a capacity of 400 patients in 15 wards, and now has accommodations for 950 patients in 40 wards.

From one building, in which there could be only a meagre attempt at classification, it now has eight buildings devoted to patients, thus affording the best classification employed by any institution in the state, and probably the best in the country.

It is in this matter of classification of patients that the greatest advance has been made, and the new buildings constructed within the last ten years have been designed with that end in view. The beginning was made with the erection and opening of the Talbot Building in 1898, designed especially for acute cases, which was superseded in 1905 by the Codman building, where the acute cases are now treated, the Talbot building being devoted to the care and comfort of the convalescent.

Plans for the better classification of the chronic insane began with the opening of the Warren Farm Colony for men, in 1902, and this was followed by the Richmond Colony for women in 1903. In these two plants began the testing of the new system of "Colony Care" for certain types of the chronic insane. The Westborough colonies differ from those of other institutions in being in immediate proximity to the hospital property, while the colonies of other hospitals are at quite a distance; that connected with Worcester being at Grafton, and that of Taunton being at Raynham.

The beneficial results of the "Colony" system are already seen, in a better degree of contentment and a greater willingness of these patients to do some manual labor. In the Richmond Cottages, (female) rug-weaving, basket-making, hand laundry work, and the care of chickens occupy the attention of the inmates, while at the Warren Farm for men, all occupants that are physically able, are employed.

In 1904 was built the West Wing ward for the accommodation of one hundred female patients of the chronic disturbed or "noisy" class. This is a separate building on the west of the main building, to which it is connected by a corridor. It is of the most approved fire-proof construction, being of solid cement thoroughout, and its location is such that other patients are practically free from the annoyance due to the noise made by these excitable inmates.

The increasing number of patients received, afflicted with tuberculosis, rendered some special provision for them necessary in order to safe-guard the rest; accordingly a temporary building was erected in 1905, and there is now being completed a tuberculosis ward for the proper "out-door" treatment of thirty women of this class.

The hospital has its own lighting, heating and power plant, modern in every respect. Separate cottages of attractive design and homelike atmosphere have been built for the nurses while off duty. In the main administration building during the past year has been built a much-needed aseptic operating room which offers for surgical work facilities equal to all demands of modern surgery. A new fireproof building has just been completed for the use of the pathologists

The institution has had but two superintendents, Dr. N. Emmons

Paine for the first five years, and Dr. George S. Adams, the present incumbent, for the past fifteen years. While the hospital was admirably organized and started on its prosperous way by Dr. Paine, it is not too much to say that its remarkable growth and development to its present status as one of the best institutions in the country, has been due very largely indeed to the absolute devotion to duty, the exceptional executive ability and the indefatigable labors of the present superintendent.

The State Board of Insanity has been very courteous and lenient to this institution, in the matter of allowing the acceptance of private patients, and this being the only homoeopathic state institution, our branch of the profession should be cognizant of this fact, and especially appreciative thereof. The institution has to-day under its care and treatment a greater number of private patients than ever before."

EPOCH-MAKING MEETINGS OF THE BOSTON HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY

Meetings of our Boston Homœopathic Medical Society from which to date history, were held on March 1 and November 1. At these meetings the Society was addressed by such distinguished and representative physicians of the old school, as Drs. Frederick C. Shattuck and Richard C. Cabot. Truly the world moves, and moves sunward, when it is possible for old and new school physicians to discuss frankly and cordially, with mutual respect and esteem, those theoretical points of difference the mere allusion to which, so short a time as a decade ago, was sufficient to arouse bitter controversy and sharp personal acrimony! Surely the Rubicon parting long war from the peace of normal, fruitful co-operation, is past, in such meetings as the ones alluded to.

HOMEOPATHISTS AND THE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY

It is interesting to note in connection with the preceding the famous action of the Massachusetts Medical Society in June. At this great gathering of representatives of all that is most distinguished in the dominant school of medicine in the state and sanctioned by the will of the majority of these, there was expunged from the bylaws of the Society the clause which for so long discriminated against the admission of homœopathists to membership. A long step and a vital one was here taken, toward the goal of thoroughly good understanding. It is impossible to doubt that the journey along the road will be greatly advanced, before we are called on to tell the story of another year.

A NEW AND IMPORTANT WORK ON MATERIA MEDICA

is among the most welcome and memorable gifts that the year has brought to homoeopathy as a whole. This is the "Reproving of Belladonna," edited by Dr. Howard P. Bellows; the work which it chronicles having been done under the auspices of the O. O. & L. Society. The book is at once a pioneer and an exemplar. It teaches thoroughly practical, scientific modern methods of conducting a proving. At the same time it furnishes an instance of a proving conducted by such methods. Our foreign contemporaries must forego the not unfamilar accusation of "American superficiality,' when confronted with a study of a single drug which demanded for its making six painstaking years. It is a book of which homœopathy may well boast.

HOMEOPATHY COMPLIMENTED THROUGH BOSTON UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

The educational and scientific work done under homœopathic auspices, received notable recognition in the invitation received by Boston University School of Medicine from the American Medical Association, to furnish a special exhibit of Pathological specimens for the meeting of the American Medical Association, and a like invitation from the British Medical Association for its meeting at Toronto. Both these invitations were accepted, as also was the one to participate in a similar way in the Tuberculosis exhibit under the auspices of the State Board of Health held in Boston during the first week of the year, and the exhibits were accorded a kind reception, and awakened interest and appreciative comment.

THE INTERNATIONAL HOMEOPATHIC CONGRESS

The long-anticipated International Congress scored, in most important directions, a marked success, and the absorbing and unbroken. interest which was so convincingly shown on Materia Medica Day, bore eloquent testimony to the enthusiasm of homoeopathists for the specialty that gives them reason for distinctive existence. The large and distinguished delegation of British homoeopathists took cordial part alike in the scientific and social sides of the session, whereby the clasp of "hands across the sea" was warmly strengthened.

A NOBLE MEDICAL MILESTONE

Α very noble milestone on the road of the material progress of medicine in general, was set, when on Sept. 25 the Medical School of Harvard University dedicated its magnificent new buildings. All that fine architecture, appliances which spell the latest word of scientific medical education, and men whose reputation in their

chosen field is international, could do to make the dedication majestic, was present in full measure; and the breadth and grace of the hospitalities offered, were commensurate with the place and the hour.

A CELEBRATION OF PSYCHIC MEDICINE

Another dedication which cannot be overlooked in the year's history, was that of the new, spacious and ornate Temple of Christian Science in the city of Boston. One may well pause to ponder what seed of enduring vitality is hidden in the rather dangerous chaff of a movement which, in less than a quarter-century of life, can command from its followers a loyalty capable of expression so colossal and so practical. For when all is said, whatever be the errors of a movement, it does not live by its errors; but by what of truth they however distortedly convey. Psychic medicine, doing its work today in a score of forms of which so-called Christian Science is by no means the most effective, though by far the most noisily advertised, has come to stay. It behooves the broad-minded medical practitioner to inquire carefully into its possibilities, before putting himself on record as a mocker of them. Here, as in so many other directions, "the school-room clown makes faces, long before the school-room scholar understands !''

THE YEAR'S SURGICAL HISTORY

The history of the year from the standpoint of the surgeon, is thus summed up by Dr. Horace Packard, in a brief and interesting review courteously furnished by him, at the request of the GAZETTE.

"I should say that no startling discoveries have been made in the line of surgery in the past year. In fact, everything indicates that there will be less surgery in the future rather than more; and I think all surgeons are in agreement that the field of surgery has been very thoroughly exhausted. Some surgical measures which seemed promising in the beginning are now looked upon 'with less favor, notably, brain surgery, and surgery of the kidneys for Bright's disease.

It would appear from recent experiments which have been followed out by Sir Almorth E. Wright of St. Mary's Hospital of London, that most of the bacterial diseases in which we have resorted to surgery may in the future be cured by the inoculation of bacterial vaccines. There is also a greater conservatism in pelvic surgery. Surgeons are less prone to remove healthy ovaries, even though other pelvic organs may be diseased and require removal. The sentiment is to save all healthy organs, or even parts of healthy organs, particularly the ovaries. It is a common and approved practice for the diseased portion of an ovary to be removed, leaving the healthy portion. The limitations of beneficial effect of the X-ray in cancer. seem quite definitely drawn; these effects are recognized as clearly

bounded by superficial carcinoma or epithelioma. Treatment by X-ray of deep-seated growths, either of cancer or sarcoma, is usually disappointing.

There is coming to be a tacit agreement among surgeons that in cases of fracture of the spine the best interests of the patient are subserved by relieving the pressure upon the spinal cord; even if it be lacerated, to remove from its environment all spiculæ and fragments of fractured bone, and give the best opportunity possible for resumption of function. A new departure for resuscitation after the heart has stopped beating, has been resorted to the past year, namely, opening the abdomen in the epigastric region, introducing the hand, and massaging the heart. One case is reported in which the heart's action was thus re-established, after everything else had failed. A new departure in the establishment of gastric fistula, for purposes of nutrition, is reported by Lambett. In case of stricture of the esophagus a gastro-jejunostomy is first made. The pyloric end of the stomach is then brought into the wound, the duodenum cut off and turned in, and the pyloric orifice fastened in the wound. The claim is made that the pylorus acts as a sphincter, and food introduced through this orifice goes on through the new pylorus into the intestine, with less external leakage than by other methods. A wider acceptance of suprapubic prostatectomy for relief of prostatic obstruction, is indicated all along the line. Improved methods of bladder irrigation and drainage have been introduced, with practical certainty of good result in these cases of aseptic convalescence."

LAY CO-OPERATION IN MEDICAL REFORMS

The co-operation of the laity with the medical profession in securing more hygienic conditions of life for the community in general, and in educating the community in practical sanitation, had inspiring example in the exhibits on Tuberculosis, held in several cities of our country. These exhibits aroused the strongest popular interest, and their beneficial results along educational lines admit of no doubt, whatever.

The GAZETTE hopes that it may, without egotism, rejoice in its own modest prosperity for the just-ended year. Certainly it has entered on a new lease of life, with, it hopes, largely augmented usefulness. It begs to offer to its contributors and friends, its heartfelt thanks for loyal and generous welcome, service and support.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD

The New Year asks of us something more than retrospect. It is a time pre-eminently, not of "by-fares," but of "by-comes." It asks not only gratitude, but high resolve and hope. For it brings us a mighty gift - Time, in which to correct mistakes, to learn new lessons, to acquire new strength, to better our work alike in quality