of medicine.

I am in favor of winning back such lapsed members to the fold by special effort, and if need be, by special concessions from the Association.

"Through our Committees on National and State Organization, we hope to ask for work all along the line, till our meeting in June next.

"I urge this work for the National Association, not merely because of my official place, but conscientiously-because I hold that no physician can afford to be unidentified with the State and National Societies. Aside from the incidental benefits of actual attendance upon the meetings, there is the reflex gain in added prestige and local repute, with the stimulus of being under the impelling necessity of living up to one's reputation. I may say, too, that the man who cannot afford pecuniarily to retain membership in State and National Associations must have mistaken his calling. Those who can, without detriment to their families, ought to make some sacrifices of personal comfort and preferences in the way of attendance at the National meetings, in order to sustain and promote the interests of organized reform in Medicine. No meeting has been so unproductive and unsatisfactory that some benefit could not be derived from it by those present.

"To our brethren of the South in particular we would say: This is your opportunity to identify yourselves with the National work. With full ranks and united forces, from all parts of our vast Union, we may fling our banner of "Reform in Medicine" boldly to the breeze and banish fear of being crushed or even subjugated by partisan and inimical legislation.

"We must prove ourselves worthy knights of the cause which we are championing-independent so far as relates to creed or dogma, but not feeling ourselves so independent as to have no need for each other. While avoiding the Scylla of bondage to a sect, let us not be whirled incautiously into the Charybdis of a "go-asyou-please" latitudinarianism, and so bring disaster upon the cause which we have espoused.

"We await you in confidence at Hot Springs."

THE HISTORY OF ECLECTICISM AND THE MEDICAL

TRIBUNE.

WE again call attention to the forthcoming "History of Eclecticism," by Prof. Alex. Wilder, M. D., which we offer as a premium to every subscriber to THE MEDICAL TRIBUNE for 1891. No liberal physician can afford to be without this work, which will be the only complete and authentic history of Reformed Medicine ever published. After January, 1891, it will be sold for $2.00, except to our old subscribers, who will receive it on renewing their subscriptions.

Don't fail to read 1st and 2d advertising pages in this issue. After reading them fill up the blank and send in your $2.00, for which you will receive more than you have ever received for the same amount of money.

During the next year the leading writers of the Eclectic School will be among the regular contributors to our pages, and we will present to our readers 12 handsome portraits with biographical sketches, of prominent Eclectic physicians. We have sent out a large number of sample copies during the present year, but after the first of January we will send to none but our regular subscribers.

ECLECTIC MEDICAL SOCIETY OF NEW JERSEY.

THE Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New Jersey will hold its seventeenth semi-annual meeting at 177 Halsey Street, Newark, on Thursday, October 30, 1890, beginning at 10:30 A. M.

In view of the recent medical legislation in that State, and the Eclectic representation being given to a druggist, who is not even a member of any of the Eclectic societies, important matters will be presented for discussion which should interest every Eclectic in the State.

An interesting programme is announced and a large attendance is expected.

PROFESSOR KING'S PORTRAIT.

We have received so many requests for Professor King's portrait, that we have decided to print an edition with a wide margin for framing. A copy of this will be sent to any address, postage

paid, on receipt of 12 cents in postage stamps. Address the Editor, 124 West 47th St., New York City.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

PROF. HOWE's new work on Operative Gynecology* has been received and carefully examined. He says in his preface: "It has been my aim and ambition to condense the material at command, and not to be diffuse," and this he has certainly done, and done well.

Commencing with a brief description of the anatomy of the female genital organs, our author next gives us many plain and practical suggestions regarding diagnoses, antiseptics and anesthesia. Then follow chapters on "Gynecological apparatus," "Uses of the Uterine Sound" and the "Uses of the Speculum." What he says on the uses of the sound and speculum will prove of great value to the novice, who can nowhere else find so much valuable information on these simple yet important subjects; for most writers pass them over almost without mention. The diseases of the external genitals, disorders of menstruation, and uterine diseases and displacements, also receive a full share of attention before operative gynecology proper is reached.

The remainder of the volume is devoted to careful and graphic descriptions of the various surgical diseases peculiar to women, and the operations necessary for their cure. Each operation is so minutely described, that even the student can follow its every detail. It is evident that the author has written, not to advertise himself, but to teach the reader how to operate, which is too often lost sight of by those who write on special subjects.

The pages devoted to uterine fibroids will be familiar to many who have read The Eclectic Medical Journal, and our National Transactions. The subject matter, however, has been carefully revised and largely rewritten. Where the injection of iodine into the walls of the tumor was formerly recommended by the author, he now uses 10 drops of tincture of Thuga mixed with 20 drops of water, and claims excellent results. We had hoped to find him recommending galvanism, but in this we were disappointed. The

*Operative Gynecology. By Andrew Jackson, Howe, A. M., M.D., Prof. of Surgery in the Eclectic Medical Institute, etc. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co., 1890. Price, $4.00.

doctor is conservative in some things, and no doubt this is one of them.

Hysterectomy, ovariatomy, ectopic gestation, vesico-vaginal fistula, rupture of the perinæum, hermaphroditism, extrophy of the bladder and the use of obstetric forceps, are each considered in separate chapters; and many of the author's own methods, are fully described. With these many of our readers are already familiar, especially with his method of drainage through the cul-de-sac of Douglas into the vagina, after ovarian operations.

The volume contains 336 pages, which is small compared with the immense tomes that have heretofore been written on this subject. We feel confident, however, that the practitioner will learn more from this work than he will from any of the more elaborate ones. The author has not aimed to coin new names, nor to air his knowledge in any way; but he has given us a concise, practical work suited to the needs of practical men. It is certainly a valuable contribution to our Eclectic literature, and should find a place in every physician's library.

THE "Physicians' Leisure Library "* is composed of twelve small monographs, one of which is issued each month, on subjects in which the busy practitioner needs reliable information or for which he has not the time to look in exhaustive treatises.

"THE Necessity for Wearing Glasses," by D. B. St. John Roosa, M.D., is another valuable little work. It discusses a subject concerning which physicians are constantly asked for advice, and yet few who are not specialists have given it requisite attention. A good general knowledge of the subject can be gleaned from this epitomized work, which cannot but prove useful to any physician.

WE have recently read "Abdominal Surgery," by Hal C. Wyman, M.S., M.D., and find in it many valuable hints regarding the various operations requiring the opening of the abdomen. An hour will be well spent in reading this little work, for something will certainly be learned from it that will sooner or later prove of value to the general practitioner in a case of emergency.

*The Physicians' Leisure Library, issued monthly, subscription price $2.50 per year, single copies 25 cents, in cloth 50 cents. Detroit, Mich.: Geo. S. Davis, publisher.

The Medical Tribune.

ROBERT A. GUNN, M.D., EDITOR.

VOL. VI.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1890.

No. 9-10.

MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND. THEIR USES.

THE best of all schools is one where teaching is done orally and by example. Then mind communicates with mind; the speaker and the hearer are on one plane. The fire and enthusiasm of the one infills and invigorates the other, till both are inspired alike, moved alike, and led to co-operate to the same ends.

In the voluntary association for purposes of mental improvement, we have this principle in its more perfect form. There is no profession on the floor clad with magisterial authority, who may with a frown or perhaps a threat, overawe the student who desires. or ventures to ask a question. In this respect the society is superior to the academy or college. Equality of rights here exists, and each may lawfully interrogate the other in regard to statement, facts, reasons, hypotheses and theories. To answer such questions candidly, explicitly and satisfactorily, is the function of the organization. The social atmosphere which pervades the place makes this easy.

In this way lyceums, debating clubs, literary associations, scientific societies, and political organizations have come into existence. They in a measure rival our schools and higher institutions as educators; and certainly they supplement the work of the other and render it of practical utility. One can forget his Latin and Greek ; can grow rusty in his algebra and physical science, even drop out of mind the other accomplishments which he has neglected to use; but the subjects which he has discoursed about, and so brought out into his active thinking, become a part of him, and continue always with him. The attrition of others' thought and suggestion make the apprehension all the more vivid. We know a thing the better after we have uttered it, and heard others speak intelligently