Second Day-Morning Session.

The Society convened at 9 A. M., Vice President Pratt in the chair.

After roll call Dr. E. W. Jenks, of Detroit, read a paper upon "Rupture of the Perinæum and its Surgical Treatment," and exhibited a number of diagrams in illustration of that subject. The thanks of the Society were tendered Dr. Jenks for his able paper, with a request that he furnish a copy of the same for publication.

Dr. E. S. Dunster, of Ann Arbor, then read a paper on the use of the forceps in obstetrics,-—a plea for their more frequent

use.

On motion of Dr. Jenks a vote of thanks was tendered Dr. Dunster for his very able paper, which on motion was referred to the Publication Committee.

Dr. Jenks then made some remarks upon the last named paper, endorsing the views of the author. The fear of the forceps arose from the old maxim, "Meddlesome midwifery is bad." It was no argument against the forceps that harm is sometimes done with them. It was rather a plea for better education in their use. When the os was dilated and the waters were discharged there were three things the obstetrician could do-wait on nature, administer ergot, or apply the forceps. But nature destroys many children, causes fistulas, lacerations, inflammations; ergot has out-Heroded Herod-has destroyed more children than that monster ever did. Then use the forceps, for there was no danger in emptying the uterus slowly, nor did the worst cases of lacerated perineum result from the use of the instrument.

Dr. Brodie said that the late Dr. Pitcher used forceps in 20 per cent. of his obstetrical cases, and that in his own experi

ence he used them two cases in five, and that in primipara he most always used forceps. They can be used to the great advantage and safety to the patient if the operator is educated properly in their use and in the mechanism of the female pelvis and its organs. More ruptures occur by not using the forceps than by using them.

Dr. Foster, of Otsego, said that during the early years of his practice he supposed from the teaching of authors that the forceps were to be rarely used, but during the last fifteen years of his obstetrical practice he had made frequent use of them, and never had occasion to regret their use in a single case.

Dr. Hitchcock said that he was early taught that the use of the forceps was bad except in extreme cases, but that for years past he had frequently used the forceps and had never regretted it. No accident had ever occurred in cases where he had used them. The instrument is safe with an educated brain to guide and use it, but in the want of proper knowledge was the danger. He related the case of a woman whom he saw delivered when he was a student in Bellevue Hospital. When the child was brought forth a ring was observed encircling the neck, which proved to be the neck of the uterus. He had heard Prof. Gilman's teachings in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, N. Y., who, when he had finished his lecture on the use of the forceps, used to fling them across the amphitheatre to show the estimation in which he held them. He had made up his mind, even then, to use them more frequently, and both his experience and observation led him to believe the results most excellent, when used early and intelligently.

Dr. Bennett did not believe in so frequent use of the forceps as had been advocated by speakers preceding him. He believed that more should be left to nature, and that the frequent use of the forceps and their early use was meddlesome midwifery. Dr. Brodie, of the Judicial Council, then offered the follow ing report:

The Judicial Council convened May 10, 1877. Present, Drs. Nims, Beech, Johnson, Thomas, and Brodie. Dr. G. K. Johnson was elected Chairman and Dr. Brodie Secretary.

On motion the matter of Dr. Jerome vs. Dr. B. B. Ross, of East Saginaw, for irregular and unethical conduct. The committee find that the charges have been sustained, and as Dr. Ross is not a member of the local society in Saginaw to whom the charges have been referred, we recommend that the name of Dr. B. B. Ross be stricken from the roll.

2. In the matter of the resolution presented by the Kalamazoo Medical Society, referred to this Counsel, the same is adopted as an ordinance of the Society.

3. In the matter of charges against Dr. Fairchild, formerly of Niles, and now of Detroit, the same have not been sustained.

4. In the matter of complaint of the Bay County Medical Society vs. the regular Bay County Medical Society, we find that the State Medical Society have no jurisdiction.

The terms of the following named gentlemen of the Council expire with this session, viz.: Dr. Nims, of Jackson, Dr. J. H. Beech, of Coldwater, and Dr. G. K. Johnson, of Grand Rapids.

WM. BRODIE, Secretary.

G. K. JOHNSON, Chairman.

The report was accepted and adopted.

Report of the Finance Committee:

The Committee on Finance respectfully beg leave to report that they have had under consideration the financial report of the Treasurer and find it to be correct. They have also found the Secretary's report to be financially correct.

Your committee further take pleasure in expressing gratification at the meritorious manner in which these officers have conducted the affairs of their respective offices, and recommend that the usual sum of one hundred dollars be voted the Recording Secretary for his services.

E. B. WARD, Chairman.

On motion the report was accepted and adopted. Report of the Finance and Special Committee on Publication:

The Finance Committee, together with the Special Committee on the publication of transactions of this body, have had the same under consideration and beg leave to report that they recommend no alteration be made in the manner heretofore followed in procuring such publication.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Adopted.

E. B. WARD, Chairman.

Dr. Wm. F. Breakey, of Ann Arbor, one of the Committee on Necrology, then read his report and a memorial on the life. and death of Dr. Henry S. Cheever, of Ann Arbor. The report was accepted and the resolution accompanying it adopted, and both referred to the Publication Committee.

The following amendment to the constitution was read by Dr. E. B. Ward of Laingsburg, which was laid over until the next annual meeting under the rules:

Resolved, Evidence of two years' reputable practice after graduation from a regular medical college, or of five years' reputable practice without graduation, as proof of established professional character, shall be furnished by all applicants for membership to this Society.

Dr. J. H. Carstens, of Detroit, offered the following resolutions, which were adopted by the Society:

Whereas, There is a bill before Congress to remove the tariff on quinine; and,

Whereas, By the tariff a few men are enabled to get up a corner on quinine, and consequently increase the price of that drug; and,

Whereas, Especially the poor and sick suffer when quinine is very expensive, as the consumer must pay for the drug whatever the price is, there being no reliable substitute of this so extensively used therapeutic agent;

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Michigan State Medical Society that the bill to remove the tariff on quinine, now before Congress, should pass that body.

Resolved, That the Secretary send these resolutions to the Senators and Representatives in Congress from this State.

Dr. J. R. Thomas, of Bay City, then offered the following: Whereas, This and all other medical societies recognized by and entitled to representation in the American Medical Association are bound to observe its code of ethics; and,

Whereas, The American Medical Association, at its session in June, 1876, adopted the following resolution, to wit:

Resolved, That the members of the medical profession who in any way aid or abet the graduation of medical students in irregular or exclusive systems of medicine, are deemed thereby to violate the spirit of ethics of the American Medical Association;

Now, therefore,

Resolved, That the Michigan State Medical Society cordially endorse this resolution of the American Medical Association, and accept it as an authoritative interpretation of the ethical code.

Dr. Jerome supported the resolutions.

Dr. Beach moved to lay the resolutions on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was lost by a large majority. A motion made by Dr. Brodie, to lay them on the table till afternoon, was lost.

Yeas and nays were called for, but a sufficient number not supporting the demand, the original resolutions were put and carried, but few voting against them.

Dr. Jerome then moved to take from the table the pending

amendment to the constitution, known as the 4th resolution, relative to membership.

Carried.

Dr. Jerome then moved action on the resolution be postponed till the next regular meeting of the society.

Carried without debate.

Dr. Fiske then submitted the following:

Resolved, That the resolutions laying upon the table the papers read by the Secretary from the States of Maine and Indiana be taken from the table, and the Secretary instructed to return to the respective organizations our thanks for their manifestation of fraternal feelings.

Dr. Brodie spoke against taking the communications from the table, characterizing them as "impertinent interference in our home affairs.”

Dr. Ward and Dr. Jerome supported the resolution in a few earnest remarks, and it was carried.

On motion the society adjourned till 2 P. M.

Second Day-Afternoon Session.

The meeting convened at 2 o'clock, and was called to order by Vice-President Dr. Foster Pratt.

On motion, reading of the minutes and calling the roll were dispensed with.

The Secretary stated that he had had some very pleasant correspondence with Dr. John Day, of Geelong, Australia, President of the Victoria Medical Society, and with the Honorable Secretary of the same society and editor of the Australian Medical Journal, Dr. James Edward Nield, of Melbourne, who had furnished this society with valuable documents, and in