taken up for discussion. Discussed by Drs. McBee, Irons, Foutche and Golden. All think the etiology obscure and nothing to offer in way of treatment.

Dr. Bosworth says all patients with arthritis deformans have enlarged stomachs, and thinks it possible this may have something to do with etiology.

Dr. Harris read a paper entitled "One of the Worst Enemies of the Profession-The Man Who Undervalues his Services."

A resolution was passed appointing a committee to consider the advisability of making a minimum fee schedule for the district.

Adjourned until 8 P. M.

Evening Session-Present Drs. Perry, Rodgers, A. S. Bosworth, Golden, T. M. Wilson, M. S. Wilson, Murphy, Hamilton, Owens, Harris, McBee, Irons, Foutche, Daniels, Arbuckle, Hoff, Furlong, Marshall, C. S. Hoffman.

Committee on insurance reported as follows: Barbour in favor of exacting a fee of $5.00, Randolph thinks it not practicable yet, Tucker all but one member in favor of a fee of $5.00.

The question was settled for the present by requesting the members not to make examinations for less than $5.00.

Dr. Murphy read a paper on "Contract Practice," also made some remarks on fee division. Warmly discussed by Drs. Golden, Bosworth, Rodgers and Irons. Dr. C. S. Hoffman was present, by invitation, with a paper on Shock. Discussion opened by Dr. McBee.

Next on the programme was a discussion of the business affairs of the district. Opened by Dr. Hoff, who thinks we are in better shape than formerly, more friendly, more inclined to help one another. Thinks when we leave a case, is the time to try to make a settlement. If money is not available, try to get a note. Dr. Hoffman thinks physicians should have an equal standing with undertakers and lawyers in collecting their bills.

A special assessment of $1.00 was laid to provide a fund to employ an attorney to prosecute illegal practitioners.

Society officers: President, O. L. Perry, Elkins; First Vice President, W. W. Kerr, of Volga; Second Vice President, Irvin Hardy, of Davis; Treasurer and Secretary, A. P. Butt. Albert, April 20, '07.

Eastern Pan Handle Society.

Perhaps the Journal could find space for an account of the second quarterly meeting of the Eastern Pan Handle Medical Society, held at Charlestown, April 10th, 1907.

The spirit of hearty co-operation on the part of the physicians of the counties of Berkeley, Morgan and Jefferson gives the society a promising future, and it takes just pride in the tribute paid its progress by Dr. Golden, who was one of the honored guests.

Two papers, "Medical Ethics," by Dr. Castleman, Martinsburg, and "Laryngeal Diphtheria," by Dr. Neill, Charlestown, are worthy of special commendation.

"Puerperal Sepsis," by Dr. Allen, of Baltimore, evoked spirited discussion and emphasized many interesting points. An able paper

Hancock County Society.

The Hancock County Society held their Jubilee session to-day at the office of Dr. J. W. Spillman, at New Cumberland.

The physicians of the northern end of the county arrived at New Cumberland at 11:30 A. M., and after enjoying an elegant repast served by Mrs. Dr. Spillman in their beautiful home at noon, were joined by the physicians from the southern end of the county, who arrived on a later train. Meeting was called to order at 1:40 with Dr. Spillman in the chair, and after disposing of the regular order of business a general discussion was held with a view to determine some means to instil a greater interest in all the members of the society. As our society is small in number (yet contains all except two regular physicians practicing in the county), it needs a little continued effort on the part of every member to insure its success. In the discussion some one suggested the advisability of holding joint meetings with the ad. joining county, thereby securing greater numbers in attendance and enabling us to make the meetings more enjoyable and profitable to those faithful ones who unfortunately have been many times to the meetings only to waste their time in waiting for enough members to constitute a quorum.

The society voted to have the chairman appoint a committee to ascertain the pleasure of the members of both societies as to this ar rangement.

Dr. Benton was elected delegate to the State Association, to be held in Huntington in May.

After adjournment the Board of Censors met and organized with Dr. Purviance as chairman, and Dr. Spillman secretary. The board outlined their work for the remainder of the year,

in which they hope to accomplish much needed reform. G. H. BENTON, Secretary Pro Tem. Chester, W. Va., April 10, '07.

Monongalia County Society.

At our last meeting our society took up the matter of the reduction of insurance examina tion fees and passed the following resolution:

Whereas, Many of the old line life insurance companies have notified their medical examiners of reduction of examining fee from $5 to $3; and,

Whereas, We, as physicians, realizing the responsibility incident to proper examination of the individual. believe such reduction to be un just; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Monongalia County Med ical Society, and the medical profession in sympathy with them, in session assembled, do hereby declare such reduction to be unjust, and respectfully request that no physician author ized to practice medicine in Monongalia county accept such reduction of fee; and further, that any physician accepting such reduction be guilty of a breach of professional courtesy.

Resolved, That it is the sense of this society that hereafter in each examination for life in surance the minimum fee shall be $5.

Offcers and members of Monongalia County Medical Society: President, C. H. Maxwell, Morgantown, W. Va.; Vice President, R. W. Fisher, Morgantown, W. Va.; Secretary, F. T. Haught, Morgantown, W. Va.; Treasurer, Allen Bush, Morgantown, W. Va.; R. H. Edmondson, Morgantown, W. Va.; Censors, James A. Cox, Morgantown, W. Va., J. N. Simpson, Morgan. town, W. Va.; Delegate, R. W. Fisher, Morgan. town, W. Va.

F. T. HAUGHT, Secretary. Morgantown, April, 1907.

The first annual meeting of the West Virginia Hospital Association will be held at Huntington, May 16th, 1907. The following papers are on the programme: Hospitals, Dr. Jno. R. Cook, Fairmont; The Importance of Trained Nurses, Dr. W. S. Link, Parkersburg; Needed Legislation for Hospitals, Dr. U. W. Showalter, Clarksburg; Uniformity and Cooperation Among the Hospitals, Dr. J. E. Cannaday, Hansford. The officers of the association are: President, Dr. S. M. Mason, Clarksburg; First Vice President, Dr. Jno. R. Cook, Fairmont; Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. Joseph E. Rader, Huntington.

For some time past, the Marshall-Wetzel BiCounty Medical Society has had no meetings, due to a lack of interest on the part of its members. The advisability of forming separate societies in each of these counties was thought of and accordingly carried out. The Marshall County Medical Society was organized April 1st and 15th, amid a great deal of enthusiasm with twenty-three charter members in good standing. The meeting for organization was held at Dr. O. C. Covert's office, Moundsville, W. Va., with Dr. H. P. Linsz, Councillor, First District, presiding. The benefits to be derived by organization were thoroughly discussed and plans were suggested whereby the society may be

continued in a prosperous condition. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the following officers elected President, Dr. G. W. Bruce, Moundsville; Vice President, Dr. I. N. Houston, Moundsville; Secretary, Dr. O. F. Covert, Moundsville; Treasurer, Dr. J. W. Rickey, Moundsville. Board of Censors: Dr. J. J. Duffy, Rosby's Rock; Dr. L. S. Hennen, Moundsville. Delegate to the W. Va. Medical Association, Dr. J. J. Duffy; Alternate, Dr. I. N. Houston. After the meeting a luncheon was served by the genial Secretary, Dr. Covert, and a social time enjoyed.

State News

Charleston has been the seat of quite an epidemic of small pox, the efficient health of ficer, Dr. Eugene Davis, has had his hands full trying to cope with the situation, as it seemed impossible to secure grounds or a building for the purpose of isolating any of these cases. Dr. Davis conceived the happy idea of using a shanty boat as an isolation hospital; this was moored in the Elk river and a considerable number of cases were treated there.

Dr. J. E. Cox, of Stanaford, W. Va., expects to spend several months in Europe this summer for the purpose of travel and study.

Dr. C. F. Mahood, of Oak Hill, W. Va., has opened an office for the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.

Dr. R. C. Price, formerly of Page, is now at Moorefield, W. Va.

Dr. Joseph C. Brown, of Winona, recently removed to Page, W. Va.

Dr. Gideon Timberlake, of Charleston, lately married Mrs. McClanahan.

Dr. S. M. Stone, of Tomsburg, W. Va., married Miss Effie Mucklow, a daughter of Mr. W. W. Mucklow, of Charleston, W. Va., April 24th.

Dr. J. J. Davidson, of Concho, W. Va., is now located at Hugheston, W. Va.

Dr. R. D. Roller, Jr., is located at Wittenberg, W. Va.

Contracts have been let for the new buildings and other improvements for the Sheltering Arms Hospital, at Hansford, W. Va. Improvements will be made to the extent of $75,000 during the present year. A new hospital with a capacity of about 125 patients will be erected, the power house and laundry alone will cost nearly $20,000. The buildings are to be of concrete. The excavation for the site has been practically finished and the concrete work will be begun in a few days. The hospital has been a gradual growth; 18 years ago the work was started in a frame building by Bishop Peterkin. Additions to this were made from time to time. The present building has been very badly overcrowded for some time. Archdeacon B. M. Spurr, of Moundsville, W. Va., who has been so successful with hospital work in the northern part of the state, collected the most of the funds for the new hospital here, and he has charge of the construction.

Drs. H. C. Nicholson and A. A. Shawkey recently spent two weeks at the Clinic of the

Mayo Bros. at Rochester, Minnesota.

Dr. W. S. Robertson, Jr., of Richmond, Va., has opened an office for the practice of medicine in Charleston, W. Va.

Dr. W. L. McMillan contemplates the opening of a private hospital in Charleston soon.

Dr. W. E. Dempsey, of Oak Hill, has lately returned from New York, where he was doing post graduate work.

The family of Dr. O. L. Perry, Elkins, was enlarged last month by the addition of a daughter.

Dr. J. H. Cherry, Coketon, is in Florida, to which state he may remove if he finds things promising there. We shall regret to lose him from our ranks.

Dr. A. H. Woodford, of Belington, gave some uneasiness to his many medical friends on account on an infection of one of his fingers, but he has now fully recovered from it.

was

The extent of the epidemic of typhoid fever which prevailed this winter in Elkins grossly exaggerated by outsiders. It is all over now and the town is enjoying its usual degree of good health.

Dr. Hall, formerly of Fairmont, has located in Elkins. The Doctor has made application for membership in the Barbour-Randolph-Tucker Medical Society, and will no doubt become a useful member.

Dr. J. C. Irons, Elkins, who was confined to his house a good portion of the winter on account of muscular rheumatism, is now enjoying his usual good health, and has served notice on his medical friends that May 15, 16 and 17 will find him at Huntington.

Dr. R. H. Powell, Grafton, was recently a visitor in Elkins and was entertained by President Golden.

Dr. A. M. Fredlock was elected Mayor of Elkins by a fairly good majority. While he was opposed by some members of the medical fraternity, they are all glad to see him in office and expect much from his administration, especially in matters of sanitation.

Dr. J. A. Cox, of Morgantown, has been quite ill for some time with some obscure trouble with his kidneys, most probably a stone in the pelvis. He is now at Cambridge Springs.

Dr. Abercrombie, of Wheeling, has been appointed by Governor Dawson to attend the American Anti-Tuberculosis League in Atlantic City June 1-4.

At the State University it has been ordered that tuition of $25.00 a year in the Law College. and the Medical College, and $20.00 in the Engineering College, be charged, beginning next fall. Double these fees will be charged nonresidents of the state. These fees were made necessary by the appropriation being cut down by the legislature.

Mrs. Werner, wife of Dr. Wm. Werner, of Thomas, has just returned from Florida, where she spent the winter.

Dr. T. Jud McBee, of Elkins, is doing some special work at the College of P. & S., in Balti

more.

We take pleasure in announcing the recent marriage of Dr. W. Sheldon Hutchins, Wheeling's oldest physician.

Notes.

The head of each hospital in the state is invited to send a representative to the meeting of the State Hospital Association, to be held at Huntington during the session of the State Medical Association, May 15-17. It is desired that as many hospitals as possible be represented, so that methods may be adopted and papers and discussions secured that will be of mutual benefit. S. M. MASON.

A second edition of The Great American Fraud pamphlet has been issued by the press of the American Medical Association. It inIcludes the Collier's Weekly articles on patent medicines which have so informed the country, and Mr. Adams' later article on Quacks and Quackery, the result of which has been to drive some of this class of impostors out of business. Some societies are ordering enough copies to supply all their members. It is a most useful and interesting-but painfully so-document. Price, 10 cents; 50 copies $2.00; 14 copies $1.00. Order it. Read it. Keep it on your table for your patrons to read.

The 32d Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Medicine (Specializing in Medical Sociology) will be held at the Hotel Dennis, Atlantic City, on Saturday, June 1, and Monday, June 3, 1907.

Provisional Program.

Report of the Committee on "The Teaching of Hygiene in the Public Schools."

Report of the Committee on "The Comparative Value of the First Degree in Our American Colleges" (final report).

Papers.

"The Communal Life of Physicians; Its Cultivation and Value." By Dr. Leartus Connor, Detroit.

"The Superiority of the Playground to the School-room." By Dr. Woods Hutchinson, of Arrow Head Springs, California.

"Insurance for Defectives." By Dr. J. A. Spalding, Portland, Me.

8 P. M.-Open Session of the Academy. Annual address before the academy-Dr. Casey A. Wood, of Chicago, president of the academy, "A Medical Career and the Intellectual Life."

Monday, June 3, 1907, 10 A. M.-Executive session of the academy.

11 A. M.-Open Session. Symposium-The Relation of the Medical Profession to the Housing of the People.

Every reputable college-bred physician is eligible for membership in the American Academy of Medicine, and it invites all who are interested in the medical aspect of the social problems of the times to unite in its study of these problems. Blank applications and literature may be obtained from the secretary, 52 North Fourth street, Easton, Pa.

Announcement.

The following is a copy of the general guarantee filed this date with the Secretary of Agriculture, at Washington, D. C.:

THE ABBOTT ALKALOIDAL CO.

Chicago, Nov. 12, 1906.

The Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Dear Sir-We, the undersigned, do hereby guarantee that all the articles of foods or drugs manufactured, packed, distributed or sold by us, including both crude and powered drugs, alkaloids, chemicals, pharmaceutical preparations, medicinal specialties or proprietary medicines and any and all articles of food and drugs as defined by the Food and Drugs Act of June 30, 1906, are not adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of the said act.

Respectfully yours,

THE ABBOTT ALKALOIDAL CO., (Seal) DR. W. C. ABBOTT, President,

1416 E. Ravenswood Park, Chicago, Ill. Attest: LOUIS P. SCOVILLE, Secretary.

West Virginia Medical Journal.

I will be glad if you will publish the enclosed in the West Virginia Medical Journal.

Dr. Howard A. Kelly, of Baltimore, is at work on a scheme for a Cyclopedia of American Medical Biography. The main scope of the plan is to include the names of men who have been prominent in advancing the cause of the profession throughout the country, the idea being to perpetuate the memory of men who have made their mark professionally rather than politically or commercially. Dr. Kelly suggests the following biographical outline:

"Biographies must be comprised in from 2001000 words, according to the eminence of the subject.

The following data ought to appear in each

case:

1. Name in full, followed by year of birth and death.

2. Place of practice, or place where chief reputation was gained (immediately under name).

3. Department or departments of special activity.

4. Ancestry in brief and exact place and date of birth.

5.

Education and degrees with dates.

6. Membership in scientific and learned societies.

7. Positions held, with dates.

8. Narrate any interesting events which give life and color to the sketch, such as anecdotes, or description of personal characteristics.

9. Marriage, giving name of wife in full and number of children, mention particularly any children who followed medicine or became eminent.

10. The exact place, date, and cause of death.

11. Important writings in chronological order with exact references.

12. Reference to previous biographies and any extant portraits.

Signature of Biographer.

A Simple Means of Relieving the Earache of Acute Otitis Media.-In inflammation of the middle ear, previous to the time when paracentesis of the membrana tympani is required or before spontaneous rupture affords relief by permitting free vent to the discharge, the patient frequently demands immediate relief from pain. The ordinary local applications of cocaine, or phenol, combined with glycerin, are only partially successful. Neumann has found a much more effective means of attaining the desired result. It consists in introducing into the external auditory canal compresses of cotton moistened with ordinary dilute lead water, which are also applied to the concha and its vicinity. This solution is made extempora neously by adding water to Goulard's extract, forming eau blanche. This solution is heated to the boiling point, and a small piece of absorbent cotton, rolled into the shape of a cone about an inch long, is dipped into it, and then introduced into the auditory canal. The concavities of the external ear are next to be filled with small compresses, which are also moistened with lead water and applied as hot as the patient can bear it. Finally, the entire ear and surrounding parts are covered with three compresses, dipped into the same solution, but from which the excess of moisture has been removed by expression. One of them is placed in front of the ear, the other in the space behind the ear, and the third above the preceding two. The relief afforded by this is so great that the patient is enabled to await with tranquillity the time for paracentesis or the spontaneous opening of the drum.-Med. Review of Reviews from Le Bulletin Medical.

Cancer of the Breast.-J. Clark Stewart (Jour. Minnesota State Med. Assn., January, '07). At least 25 per cent of the cases of cancer of the breast can be cured by radical surgical operation. However, probably not over 5 per cent are cured. This condition is due to the fact that the general practitioner fails to make an early diagnosis and to refer the case to the surgeon, and also to the fact that the surgeon frequently fails to do a complete operation. The majority of breast tumors in women over thirty are malignant and should be referred at once to the surgeon. The indications for treatment are the removal of the tumor with a sufficient amount of sur

rounding tissue, the removal of the neighboring lymph nodes and their connecting lymphatics, and the closure of the wound for primary union. The essentials in operating are to remove the breast without disturbing its attachments to skin, muscle, and fascia, to remove the pectoral fascia and both pectoral muscles, to remove the axillary lymph nodes by clean dissection, to avoid cross section of the lymphatics leading from breast to axilla, to secure perfect hemostasis, and if necessary to use Thiersch skin grafts. Mutilation and subsequent disability are due to poor technic. Rarely swelling of the arm after operation is seen; this is due either to a good deal of blunt dissection in the axilla or to axillary recurrence.-J. T. T.

Vaccine and Vaccination.-W. F. Elgin (Maryland Medical Journal, February, '07) calls attention to the character of vaccine and its limitations. Glycerinated virus is the best form of vaccine. Glycerine acts as a preserva. tive and causes a slow elimination of extraneous bacteria usually present in the virus. This eliminative action is prevented or greatly retarded by low temperature, while at or above body temperature it is rapid. At the temperature at which the lymph is usually stored two months or longer are required to destroy the bacteria, though the pathogenicity is usually lost in two or three weeks. The activity of the virus is rapidly destroyed by exposure to a temperature of 98° F., while exposure to room temperature causes loss of activity in from one to three weeks. At the temperature of the ice chest it will remain active for three to six months. Hence it is necessary to store vaccine in a cool place, and when compelled to vaccinate in hot weather to use only fresh vaccine.

In the operation of vaccination rigid asepsis should be exercised and the patient should be instructed in the subsequent care of the site of operation. The vaccinated area should equal one-half square inch. The incisions should never be deep enough to draw blood over the whole area. The patient should exhibit symptoms of vaccinia and a scar. The symptoms of vaccinia should not be founded with those of septic infection. The vaccinated site should always be inspected be tween the eighth and twelfth days after operation to determine the character of the result, and the certificate issued accordingly.-J. T. T

con

Rheumatic Fever in Childhood.-Dunn (Jour. Am. Med. Assn., 9th February, '07), gives an interesting discussion of this subject based on the study of 300 hospital cases. The term rheumatic fever is preferable to infectious arthritis, acute rheumatism, or acute articular rheumatism. The disease is probably an acute infection due to the Micrococcus Rheumaticus, though the specificity of this organism has not yet been conclusively demonstrated. A certain number of cases have joint symptoms resembling the adult type-redness, heat, swelling and tenderness; but in the majority of cases joint symptoms are absent. The articular

cases are characterized by great mildness and brief duration of joint symptoms, the small number of joints affected, and the frequency of cardiac involvement. In the articular cases the commonest mode of onset is with fever and joint pains, the many cases have fever and other symptoms before the development of joint pains. Fever may persist for several days after subsidence of joint symptoms, and this is especially frequent in those cases in which cardiac symptoms are associated.

Endocarditis is an exceedingly common manifestation of rheumatic fever in early life, and for a time or throughout may be the only man ifestation. The physical signs are the characteristic endocardial murmurs, in some cases irregular cardiac rhythm, accelerated rate, and irritability of the heart. Elevation of temperature is always present and frequently dyspnoea. Joint symptoms may be associated, but the frequency of acute endocarditis as the only manifestation of rheumatic fever in childhood should be remembered.

Acute pericarditis is another common manifestation. These cases have fever and precordial pain, and frequently dyspnoea and cough. The physical signs are the same as in adults. The pericarditis may be dry or serous, never purulent. Articular signs may be present or absent, as in cases of endocarditis. icarditis and endocarditis may be associated.

Per

In cases that show signs of broken compen sation there is probably an associated myocarditis which is to be considered the chief cause of dilatation rather than over-exertion.

There was a history of chorea in 29 per cent. of the 300 cases, a fact which speaks strongly for its rheumatic origin.

The mortality in children is much higher than in adults-20 per cent. in this series. This high mortality is not generally recog nized.-J. T. T.

An Explosive Epidemic of Water-Borne Typhoid Fever.-Stokes and Price (Maryland Medical Journal, December, '06) report an epidemic of typhoid at Mt. Savage, Md., due to infection of a spring. A woman who occupied a house on a steep incline 100 yards from a large flowing spring was taken ill with typhoid fever. The drainage from this house ran near the spring, from which 200 workmen were ac customed to drink. One week after the onset of typhoid fever in the case of the woman, 20 of the 200 workmen were also taken ill with what proved to be typhoid fever. From that time additional cases continued to develop until the total number reached 115, of which 108 were from the 200 workmen.

The incubation period varied from one week to perhaps five weeks. Bacteriological examination showed the presence in the spring water of the colon bacillus, demonstrating intestinal pollution. The attack rate, i. e., the percentage of those infected to the total number of those exposed, was 54 per cent. This rate was unusually high, and due to the fact that a large number of typhoid bacilli found their way into a small body of water.-J. T. T