fatal result, which, under such circumstances, always takes place in a very short time.

5. That all operations performed for the removal of encephaloid cancer and its dif. ferent varieties, are more certainly followed

Both of these resolutions were adopted by rapid relapse than operations performed by a rising vote. upon scirrhus or hard cancer.

Dr. Yandell, of Kentucky, presented a

6. That in nearly all the operations for

cancerous diseases hitherto reported, the as means of retarding and preventing rehistory has been imperfectly presented, lapse. being deficient in the details which are necessary to a complete and thorough understanding of the subject in each case. This remark is particularly true in reference to the diagnosis of the malady, the minute examination of the morbid structure, and the history of the case after the operation, as to the period of relapse, the time and nature of the patient's death, and the result of the post-mortem examination.

7. That cancerous affections of the lip and skin, now usually described under the name of cancroid diseases, are less liable to relapse after extirpation than genuine cancerous maladies, or those which are characterized by the existence of the cancer cell and cancer-juice.

8. That although practitioners have always been aware, from the earliest professional records, of the great liability of cancer to relapse after extirpation, a great majority of them have always been, and still are in favor of operation in the early stage of the disease, especially in schirrus, before the tumour has made much progress, or before there is any disease of the lymphatic ganglions, or evidence of the cancerous cachexy.

13. That there is no remedy, medicine, or method of treatment, which has the power, so far as we are enabled to judge of its virtues, of preventing the reproduction of the morbid action after operation, no matter how thoroughly it may be performed. 14. That life has occasionally been pro. longed, and even saved by operation after relapse, as in some of the remarkable cases mentioned in a previous part of this report; but that, as a general rule, such a procedure is as incompetent to effect a permanent cure as the first extirpation.

Dr. Gooch called up the subject of the {graduating pledge, proposed by Dr. Peaslee, of New Hampshire, last evening, and laid over, and proposed the following resolutions :

Resolved, That this Association earnestly recommends to all the respectable Medical Colleges of the United States to administer to their graduates, previous to their receiv. ing the diploma, some pledge that they will maintain, to the best of their abilities, the honour and dignity of the profession; and that they will forfeit their degrees, whenever they desert the orthodox system of medicine.

Resolved, That the schools be urged not to graduate any man without requiring him to read the National Code of Ethics, and publicly give his consent to abide by it, and that they will reserve to themselves the right to withdraw the diploma, publicly, whenever the graduating pledge has been violated.

9. That many cases of tumours, espe cially tumours of the breast and testicle, supposed to be cancerous, are in reality not cancerous, but of a benign character, and consequently readily curable by ablation, whether effected by the knife or by escharotics. It is to this circumstance that we must ascribe the astonishing success which is said to have attended the practice of Hill, There were, said Dr. G., two schools of Scotland, Nooth, of England, and Fla-which had already adopted such rules. jani, of Italy.

10. That all operations insist upon the most thorough excision possible, removing not merely the diseased mass, but also a portion of the surrounding and apparently healthy tissues, as well as the enlarged and indurated ganglions.

Unfortunately, as things stood, gentlemen were allowed to graduate on payment of their fees, without knowing there was such a thing as a "Code of Ethics" in existence, and permitted to go forth among medical men as their equals in practice. The consequence was, systems of quackery, and want of proper esprit du corps among mem

Dr. Garnett, of Washington, spoke to the resolution.

11. That the practice has always prevailed, and still obtains, to save, if possible,bers of the profession, in many instances. a sufficient amount of healthy integument to cover the wound, and, if possible, to unite it by the first intention, on the ground that these precautions will tend much to retard, if not to prevent a recurrence of the disease.

12. That much stress is laid by writers upon a properly regulated diet, and attention to the bowels and secretions after operation,

Dr. Atkinson, of Virginia, inquired how the diploma could be withdrawn?

Dr. Gooch replied that the diploma could be always withdrawn, if given under these conditions.

Dr. John H. Phillips, of New Jersey, offered the following amendment :

Resolved, That it is the duty of all Boards of Examiners, to whom candidates may apply for examination or approval, to admit none but those who give satisfactory evidence of a good preliminary education, and that a regular Course of Medical Practice will afterwards be pursued, and who shall subscribe to the Code of Ethics adopted by this Association.

in the Association. Accompanying was a
letter from Dr. Thomas Spencer, of New
York, asking to be allowed to read a paper
on the atomic theory of life and vital heat,
as applicable to pathology. Dr. S. also
stated that Drs. J. H. Griscom and J. L.
Phelps, of New York, have applied for
permission to read papers before the Asso-
ciation.

Dr. Cox, of Maryland, thought the reso- The Committee also recommended that, lution contemplated an extraordinary act of when the Association adjourned, it should legislation, and there would be great diffi-be to Saturday morning. culty in applying the principle. of revoking a diploma, once given under the legal sanction of a charter, was a dangerous one to be intrusted to any set of men.

The power

Dr. Atkinson, of Virginia, thought that, until the millennium, quackery would exist in the profession to some extent, and it was vain to legislate against it.

On motion of Dr. Sayre, of New York, the Association took a recess for one hour, without disposing of the resolution.

Afternoon Session, May 5.

The report was accepted and adopted, except as relates to the time of adjournment.

Dr. Blatchford, of New York, moved to
have a resolution, offered yesterday, on the
licensing power, with amendments by Dr.
Garnett, taken up for consideration.

After discussion by Drs. W. Hooker, of
Connecticut, Johnson, of Missouri, and
Atlee, of Pennsylvania, on motion of Dr.
Atlee, the whole subject was referred to a
Committee, to report at the next meeting.

The subject was referred to the following
Committee: Drs. Wellford, of Virginia;

The Association was called to order at Samuel Jackson, of Pennsylvania, T. W. 1 P. M.

Blatchford, of New York; J. B. Johnson, of Missouri; and E. R. Peaslee, of New Hampreshire.

The consideration of Dr. Gooch's resolution, and the amendment thereto, was sumed.

Sundry amendments were proposed by Drs. Carr, of Vermont, Dove, of Virginia, and Sullé, of Pennsylvania, when, on motion of Dr. Gooch, the whole subject was referred to a special Committee of three, to report during the present session.

The President appointed Drs. Gooch, Phillips, and Stillé as Committee.

The following form of Promise was among the documents referred to Committee on Pledge:

Dr. T. W. Blatchford, of New York, proposed the following resolution, which was adopted :

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, of which, Dr. J. O. Edwards, of Ohio, shall be chairman, whose duty it shall be to report on the best mode of preventing the domestic adulteration of drugs. The Chair appointed Dr. Edwards, Drs. Wood and Carson, of Philadelphia, Dr. C. T. Jackson, of Boston, and Dr. J. H. Griscom, of New York.

Dr. Joseph M. Smith, of New York, read the following:

I, A B., of —, in the State of —, do hereby promise, on the honour of a gentleman, that I will conform strictly to the Code Report of Committee on Nominations.of Ethics of this my Alma Mater, in all The Committee on Nominations, in fulfillthings pertaining to the practice of my pro-ing the duty of their appointment, propose fession; and, when I shall fail to do so, I to continue most of the Special Committees hereby grant to the Faculty of said School appointed by the Association, in May, 1851, full power and authority to withdraw said and May, 1852, and to appoint several new Diploma, and all the rights and privileges Special Committees. They, therefore subwhich it is intended to confer. mit the following list of Chairmen of Special Committees, with the subjects to them committed :

Dr. Stewart, on behalf of the Committee of Arrangements, reported the names of delegates who had registered since last report, and recommending to invite Dr. Harvey P. Peet, Institution for Deaf and Dumb, and Dr. W. C. Butler, to take seats

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La., "On the Mutual Relations of Yellow Ga., "On the Pathogenic Influence of and Bilious Remittent Fever." Feather Beds."

3. Dr. R. S. Holmes, of St. Louis, Mo., "On Epidemic Erysipelas."

4. Dr. Geo. B. Wood, of Philadelphia, Penn., " On Diseases of Parasitic Origin." 5. Dr. R. D. Arnold, of Savannah, Ga., "On the Physiological Peculiarities and Diseases of Negroes."

6. Dr. James R. Wood, of New York, "On Statistics of the Operation for the removal of Stone in the Bladder."

7. Dr. F. Peyre Porcher, of Charleston, S. C., "On the Toxicological and Medicinal Properties of our Cryptogamic Plants."

8. Dr. Goodrich A. Wilson, of Virginia, "On Cholera and its Relation to Congestive Fever their Analogy or Identity."

9. Dr. Worthington Hooker, of Connecticut, “On Epidemics of New England and

New York."

10. Dr. John L. Atlee, of Lancaster, Penn., "On Epidemics of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland."

11. Dr. D. J. Cain, of Charleston, S. C., "On Epidemics of South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama."

12. Dr W. L. Sutton, of Georgetown, Ky., "On Epidemics of Tennessee and Kentucky."

13. Dr. Thomas Reyburn, of St. Louis. Mo., "On Epidemics of Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin."

22. Dr. James Bolton, of Richmond, Va., "On the Administration of Anæsthetic Agents during Parturition."

23. Dr. Henry Taylor, of Mount Clemens, Mich., "On Dysentery."

24. Dr. F. Donaldson, of Baltimore, Md., "On the Present and Prospective Value of the Microscope in Disease."

25. Dr. R. L. Howard, of Columbus, Ohio, "On the Pathology and Treatment of Scrofula."

Committee on Plans of Organization for State and County Societies.-Isaac Hays, M. D., of Pennsylvania, Chairman, WorthJosiah Andrews, M. D., of Michigan; B. ington Hooker, M. D., of Connecticut ; R. Wellford, M. D., of Virginia; A. L. Peirson, M. D., of Massachusetts.

Committee on Medical Literature.-T. Samuel H. Fennington, M. D., of New S. Bell, M. D., of Kentucky, Chairman; Jersey ; Ed. H. Parker, M. D., of New Hampshire; William K. Bowling, M. D., of Tennessee; Zina Pitcher, M. D., of Michigan.

Committee on Medical Education.-B. R. Wellford, M. D., of Virginia, Chairman, Resign Lowe, M. D., of Iowa; Lyndon A. Smith, M. D., of New Jersey; Jacob Bigelow, M. D., of Massachusetts; L. A. Dugas, M. D., of Georgia.

Committee on Volunteer Communications. 14. Dr. George Mendenhall, of Cincin--Drs. C. A. Pope, Thos. Reyburn, John nati, Ohio, "On Epidemics of Ohio, Indi- S. Moore, J. B. Johnson, and A. Litton, of ana, and Michigan."

15. Dr. E. D. Fenner, of New Orleans, La., "On Epidemics of Mississippi, ana, Texas, and Arkansas."

St. Louis, Mo.

Committee of Arrangements.-Drs. J. R. Louisi-Washington, J. S. Moore, S. Pollok, Thos. Reyburn, J. O'Farrar, W. M. McPheeters, C. W. Hempstead, and E. S. Lemoine, of

16. Dr. Chas. A. Lee, of New York, "On Domestic Hygiene."

17. Dr. Daniel Brainard, of Chicago, Ill., "On the Constitutional and Local Treatment of Carcinoma."

18. Dr. N. S. Davis, of Chicago, Ill., "On the Influence of Local Circumstances on the Origin and Prevalence of Typhoid Fever."

19. Dr. Geo. Engelman, of St. Louis, Mo., "On the Influence of Geological

Formation on the Character of Disease."

St. Louis, Mo.

Committee on Publications.-Dr. D. F. Condie, Pennsylvania, Chairman; Dr. E. L. Beadle, of New York; Dr. E. S. Lemoine, of Missouri; Dr. I. Hays, Pennsylvania; Dr. A. Stillé, Pennsylvania; Dr. G. Emerson, Pennsylvania; Dr. G. W. Norris, Pennsylvania.

The report was accepted, and the nominations adopted.

On motion of Dr. Watson, of New 20. Dr. Henry M. Bullitt, of Louisville, York, the name of the Committee on VolunKy., "On the Use and Effect of Applicateer Communications was changed to that tions of Nitrate of Silver to the Throat, either in Local or General Disease."

21. Dr. Robert F. Campbell, of Augusta,

of Committee on Prize Essays.

Dr. Wellford resigned his place as Chairman of Committee on Medical Education,

and the President was authorized to fill the the purity and honour of the Medical Profesvacancy.

The vacancy was subsequently filled by the appointment of Dr. J. L. Cabell, of the University of Virginia.

sion, and to place around young practitioners additional safeguards against temptations to do wrong, as well as to draw a more distinct line of separation between true and false physicians, it be, and is hereby recommended, that every graduate in medicine be required to subscribe a pledge to submit

On motion of Dr. Atlee, the subject of proposed amendments to the Constitution was taken up, and the original articles, with proposed amendments, read by the Secreto the revocation of his diploma upon contary.

Dr. A. H. Stevens, of New York, moved an indefinite postponement of the whole subject of amendments to the Constitution. Dr. Atkinson, of Virginia, moved to amend the motion so as to except from postponement the amendment proposing to admit delegates from the United States Army and United States Navy.

viction of having knowingly violated the Code of Ethics of this Association. 2d. It is also recommended to the several Medical Colleges, and such other Boards as are by law authorized to examine candidates for admission into the Medical Profession, to require from every graduate or licentiate his signature to the Code of Ethics of this Association, and to furnish him with a copy of the same. 3d. It is farther recommended that the formal administration of a pledge, faithfully to observe and keep the said Code, form part of the public exercises of Medical Commencements.

After some discussion by Drs. Coolidge, of U. S. Army, Bolton and Atkinson, of Virginia, Coventry and Stewart, of New York, the amendment of Dr. Atkinson was adopted. The original motion as amended was then adopted. The section contained{ Dr. Palmer, of Chicago, and other delein article second, section nine, of the pro-gates opposed that part of the report proposed amendments was then adopted; which is as follows:

Delegates representing the medical staffs" of the United States army and navy shall be appointed by the chiefs of the army and navy medical bureaux. The number of delegates so appointed shall be four from the army medical officers, and an equal number from the navy medical officers.

Dr. Bolton, of Virginia, gave notice that at the next meeting of the Association, at St. Louis, he would propose the adoption of} the amendments to the Constitution submitted to this Association by the meeting at Richmond last year, and which have been here indefinitely postponed.

Dr. Condie proposed the following reso lution, which was adopted :

Resolved, That the second clause of Article 2 of the Constitution be so amended as to admit the American Medical Society in Paris to representation in this body, upon the same terms as the medical bodies in this country.

Dr. Alfred Stillé, of Pa., Chairman of the Committee to whom was referred sundry memorials touching the course to be pursued by Medical Colleges and other Boards in the examination of candidates and the granting of Diplomas, reported, submitting the fol lowing resolutions for adoption:

Resolved, 1st. That in order to preserve

posing to clothe Colleges with the power of revoking Diplomas for a breach of the Code of Ethics."

Several motions were made, and, after some discussion, the Chairman decided on the right of the Committee to withdraw the first resolution, to which objections were made, when the second and third recommendations of the report were adopted.

Dr. Sayre, of New York, moved that the first resolution which had been withdrawn be taken up, and passed as the sense of the Association. It was taken up, and, on motion, referred to the Committee on the Licensing Power, of which Dr. Wellford is Chairman.

Dr. Parker, of Virginia, moved the following, which was adopted :

Resolved, That the Standing Committee on the Administration of anæsthetic agents in Parturition be instructed to inquire into all cases of death that may be reported as occurring from the use of anæsthetic agents during the present year in the United States, and report to the next meeting of the Association.

Dr Zeigler, of Pennsylvania, moved the following, which was laid on the table:

Resolved, That a Committee of three or more be appointed by the President, to devise or consider some comprehensive plan or system by which subjects connected more

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