CORRESPONDENCE. 
A REPORT ON THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE ‘AMERICAN- 
BEREIN MEDICAE SOCIETY. 
Editors of the University Medicae Magazine: 
Genteemen: The constantly increasing number of students that yearly 
seek the advantages of a course of study in Berlin, is my excuse for jotting down 
these few details regarding this SocietjE knowing that this information will be of 
immediate and material importance to them. 
The meeting for organization took place in February, 18.91, with an attend- 
ance of twelve, and at the next meeting there were about thirty-five American 
students present, and an organization was at once effected by appointing a presi- 
dent, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and various committees with special 
duties. At the next meeting there was an attendance of about fifty, and several 
very interesting and valuable papers were read, some of which were entirely 
original. At the second regular meeting of the Society there was an attend- 
ance of about sixty, and another profitable evening was spent in the discussion 
of papers that were presented to the Society. Many of these papers were accom- 
panied by microscopical preparations, and these demonstrations wrere greatly 
appreciated by all present. At the next meeting the writer resigned the presi- 
dency in favor of Dr. W. D. Miller, of Berlin, who has since held the chair, 
and the good work of the Society can be best understood by the following 
resume of the incidents that have happened since April, 1891. 
During the first full year there were twenty-three meetings held at inter, 
vals of two weeks, with the exception of the vacation months of August and 
September. Thirty-five papers were read by the members, and there were three 
debates, or discussions, nineteen microscopical demonstrations and five patients 
were presented to the Society. Two magic lantern demonstrations were given, 
and they were of unusual interest, as was also the presentation of two patients 
treated for tuberculosis, one case of myxedema, a demonstration of hypnotism 
and a demonstration of the germ of influenza. 2 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
This Medical Society does not neglect the social feature, as will be seen by 
the following record : On July 4 a stag-dinner was given and thirteen members 
were present, and on July 23 a dinner was tendered the Society by the presi- 
dent ; on July 30 the Society was presented with an onyx inkstand; on Novem- 
ber 26 a Thanksgiving ball was given by the Society, and there were present 
250 guests, many of whom were well known in German society as well as to 
the American colony, and there were present most of the well-known scientific 
men of Berlin. On February 22, 1892, Washington’s Birthday was celebrated, 
in which seventy-five participated. 
Dr. Edward Bush, Director of the Dental Institute of Berlin, was made an 
honorary member. 
The present active membership number thirty-eight, and during the year 
more than ninety names have been enrolled as members. The second year 
was most auspicious, and active interest was shown in the Society. The aver- 
age attendance at each meeting varied from twenty-five to thirty. The thanks 
of the Society are especially due to the present president, Dr. W. D. Miller, and 
to its former and original secretary, Dr. F. A. Webber, now of Milwaukee. 
This Society has increased in strength so that now it occupies an advanced 
position in Berlin, and all questions of great interest to the large American 
colony there, are usually referred to it before action is taken. 
In addition to the bi-monthly meetings, the members meet at regular periods 
for social entertainment. Further, this Society enables all the members to act 
in a body, so that special courses can be arranged with the privat docents and special 
rates obtained from instrument-makers and booksellers. A correct list composed 
of good lodgings is in charge of a special committee, and a special committee 
of men interested in each of the different specialties as well as in the broad 
domain of medicine and surgery, is appointed to collect information regarding 
various public and private courses of instruction in medicine, surgery and the 
specialties. 
The advantages of this Society are so obvious that every American who 
proposes to study medicine in Berlin should make application to its president, 
Dr. W. D. Miller, and within twenty-four hours he will receive accurate and 
precise information regarding all the private and public courses that are given, 
and can arrange special courses among the members ; he will be able to secure 
a special discount on all books and instruments which he may purchase, and 
at the same time he will be able to obtain a list of lodgings and restaurants 
where he may go and feel perfectly comfortable. This information, which he 
acquires so quickly, would take, in the ordinary course of events, not less than 
two or three weeks, and, with a strong probability that he would waste much 
more time, not to mention the advantage of meeting and knowihg all of his 
countrymen that are in Berlin at the same time. j yr 
JUDSON M D., 
Instructor in Clinical Medicine and Lecturer on Physical Diagnosis and Symptom- 
atology in the University of Pennsylvania; Assistant Visiting Physician to 
the University Hospital; Physicia?i to the Rush Hospital far Consumptives.