patients were between 46 and 50 years of age; the average age at which the disease first made its appearance was 48.4 years. Of the patients, 208 were married and 30 single. Of 103 who had borne children, 36 had suffered from puerperal mastitis. In nine cases the tumor developed from nodules left by previous mastitis. The statements with regard to previous injury were uncertain. The cancer affected the right breast in 123 cases, and the left in 102. The upper and outer half of the gland was most frequently affected. In 11 cases hereditary predisposition existed, and in 60 cases it could be positively excluded. In 31 cases in which the axillary glands were not involved, the average duration of life after the operation was 45.1 months; period of freedom from relapse, six months. In 57 cases in which the glands were involved, the average duration of life, after the operation, was 34.8 months; period of freedom from relapse, 2.5 months. The average duration of life from the first appearance of the disease was, in the cases not operated on, 22.6 months, and in the cases operated on, 38.1 months. On 225 patients, 287 operations were performed, with 23 deaths. Out of 184 operations performed before the introduction of Lister's method, there were 16 deaths, a mortality of 9.1 per cent. The average period of convalescence was formerly 5.2 weeks, but after the adoption of Lister's method it fell to 4.6 weeks. In 40.9 per cent. of the patients the entire mamma with the glands was removed (mortality 13 per cent.). Of the 23 deaths from the operation, 12 were due to accidental surgical diseases, four to collapse and secondary hemorrhage, one to pneumonia and six to causes that could not be clearly ascertained. Erysipelas occurred 15 times, and proved fatal in five cases. In 46.4 per cent. of the cases recurrent tumors appeared within the first three months after the operation; after that period the recurrences diminished steadily in frequency, and after one year they only occurred in 18 cases, or 16 per cent. A reappearance of the tumor after three years' interval was only observed in one case, and in that there was some room for doubt. Hence three years may be regarded as the limit for the appearance of recurrent tumors. If this be accepted as correct, 23 of Esmarch's cases may be regarded as definitely cured. The seat of recurrence was far more frequently the cicatrix than the axilla; and when the operation was limited to the removal of axillary glands, the recurrent tumors generally appeared in the axilla. Dr. Oldekop concludes his paper with brief synopses of the histories of the 250 cases. PRUSSIAN BLUE IN MALARIAL FEVER. Through the suggestion of a friend of mine, wrote Dr. W. I. Martin, I was led to the use of the above article in some stubborn cases of intermittent fever, more particularly that form termed "dumb ague or chronic chills." Now, after the use of it for several years, I have found it an efficient remedy, and have rarely been disappointed in being able to effect a cure. It must be given in pretty large doses, much larger than is directed in our books, to have this desirable effect, say ten grains three times a day. This amount, in my hands, has proved sufficient for an adult. In looking at the article chemically, we might fear using such large doses, but, after experience, I have seen nothing bad result from it whatever. Given in powder, dropped upon the tongue and washed down with a little water, is the most eligible way of administering it. The taste is somewhat similar to that of powdered charcoal, and but few complain of it being unpleasant to take; in this way even children take it readily. Given in pilular form, a dose would make three pretty large pills; this amount having to be taken three times a day, we would find but few that would submit to it. Prussian blue being a chalybeate, has the effect of that class of remedies, as well as that of an antiperiodic, and I found it to be most efficient in those cases where there is a "run down" of anæmic condition, and when a cure is effected it is more perma nent than that from quinia. There are some cases where quinia will not make a permanent cure, even when given under the most approved plan, which, I believe, is after the chill has been arrested by it, to keep them from returning by giving a full dose the day preceding the seventh, fourteenth and twenty-first day following the last chill. Now, in these cases, where quinine has so failed, the ferrocyanide of iron comes in as just the thing.—Med. and Surg. Rep. We have used the above for many years in combination with cerasine, hydrastin, cornine and similar preparations, to the exclu sion of sulphate of quinia, with perfect success, so much so that we have used very little of the latter for years.-ED. MED. ECLECTIC. Marked examples of the fatality of small-pox are found in Mexico, where the disease was carried from St. Domingo in 1518, and by which it is estimated three and one half millions of people were destroyed. In 1707 it was introduced into Iceland, where more than one-fourth of the whole population fell victims to it. Reaching Greenland in 1733, it almost depopulated the country. Fortunately, we have found, in the vaccination introduced by Jenner, a reliable safeguard against this contagion for the last seventy years. SOCIETY MEETINGS. THE NATIONAL ECLECTIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. The tenth anniversary meeting of the National Eclectic Association, was held at Hershey Hall, in the City of Chicago, beginning on Wednesday, June 16, 1880, at 10 a. m. The attendance was about one hundred and thirty-five. The president, Dr. Milbrey Green, having called the meeting to order, prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Milligan. Prof. A. L. Clark, in behalf of the Eclectic Medical Society of Chicago, addressed the association, welcoming its members to Chicago, and tendering the hospitalities of the great western metropolis. Dr. Green responded, thanking them for their courtesy. He proceeded then to deliver his annual address. Its length precludes the preparing of a synopsis to do it justice. It was largely devoted to the subject of medical improvements, the higher standard of education, organization of reformed physicians, the necessity of thorough training, microscopy, etc. He noted the undue facility with which degrees were conferred by colleges of every school, and licenses to practice by the various societies and examining boards. As though that was not enough, agencies as well as corporations, existed, from which diplomas were procured by purchase. The attention of the American government had been directed to the matter, and endeavors were made to bring the offenders to justice, and put an end to the practice. President Green also urged the paramount importance of hygiene and sanitary medicine, and declared in favor of stringent legislation, having public health in view. He pleaded with physicians to devote themselves to benefiting the public, rather than to the amassing of princely fortunes, closing with the lines of Bailey: "We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart-throbs, when they beat For God, for man, for duty. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. Life is but a means unto an end-that end Beginning, mean, and end to all things-God." The roll of officers was called. On motion of Dr. A. J. Howe, of Ohio, Dr. S. B. Munn, of Connecticut, was appointed treasurer for the session, in the absence of Dr. Anton. Drs. C. E. Miles, of Massachusetts, J. T. Kent, of Missouri, L. E. Russell, of Ohio, R. A. Gunn, of New York, and A. B. Westcott, of Illinois, were appointed a committee on credentials. The roll of States was called, and delegates found to be in attendance from seventeen State societies, auxiliaries in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois, and from the Bennett, American, Cincinnati, and United States medical colleges. Of the living ex-presidents, Dr. Stow alone was absent. Prof. Duncan, of Indiana, Dr. Shoemaker, of Iowa, Prof. King, of Ohio, Dr. Munn, of Connecticut, and Dr. Miles, of Massachusetts, were in attendance, and took an active part in the proceedings. Dr. H. K. Stratford, of Chicago, addressed the association with appropriate remarks, presenting the president in its behalf with a gavel, ivory-headed, and bearing the inscription, "Presented by H. K. Stratford, M. D., to the N. E. M. A. Chicago, June 16, 1880." President Green received the gift, thanking Dr. Stratford for his little testimonial, and promising to use it in the service of the association, and to deliver it to his successor in office. On motion of Dr. John King, the association accepted the present, and thanked Dr. Stratford for his graceful courtesy. A vote was taken to cancel the initiation fees of N. G. Smith and H. A. Bolles, which had never come into the hands of the treasurer. Dr. Milton Jay, of Illinois, presented an invitation from the alumni association of Bennett Medical College, to take an excursion upon Lake Michigan, in the evening, on the steamer Flora, which had been chartered for that purpose. On motion of Dr. King, the invitation was accepted. FIRST DAY- AFTERNOON SESSION. On resuming the business of the day, the secretary read a numerous list of papers by title. Dr. A. J. Howe made a report on "Surgery." Surgery." He alluded to the production of bacteria, which he pronounced vegetable cells; but, while praising "Listerism," predicted that its expensiveness would prevent its general adoption. He recommended sulphur diet for hip disease, and spoke of ovariotomy as a modern invention, which had been performed with marked success. The use of the plaster of paris jacket, for spinal distortion, was severely criticised. Dr. Albert Merrill reported a plan for the American Pharmacopoeia; which, on motion of Dr. McMaster, of Michigan, was adopted. Dr. R. A. Gunn, of New York, replied to Dr. Howe's criticisms of the plaster of paris jacket. Drs. McMaster and Younkin, of Missouri, participated. The committee on credentials reported favorably the names of twenty-five new members, who were accordingly elected. The association adjourned till 9 a. m. THE EXCURSION. At eight o'clock the steamer Flora set out from her wharf, having on board the alumni of Bennet Medical College and their guests of the National Eclectic Medical Association. President Green went on board to meet the entertainers and members, but left at the moment of starting, to the great regret of numerous |