or efflux is admissible. This is cantharism in articulo mortis, or suspension of death. The physiological state of cantharism, then, appears to be a state of universal tonicity of the capillaries; which implies an active state of the secretions generally, which implied condition is the fact according to my observation. If any one who hears or reads this is desirous of witnessing these effects of cantharides, I here notify him that he will never see them unless he discards wholly the notions prevalent about their aphrodisiac effects, and also the fear of producing troublesome strangury. It must be used with the freedom and fearlessness with which Paregoric and Nitrous Ether are used. There is prevalent an unreasonable prejudice and an unaccountable misapprehension concerning the therapeutic, toxic and physiological effects of this drug. Of its aphrodisiac action I have met with no instance whatever during the sixteen years in which I have used it thus freely; neither have I met with one case of troublesome strangury caused by it, though I have often known that symptom relieved by the same in a certain class of cases. Priapism and its troublesome accompaniments are toxic effects resulting from over-dose-one-half to an ounce of the tincture-and do not belong to the category which I have denominated cantharism. The state of cantharism can be produced as perfectly by application of the fly-plaster as by internal use of the tincture, and for this effect vesication is not at all necessary. About 100 superficial inches of fly-plaster laid on the trunk of the body, retained an hour, then removed and the surface washed so as to prevent vesication, will produce as much general or revulsive effect as 13 to 2 drachms of the tincture administered internally. This method I practiced in the army, in several instances, when I could not command the tincture. Nearly all physicians seem to regard the fly-plaster as merely a counter-irritant, and suppose its revulsive effect results from counter-irritation. It will be seen by the foregoing that counter-irration is the least part of its value. To further prove this let any one in a case of stasis or congestion apply a large epispastic and closely observe what follows. In about thirty minutes the pulse will improve, the features will be less livid and the rattle in the chest, if it be congestion of the lungs, will begin to abate; remove, if you please, the plaster now, or half an hour later, wash the surface and it will show no sign of irritation although the effect aimed at is procured. Under the same circumstances give 1 to 2 drachms of the tincture and the same effects will follow in twenty minutes. In many cases the effect from either method will be much slower in manifestation; the promptness of action will depend on the condition of the skin in the one case, and upon the susceptibility of the stomach in the other. With regard to strangury, it should be borne in mind that I have said it does not occur when the medicine is given on proper indication for its use; when the engorged or paralyzed condition of the capillaries call for its action; but when no such condition exists, that disagreeable symptom is liable to follow the use of about 14 drachms, but this is not a serious difficulty for a good opiate will in a short time allay it. Even this small trouble has occurred to me but few times and is no more than many times follows a blister. In view of the facts here set forth, together with the large amount of facts which I have elsewhere published, relative to the action of cantharides, it is hoped that intelligent physicians will no longer entertain groundless fears, but avail themselves of the vast benefits of this excellent remedy. REPORT ON OBITUARIES. BY EDWARD B. STEVENS, M.D., OF CINCINNATI. Your Committee have received material for memoirs of the following members who have deceased during the year: Dr. Daniel Tilden; Dr. John G. Kyle; Dr. A Merriman ; Dr. Landon C. Rives. The memoirs are quite full, and place these departed brothers right on the record, worthy in their relations to society and the profession, we may confidently trust their works do follow them. The following sketch is taken from the Sandusky Register: DR. DANIEL TILDEN, Of Sandusky, was born August 19, 1788, in the village of Lebanon, Grafton county, New Hampshire. He was named after his uncle, Colonel Daniel Tilden, of Revolutionary fame. His father, with four brothers, served in the Revolutionary war, all were taken prisoners, and all came out of the struggle with honorable scars. The Doctor was educated at the public schools in his native town until ten years of age, when his father who was a merchant in Lebanon, removed to Whitestown, New York, and settled on a farm. Here Daniel was educated as a farmer in the summer, where he doubtless received much of the physical vigor which in after life enabled him to endure the arduous labors which he experienced in the practice of his profession in a new country. During the winter seasons he attended school until seventeen years of age, when, through |