heart. The case was discussed by Drs. Martin, Wilkinson and Herrick. Dr. Martin regarded Iodide of Potassium as indicated; Dr. Wilkinson thought Quinine would would fulfil more indications than Iodide Potassium; Dr. Herrick said that as the enlargement of the spleen came from malarial causes. Quinine was indicated, but believed that Iodide of Potassium was almost as essential; bi-iodide of mercury ointment for external application.

On motion of Dr. Avery, seconded by Dr. Martin, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions on the relations sustained by the Medical Faculty towards the Homœopathic Department of the University. Drs. Wood, Wilkinson and Avery were appointed by the chair as such committee. The committee presented the following:

WHEREAS, The Board of Regents, acting under the authority of an act of the Legislature, has established a College of Homœopathy as a department of the University, and

WHEREAS, Certain Professors have seen fit to retain their positions in the Medical Department, therefore,

Resolved, That this society deprecates any action on the part of any portion of the medical profession of this State calculated in its nature to impair the usefulness and influence of the Medical Department by casting any direct or implied censure upon the Professors who have chosen to remain in the University as teachers of medicine and surgery.

Dr. Herrick moved, and Dr. Phelps seconded the motion, that the resolution be accepted.

Dr. Avery said he was in favor of the resolution, and believed that the persons who were raising the cry against the University and the Professors who chose to retain their seats there, were interested in attempting to pull down the Medical Department of that institution, that they might build up another medical school on the ruins of the old one, and hoped the profession of the State would not lend their aid to any such scheme.

He was followed by Drs. Bigelow, Wood, Dundas, Phelps,

Martin, and Herrick, all of whom spoke in favor of the resolution. The motion was then put and carried with only one dissenting voice.

On motion of Dr. Wood, seconded by Dr. Herrick, a copy of the resolution was ordered to be sent to the Faculty of the Medical Department of the University, and one to the PENINSULAR JOURNAL OF MEDICINE for publication.

A motion was then made by Dr. Phelps and seconded by Dr. Martin, that the following resolution be passed by the Society upon the departure of Dr. Chas. F. Morgan for Stamford, Conn.:

Resolved, That we tender to Dr. Chas. F. Morgan, late a member of this Society, our sincere regret at the loss of so worthy and esteemed a member, and express the earnest wish that he may be as successful in his new field of labor in securing the confidence of the public and the esteem of the profession, as he was during his stay with us.

The resolution was adopted.

Typhoid fever was chosen as the subject for discussion at the next meeting of the Society, with Dr. Dowlman to open. To report cases in writing: Drs. Ford, Dundas and Badger; Essayists Drs. Wilkenson, Herrick and Sheldon.

Society adjourned to meet in the city of Greenville, on Tuesday, July 11th, 1876.

The Society held a public discussion in the evening on the subject of Alcohol, before a large audience, who were evidently interested from the earnest attention they gave. Dr. Wood read a well written essay upon the effects of alcohol in large and small doses. He was followed by Drs. Martin, Dowlman and Avery, in short but instructive addresses.

O. E. HERRICK, Secretary.

MICHIGAN STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

The annual meeting of the Michigan Board of Health, was held at Lansing April 11, 1876. There were present Drs.

Hitchcock, Kedzie and Baker, Rev. Mr. Brigham, and Rev. Mr. Goodman.

The President made an annual address, and treated of some of the achievements of hygiene, their economic relations in the State, and the means for future achievements. He showed the increase in the length of human life since the commencement of the Christian era, which he claimed was due to progress in hygiene. The average longevity in Geneva, Switzerland, was in the 16th century, 21.21; 17th century, 25.67; 18th century, 33.62; 1801 to 1833, 39.69; 1814 to 1833; 40.68.

In the 16th century 25.92 per cent. of the children died in their first year; in the 19th century the deaths at this age were reduced to 15.12 per cent. In the 16th century 61.11 per cent. and in the present century only 33 per cent. perished before they reached 20 years. In the first period 3.08 per cent. passed three score and ten years, and in the latter 17.94 per cent. had that length of life. As large a proportion now live to 70 as lived to 43 three hundred years ago. Statistics taken from the reports of the registrar general of England show the saving of life in London caused by the progress of civilization and of hygiene. The yearly death rate was: 1660 to 1679, 80 per 1,000 inhabitants; 1681 to 1690, 42.1; 1746 to 1755, 35.5; 1846 to 1855, 24.9; 1871, 22.6.

Taking the number of deaths in Michigan during 1871 as 18,094, as shown by the vital statistics of this State, he concludes that 5,332 of these were from miasmatic causes, and one-half of them might have been prevented. By these deaths from miasmatic causes he claimed a money loss to the State as follows: For the last sickness of these persons, including loss of time, $50 each, funeral expenses on an average $25 each, making a loss to the people of $399,000. He believed that these persons died sooner than they should by an average of ten years, and that half of those years might be said to be years of effective life. The State then lost 26,660 years of effective life, which cannot be estimated at less than $150 per year, giving a loss of

$3,999,000. English statisticians have estimated that for every death two persons are constantly sick. Thus for every death from the causes under consideration it is probable there are two years of sickness from the same causes, or 10,664 years of sickness. Counting one-half of these years as in the effective period of life, the money at $150 per year is $799,800. The cost of this sickness in nursing, medical attendance, and loss of time will amount to $2,132,800. All the items make a grand total of $7,331,500, and one-half of this sum he considers might have been saved to the people of Michigan in the year 1871.

He claimed that the deaths from small-pox should be reduced in the future by more thorough vaccination. He believes it the solemn and imperative duty of every physician and hygienist of every local board of health to give the idea that scarlet fever is a dangerous, contagious, and almost wholly preventable disease. This idea should be given a wide circulation. He mentioned a long list of diseases, and the means to be used for their prevention.

He mentioned the influence of certain growing trees in preventing miasmatic diseases, especially the blue gum of Australia, which is cultivated in Europe, California, and the Southern States, and suggested that in this centennial year it be tried in Michigan.

The most available and successful means for the accomplishment of the work of the hygienist is the careful collection and compilation of facts. Reliable vital statistics must of necessity be the basis of the work. He quoted from Buckle, who says, "Statistics, as a branch of knowledge, have already thrown more light upon the study of human nature than all the sciences put together." He urged upon the board most persistent efforts to secure more complete vital statistics from the people of Michigan.

He urged the election or the appointment of an efficient health officer in every city, village, and township in the State.

He also suggested the appointment of a commission to collect facts relative to the injury to public health through the use of intoxicating liquors.

So much of the President's address as related to the influence of vegetation upon health, was referred to Rev. C. H. Brigham, Committee on that subject, so much as related to the vital statistics to Dr. Baker, Supt. of Vital Statistics, and so much as related to the appointment of a Commission to investigate the influence of alcoholic drinks, was referred to the Committee on Legislation.

There was a lengthy discussion on illuminating oils, and their thorough inspection for the public safety.

Dr. Hitchcock made a report on criminal abortion, which called forth considerable discussion. He urged some changes in the present law, to do away with the term "quickened," and to call all abortions deaths to be investigated by a coroner, as suggested by Drs. Beech and Stoddard of our State.

The Secretary read an annual report which gave in detail the amount and kind of property on hand, of that which had been received, issued, and used by the Board during the year, and also gave a classified financial statement. The Secretary also read a report relative to a portion of the work done in the office since the last meeting, which showed, among other things, that about 55,000 documents on "Treatment of the Drowned" had been distributed to the school population of Michigan, and that blanks for a special report for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 1875, had been sent to the 1,185 clerks of local boards of health in the State, many of whom have filled out and returned the same. A communication from Lyman P. Alden, Supt. of the State Public School at Coldwater, relative to the occurrence of over 100 cases of sickness at that institution, out of about 230 inmates, including 80 cases of measles and 30 of pneumonia, was read. After some discussion the subject was referred to Dr. Arthur Hazlewood, with the request to investigate the cause of the unusual sickness, and report to the Board at its next meeting.