Correspondence.

THE MEDICAL COUNCIL AND THE LAW.

To the Editor of the CANADIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.

SIR,-In the July number of your JOURNAL appeared an editorial headed, "The Case of Dr. John B. Hall." After giving the resolution moved by Dr. Bray, and supported by a majority of the Medical Council, as follows: "That Dr. Hall be examined by the Homopathic members of the Council, as an inexpensive method of testing his attainments, as this is a special case, and if found qualified, that his name be put on the register," you give your reasons for disapproving of the conduct of the Council.

In the August number of the JOURNAL a correspondent demurs to this "inexpensive method" of licensing homœopaths.

It seems to me that the main-the legal points attending this case, have not attracted either your attention or that of your correspondent. Really, I cannot understand how it comes that educated gentlemen, as the members of the Medical Council may be assumed to be, having the Ontario Medical Act-not by any means a very complex law-before them, can allow the plain provisions of that Act to be violated, in the many instances it has been, by the Council. By the 28th section of the Act it is enacted that the Conncil shall elect a Board of Examiners, "whose duty it shall be, at least once in each year, to examine ALL candidates for registration, in accordance with the By-laws, Rules, and Regulations of

the Council."

It will thus be seen that the Council, having elected the Board of Examiners, must leave the examination of ALL candidates with them, and have no power to take the matter out of their hands and transfer it to homœopathic members of the Council, or any other parties. If this opinion be correct, the license to practise, obtained in an illegal manner by Dr. J. B. Hall, can be set aside on application to the Equity Division of our Courts by any interested party.

Again, the Council decided last year the fee to be paid by each candidate presenting him

self for examination. Did Dr. Hall pay that fee previous to his so-called examination? If not, how can he have legally acquired the right of registration ?

The latter part of Section 29 says: "Such examinations to be held in Toronto or Kingston, at such times and in such manner as the Taken in Council may, by by-law, direct." conjunction with the following, in Section 31: "The Council may prescribe the subject and modes of the examinations, the time and place of holding the same, and generally," &c., it would appear that there is no authority for holding the same examination in both Toronto and Kingston, at or about the same time, year year.

after

Should the views above expressed prove correct, the private examinations granted by the Council, the " inexpensive " or homœopathic examinations, and the unpaid-for, do not confer a legal right to registration. If they are erroneous, will those, who understand the law better than the writer, be good enough to set him right.

Toronto, 25th August, 1881.

A. A. R.

To the Editor of the CANADIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.

SIR,-In seeking an answer to your conundrum, "Why did only four members of the Ontario Medical Council vote against Dr. Bray's inexpensive method of licensing a Homœopath?" &c., it is but fair to remember, that a motion proposed by a prominent official is likely to carry more weight than if it came from a humbler source. Hence, probably, some

of the weaker brethren were satisfied to follow their leader. For them it is an unpleasant record. The conundrum is—Will he, if President next year, see that all Homœopaths be licensed by the "inexpensive method?" Yours, &c.,

INTERESTED 4TH YEAR.

To the Editor of the CANADIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.

SIR,-In the Toronto Daily Globe of the 5th ult., I notice that it has been decided in the Ontario College of Pharmacy, to amalgamate the offices of Treasurer and Registrar.

Would it not be in good taste, considering the amount of feeling there has been expressed in time past by the general profession, for the Ontario Medical Council to adopt the same system of amalgamation at its next meeting? If for no other reason, that of economy ought to make such a course desirable.

Yours,

M. D.

It will be remembered that when Dr. Aikins was elected Treasurer, it was with the view of securing a stable and reliable man, who could give large security for the moneys entrusted to his care. The duties of the office have been s0 satisfactorily performed that the Council has wisely seen fit to make no change to pacify the ad captandum and hysterical querulousness of a clique. The economical argument falls to the ground, when we reflect that it would be out of the question to expect the present Registrar to discharge the duties and assume the responsibility of the Treasurership for a less (nay, rather a much greater) remuneration than has been annually accorded to Dr. Aikins. It is now a well known fact that Dr. Aikins does not come into personal contact with the Regis tering Students.-ED.

ANSWER TO "G. W.," MEDICAL STUDENT. To make cow's milk more digestible add one half teaspoonful dilute muriatic acid to one pint of water. Then add one quart of raw cold milk, mix thoroughly and boil ten or fifteen minutes. Jacobi, American Journal Obstetrics, July, 1879. Also, see article on Prophylaxis of Hemiplegia, by W. Thompson, M.D., in January number of CANADIAN JOURNAL MEDICAL SCIENCE, 1879.

ANSWER TO L. W. B., (Hinton, W. Va.As most druggists know, or ought to know, Fowler's Solution is incompatible with the ordinary Tincture of Iron, and the two should not be prescribed in the same mixture. Druggists' Circular, page 181.

(Pharmaceutically or medically, if mixed with glycerine, they are not incompatible.ED.)

THE CANADIAN

Journal of Medical Science,

A Monthly Journal of Medical Science, Criticism,
and News.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.-We shall be glad to receive from our friends everywhere, current medical news of general interest. Secretaries of County or Territorial medical associations will oblige by forwarding reports of the proceedings of their Associations.

TORONTO, SEPTEMBER, 1881.

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL

CONGRESS.

At the meeting of the International Medical Congress, held at St. James' great Hall, Regent medical men from all parts of the world were Street, on August the 3rd, some 3,000 present.

The Congress has met altogether six timesVienna, in 1873; at Brussels, in 1875; at at Paris, in 1867; at Florence, in 1869; at Geneva, in 1877; and at Amsterdam, in 1879.

On these occasions the number of members

has ranged from 400 to 700, so that this Congress was by far the most important of the series. The foreign members numbered 1,000. Of these Germany and France each contributed 300, other European countries and America, each, 200. Of the English members, 1,000 were from London, and 500 from the provinces. Amongst the distinguished foreigners who attended the Congress were the following :-Dr. Fordyce Barker, of New York; Dr. Billings, of Washington; Dr. Bigelow, of Boston. Profs. Brown-Sequard, Paris; Busch, Bonn; Charcot, Paris; Chauveau, Lyons; Cornil, Paris; Donders, Utrecht; Esmarch, Kiel; Dr. Austin Flint, New York; Profs. Foville, Paris; Frerichs, Berlin; Goltz, Strasbourg; Gerhardt, Wurzburg; Jules Guerin, Paris; Holm-Gren, Upsala ; Hannover, Copenhagen; His, Leipsic; Hardy, Paris; Horner, Zurich; Kolliker, Wurzburg; Klebs, Prague; Von Langenbeck, Berlin; Le Fort, Paris; Loven, Stockholm; Dr. Ilenri Guenean de Mussy, Paris; Profs. Van Over beck de Meyer, Utrecht; Ollivier, Lyons Panum, Copenhagen, and many more; together

rooms in the different parts of Burlington House and the London University. The Sections all sat at the same time, and printed notices were issued for the special direction of strangers. That every one might the niore easily enter into the discussions, an abstract of all the communications to be made in the various sections was issued to each registered member. Each of these papers is published in three languages, English, French, and German The reader of the paper spoke in his mother tongue, and the discussions had to be carried on in the same language. Besides this book of general abstract, smaller books of abstracts of papers in each section were distributed in

F.R.S.

Obstetrics-President, Dr. A. H. McClintock, LL.D.
Diseases of Children-President, Dr. West.
Mental Diseases-President, Dr. Lockhart Robertson.

with ease go into any room and at once find out all the information possible by looking over one of the sectional books of abstracts.

F.R.S.

Diseases of the Ear-President, W. B. Dalby, F.R.C.S. Diseases of the Skin-President, Erasmus Wilson, F.R.S.

Diseases of the Teeth-President, Edwin Saunders.

in print, and the ideas of every separate speaker be known hereafter, a printed form was given to each member on entering any room, on which was the following in all lan

&c.

Military Surgery and Medicine-President, Surg. Gen. Prof. T. Longmore, C. B.

the publication of the proceedings, speakers are requested before the conclusion of each meeting to hand to the secretaries of the sec

A most elaborate programme was issued to all members for the eight days, during which the Congress lasted, embracing not only sectional work but visits to the London Hospitals, museums, &c., excursions, garden parties, conversazioni, and general addresses by Sir James Paget, President of the Congress, and others.

Women holding medical qualifications were not admitted on a professional footing, and although a memorial, signed by forty-three women holding medical degrees, was sent to the executive, asking that their decision in this particular should be reconsidered, it was of no avail.

After the first general meeting, at which Sir Wm. Jenner, Sir James Paget, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Professor Donders, and a number of others, delivered long addresses, the members of the Congress were chiefly occupied in the meetings held in the

This was printed on the head of a sheet of foolscap. A temporary museum was arranged at the Geological Society's rooms, Burlington House, for the use of members of the Congress. The specimens exhibited were from the private collections of a number of the leading English physicians and surgeons. It comprised 788 sections, and contained most rare and unique specimens. There was also a museum of instruments supplied by private contributors, and a section devoted to the illustrations of diseases in the living subject. The arrange. ment of this last most novel exhibition was very perfect. The subject, with the day and hour at which it might be seen was published, as also the name of the gentleman who was to be present to give a sort of clinical memorandum of the case, and take part in any discussion thereon which might arise.

Microscopical demonstrations were held in a room adjoining the museum on Thursday and

&c.

Before the Congress opened, and during its sitting, a most interesting exhibition took place at South Kensington. This consisted of a display of modern instruments by all the best makers, as well as of sanitary arrangements, and many other new inventions. The display of instruments was very fine, and the different hospitals had very kindly provided specimens of their peculiar methods of treating fractures, A number of long halls being filled with beds to represent the ward of a hospital. Each ward was arranged exactly after the pattern of a certain hospital which it represented. The beds were occupied by dummy figures which were supposed to be suffering from the affection set forth on the bed ticket which hung at the head of the bed, splints, &c., being applied, as was most approved in that particular hospital. A curious feature in these ward exhibits was the presence every here and there of a wax dummy figure, representing a nurse dressed in the distinctive dress pertaining to the hospital to which she belonged. These were so admirably executed that Madame Tussaud could not have put them up in better form. So much was this the case that they were being continually mistaken for nurses, and spoken to. Of the larger apparatus, such as ambulance waggons, &c., which from their size could not be admitted, very neat and perfect models were supplied. Amongst the instruments most worthy of notice may be mentioned a general endoscope, a a coil for applying heat or cold to any part, and a pocket sphygmograph. The difficulty of illuminating the inner surface of the bladder, uterus, &c., has hitherto chiefly arisen from the fact that heat has been communicated with the light introduced-whereas by this instrument the light, being produced by electricity, can be made sufficiently strong, with ease, to get a perfect view of the whole interior of the bladder or uterus, or in fact any other part of the body into which it is possible to pass a probe. The chief difficulty about this instrument is its cost, as it is accompanied by so many at

The coil for applying heat or cold is constructed of narrow leaden tubes bent in coils to fit any part of the body. One of these may be applied and India rubber tubes attached for entrance and exit of the fluid. The makers claim for this that it is much more easily applied, and the effect is much more lasting, than is gained by the use of the old rubber coils.

The pocket sphygmograph is of particular value, as with it the difficulty of application is to a great extent overcome. It can be applied immediately, and need only be held on the wrist by the patient himself It is in a very small case and can be easily carried in the pocket, the whole box not being much larger than the usual hypodermic case. The tracings when taken are immediately made permanent by washing their surface with a solution provided with every instrument. This little instrument has met with such general favour, that it is almost impossible to obtain one, the orders being sent in in such numbers. One will, however, be exhibited at an early meeting of the Toronto Medical Society.

As to the practical value of the congress, it is a little difficult to advance an opinion. That its ultimate result will be of the greatest possible value to the profession all over the world, no one can doubt; but from its great magnitude, one is almost inclined to feel sorry that so much of interest had to be of necessity overlooked. The publication, however, of the papers, all the points of discussion being fully brought out in them, will to a great extent overcome this loss.

The Profession at large must all feel the debt they owe to Mr. MacCormac, and others, who so generously gave up their time and attention to produce the largest and most successful meeting of the International Medical Congress, that the world has ever known. [We are indebted for the above interesting account to Dr. Arthur Jukes Johnson, of Yorkville, who has just returned from attending the Congress. We are glad to inform our readers that Dudgeon's Sphygmograph, above described.

may

Stevens & Son, 276 Yonge St., in this city. be obtained very cheaply from Messrs. Leiter's improved endoscope may be had from Messrs. Krohne & Sesemann, London, England.

CANADA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

Meeting at Halifax, 3rd Aug., 1881. In our last issue we gave our readers the Presidential Address. Of the meeting itself we now wish to speak. One thousand one hundred and ninety-one miles, the distance from Toronto to Halifax, is a long distance to travel; yet the interest held in the Association led four of our fraternity from Toronto, and four others from Ontario, to attend the meeting.

According to the statements of the fathers of the Association present at the meeting, some of whom have always attended (at least we are sure that Dr. Botsford has always been present), the recent meeting at Halifax was fully equal in interest and general success to any since the organization of the Association.

Our object, however, is more particularly to speak of the hospitality exhibited by the profession of Halifax. Too much cannot be said of their kind and courteous behaviour, not alone in the more public entertainments, but in the quiet and social way by which the visitors were made very comfortable and to feel at home. Whether it was being carried to a secluded spot along the shore of the magnificent harbour, where one could take a delicious header into the blue inviting salt water, or out in the offing in the broad Atlantic swells to catch the toothsome cod-fish, or behind a fast horse traversing the numerous and delightful roads through the splendid park, and along the beautiful north west arm of the harbour, with elegant villas on either hand, or in the club, or the family circle, the Haligonian doctors displayed the soul of friendship and good cheer.

As to the journey to Halifax, a variety of routes were followed by the visitors. A good number went by the Gulf route, and found ample enjoyment. Some went or returned by way of St. John and Boston, and were well pleased. The President, Dr. Canniff, who travelled altogether by rail, tells us that he does not regret the taking of this route. But to make the journey enjoyable, one should not travel continuously. He should stop twice or thrice on the way to rest and enjoy the scenery. He may select, after passing Montreal, Quebec, Cacouna, Rimouski, Metapedia, Campbellton, Moncton, or

It is very much to be regretted that in a case destined to become historical the profession should be so unfortunate as to be involved in a miserable scandal such as that of which the American medical periodicals have recently been full. In order that our readers may arrive at a just understanding of the merits we reprint from a Washington Journal-Walsh's Retrospect-Dr. Baxter's statement of his connection with the case :—

"I have been President Garfield's family physician for the past five or six years, and since his advent to the White House have continued to treat him professionally. Mrs. Garfield prefers homœopathic treatment, and in her recent illness I had no professional connection with her case.

"At the time the President was shot I was absent, having left the city twelve hours previous to spend a few days with a friend near Williamsport, Pa.; but on receipt of the news of his being shot, I returned by first express train, reaching Washington, Sunday, July 3rd, at 9 a.m.

"I went directly from the depot to the White House, and finding Dr. Bliss, said to him: Doctor, I have come to ask you to take me to see the President.' He replied: Well, I don't see the necessity of your seeing the President; I wish to keep him quiet.' Somewhat astonished at his reply, I said: 'I make the request as the President's physician. I have for years been his physician.' 'Yes,' replied Dr. Bliss, I know your game; you wish to sneak up here and take this case out of my hands.' I said: 'I wish nothing, Dr. Bliss, except what I am entitled to. If the President