INAUGURAL* ADDRESS DEL IYER fe 1) Vt. B. E. JOSLIN, M. D., PRESIDENT,' BEFORE THE HOMCEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY O F THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, JANUARY 13, 1875. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE SOCIETY? Englewood, N. J., Timer Book and Job Printing Office. INAUGURAL ADDRESS DELIVERED BY IB. IF. JOSLITST, HUT. ID., PRESIDENT, BEFORE THE HOMCEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE COUNTY OF N. Y.„ JANUARY 13. 1875. [Published by Order of the Society.] Fellow Members of the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the County of Hew York: I regard this Society to he, all' things considered, the most important of any in the United States, for good or evil. It certainly represents onr School in the great metropolis of the country; as such its action must always command respect. I cannot avoid alluding, ini passing, to the great moral force shown to he in its possessioni some few years since, when our college was re-organized in consequence of the appointment of a committee by this Society. I was the least active member of that committee, hut am a witness to the important results attained. The Society possessed no legal power, hut something which proved equally strong—it represented the moral strength of our School in Hew York City. At the present period the most important duty we, as phy- sicians, owe to our profession and to the public, is the estab- lishment, on permanent and solid foundations, of our Hospitals;, several organizations exist, each of these is required to make our School complete, and to furnish to the public proper medi- 2 cal and surgical aid. Such institutions do this directly by the aid and comfort furnished to the sick poor, and by the means they afford of giving our young men expert knowledge, making them skilled men, whereby it is evident, the world is the gainer. Every man, woman and child is thus interested in the foundation and perpetuity of hospitals. They are essen- tial to any rational system of medical education. It is im- possible for us to furnish the public with a high order of medi- cal or surgical skill, unless the wealthy members of the com- munity aid us directly with contributions of money, to estab- lish and keep up our Hospitals. This you see is coming directly to the point I wish to reach. We must in some way beg, or so infuse correct ideas into the minds of intelligent laymen, that they will do it for us. I am happy to announce that several such bodies of whole-souled men, intent on doing good, exist in our school. One great object I have at this time, is to excite in every member of the profession, an ardor *o aid in the good work. Each has influence peculiar to him- self, and no one knows but that the word “ fitly spoken ” may lead to the most important results. Some one may arise to emulate the benefactress, who so generously endowed our Ophthalmic Hospital. Though not old, I believe I have been knowing to all the movements towards establishing hospitals in our School in this city. It has always been to me a matter of great and practi- cal interest. When with Drs. Kellog, Perkins and others, I was actively engaged in the Central Homoeopathic Dispensary, I hoped that organization might eventuate in a hospital. This wish was many times expressed in our reports. I am inclined to believe that such movements have failed for lack of persistence. I doubt if our physicians in general fully appreciate the great social and monied influence of the Homoeopathic School. With a few' earnest and active leaders among the laymen, and the general co-operation of the physicians, I myself have no doubt that a General Hospital might be soon in working order. 1 do not, by any means, contend that the several 3 organizations now in existence, must, of necessity, be merged in one. This is desirable, but if too much time is to be spent in the preliminary political arrangements, it might be better that each go ahead in its own field, in perfect harmony with the others. This one thing I would advise, that every phy- sician be friendly to all, and work as hard as possible for their advancement; but that no physician be placed in a position of pecuniary responsibility if a capable layman can be found to take the place. This is from no want of confidence in my brethern, among whom there are plenty of good financiers, men quite competent to carry on successfully a business scheme Many outside of our profession are ready to attribute sel- fish motives to us, when asked for pecuniary aid for a medical charity. I have in former years felt the weight of this ob- jection in a very unpleasant manner, when endeavoring to raise money to carry on the Central Homoeopathic Dispensary. I know that we have in our interest at the present day re- sponsible and capable gentlemen among our lay friends, who are willing to spend much time in the building up and carry- ing on of our hospitals and other institutions. Let us then, as professional men, throw all our influence in the scale, show the public that it is not a personal and selfish interest; that it is practically carrying out the rule of doing unto others as we would have them do to us, that we have in mind. Let me then entreat of you to be active in promoting the interest of all our institutions, and at this time particularly the hospitals. Let no petty jealousy interfere : if we do not find ourselves in as prominent positions as we conceive we should be, work a little harder for the good cause, and take my word for it, there will be no lack of honor in this world ; and I hope we may all receive that in the next, and more lasting world, which comes from promoting the glory of God by soothing the sorrows and sup- plying the wants of our fellow beings. Let us show our hearty appreciation of those noble ladies who have organized themselves into Aid Societies for these several hospitals. They can and will work for the cause in many ways that, we 4 cannot avail ourselves of. While we are curing the sick, they are providing the material means so essential; a word drop- ped here and there w ith our patients, paves the way for them and endorses them, which we are too happy to do. Time w’as, within my limited recollection, that Homoe- opathy numbered about thirty practitioners in this city, and when a prominent physician of the dominant School sagely prophesied that in live years no such thing as Homoeopathy would l>e heard of. The system lias so far outlived the prophet and his wisdom, that such a rash speech sounds strangely to us. Our practitioners are now' numbered by hundreds rather than by tens. Our institutions are seen in every direction; the State gives us all legal privileges accorded to others; and in my humble opinion, the putting-dow n process is not often alluded to. I am aw’are that some of our brethera are more timid than I am on this subject, but I feel confident that the grow th of the great tree of medical progress which I have watched from one stand-point for twenty-five years, is not to be seriously interrupted by any passing storm. Twenty-live years since, our members were practitioners educated in tbe old school, but convinced of the general truth of our system; men of excellent repute, but working agains early education and prejudice. Now our school is largely made up of younger men, educated in our own college, bound together by the strongest ties of friendship to their “ Alma Mater,” and to each other. Some years since an effort was made by some of the younger men, among whom I was numbered, to obtain posses- sion of a portion of Bellevue Hospital. We modestly asked the Governors for one-half ! ! Our movement w as almost a success, so much so that the physicians and surgeons in charge, most positively declared that if one-half was given us, we should have to take the whole, as they would in that event im- mediately retire. This idea was to us that of far too large an ele- phant, for, at that time, our limited resources. We contempla- ted in case of such prodigious success calling upon Philadelphia 5 and other large cities to aid, and intended to excite the general esprit du corps of the country to come to our assistance in the emergency. Perhaps it was fortunate for us the result w'as postponed. At the present day wre shoidd have the students educated in this college to fall back upon, who, I do not doubt, if necessity should arise, would leave their comfortable country homes and pleasant rides over the hills, to assist us. I can testify that much hard work has been done to bring our School to its present position—quiet, persistent "work. It must be so in future, if we would reap the advantages which our institutions afford us. The life of a physician is not a brilliant one, it is one of patient endurance ; it is to be ac- quainted with the poor sick ; many times he is the only friend of his patient, and not unfrequently their only servant. This does not look like the road to wealth and fame, that those outside of the profession so often suppose we are tread- ing ; yet it is the only road the successful physician ever fol- lows, at least in his earlier years. In time the wealthy and cultivated are willing to call upon him; but if he does not serve the poor, and does not continue to some extent in that way, my experience lias sliowrn me that he does not retain the confidence of the more affluent classes. I now propose giving some account of the institutions of ■our School. The earliest of them was the Dispensary. At one time, many years ago, our School carried on simul- taneously five dispensaries, a number equal to that carried on at that time by the old School. I am satisfied that wre were at fault in so dividing our force, and thereby weakening our strength. A smaller number of institutions, with the same number of workers and contributors, would have proved more permanent and useful. This consideration is well to be borne in mind at present, when several embryonic institutions exist. At the period alluded to our college was not in existence ; we wanted the corps of faithful young men whom w*e now have. The first of these occupied rooms at Apollo Hall, then in Broadway, below' Canal Street, and was called the “New' York 6 Homoeopathic Dispensary.” This was established in Septem- ber, 1845, by S. R. Kirby, M.D., P. P. Wells, M.D., and James M. Quinn, M.D. After a time the following gentle- men were associated: S. 13. Harlow, M.I)., Edward Bayard, M.D., B. F. Joslin, sen., M.D., George W. Cook, M.D., B. F. Bowers, M.D., R. A. Snow, M.D., and Jas. Hart, M.D. Drs. Quinn, Joslin, sen., Cook, Snow, and Allen are deceased. This was announced “ as the tirst and only institution of the kind in the United States.” And with the exception of the Protestant Ilalf-Orplnin Asylum, was the only institu- tion in New York, where our system was at that time repre- sented. This, it will be observed, was nearly thirty years ago. When it is recollected that the “ New York Dispensary,” located in Centre Street, the oldest old-school dispensary in New York, is entering on its eighty-fifth year, it must be con- ceded that our first dispensary goes back to a considerable period for a new school. Only fifty-five years difference in the establishment of dispensaries for the poor ; in the course of a hundred }’ears the difference would be almost forgotten. The New York Homoeopathic Dispensary Association, properly a continuation of the above institution, was organ- ized by a meeting of medical and lay gentlemen, held at 57 Bond street, Dec. 27th, 1847, a Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, and the following officers chosen : BENJAMIN R. WINTHROP, President. FERRIS PELL, 1st Vice-President. JOHN T. ADAMS, 2d Vice-President. THOMAS DENNING, Treasurer. Wm. K. LOTHROP, Secretary. An able body of Trustees was chosen, among whom was the constant friend of our School, Wm. C. Bryant. Hon. Alexis Eustaphieve, the Russian Consul-General, was quite an active man among the Trustees ; he occupied medium ground between the physicians and laymen, being the author of quite an able volume, “ Ilomceopathia Revealed,” which, I believe, did good 7 service in our cause, His official position, which was honor- able, did not fully occupy his time, so lie was a frequent at- tendant at the dispensary, and took much interest in the cases* treated. I shall always recall the memory of this gentleman with satisfaction. The physicians in attendance were Doctors Allen, Barlow, Bayard, Bolles, Bowers. Cator, Hawks, Joslin, sen., Kirby, Snow, Stewart, Taylor, Wilsey, and Wright. Dr. McVickar was the Surgeon of the institution, and among the important operations he performed was that of Lithotomy on a boy, with complete success. During the first year of its establish- ment, four hundred and seven (407) patients were treated. The only other report of this dispensary accessible to me is that of 1851, when fourteen hundred and eight (1408) patients* w'ere treated. I am disposed to believe that these were the only reports of this institution published. This dispensary was located in Bond street for two or three years. During the later period of its life it was kindly cherished by J. T. S. Smith, M.D., at his pharmacy, corner of Broome st. and Broadway. When the pharmacy moved up town the dispensary quietly expired about the year 1856. I worked quite actively in this dispensary both before and after my grad- uation. The Central Homoeopathic Dispensary was established May 1st, 1854, at 15 East 11th street, by Drs. Kellogg and Joslin, jr. In April, 1858, it was incorporated under the general laws of the State of New York. For several years these physicians did all the work in-door and out-door. Afterwards* Drs.R. G. Perkins (now deceased), Wade, II. M. Smith, and T. Franklin Smith, and T. F. Allen, were associated with them. After eleven years of useful life, this dispensary failed for lack of workers. The management was economical to the last degree, and though a wealthy gentleman once asked me “ how much do* you make out of it ? ” I will here state privately, that it was a source of considerable labor and expense to eacli of the phy- sicians connected with it. Several thousand patients were treated. 8 In February, 1855, the Bond Street Homoeopathic Dispen- sary was established by Dr. Fullgraf, and remains to this day. It lias had many physicians and many patients, and being a living institution does not require to have its obituary written, as is the case with the three preceding and two following, to which I must now allude. has an eastern branch in 7th street. The Northern Homoeopathic Dispensary had its origin and life through the exertions of F. W. Hunt, M. D., and of our highly respected colleague, Professor Samuel Lilienthal; it did much good, and failed, I think, from lack of workers. The N. Y. Homoeopathic Dispensary, second of the same name, was mainly indebted to Dr. II. IJ. Millard for its exist- ence ; it did much good, but came to an untimely end. It existed ten years, and occupied a field where an institution of the kind even now is needed. From the time of its establis- ment, in I860, to October 1st, 1870, when it closed, 117,474 patients were treated. The Board of Directors of this institution have elected the members of the board of directors of the 23rd Street Dispen- sary to fill their places. This organization, founded by Miss Emma Scott, is, therefore, the legal successor of the N. Y. Homoeopathic Dispensary ; the fourth dispensary bearing the name; may it long exist, and be a blessing to the poor ! The Western Homoeopathic Dispensary is situated in West 42d street, and, I believe, accomplished much good. The Northeastern Homoeopathic Dispensary is in First Avenue, near East 56th street. A Yorkville and a Harlem Dispensary, also, are in operation. The College Dispensary is an active organization. During the past year 6117 new patients were treated, and 18,748 pre- scriptions given. The Metropolitan Dispensary has been several years in operation in East Broadway. Tbe first institution in which Homoeopathic practice was introduced in this city, was the Protestant Half-Orphan Asylum, in 1842. It is a matter of interest to know that it 9 was in consequence of the ill success of the former physicians, aided by eminent counsel, in the treatment of the ophthalmia, so prevalent in institutions, that Dr. Clark Wright, a worthy member of our School, was called upon to treat this disease, and in consequence of his decided success, given the charge of the Asylum. This was at a time when our School had no Ophthalmic Hospital, nor specialists in diseases of the eye. Dr. Wright had charge of the institution for live years, being succeeded by Dr. B. F. Bowers, who retained charge till the past year, a period of honorable service of twenty-seven years. I have been quite familiar with the medical affairs of this in- stitution during Dr. Bowers’ term of service, having aided him to the extent of my ability, and, I assure you, “ con amore.” Dr. Bowers was at the pains of collecting the sta- tistics of the other Orphan Asylums in New York City and comparing results ; for a period of twelve years the mortality hi his institution was one in one hundred and forty-six; in six city Orphan Asylums, one in forty-one. The Homoeopathic results being 68-100 of one per cent, of deaths; the Allo- pathic being 2 3-5 per cent. In the report of the Managers of the Asylum for the past year we find the following: “ After twenty-seven years of faithful service as physician of the Asylum, Dr. Bowers resigned his position on the 1st of July, 1874. During these twenty-seven years, two thousand live hundred and forty-eight (2,548) children had been inmates of the Asylum, of that number only forty-eight (48) died while there.” Dr. Bowers was present and made some remarks after this address was delivered. lie has since deceased in the 79th year of his age. Dr. A. M. Woodward is the physician at present. This in- stitution was established in 1835. During less than seven years, to August lltli, 1842, while under the charge of old school physicians, the sum of whole numbers of children an- nually under care was 1,063—deaths being 22, or one in 58. During 33£ years to present time, under Homoeopathic treat. 10 ment, the sum of the whole number of children annually un- der care has been 10,112—deaths being 57, or one 177-1, of which number 10 were from cholera in 1849, and 4 were from typhus fever in 1847-48. The “Home for the Friendless” has 1 »een under the medi- cal care of physicians of our School for many years. T believe these physicians have been in the following order: Drs. Ball, Bartlett, E. Guernsey, Liebold, and at present Dr. W. N. Guernsey. No statistics have been accessible to me; no doubt much good has been accomplished. The introduction of Homoeopathy into the Five Points’ House of Industry was on this wise. The late Archibald Russell, Esq., brother of the eminent J. Rutherford Russell, M.D., was President, and Gen. Marshall Lefferts was Trea- surer of the Board of Trustees. Both of these gentlemen were firm adherents of our School. Several times in 1859-00, Dr. Joslin, sen., and I wero requested to visit the institution and give general advice regarding the sanitary condition of the house. I have been informed by Dr. M<‘Murray that Mr. Pease, the founder of the institute, was an advocate of our system, and that I)r. McM. had practiced in his family. In January, 1871, I was requested to visit Mr. Barlow, the super- intendent, in consequence of an attack of cough with aphomia, which yielded readily to treatment. From this date I was considered as the physician of the institution, and sent for on all occasions of sickness occurring there. At this visit I was struck with the fact of there being no case of acute disease among the children, and more particularly none of diphtheria, which had prevailed throughout the city for at least a year. Mr. B. informed me that to his knowledge no case had occur- red among the inmates. A few days later (22d January,) I was requested to prescribe for a young girl, aged 12, residing in Mr. B’s family, but daily, Saturday and Sundays excepted, goingamile and a half to school. At that datel found her in bed, throat had been sore for several days; there was slight redness of fauces and tonsils, and on left side were two small spots of diphtheritic exudation, which I rubbed off with the spoon I 11 had introduced] into the mouth to keep the tongue down. The day previous she had attempted to walk, but had found her- self incapable of doing so, and had been restless and felt feverish. This was a case of diphtheria, perhaps the first that occurred in the institution. It is a matter ot great interest that in the fourteen years past, no fatal case of this disease has occurred, and, excepting as a complication of typhus fever, to which I am about to allude, very few cases have been seen in that lo- cality. About the 6tli of February, a little girl, aged eight, was taken sick with what proved to be typhus fever; this case was followed by others, and the disease continued for some years to prevail in thelliouse, especially during the cooler portions of the year. In the summer, when the sun’s heat causes a most offensive odor to arise about the Five Points, and when the re- spectable residents of the upper part of the city flee to the country, then comparatively little sickness is found among the over-crowded habitations of the Five Points. Surely offensive effluvia or decomposed vegetable matters do not originate typhus, nor have they, in my experience, seemed to have an influence favorable to its extension ; for with the hot weather came health instead of disease, and such has been the experi- ence of those resident there for some years. Cold, is, in my opinion, the direct cause of most of the sickness of the ill-clad and ill-fed residents of this locality. In the cold weather the people are more in-doors, and, therefore, more exposed to the influence of the crowd poison, which no doubt assists very much the extension of most epidemic diseases, and of none more than typhus. Continued fever had prevailed in the in- stitution and had proved quite fatal, but whether it was of the same type as the disease I have seen there, admits of doubt. In a dozen years’ familiarity with the diseases of the metrop- olis, I had not previously seen characteristic tvphus cases. Dr. L., one of the physicians of Bellevue, called upon me July 29tli, 1861, and informed me that he was appointed a Committee to obtain information regarding the origin of the typhus fever, of which many cases had entered that Hospital. 12 Ho informed me that typhus fever had not prevailed in Belle- vue previously since 1852 ; and, of course, could not have pre- vailed to any extent in the city without some cases finding their way there. I had supposed that typhus was endemic at the Five Points, but he thought not. Dr. L. had traced the disease to a house in Hamilton street, where eighteen cases had occurred, the first of whom was the mother of the little girl, Katy Way, our first case. She, no doubt, visited her sick child, and may possibly have taken the disease from her; but whether the little girl's case was really the starting point or not is uncertain. The child’s sickness was not severe, and would have attracted little notice had it not been followed by other cases ; so it may be that the earlier cases of the epi- demic were unrecognized. I would desire to call attention to the facts that the diphtheria made its appearance just before the typhus, and that a very large number of the typhus cases commenced with diphtheritic sore throat. The symptoms at first were precisely such as I was accustomed to see in private practice in the upper part of the city in diphtheria; but in no single instance, excepting those originating at the Five Points, was the sore throat followed by the continued fever. I did not examine the throat in every instance, but when I did, redness and, in many instances, diphtheritic patches were observed. A very few cases of diphtheria occurred not followed by fever. So far as I know, this connection between typhus and diph- theria has not been observed elsewhere. Many of the typhus cases presented the ineasly eruption characteristic of that dis- ease. The critical days were marked in a considerable num- ber, the pulse becoming many beats less in the course of a few hours, and the stage of prostration following being very de- cided and requiring great attention to diet, and frequently stimulants were essential, as shown by the pulse becoming very slow and irregular. Here the resemblance to diphtheria was very great. It seemed as though the typhus at the Five Points, and the diphtheria, as it prevailed in the upper part of the city, were the same disease, with the febrile stage prolonged at the former place. It is well known that an 13 eruption accompanies certain cases of diphtheria. I have seen it in a few instances, and in these it resembled very closely the eruption observed in the fever patients. Two of the typhus patients died, both adults—one an assistant, Mr. Harper ; the other, Mr. Barlow, the superintendent, worn out with several years of most faithful, self-denying labor. The chil- dren all recovered. Two hundred and fifty-nine cases of typhus were treated in five years. I have, perhaps, taken too much time in the above allusions to my own labors, but I am quite willing to acknowledge that some of the happiest hours of my life were spent in this work among the poor children. Among the marked features of medical interest at the Five Points’ House of Industry, has been the prophylactic treat- ment of scarlatina. In all there have been twenty-three cases in fourteen years, occuring singly at different periods. It is interesting that no second case has taken place at one time. Belladonna is uniformly given to all the inmates on the ap- pearance of this disease. Another very gratifying result attained has been the keeping variola and varioloid completely out since March, 1864:, a result arrived at by persistent vac- cination. It is believed that this success in so exposed a field, shows the possibility of excluding variolous diseases from any community by the simple application of thorough vaccination. This will be apparent when it is considered that nearly three hundred persons sleep nightly within the walls, while one hundred and fifty come and go daily, sleeping in the miserable cellars and garrets around ; and still more when it is stated that variola has been more prevalent of late years than at any time since the discovery of cow-pox by Jenner. Of eighteen cases of uncomplicated gangrene of the mouth, seventeen were cured. A part of the sickness treated in this institution is of children brought in from outside, thus making it for a number of years, a “ Children’s Hospital.” I have resigned my official position,.but shall always take great interest in the labors of my late colleagues, Drs. St. Clair Smith, Houghton,. Hunt, and Doughty. The above corps comprises specialists 14 in the diseases of the ear, tiie eyo and surgery. There is also a resident physician. During fourteen years past, 10,751 eases wore treated, in addition to 91 sent to other hospitals. 92 deaths occurred. The whole number of prescriptions was 41,325. About 1,500 visits were made to the institution by the physicians, not in- cluding the constant service of the resident physician. 0,087 were vaccinated. All of the vaccine matter was furnished from my private patients, thus showing the practicability of procuring an abundant supply of vaccine with comparatively little trouble or expense. As is known to some here present, I have, in addition, been able to furnish vaccine to many phy- sicians on application. In former times we were reproached for not having Home- opathic surgeons, oculists, and aurists. If tliero was at any time force in the assertion, certainly there can he no objection urged against our School .on such grounds at the present time, as we have skilled specialists in these and other departments of medical science. For these we are much indebted to our institutions, and to none more largely than to this noble OplP thalmic Hospital in which we are meeting. The N. Y. Ophthalmic Hospital, which is familiar to us all, was founded mainly through the efforts of Drs. Mark Stephen- son and Garrish. Some six years since, by action of the Board of Trustees, surgeons of the Iloimeopathic School were substitued for the old Board of Surgeons. It has prospered under the new regime, since which, being endowed by Mrs. Emma L. Keep, it is free from debt and in good working order, a blessing to thousands of poor whose sight is pre- served, and, in some instances, restored. This Hospital has been, since Tuesday, June 11, 1867, attended by surgeons of our School, under whom 14,468 cases have been treated. The Homoeopathic Surgical Hospital, now located at 213 West 54tli street, had its origin in a “Grand Fair,” held by many kind ladies, in 14th street, in April, 1872. The Hospital was first established at 26 Gramercy Park, where operations were performed. The Trustees of Gramercy 15 Park felt it their duty to proceed against it at law, considering the Hospital a nuisance. Though the Trustees of the Hos- pital believed themselves quite competent to defend their suit, the prospect of a long and expensive litigation made them decide to give up the convenient location and go elsewhere. A legal document which this matter gave rise to, in which many eminent surgeons and physicians of this city testify to the injurious results likely to follow in the train of a u Sur- gical Hospital,” is quite a curiosity in medical literature, and makes one wonder how any one of these gentlemen can tolerate any such institutions within a considerable distance of the city limits. On the other hand, the Governors of the N. Y. Hospital, several years since, issued a circular, in which they specially allude to the necessity for many surgical hospitals scattered through the city, for they say that statistics have shown that one-tenth of the fatality from accidents arises rather from the distance the patient has to be carried before receiving surgical assistance than from the original injury. Our Surgical Hospital receives all cases of accident which apply. A number of operations have been performed, and the Hospital may be considered a success. Hospitals are not paying institutions, they require constant aid from the humane to support them. As an evidence of this, I will mention that the Trustees of the New York Hos- pital stated in a circular that, when located in Broadway, $30,- 000 per year was expended by them above the income from patients. The following gentlemen constitute the Board of Managers of the Homoeopathic Surgical Hospital. It is evident that it comprises lay gentlemen of distinguished ability and position; and 1 can certify from personal observation that these gentle- men have faithfully served the interests of humanity, as repre- sented by this institution, and no doubt can be felt but that they will do so for the future: SALEM H. WALES, President, Windsor House. GEORGE W. CLARKE, Y. Pres., 40 Washington Square So. 16 ALFRED 8. MACKAY, Treasurer, 35 Pine street. EDMUND DWIGHT, 18 W. 19th street. B. F. JOSLIN, M.D., 50 W. 29th street W. T. HELMUTH, M.D., 21 W. 37th street J. W. DOWLING, M.D., 568 Fifth avenue. L. HALLOCK, 34 E. 39th street. D. D. T. MARSHALL, 231 Broadway. S. W. COE, 3 West 42d street W. H. WICKHAM, 338 Lexington avenue. H. N. TWOMBLY, 17 La Fayette Phu-e. SINCLAIR TOUSEY, 14 East 46th street B. 8. WALCOTT, 120 Broadway. R. H. LYON, Secretary, 17 West 37th Btreet. The Hahnemann Hospital obtained a charter some years since, as also a valuable lease of lots, and some amount of money. For a while the sick were treated, but for two years or more, its doors have been closed. It is to be hoped that the Trustees will not much longer allow their opportunities to remain dormant. Time is short. The New York Homoeopathic College is now completing the fifteenth year of its existence. We all know its prosper- ous condition. The faculty is able, the students intelligent and capable. I will certify to the competency of the gradu- ates of the past four years, during which period it has been my duty to examine as censor. Perhaps no more decided evidence of the proficiency known to be required of graduates can be given, than the fact that each year several of our students are found to escape to other colleges, where, it is presumed, they suppose the re- quirements arc less severe. We thus find on the list of gradu- ates of other institutions, the names of matriculates of our own college. If any one thinks the diploma of our College of very easy access, let him try to obtain the regular, or even adendnm degree. Graduates of tolerably pretentious colleges, have failed in procuring the latter desired boon. It is the testi- mony of those who know our requirements, that they are superior to those of most other reputable institutions. At the same time they are not above reason, and the fair capacity 17 of students. I am inclined to think that the average' age of our students is greater than in most medical colleges; conse- quently their minds are more mature. There is most likely niore work and less play, than was found in the typic.al medical student of a quarter of a century since, as I recall him. Since our college has recommended the graded course, it stands on superior ground. One more change could be ad- vantageously made, viz, requiring a preliminary examination in the ordinary English branches. To my mind, the practical and the studious should be mixed in a proper system of medical education. Anatomy, studied mainly in the dissect- ing room ; Chemistry, in the laboratory; Surgery and practice largely in the hospital. This combination relieves the mind and body each from too continuous tax, and is like the child learning its letters on blocks for amusement. Who does not recall the weary back, and over-taxed brain of the six or eight hours’ ’daily toil, on the hard benches of the old system of medical instruction. I am not at all ashamed of our College as at present constituted, but will simply say, in Oriental language, “ may its shadow never be less.” As a matter of historical interest, showing the clear legal recognition of our School, it is worth while to note the appointment of “ The First Board of State Medical Examiners’’ by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. This body is at present composed of the following ph}rsicians: JOHN F. GRAY, M. D., L.L.D., Pres, of the Board. JOHN C. MINOR, A. M., M. D., Register of Examinations. HORACE M. PAINE, “ Secretary. JNO. A. McVICKAR, WM. H. WATSON, GEORGE E. BELCHER, HENRY B. MILLARD, WM. S. SEARLE, CARROLL DUNHAM, It is thought by some, that this action will result event- ually in constituting a regular State Examination as a pre-re- quisite to practice. There are names on this list that will 18 always be honorod in our School, and whose certificate of proficiency would bo creditable to any one. The New York Medical College and Hospital for Women, is now completing its twelfth year. It has changed its loca- tion to Lexington avenue and 37th street, a change for the better. It has an able corps of teachers, and promises well for the future. There is certainly no obstacle in the way of any woman, so disposed, receiving a first class medical educa- tion. I am glad to observe that the graded course is adopted in this College. The College was organized for regidar lectures in 1804. It has graduated eighty-one. The course of study embraces three years. The Hospital department was opened Sept., 1869. The number of patients received and cared for, is more than seven hundred. The Dispensary was opened in Feb. 1868, with a few clinical eases, and went into full opera- tion in the College Buildings, corner 12th street and Second avenue, the following September. Since that time, about fifteen thousand cases, almost exclusively women and have been treated. I have thus given some account of the institutions of this city, in which our School is specially interested. You will pardon me for saying, most of those of which I have most information. If any persons feel themselves aggrieved in that their favorite institution has not received sufficient atten- tion, an opportunity will be afforded them to make up the deficiency, and I will be found a much better listener than speaker.