ing, alcoholism, etc., measures which would decrease this only fractionally are worthy of consideration. A decrease of 16 2-3 per cent. would result in savings of $100,000,000 per annum. "For the last four estimates the total savings range between $1,800,000,000 and $4,000,000,000 per annum. "In addition to the economic gain, the establishment of a National Department of Health would gradually but surely diminish much of the misery and suffering that can not be measured by statistics. Sickness is a radiating center of anxiety; and often death in the prime of life closes the gates of happiness on more than one life. Let us not forget that the 'bitter cry of the children' still goes up to Heaven and that civilization must hear, until at last it heeds, the imprecations of forever wasted years of millions of lives. "If progress is to be real and lasting, it must provide whatever bulwarks it can against death, sickness, misery and ignorance; and in an organization such as a National Department of Health— adequately equipped-a vast preventive machine-working ceaselessly, an attempt at least, would be made to staunch those prodigal wastes of an old, yet wastrel world." On the above scarcely a word can be offered, save in hearty praise and support. In the detailed exposition of certain of its suggestions-necessarily omitted here, for lack of space-there are certain points which are open to discussion, and indeed may admit of very wide difference of opinion. For instance, in offering detailed suggestions for the work of the Bureau for Registration of Physicians and Surgeons, Clause 4 provides that "license be issued, barring general practitioners from treating special diseases requiring skill above that evidenced by training"; a clause so obviously unpractical as to betray the layman's hand in its framing. Until such a clause could be mated with another clause barring specialists from treating any diseased condition whatever, until they could so demonstrate their acquaintance with medical science as a whole, as to make it certain they fully recognize the relation of special symptoms to general conditions, and also demonstrate the certainty of their refusing to give special treatment until the general condition demands it-until such a clause could be put into effect. Dr. Norton's suggestion, embodied in law, would be equally ludicrous and dangerous in practical outcome. An impracticability here and there, however, has nothing to do with the immense and instant value of Dr. Norton's plan, as a whole. Every physician in the country should lend every influence in his power, to bring this plan from theory into fact. A NOTABLE BOOK. To homoeopathy materia medica is paramount. All pertaining to the more accurate knowledge of drugs and drug action, whether emanating from our own' or from other branches of the profession, should prove of value. The appearance, therefore, of a new edition of a book well known in the dominant school is noteworthy as indicating somewhat the increasing attention now being given to the subject after the therapeutic nihilism of a few years ago. As noted elsewhere in the present issue, Dr. Shoemaker has prepared a volume that clearly represents the present condition of materia medica and therapeutics as taught in the regular medical schools throughout the country. That he is indebted to sectarian medicine for a considerable part of his knowledge he frankly admits, although as far as we can discover he has not given credit to homoeopathy for any specific indebtedness. He says, "We should not be above admitting the fact that useful lessons may also be occasionally learned from followers of exclusive schools of medicine or so-called irregular physicians." Certainly homoeopathy has been notable for its study of drugs, the results of which have been appropriated by physicians of all creeds. It certainly would be courteous, and would detract in no way from dignity if there occasionally appeared in such works the statement similar to that of a professor of materia medica in one of our neighboring colleges, who, when lecturing on a certain 'drug, said, "Gentlemen, for the large part of our knowledge concerning this drug we are indebted to the homoeopaths." Recognition of our work and tenets comes slowly, however, but is certainly coming, and books like this one by Dr. Shoemaker mark the advance from year to year. In reading some of the indications for belladonna, for instance, we are most forcibly reminded of certain good homoeopathic lectures that we heard years ago on the same subject. Recommendation of doses often as infinitesimal as our formerly much ridiculed third and fourth decimal still further suggest the changes largely due to homoeopathy. It gives to us hopes that possibly at some time in the future the idea of dynamization may become an accepted fact, this particularly when it has already been demonstrated that certain substances possess the power of acting on others to an unlimited degree without themselves losing any of their substance. We fully believe that the more thoroughly physicians are acquainted with the results of modern scientific work the stronger will become their faith in the law of similars. With this idea, therefore, we gladly give notice to this valuable production of the dominant school, feeling assured that its contents are well worth perusal. DR. WILLIAM K. KNOWLES was born in the town of Sidney (near Augusta), Maine, April 25th, 1850. He was the son of Stephen S. and Mary A. (Smiley) Knowles, and was descended from old New England ancestry. His early education was obtained in the district schools of Sidney and Augusta, and, being both studious and ambitious, he made the most of the limited opportunities for education afforded a country boy, attending faithfully the sessions of one district school while the term lasted, then taking the course given in the school of some other district. In 1864 and 1865 he attended Waterville Classical Institute, and in 1868 began the study of medicine under Dr. James B. Bell, then practicing in Augusta. In 1868 he entered Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1871. After his graduation he practised for a few months in Plainfield, N. J., spent three years in Colorado, then went to Searsport, Maine, where he practised from March, 1875, to September, 1877. From 1877 to 1881 he practised in Bangor, and again from 1884 to 1886, when he removed to Everett, Mass. He was in practice in Everett about fifteen years, during part of which time he was chairman of the Board of Health, medical examiner for several insurance companies, and one of the originators and trustees of Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. In November, 1879, he was married to Miss Ida M. Simpson of Searsport, Maine. The last seven years of her life were years of hopeless invalidism, and Dr. Knowles gave her the tenderest and most devoted care. As a result, when her death came, in 1892, his health was so broken from anxiety and overwork he was obliged to give up the practice of medicine, and never resumed it. Health returned but slowly, and was probably never wholly regained. In 1895, he entered the employ of Messrs. Otis Clapp & Son as their Western representative, remaining in the work until the summer of 1901. The last year of his life was given to the business management of the "New England Medical Gazette," in which he was deeply interested. He continued to direct this work during weeks of suffering, and did not entirely relinquish it until less than two weeks before his death, which occurred January 7th, 1907. From 1902 he suffered from recurrent attacks of ulcer of the duodenum, and his death was caused from peritonitis following perforation of one of these ulcers. April 23rd, 1902, Dr. Knowles was married to Miss Lillian Gillespie, who survives him. Dr. Knowles was a man of quiet and retiring disposition. living a singularly upright and clean life, a true Christian, and a devoted son and husband. He never used tobacco or intoxicating liquor in any form. He was happiest when in the quiet of his own home, but during his earlier years of activity was an earnest worker in church and Y. M. C. A. affairs. At the time of his death he was a member of Dudley Street Baptist Church, Roxbury, his home for several years being at 40 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Roxbury. As a physician Dr. Knowles was kind, tender and conscientious, and a careful prescriber. Much regret was expressed by his patients when he gave up practice. He went to his death with a brave heart and perfect trust. The following lines from "Thanatopsis," which he was fond of quoting, seem very fitting in closing this sketch: "So live that when thy summons comes to join To that mysterious realm, where each shall take BOSTON HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the Boston Homeopathic Medical Society was held at Boston University School of Medicine on Thursday evening, January 3, 1907. The meeting was called to order at 8.15 by the President, Dr. David W. Wells. Voted: That the reading of the records be waived. Dr. A. H. Ring was proposed for membership. The following were elected to membership: Edgar F. Haines, M.D., Alonzo F. Shadman, M.D., Richard E. Winslow, M.D. Voted: That consideration of the amendment to the constitution, proposed at the last meeting, be left until the next meeting. Voted: That the Year Book be printed this year as last. · That By-Law 8 be suspended for the coming year. The President appointed Dr. H. L. Shepherd and Dr. H. M. Emmons as a committee to act in conjunction with a committee from the State Society regarding the communication from Dr. Rand. The report of the Secretary was read and accepted. The Nominating Committee reported the election of the following officers for the year 1907: sor. President, Dr. S. H. Calderwood. Vice-Presidents, Dr. J. B. Bell and Dr. Caroline Y. Wentworth. Associate Secretary, Dr. W. A. Ham. Treasurer, Dr. A. G. Howard. Auditor, Dr. S. H. Spalding. Censors, Dr. David W. Wells, Dr. Benj. T. Loring, Dr. Sarah S. Wind Dr. Wells then presented the President-elect, Dr. S. H. Calderwood, who took the chair. A vote of thanks to the retiring president and to the executive committee in general for the excellent programs presented and the successful series of meetings during the past year was proposed by Dr. Packard and unanimously passed. The subject of the President's annual address, given by Dr. Wells, was "The Psychic Element in the Practice of Medicine." The program was interspersed with some very enjoyable selections by the Harvard Male Quartette. After their last number the meeting adjourned to the Physiological Laboratory, where refreshments were served and a social time enjoyed. ORVILLE. CHADWELL, General Secretary. BOOKS. "McClure's Magazine" for February contains the second installment of Georgine Milmine's story of the life of "Mother" Eddy and Christian Science, an interesting article by A. W. Rolker entitled "The Wild Animal Physician and His Patients," John La Farge's One Hundred Masterpieces of Painting, another of the Pennsylvania Dutch stories by Helen Reimensnyder Martin, and another story about dear little "Skeezicks," by George Randolph Chester, besides much other good reading. "Everybody's" for February contains a group of six special articles, and for entertainment seven fiction contributions of a high order, by the editor. Will Irwin, Jack London, Mary Heaton Vorsem, Richard Henry Little, and another installment on Thomas W. Lawson's "Friday, the Thirteenth." The little poem by Nancy Byrd Turner, "Crossing the |