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if we would obtain from other countries an acknowledgment of our professional status.

With regard to the proposal on the part of the members of the Executive Committee of the Medical Council of Ontario, and their request, to be granted the privilege of exacting a very high fee to check-mate this action of the Universities, it is so very peculiar that we have not been able to digest it sufficiently to make any remarks thereon. Its modesty is very refreshing. We have no doubt that in course of time their request will be granted, and that the profession of Ontario itself, with all its liberality, will ultimately be brought to believe that their best interests lie in littleness, exclusiveness and puffed up selfimportance.

ACCIDENT TO DR. HENRY HOWARD.

We are sorry to learn that our old and respected friend Dr. Henry Howard met with a serious accident by which his left arm was broken near the shoulder-joint. In proceeding to the Longue Pointe asylum, of which institution the Doctor has professional charge, his sleigh was upset, and he fell heavily on his left side and sustained a fracture of the humerus at the surgical neck; an accident of this nature occurring in a man of Dr. Howard's age, was regarded with anxiety by his friends; we are happy to announce, however, that the Doctor is fast recovering, and that with his accustomed zeal and energy he will soon be at his work again. The following resolution was passed at a late meeting of the Medico-Chirurgical Society, over which Dr. Howard presides :

Moved by Dr. KENNEDY, seconded by Dr. RODDICK, and carried unanimously:

"That this Society has learned with great regret of the serious accident which has happened to their respected President, Dr. HENRY HOWARD; That the Secretary be instructed to convey to Dr. HOWARD the sincere sympathy of the Society, and the gratification it will give to see him once more in his accustomed place. That this Society has learned with pleasure of the action of the Local Government authorities in at once appointing an assistant to relieve Dr. Howard from the anxiety of his charge."

AMERICAN HEALTH PRIMERS.

The well known publishing house of Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia, have undertaken the publication of a series of works written in a popular style, for the purpose of diffusing a knowledge of sanitary science. The subjects discussed in each volume are of the very highest practical importance to communities, as well as to individuals, and we have no doubt that this worthy attempt will meet with very general approval. As a rule in this country, the subject of sanitation is not as fully recognized as its importance demands. Public health associations are doing good work, and the results are beginning to tell in a marked improvement in the comforts of life and the lessening of disease. Sanitary legislation is as yet unknown in this Dominion, nor has it attained that prominence amongst our neighbors which it deserves. In the announcement of these volumes, by the publishers, the hope is expressed that "the American Health Primers may assist in developing a public sentiment favorable to proper sanitary laws, especially in our large cities." This sentiment we fully endorse; but in our own country we trust that if any sanitary laws are introduced their application will be general and not restricted to our large cities. We regard all sanitary matters to belong to the central government of any country, constituted as is our Dominion. Local enactments and provincial regulations are all well enough in their way, when they affect alone the comfort of local communities; but matters which affect the sanitary condition of an entire nation should be alone dealt with by the parent government.

The Canadian statesmen who in the future will introduce and carry through the House of Commons at Ottawa a comprehensive Public Health Act will be a great benefactor to the community at large. It is true that several Acts are on our statute books bearing on sanitary science, so that we are gradually getting in the thin edge of the wedge, and probably before the termination of another century, when we may have men at the

helm of state, independent as to means, and above party srtife; men of pure and unsullied honour, not party or purity men, alive to every chance of turning a penny, be it honestly come by or otherwise, then may we hope for some devotion to the subject of sanitary science, and some legislative enactments which will reduce very considerably our present heavy mortality rates. It is for the very purpose of educating the masses to the importance of these subjects that the publishers have undertaken the issue of these volumes. We give below the scheme proposed:

"Dr. W. W. Keen has undertaken the supervision of the series as editor, but it will be understood that he is not responsible for the statements or opinions of the individual authors.

The following volumes are in press and will be issued about once a month :

I. HEARING, AND HOW TO KEEP IT. By Charles H. Burnett, M.D., of Philadelphia, Surgeon in charge of the Philadelphia Dispensary for Diseases of the Ear, Aurist to the Presbyterian Hospital, etc.

II. LONG LIFE, AND HOW TO REACH IT. By J. G. Richardson, M.D., of Philadelphia, Professor of Hygiene in the University of Pennsylvania,

etc.

III. SEA AIR AND SEA BATHING. By William S. Forbes, M.D., of Philadelphia, Surgeon to the Episcopal Hospital, etc.

IV. THE SUMMER AND ITS DISEASES. By James C. Wilson, M.D., of Philadelphia, Lecturer on Physical Diagnosis in Jefferson Medical College,

etc.

V. EYESIGHT, AND HOW TO CARE FOR IT. By George C. Harlan, M.D., of Philadelphia, Surgeon to the Wills (Eye) Hospital.

VI. THE THROAT AND THE VOICE.

By J. Solis Cohen, M.D., of Philadelphia, Lecturer on Diseases of the Throat in Jefferson Medical College. VII. THE WINTER AND ITS DANGERS. By Hamilton Osgood, M.D., of Boston, Assistant Editor Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.

VIII. THE MOUTH AND THE TEETH. By J. W. White, M.D., D.D.S., of Philadelphia, Editor of the Dental Cosmos.

IX. OUR HOMES. By Henry Harthshorne, M.D., of Philadelphia, Formerly Professor of Hygiene in the University of Pennsylvania.

X. THE SKIN IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. By L. D. Buckley, M.D., of New York, Physician to the Skin Department of the Demilt Dispensary and of the New York Hospital.

XI. BRAIN WORK AND OVERWORK. By H. C. Wood, Jr., M.D., of Philadelphia, Clinical Professor of Nervous Diseases, University of Penn., etc. Other volumes are in preparation, including the following subjects:"Preventable Diseases," "Accidents and Emergencies," "Towns we Live In," "Diet in Health and Disease," "The Art of Nursing," "School and Industrial Hygiene," "Mental Hygiene," etc., etc. They will be 16mo in size, neatly printed on tinted paper, and bocnd in paper covers. Price 30 cents; flexible cloth, 50 cents,

Medical Items

It is with pleasure we give space to the following letter received from Dr. Roddick, to whom, at least, is due the credit of having first introduced the antiseptic method of Lister into this city.

DEAR MR. EDITOR.

Montreal, March 9th, 1879.

In a paper on "Listerism," which I read at the last meeting of the Canadian Medical Association, and which was published in part in the February number of your Journal, I make the statement, open to correction however, that the practice of Lister was first introduced into Canada through the Surgeons of the Montreal General Hospital. Immediately after the publication of the paper, I received the following letter from my esteemed friend Dr. Mack, of St. Catherines, which, in justice to him, I beg you will have the kindness to publish :

MY DEAR DOCTOR.

GENERAL AND MARINE HOSPITAL,
St. Catherines, Ont., March 5th, 1879.

The antiseptic treatment was first established in this hospital immediately after the details of the process had been promulgated by Dr. Lister, and fully one year before it was tried in Montreal. I can furnish you any evidence you may demand of the fact.

As to the results, they have been very satisfactory.

Yours faithfully,

THOS. MACK.

I can only say I am delighted the "System" has found such an able advocate, and I trust the day is not far distant when the profession will be favoured with the results of Dr. Mack's experience.

Yours truly,

T. G. RODDICK.

CANADA

19 MAY 70

MEDICAL & SURGICAL JOURNAL

APRIL, 1879.

Original Communications.

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS;

TO THE GRADUATES IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY,
MCGILL UNIVERSITY,

Delivered at the Annual Convocation held on the 31st of March, 1879
BY GEORGE E. FENWICK, M.D.,

Professor of the Principles and Practice of Surgery.

GENTLEMEN GRADUATES,-The time has arrived when the relations between us as teacher and student must cease. Steady and persevering industry, which has marked your career throughout your pupilage, has now been crowned with sucess, and you have been admitted into the antient and honourable fraternity of medical and surgical practitioners. In offering the congratulations of this Faculty on this auspicious occasion, it becomes a pleasing duty to add a few words of counsel and advice touching the duties you have assumed as well as concerning the career which we all hope you will follow with success in the business of your lives. Ponder well on the important nature of those duties, for they are nothing less than the care and guidance of your fellow-men under the most trying circumstances. Duties of the greatest interest to the public as well as to yourselves, and for the faithful performance of which you will be held to strict account. Your career will be narrowly scrutinized, as to your keeping is entrusted the credit and

NO. LXXXI.

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