should be declared to be the choice of the meeting. A similar course is pursued in other deliberative assemblies, clerical, legal, and political, and it hardly admits of doubt that the change would be attended with the most salutary effects, from its tendency to incite a spirit of emulation among the members of the Association that, under the present system, does not exist. Besides, it would effectually break up the custom, formerly so common, and attended with so much heartburning, of selecting the presiding officer from the physicians of the place of meeting. By a resolution adopted a year ago restrictions of a stringent nature were placed upon the social intercourse of the Association during its annual meetings. It is questionable whether such exclusive legislation is calculated to further the object of these meetings-that of facilitating and fostering friendly intercourse among the members. All extremes are dangerous, and are sure soon to be followed by salutary reaction. Men are brought into closer relations at the social board than in a deliberative assembly; they see each other face to face, interchange friendly feeling, and look at each other in a kindlier spirit. The asperities of our nature, if any exist, are worn off by the social friction, and men forget that they have any interest except a common one. Too much indulgence of this kind is of course prejudicial to the interests both of the Association and to the great cause of medical science, and cannot be too pointedly condemned. It must strike every one that the time of our meetings is too short: at least one entire week should be devoted to the object. As it is, we do little more than organize, shake hands, and separate. To discuss any question fully, or elaborately, is simply an impossi bility. Our published Transactions afford a humiliating evidence of this haste and want of dignity. I have introduced these topics, not a little varied in their character, in the hope that they may excite in you a deep and permanent interest. If some of them should be regarded as irrelevant, let it be borne in mind that they are all of a humanitarian nature, and therefore worthy of the serious consideration of such a grave and enlightened body, intrusted with the guardianship of the American medical profession. Since the close of our last meeting death has been busy among our ranks. It has struck from our rolls the names of Henry H. Childs, James Jackson, and J. Mason Warren, of Massachusetts; William Gibson and Wilson Jewell, of Pennsylvania; WorthingVOL. XIX.-6 ton Hooker, of Connecticut; Robert Watts, Howard Townsend, John P. Batchelder, and Isaac Wood, of New York; Jesse P. Judkins and Joseph Fitch Potter, of Ohio; together with a number of others, of less note, but of great usefulness, and of equally honorable character as practitioners and citizens. America never before had occasion to deplore, within so short a time, the death of so many distinguished physicians. In recalling the names of these good men, co-workers with us in the great interests of medical science and of medical reform, let us mingle our tears with those of their relatives and friends, "breathe a benison o'er their sleeping dust," and entwine the lily with the evergreen in commemoration of the purity of their lives and their undying fame as distinguished members of a great and noble profession. "Vita enim mortuorum in memoriâ vivorum est posita." While we thus drop the tear of affection and esteem at the tombs of our own countrymen, endeared to us by a thousand agreeable personal recollections, let us not forget to pay a similar tribute to our foreign brethren, among the most conspicuous of whom are Civiale, Jobert, Velpeau, Trousseau, Chomel, Follin, Rayer, Flourens, Jarjavay, and Roger, of France; Szegmanowsky, of Russia; Turck, of Austria; and Lawrence, Brinton, Teale, Arnot, Faraday, Davy, and Elliotson, of England; men who, after having borne the heat and burden of many summers, and added lustre to the nations which they respectively represent, during the last twelve months departed this life, full of honor and renown. Their names, many of which are associated with our earliest memories by their labors and their writings, are inscribed upon the scroll of fame, and are destined to live forever in the esteem and gratitude of mankind. The same God's acre, broad as earth itself, enshrouds their mortal remains as those of their American brethren, the same flowers grow upon their tombs, and the same halo of glory encircles their brows. REPORT ON RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED IN PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. THE Committee appointed to report on the recommendations and suggestions contained in the President's Inaugural Address, beg leave respectfully to report That they have as carefully considered the various topics discussed therein as the short time allotted them would permit, and would state that they fully concur in regard to the importance of the different subjects treated of and the recommendations made. 1. In regard to the "character of our Transactions," the views expressed by our President are doubtless those entertained by the members of this Association generally; and we can see no objection to the plan recommended being adopted, viz., that "the Committee of Publication should be invested with plenary powers in regard to all papers not read before the Association, or in the Sections," and would respectfully advise its adoption in future. If the "additional ordinances," passed in May, 1867, in regard to the character of papers accepted for publication, at our meeting at Cincinnati, be fully carried out, as we have no reason to doubt they will be hereafter, the character of our Transactions will be essentially elevated and improved, while the bulk of the volumes will be greatly reduced and the expense proportionately diminished. 2. In regard to the topic of "Medical Education," as the Committee on this subject have not yet made their report, and as it is understood they have carefully considered the whole matter, we deem it proper to leave it for consideration after their report has been presented. 3. The subject of medical testimony in our courts of justice is one which calls for the most careful deliberation of this body. In the opinion of your Committee there is no cause which has done more to lessen the confidence of the community in the medical |