come to approve you, and your well descended sons and daughters trace back their lineage with pride to an ancestry of medical renown.

(To the Faculty.) And now, if I may detain you but a moment longer, and speaking for the New Hampshire State Medical Society, I would like to assure you, gentlemen who are actively engaged in college affairs, that we have full interest in dear old Dartmouth, full desire for her advancement, full pride in her success. God speed you, gentlemen, while following your present course, you seek her prosperity by no intrigues of persons or politics, but in honest rivalry, in earnest endeavor, striving to teach the science of medicine better than it can be taught elsewhere. So shall she have the respect of her compeers, the reverence of her children; so shall the world approve her and

"The heavens make firm

The walls of her dear honor."

REPORTS.

REPORT OF DELEGATE TO AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, SESSION OF 1908.

WILLIAM T. SMITH, HANOVER.

The meeting of the American Medical Association at Chicago, June 2 to 5, 1908, was a marked success. The numbers were larger than at any previous meeting, the weather was perfect, the spirit of the body of delegates was harmonious, the address of President Burrell was of a high order both in substance and form, and the election of Colonel Gorgas as President, to succeed President Burrell, was wise and fitting. He is a physician known throughout the world for his success in establishing healthful conditions in the Isthmus of Panama, and in honoring him we honor ourselves.

We, as a profession in the United States, have definitely passed from our former democratic conditions in which every state society was a local unit as independent as a Congregational church, into a condition of perfect and efficient organization. The central power is strong and far reaching. The men of the middle west whose influence is predominant have made the Journal, the official organ of the Association, the most widely circulated medical journal in the world, and we own and run the valuable plant in which it is printed. Able committees are expending much time and labor in directing the activities of the profession in every branch. There are standing committees on Medical

Legislation, on Medical Education, on Pharmacy and Chemistry, and special committees on other matters, and they are able to exercise great influence. Of course, much centralization of power brings, with increased efficiency, certain dangers. The House of Delegates numbers less than one hundred and fifty, and it behooves us to watch them and to see to it that our delegates represent us rightly in their action. We can keep ourselves informed by reading the full reports in the Journal of what is done and what is proposed, and these doings and proposals should be a subject of thought for every member of the profession and should be discussed in the House of Delegates of each state society in order that the central governing body may not become an autocracy, but may truly represent the thought and purpose of all.

REPORT OF DELEGATE TO MAINE MEDICAL

SOCIETY.

MIAH B. SULLIVAN, DOVER.

Mr. President and Fellows of the New Hampshire Medical Society:

As your representative I had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of the Maine Medical Association, held at Lewiston. Fraternal greetings were extended and accepted, and every courtesy was shown me. The meeting was largely attended, and the professional and social sides were all that could be desired. As a member of the Maine Medical Association I had the pleasure of reading a paper that brought out a very good discussion. All in all, it was a pleasant and profitable journey.

REPORT OF DELEGATE TO THE VERMONT STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.

CHARLES B. DRAKE, WEST LEBANON.

The ninety-fourth annual meeting was held in the courtroom of the Caledonia County court house, St. Johnsbury, Vt., October 10 and 11, 1907.

The papers presented and discussed at this meeting gave evidence of thought and care in their preparation and reading. The absence of the members appointed to open the discussions was a cause of some delay of the proceedings.

"Autointoxication," by H. C. Jackson, of Woodstock, was of interest in that it brought to the attention of the Society this frequently met, though too often neglected, condition.

"Home Treatment of Tuberculosis," by H. H. Lee, of Wells River, was, to me, a paper of special merit, emphasizing the fact that only a small fraction of consumptives in the state are, or can be, treated in the public institutions for treatment of tuberculosis; that the great majority must continue to remain at home to be treated by the family physician, and that without home treatment but very little can be accomplished in the battle against this disease. State or private institutions for the treatment of tuber.. culosis serve well as centers for instruction-education of the few, rather than as centers for treatment of the many who are ill with this widely-spread disease.

This view of the subject was strongly commended by members of the Vermont State Board of Health, and by every physician taking part in the discussion of this paper.

"The Control of Surgical Infection of the Extremities," by Prof. N. L. Burrell, Boston, President of the American Medical Association, was of so much interest to the Society

as to hold its close attention during the entire time of its reading and discussion. Though an old remedy for treating infected extremities, and applied by Dr. Burrell for over thirty years, it has been too generally neglected by the profession. Dr. Burrell strongly advises its more extended use in general practice. The method is to apply pressure to the infected extremity by means of a roll of oakum extending from the point of infection to the body over course of blood supply, held in place by a roller bandage, applying strong pressure to the extent of producing a partial stasis of superficial blood and lymph vessels. After close application of the bandage to the extended extremity, increased stasis may be produced by flexing the extremity, more or less, to obtain the result, a bluish color of partial stasis. Relief of pain, decrease of temperature, and rapid recovery of health to the patient, indicate the value of this treatment.

The banquet was held in Pythian Hall, nothing alcoholic appearing, though the postprandial exercises were lively and stimulating to a high degree, good fellowship pervading the entire assembly. Dr. J. M. Gile happily responded to the toastmaster's call for New Hampshire.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC POLICY AND LEGISLATION OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE MEDICAL SOCIETY.

ARTHUR C. HEFFENGER, PORTSMOUTH.

As chairman of the Committee on Public Policy and Legislation of the New Hampshire Medical Society for the years 1907-8, I have the honor to submit the following report: