only force which, when developed by expansion, as taught in the Organon, has parted from its original material association, and exists only as force, which admits of no measure of its capacity to cure by the application of those rules applicable to the measurements of material forces, as applied to other relations. So that it follows, not only is the law of selection of the curative dominated by the principles we have advocated, but the form and quantity of the related agent required for the cure, as well.

The third inference is, that so to act on mere force as to change its state, only a mere force would be likely to be requisite. This would be the conclusion of every philosophical observer, and this is precisely the Divine arrangement for the cure of the sick. It has been demonstrated, thousands of times, in the successful experience of Hahnemann and his followers, their success being ever proportioned to their adherence to this arrangement, as embodied in the laws he inculcated.

The fourth practical conclusion is, that those who directed their attention chiefly to the material results of the action of this changed force, the proper objects of the science of pathological anatomy, and regarded these as the disease, overlooked entirely the exist ence of the cause, in their absorbing contemplation of the effect, and, by this mistake, laid the foundation of all that material philosophy which has pervaded medical science, and from which has sprung all those gross ideas of remedial means, and their excessive administration, which has put the art of curing into that bad harmony with disease itself, which exhibits both in their true character, as destroyers of health and men.

Fifth. That those forms of disease which present themselves in apparent changes in the structure of organs, and which have been generally, by common consent, handed over to the province of surgery, were, in their origin, like other diseases, only a changed force, of which these material changes are the product, and that, in the outset, they were amenable to the curative action of those forces related to their state by the law. And further, that the great majority of these cases are still, notwithstanding the material change in the structure of organs, susceptible of cure, by the proper application of the same forces, on the well known principle that the effect ceases when the cause is removed. It is well established, in the experience of many who have recognized this fact, that the long list of formidable operations which have heretofore characterized the special existence of surgery, as a distinct branch of the

healing art, may be materially diminished, with no detriment to the interests of society, but great gain, in the sufferings and mutilations escaped.

Sixth. On this same principle, many diseases, heretofore regarded as incurable, and therefore abandoned as without hope, are found to be quite easily removed, by going back to the original change in the vital force, in which they took their initiative, and adapting a curative force to it, according to the demands of the law of cure discovered. It is no detriment to this statement, that the exact nature of this original change is often difficult to discover, or that it is often found in the antecedents of the progenitors of the present sufferer, until it is established in other sciences than that of healing, that difficulty in the practical application of a truth converts it into a falsehood.

Seventh. The dynamic nature of the curative element in drugs, explains its successful application in the treatment of mental diseases. These are obviously immaterial. The success which has attended their treatment by the potentized immaterial medicinal powers is, of itself, proof that these diseases are, also, in their nature, in harmony with general diseases, and their curative agents. These successes clearly declare that these mental afflictions are but a branch of the general family of diseases, and, like all the other branches, are themselves but a changed state of the vital forces.

Eighth. If the above inferences and considerations are well drawn from the premises of this paper, we may add to them this other maxim, in conclusion, that all truth has uses in the practical affairs of life. There is no exception. Least of all are exceptions found in its application to that science of healing, which has been heretofore so largely mixed with the false. It is conclusive evidence of practical imbecility, when one replies to the presenta tion of a truth-"It is of no use!"

Lastly, It is affirmed of the truths discussed in this paper, the dynamic nature of disease, its cause and its cure, that they are of the greatest possible use, in this, that they pervade and dominate all practical efforts for healing the sick, made in accordance with the laws appointed by the Almighty for the guidance and control of such acts. To ignore their existence and yet attempt practical healing, is to wander in a voluntarily chosen darkness. when a wise and beneficent Creator has furnished the clear light of a noonday sun.

ARTICLE LX.

Obituary. Biographical Sketch of the late Dr. JOHN BARKER. BY CARROLL DUNHAM, M. D.

Of the physicians of our school whom death has taken from among us during the current year, few have been so sincerely lamented by a wide circle of personal friends and clients, as Dr. John Barker, of Brooklyn.

Occupying no position which brought him before the public, either personally or by his pen, busied exclusively in the discharge of his professional duties, he was yet so widely known and so generally esteemed, in the city of his residence, that he was said to be "Next to Henry Ward Beecher, the most popular man Brooklyn."

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Dr. Barker was born in Wallingford, Conn., June 2, 1823. His childhood and a portion of his youth were spent in Connecticut; but most of the latter in Atwater, Ohio, where, at the age of about twenty-two, he began the study of medicine under the guidance of Dr. Friend Cook, (an uncle by marriage.) He attended one course of lectures at Cleveland, and subsequently one or more at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, during which attendance he was a pupil of Dr. L. A. Sayre.

About this time his health began to fail, and, without graduating, he went to Wisconsin, where he practiced a few months and then, with a view to the re-establishment of his health, undertook and accomplished, in 1849, the overland journey to California. An accident which befell him at the age of eighteen, involving a fracture of the right thigh, had resulted in necrosis of the femur and abscesses, by reason of which he had become much enfeebled.

During the journey to California and a brief residence in that State, the discharge ceased and the sinuses healed. It was supposed that he had entirely recovered, but, as subsequent events proved, the mischief still lurked in his system, to be aroused at a later period of his life into that storm which hurried him from the scene of his useful labors.

After remaining two years in California, engaged more or less constantly in the practice of medicine, Dr. Barker returned to New York, attended another course of lectures at the "College of Physicians and Surgeons," and graduated at that institution in 1852.

While he was in California, his attention had been directed to the subject of homoeopathy, and he had satisfied himself, by observation, that it is the true science of therapeutics. Accordingly,

on his graduation, he at once embarked in the practice of homœopathy, entering in 1853, in partnership with the late Dr. A. C. Hull, of Brooklyn.

This connection was severed in 1854. From this period until that of his death, April 18, 1868, Dr. Barker was uninterruptedly engaged in practice on his own account in the city of Brooklyn. His success in business was uniform and quite remarkable. Commencing with no special advantages of consanguinity, connection or introduction, he rapidly advanced to the front rank in the profession, and unquestionably, for several years before his death, he enjoyed a larger and choicer practice, than any physician in Brooklyn, of whatever school.

It is not easy to say, what are the qualities and requirements of mind and body, or how proportioned, which constitute the successful and acceptable physician. He must, of course, be well grounded in the science and expert in the art of medicine, and his knowledge must lie ready in his mind for instant application. He must possess presence of mind to confront with steady self-possession an unanticipated danger, and courage to counteract it, at every legitimate risk, and calmness to, await the issue.

Blended with these must be that other quality, which the metaphysician cannot define, but which even the day laborer instantly recognizes—tact, whereby the disposition and morale of the patient and his friends are instantly appreciated, and the physician's adopted to correspond with them.

Tempering and governing all must a genial, benevolent, heartiness of speech, manner and action, which shall satisfy the patient that his interests are held of the highest importance in the physician's mind, and are the subject of profound and friendly consideration—a quality which can hardly exist except as the outgrowth of a Christian's consecration of his life to the duties of his humane profession.

In all of these respects, Dr. Barker was eminently qualified for the successful career which he so lately finished. There have been many who surpassed him in familiarity with books and the records of science, but very few have so completely at command, in the sick room and council chamber, the practical knowledge gained by study, by experience and by intercourse with their minds. He had a clear apprehension and a retentive memory which seized upon every fact that came within reach and stored it in an appropriate nook of the mind ready for instant use.

That his deportment commanded the confidence and won the love of his patients, the crowds that thronged his offices and solicited his attendance, as well as the mourning hundreds who pressed to pay the last tribute of respect to his remains, abundantly testify.

Towards his professional brethren, Dr. Barker was always courteous and generous; ever ready in difficult cases to seek aid for his patients from the counsels of his colleagues. He never ap. peared apprehensive of injury or loss from so doing, conscious that his own conduct, under such circumstances, would be upright and free from guile.

Though frank and fearless in expressing his opinion in matters of doctrine and practice, he made no enemies in consequence; so modest were his utterances and so free from imputations upon the capacities or motives of his opponents.

In the embarrassing cases of the transfer of their patronage by patients from a neighbor to himself, he always adopted the manly course of frankly speaking of the matter to his colleague. In a word, his conduct towards patients and brethren appears to have been governed by a wise and loving observance of that golden rule which is the foundation of ethics, medical as well as social: "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." In this earnest, conscientious and most successful devotion to the duties of his profession, he persevered, after excessive labor had undermined his health, until a fresh outbreak of his old disease hurried him to a premature grave.

ARTICLE LXI

Extracts from the Proceedings of the Kings County Medical Society. Tribute to the Memory of the late Dr. A. Cooke Hull; also the late Dr. Horace May.

TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF DR. HULL.

A special meeting of the Homœopathic Medical Society of the County of Kings was held July 14th for the purpose of paying respect to the memory of A. Cooke Hull, M. D. The President, Dr. Minton, presided, and alluded in fitting terms to the character of deceased. He also stated that he was the second President of our Society, and the fourth member removed by death from among our number during the present year. He was followed by Dr. Sumner, who said: