force. The extreme poverty prevailing in Reading during last winter undoubtedly accounts for the large percentage of mortality, but does not explain the presence of zymotic disease.

We need not call attention to the lack of underground drainage, filthy condition of the streets, etc., for all these unfavorable factors made themselves readily noticeable. We must still agree with our statement in last year's report, that "the immediate causes of epidemics can hardly be explained, but filth, bad drainage, bad ventilation, and uncleanliness can be looked upon as the elements on which all epidemics thrive."

W. F. MUHLENBERG,

Chairman of Sanitary Committee.

REPORT OF THE BUTLER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

THE history of our Society can be found in the Transactions for 1875; the manner in which it was founded, etc. Just here I feel it my duty to give the names of its original members, all able and highly-esteemed physicians; some of them have gone to their reward, and others are still in good health and doing a noble work. Their names are as follows: Amos Lusk, of Zelienople; A. M. Neyman, of Butler; Wm. Irvin, of Breakneck; S. II. Matheson, of Saxonburg; J. B. Livingston, of Slippery Rock; E. F. Anderson, of Coultersville; G. W. Coulter, of Slippery Rock; Stephen Bredin, of Butler; N. M. Richardson, of Prospect; T. I. Blackwood, of Glade Mills; Theo. Frickenstein, of Butler; W. R. Cowden, of Portersville; Jos. S. Lusk, of Harmony; N. M. Hoover, of North Hope; and J. McMichael, of Millerstown. The Society made very little progress for a number of years, when it again began to add members, until at the present time we number twenty-two members, and several to be accepted at the next regular meeting in July. Our meetings are always well attended, and much interest manifested. The members are always ready and willing to communicate any case of interest occurring in their practice, with gentlemanly demeanor and free interchange of ideas on all subjects. Last fall, winter, and spring has been a remarkably healthy time in our county; there has not been, I believe, a single epidemic disease in our county in that period of time. Our county is rolling land, which gives us natural drainage, and consequently frees us from all malaria, etc.

C. F. MCBRIDE, M.D.,
Secretary.

REPORT OF THE CENTRE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.'

CENTRE COUNTY, as its name indicates, is situated in the central part of the State. It is bounded on the north by Cameron and Clinton Counties, on the east by Union, on the south by Mifflin, Huntingdon, and Blair, and on the west by Clearfield County. It was organized as a separate county, by an act of the Legislature on February 13, 1800, from parts of Lycoming, Northumberland, Mifflin, and Huntingdon Counties. In 1839 the area of the county was reduced to its present limits by taking from it three townships in the northeastern portion to assist in the formation of Clinton County. It is irregular in shape, its greatest length being from northeast to southwest It is for the most part comprised between latitude 40° 40′ and 41° 15'. At the State College the magnetic variation is 3° 15′ west.

The county is traversed from northeast to southwest by the main range of the Allegheny Mountains, and also by the outlying ranges, Muncy, Nittany, and Tussey, which cover a large part of its surface. The Alleghenies are probably from 2500 to 3000 feet above tidewater. Nittany Mountain, at its southwestern extremity, near Lemont, is 2000 feet above. Tussey Mountain, near Boalsburg, is 2100 feet. The valleys are about a thousand feet lower than the mountains.

The soil of the valleys is principally clayey, except in their highest parts, where it becomes more or less sandy, approaching the mountain soil. The streams are all small. The natural water-shed is in the southern part, from which the water flows mainly towards the north and east. These streams are mostly rapid flowing, and there is no considerable area of low or marshy land. Both the limestone

I am indebted to my friend, Prof. Wm. A. Buckhout, of the State College of Penna., for such parts of this report as relate to the topography and geology of the county.