pathological condition. Diphtheria is called inflammation of the throat, but it is quite different from the ordinary catarrhal inflammation of the fauces. Croup is said to be inflammation of the larynx, but it differs pointedly from common laryngitis. Variola and erysipelas are denominated inflammations of the skin, but they are very unlike the pustules of tartar emetic or the erythema of a sinapism, upon the cutaneous surface.

Many of these modifications are dependent upon the character of the stimulant exciting them; some are caused by the then histological formation of the or tissue in which they are seated, and still others are owing to the combined effect of the two preceding influences.

It will be observed that the difference between the views herein presented and those promulgated by Paget, Bennett, and other leading Pathologists, consists in this, that it is here supposed that the primary inflammatory action begins in the cells stimulated, and all subsequent phenomena are regarded as a sequence emanating from, and controlled by the cells; whereas they teach that a point being inflammatorily stimulated, the blood vessels which supply it pour out the liquor sanguinis, as the first act, which is ultimately either absorbed or affords a blastema that is organized into tissue or degenerates into pus.

No theory of disease of any kind can be the true one that does not harmonize all the actions that take place in consequce of that disease, and make understandable all the phenomena observed as a part of its existence. Now let us see if we find a rational explanation of the prominent characteristics of inflammation in the theory which has just been given.

Five of these prominent characteristics, so long observed and commented upon, are swelling, redness, pain, heat, and derangement of function. The swelling is caused both by the increase of the cells, and the exudation of the intercellular fluid; the redness, by the larger quantity of blood called to the point to supply the pabulum for the rapid formation of cells, and the greater amount of fluid exudations: the pain arises from the altered action of the part, generally, undoubtedly, as the consequence of the abnormal cell action impressing the mere fibre, sometimes, possibly, the effect of the unnatural stimulant upon the nerve directly; the augmented heat is due to the more rapid changes taking place in the part; and finally, if the premises laid down be true, derangement of function must be a necessary concomitant.

Other phenomena, also, attend upon inflammation, and must be accounted for.

Limited inflammation may take place in, perhaps, any part of the body without creating an appreciable disturbance of the general circulation; but all considerable inflammations accelerate the pulse and bring about that condition of the organism known as fever. There can scarcely be a doubt that in many cases of simple inflammation, the impression on the general system is made through the instrumentality of the nerves, by forces originating at the point of disease, and it is equally probable that in some so called inflammations, the altered juices of the diseased tissues are taken into the circulation and contaminating the blood, stimulate, through its agency, the whole body to febrile reaction.

Prof. Dalton declares the general proposition that whenever the heart's pulsations are increased in frequency, either in health or disease, the force of its contractions is proportionally decreased.* This is undoubtedly true, so far as experiments have been related; and if it shall prove true in

*Lectures on the Physiology of the Circulation. Amer. Med. Monthly, vols. xiii., xiv. 1860.

all cases, it will demonstrate a wonderful state of error in the medical mind for these many years, as well as be additional testimony to the inutility of some of the most important means long used to subdue inflammation, which were based upon the idea of the decided increase of both the frequency and force of the heart's pulsations.

Fibrine has occupied a very conspicuous position in the history of inflammation, and in the consideration of its treatment. A few words will suffice to give its real significance as may be gathered from various sources of recent date. In the physiological state, fibrine is produced by the metamorphosis of certain tissues, is taken up by the lymphatics and carried into the circulation, and is from thence rapidly destroyed in the kidneys and liver, but how it is destroyed, or what the product of its destruction, does not yet appear. The amount made and destroyed daily in a man of average weight is, probably, something more than three pounds, and the quantity ordinarily in the blood at one time is a little short of one pound. The whole of the fibrine in the blood must, therefore, be destroyed and renewed rather more than three times during every twenty-four hours.

Now it is found that whenever a tissue or organ is inflamed that is largely endowed with lymphatics (as, for instance, the respiratory apparatus), there is a large increase of fibrine in the blood, dependent upon the increase of cell action in the part; and on the other hand, where an organ is inflamed that is scantily supplied with lymphatics (as the brain), there is no disturbance of the normål percentage of the fibrine in the circulating fluid. When fibrine has once been taken into the blood, it is not again thrown out as fibrine, except by the rupture or otherwise opening of a vessel, and consequently, whenever it is found outside vessels in a part inflamed, it must be looked upon as the production of the diseased locality. There is no disposition to overlook or ignore the very curious phenomena, observed by the aid of the microscope, in the web of the frog's foot or other transparent membrane in which the circulation is maintained upon the application of a chemical or mechanical stimulant, but the period of time covered by these examinations is so brief, the extent of structure within the field of the instrument so limited, and the recorded observations themselves such a mixture of fact and fancy, that, for the present, we can only regard the reported phenomena as curiosities, accessible through the excellence of our optical instruments, to be laid aside until further inquiry shall enable us to assort the real from the imaginary, and point out the relative and positive value of whatever shall be found true.

REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF MEDICINE. BY JOHN MOFFETT, M. D., RUSHVILLE, IND.

The length of this report, and the limited space at the command of the Publishing Committee, render it necessary to give a synopsis of the paper in the stead of publishing the article entire.

The report begins by defining what progress in medicine properly signifies, and then follows a declaration that in the earlier days of medical science, the ideas of its disciples were held captive by the doctrines promulgated by distinguished men. Such enslavement of intellect prevented, of course, all rational progress in either the theory or practice of medicine.

"The art of healing in the beginning consisted in a succinct description of disease which had been observed, and the indication of the remedies employed to combat them. These correspond to Nosology and Therapeutics in the present division of medical science." This was the first definition of medical science. But observation soon taught that to prevent disease, was as much the province of the physician, as to cure it. A new definition was, therefore, necessary, and it was made in the following terms: "Medicine is a science which has for its aim the promotion of health and the cure of disease." "This was, for a long time, the limit of the medical horizon, and it cannot be doubted that the field was vast enough for those who cultivated it." Further progress has made a third definition necessary, and it has been proposed in these words: "That medicine is a science which aims at the preservation of health, the cure of disease, and the Physical Perfection of Man." Civilized society demands that medicine shall achieve for it all that this definition implies. In cultivating the means to accomplish this, we have, as physicians, a mission altogether worthy of the strongest intellects; and in the laborious pursuit of our exalted purpose, we shall find none so stolid as not to wish us success.

The reporter does not propose to follow the progress of medicine step by step as it advanced from its superstitious infancy to its present philosophical manhood; he will content himself by calling the attention of the Society, for a short time, to the subject of Fever, and even here he will not dwell upon the general subject, giving the views of distinguished men upon the various points pertaining to the theme, as these views changed from age to age in the past, but will confine his remarks to those forms of fever known as Typhus or Typhoid.

These terms abound in medical literature, and ponderous volumes have been written upon them, and yet many of the phenomena attending these fevers are as much a mystery now as they were when the affections were first recognized; even the derivation of the word fever has not been settled.

Here follow remarks upon critical discharges and critical days, giving the reporter's views of the steps by which they came to be regarded as of such vast importance by medical men. In this connection he gives great credit to our forefathers for remarkable acumen in the observation of the phenomena of disease, and an admirable appositeness in the use of words to express their ideas of these phenomena, declaring that in these particulars they excelled the writers of the present day.

After giving the theories of Cullen, Hoffman, and Clutterbuck, in relation to the essential nature of fever, the reporter dwells at some length upon the doctrines of Broussais, referring, incidentally, to the effect of the Hamiltonian notion of purgation in the treatment of disease, and to the declared increased susceptibility of the alimentary canal, to purgatives since the advent of the Asiatic cholera in 1832. The doctrines of Broussais were erroneous, but he is considered to have been a great benefactor to mankind, because, through his instrumentality, the evacuant and perturbating method of treating Typhus and Typhoid fevers was abandoned.

All the remaining portion of the report is devoted to the discussion of mercurials, both as to their general therapeutic value and their particular fitness for combatting the fevers under consideration. After an ample review of the premises, the reporter concludes that mercury is of the very highest importance in the treatment of some pathological states and structures, but wholly inadmissable in fevers where intestinal irritation is a leading characteristic.

DIED.

On the 11th of August, 1861, at his residence, in Indianapolis, of Bilious Fever, CHARLES PARRY, M. D., in the 47th year of his age.

Dr. Parry had been actively engaged in the practice of his profession for more than a quarter of a century, and had been a member of the State Medical Society since its organization.

A good citizen, a superior physician, a distinguished surgeon-his death was a public loss.

On Wednesday, September 10th, 1862, of Pneumonia, LIVINGSTON DUNLAP, M. D., aged 63 years.

Dr. Dunlap was a resident of Indianapolis for over forty years, was the first President of the Indiana State Medical Society, and at the time of his death was, no doubt, the oldest practitioner of medicine in the State.

He was a genial gentleman, a devoted friend, an accomplished physician, an honest man.

On the steamer John Roe, at Crump's Landing, Tennessee River, on the 19th of March last, of Typhoid Pneumonia, CLAY BROWN, M. D., Assistant Surgeon 11th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, aged 36 years.

4

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

OF THE

INDIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I.

SECTION 1. This Association shall be called THE INDIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY, and shall be composed of resident and honorary members.

ARTICLE II.

SECTION 1. The Society shall have constantly in view

First. The association of the profession, for the purpose of mutual recognition and fellowship.

Second.-The maintenance of union, harmony, and good government among its members, thereby promoting the interests, honor, and usefulness of the profession.

Third.-The cultivation and advancement of medical science and literature, and the elevation of the standard of professional education.

ARTICLE III.

SECTION 1. The resident members shall be regular practitioners of Medicine or Surgery in the State of Indiana.

ARTICLE IV.

SECTION 1. Honorary members shall only be admitted by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, at a regular meeting, having been first recommended by the Committee on Admissions.

ARTICLE V.

SECTION 1. A vote of two-thirds of the members present shall be requisite for the expulsion of a member, which vote shall be had in consequence of a report from the Committee on Ethics, and at the next regular meeting subsequent to such report.

ARTICLE VI.

SECTION 1. The officers of this Society shall be a President, four Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, and Assistant Secretary, a Correspond