profession than the manner in which physicians often give testimony before our courts. As our profession is constituted, and with the present views in regard to their duties to their clients entertained by the legal profession, we know of no remedy to meet the case except by the adoption of the plan recommended by our President, namely: the appointment of "a commission in every judicial district, whose duty it shall be to aid in the examination of witnesses in every trial involving scientific testimony." The subject is of so much importance that they would advise its reference to a special committee, to report upon it either at the present or the next meeting of the Association.

4. In regard to the matter of "The Grade and Pay of the Medical Corps of the Navy," an able report has been presented by Dr. N. S. Davis, chairman of the Committee on this subject, since the delilivery of the President's Address; and no farther action in regard to the matter seems to be called for at present than carrying out. the measures recommended by that Committee.

5. The importance of having an "Annual Register of the Regular Profession of the United States" is universally recognized, and your Committee would recommend that a resolution be adopted by this Association expressive of its belief in its necessity and usefulness, and refer the matter to a committee to report in regard to the necessary measures to carry it into effect.

6. The establishment of societies for the relief of the widows. and orphans of medical men is worthy of our careful consideration. To carry out this object over the United States generally should be the aim of this Association, but it is questionable in the minds of your Committee whether the same plan which has succeeded in New York would be practicable in country districts. It is worthy of serious inquiry whether the plan adopted by many of our co-operative societies and the Metropolitan Police of New York, which numbers many hundred members, would not be the best to secure the desired object in our profession, viz., the payment of a small sum-say, of $1 annually-into a common fund, by each physician of the State, county, or city. This would secure to each family of a deceased physician a sum ample to relieve their necessary wants, while its payment would not be felt by any one. Such societies may be composed of the physicians of a State, or county, or several counties, according as the population and other circumstances may seem to require.

7. In regard to the establishment of one or more Veterinary Col

leges in the United States, your Committee would advise that the subject be referred to a special committee of three, to be appointed by the Chair, to digest a plan, etc., and report at the next meeting of the Association.

8. Upon that portion of the Presidential Address recommending a change in the mode of electing officers, your Committee beg leave to say, that they have learned with pleasure that the Committee on the Revision of the Constitution have already agreed upon a report which suggests changes as regards the election of the President, which will, it is believed, fully meet the views of the President and the approval of the Association.

9. The only other subject particularly alluded to, viz., the importance of educated nurses for the proper care of the sick, is one which deserves an expression of opinion on the part of this body, and we would, therefore, recommend the adoption of a resolution of approval of the views set forth by our President.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

CHARLES A. LEE, Chairman.
D. FRANCIS CONDIE,
WASHINGTON L. ATLEE.

In accordance with the above views, your Committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolutions :

1. Resolved, That the "Publishing Committee" are hereby invested with plenary power, in regard to all papers not read before the Association, or in the Sections, to publish or not, as may seem expedient.

2. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to take into consideration the subject of the appointment of a commissioner in each medical district or circuit, whose duty it shall be to aid in the examination of witnesses in every trial involving medico-legal testimony, and to report at the next meeting of the Association.

3. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to report next year, in regard to the subject of an Annual Register of the regular profession in the United States, and in the mean time to take necessary measures to carry the plan into effect.

4. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to take into consideration the subject of the best mode of providing a fund for the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased physicians, and report to the Association at the next meeting.

5. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the subject of the establishment of Veterinary Colleges, and report at our next meeting.

6. Resolved, That all hospitals and public institutions for the care and treatment of the sick should have educated, well-trained nurses only, and that this Association would strongly recommend the establishment, in all our large cities, of nurse-training institutions for the sick.

REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON THE RANK AND REGULATIONS OF THE MEDICAL STAFF OF THE U. S. NAVY.

BY

N. S. DAVIS.