TRANSACTIONS 
OF THE 
HOMCEOPATH IC 
MEDICAL SOCIETY 
OF THE 
STATE OF MICHIGAN. 
AT 
Marshall, May 1C, anil Anr Arbor, Nov. 21 A 22.1871. 
DETROIT: 
OSTLER & HOEKSTRA, PRINTERS. 
1871. TRANSACTIONS 
OF THE 
HOMCEOPATH IC 
MEDICAL SOCIETY 
OF THE 
STATE OF MICHIGAN. 
AT 
Marshall, May 1C. and Ann Arbor, Nov. 21 A 22.1871. 
DETROIT: 
OSTLER & HOEKSTRA, PRINTERS. 
1871. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND ANNUAL MEET- 
ING AT MARSHALL MAY 16, 1871. 
The Second Annual Meeting of the “ Homoeopathic Medical 
Society of the State of Michigan ” convened at Marshall, in the 
Academy of Music, on the Third Tuesday of May, 1871. 
The meeting was not called to order until 4 o’clock p. m., as an 
annual session of the Michigan Homoeopathic Institute was ap- 
pointed to be held at the same time and place. 
The Institute having organized, it was found that twenty-eight 
members were present, who, on motion, voted unanimously to dis- 
solve the organization, and instructed its Secretary to deliver all 
the books and records of the Institute to the Secretary of the 
Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of Michigan. 
At 4 o’clock p. si., the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the 
State of Michigan, was called to order by the President, Dr. J. N 
Eldridge of Flint. 
The Secretary having to respond to a telegram just received, 
Dr. B. F. Bailey, of Lansing, was appointed Secretary yro tem. 
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. 
The Board of Censors submitted their report and recommen- 
ded the following named gentlemen as candidates for membership, 
and that they be elected members of the Society, as follows : J. 
J. Meachem, Battle Creek; Frank B. Smith, Owosso; J. D. Ker. 
gan, Corunna; F. Woodruff, Ann Arbor; D. A. Davis, Parma; 
Geo. A. Robertson, Chelsea; Miles Rorabacher, Litchfield; Seth 
N. Coons, Marshall; E. B. Graham, Three Rivers; Edwin C. Wil- 
bur, Albion; A. A. Bancroft, Lansing; Miss S. A. Peterman, 
Marshall. 
On motion of Dr. S. B. Thayer, they were duly elected to 
membership upon signing the Constitution and in conforming to its 
requirements. 4 
In the absence of the Secretary, the Treasurer was unable to 
make his annual report, and was therefore excused. 
The President then delivered the annual address, which, upon 
motion of Dr. Sawyer, of Monroe, was referred to the Publication 
Committee, and ordered to be printed with the Transactions of the 
Society, with the thanks of the Society for the able and interesting 
matter it contained. 
Gentlemen: In accordance with custom and with the By- 
Laws of our Society, you will expect me, as your presiding officer, 
to address a few words to you upon such subjects as shall seem 
befitting on the present occasion. I do not flutter myself that I can 
offer you anything new in the way of scientific discovery, or untold 
to you any new process for the further development of our sublime 
law of cure. If this were susceptible of further demonstration, 
many of you before me, 1 trust, would be far more competent to 
the task than myself. Leaving then the field of medical science 
and its collaterals for future development and discussion, there are 
yet other and vital interests connected with the cause of llomoBO- 
pathy in Michigan, in which every Homoeopathic physician of our 
{State has, or ought to have an interest, and not only ourselves, but 
a large number of medical students whom we have undertaken to 
educate and qualify for practitioners of Homoeopathy. Nor are 
these all, a very large number also of intelligent, wealthy and in- 
fluential tax payers, who are our patrons, have a largo interest in 
the subject to which I shall presently allude, and their interests 
demand our immediate attention, consideration and united action. 
Since the first introduction of Hoinoeoputhy into Michigan, it 
has been signally progressive. The people have flocked to its 
standard bearers, giving them their patronage and support—thus 
defending and popularizing our scientific and humane system of 
practice. 
In the year 1847, I was present at Ann Arbor when a band of 
eight determined Homoeopathic physicians, pioneers «•! Ilormeopa- 
thy in Michigan, got together and formed the first Homoeopathic 
M edical Society in the State. If my memory serves me right, 
there were at that time only eight physicians of our School in the 
entire State. In their preamble preceding the Constitution which 
they adopted, were the following declarations: “Whereas, the un- 
dersigned Homoeopathic Physicians of the State of Michigan, firmly 
believe, first, in the universality of the thurupeiitic law, aimi/ia 
simi/ibus rurnntur; secondly, in the •superior efficiency and safety 
of pure Homoeopathic practice in contradistinction to every other 
system or combination of systems, etc.” 
ADDRESS OF TI1E PRESIDENT. 5 
Gentlemen, I believe you will agree with me that this platform 
of principles was sound, as the results thus far evidently show. 
From this small beginning, based upon principles of scientific truth, 
has grown an army of three hundred Homoeopathic practitioners 
in this State, and all receiving a liberal patronage. Incredible or 
surprising as it may appear, the laity have increased in a much 
larger'corresponding ratio than that of the practitioners. At the 
time of the formation of the little Society referred to, Homoeopathy 
had only found its way into the following named places in the State: 
Detroit, Pontiac, Birmingham, Ann Arbor, Adrian, Dexter, and 
Lyons. Now there is scarcely a city, town or hamlet in the State 
but is represented by at least from one to twenty practitioners of 
our School. If we take a careful survey over this vast harvest- 
field of Homoeopathy, we shall find for our encouragement that 
among our patrons may be found ministers, lawyers, bankers, 
otHcers of state and nation, members of the legislature, speculators 
in stocks, large land owners, manufacturers, commercial men, 
teachers, agriculturists, and mechanics. Taken as a body, they are 
the most influential, inte.ligent, enterprising taxpayers in the State 
—a powerful influence we must all concede in favor of our system 
of practice. How stands then the account with us to day as the 
representatives of Homoeopathy in the State? Our duties thus 
far have been arduous, but we have had our recompense in the 
spread and popularity of Homoeopathy and in many other ways, 
besides our pecuniary Yet our duties and obligations 
have not all been discharged. The people are becoming more in- 
telligent, more enlightened, better educated. Beside the well edu- 
cated that are constantly seeking homes in our State, our State 
University is sending out every year hundreds of educated and in- 
telligent men and women, who settle in ditfierent localities of our 
State to pursue the various vocations of their choice, and they, 
with the rest, demand a more highly educated class of professional 
men, especially in the medical profession, as these have to deal with 
life and health, and we are glad to hear that our State and Nation- 
al Societies, together with the Faculties of our Medical Colleges, 
are preparing to respond to this requirement, and that some have 
already taken the initiative steps to secure a higher grade of schol- 
arship in candidates tor matriculation as well as for graduation. 
This will involve a more lengthened and complete curriculum, so 
that their alumni will come forth thoroughly educated and equally 
well prepared with the graduates of the very best medical institu- 
tions in this and in the old country. Ought we not then, in view 
of these facts, and in view of what the laity of Michigan have and 
are still doing for us, do all that we can to inaugurate a better and 
higher standard of scholarship and of medical educators for that 
class of young men we are qualifying to take our places. The 
people who are the patrons of Homoeopathy demand this of us, 6 
nnd will bold us responsible for its accomplishment. Ah a general 
rule, medical students are poor, or possess but limited means, and 
cannot afford to travel long distances and be subjected to the heavy 
cash outlays consequent upon the attendance of our medical col- 
leges at distant points. Is it not then our duty, and in accordance 
with justice and true economy, that we cast about us and see if the 
remedy for this unnecessary expenditure of time and money Is not 
within our reach and at our own doors. 
There is an old, well endowed, well appointed institution of 
learning, where for many years science and art, law and medicine, 
have been taught so efficiently and so well as to spread abroad the 
fame and honor of our State, and load strangers at a distance 
to point to Michigan as one of the great nurseries of science. Our 
University stands high, and desorved’y ho, in general estimation. 
Untrammelled by the divisions and classifications of society, un- 
biassed and unimpeded by political or religious parties or sects, it 
appears as a monument of the legitimate networkings of our great 
republican principles. There the rich and ihe poor may and do 
meet together upon the platform of their common humanity with 
equal rights, enjoying the self same privileges—no aristocracy be- 
ing known hut that of talent, no superiority hut that of scholarship 
and persevering application. Yet upon its fair escutcheon stands 
a blot, a black and ugly stain, a two thousand year old monopoly 
in the shape of a system of medical therapeutics denominated Al- 
lopathy, or the self styled regular school of medicine. Had this 
encumbrance assumed the shape of a religious doctrine or a theo- 
logical dogma, it would not have been tolerated for an hour, yet it 
could not thus have been more unjust, more offensive to the con- 
science and predilections of a vast number of the taxpayers of the 
State. Had Monnonism, atheism, or any theological or pantheistic 
ism been endowed by our University funds, it would not he more 
unjust than to endow Allopathy to the exclusion of every other 
school of medicine; nor, in the view of a large number, could any 
endowment be more pernicious in its tendencies or more opposed 
to the very genius and spirit of our institutions. Why then, gen- 
tlemen, is this state of things allowed to exist V Why are we com- 
pelled to send our medical students to Ohio, New ork, Pennsyl- 
vania, Illinois and Missouri for an education which is their birth- 
right in the State of Michigan/ Is it that the people of the State 
generally uphold and desire to i>erpetuute monopoly and injustice; 
that they are so wedded to Allopathy that they will not permit 
any interference with what she claims as her vested rights ? By 
no means. On any and every occasion, when the people have had 
an opportunity to express their views, they have shown their de- 
sire, and have uttered their demands, that we shall haye equal 
rights in the medical department of the .State University. They 
have signed petition ufter petition, and thousands of Luna ji'le 7 
names, and in this way have proved their hearty good will for the 
prosperity of our cause. The members of the House of Repre- 
sentatives are the direct representatives of the people, and it 
reflects the wishes and sentiments of the people, it has on repeated 
occasions declared lor our equal rights in the Univsrsity; and 
during the recent session of the legislature it has again so declared 
by a vote of 62 for to 24 against. It is not, then, that the mem- 
bers of our legislature defy public opinion, and with high handed 
despotism, force upon the State an exclusive system of medical 
education, which the masses dislike, and in which they have no 
sympathy or confidence ; on the contrary, they have on every occa- 
sion, when the subject has been presented, manifested a disposi- 
tion and a determination to carry out the wishes and the measures 
demanded by a large Homeopathic constituency. What, then, is 
the difficulty ? What is the real obstacle to the attainment of our 
rights ? Why is it that at every session of our legislature we have 
to leave our business and spend more or less time at Lansing labor- 
ing for the attainment of our just rights, and yet are never able to 
secure them? It is a matter of record, that so long ago as 1855 
we asked for a statute law, enjoining upon the Board of Regents 
of the University the appointment of at least one Professor of 
Homeopathy in its medical department, and the legislature 
promptly enacted a law to that effect. This law has never been 
carried out or enforced, for the reason, as some assert, that it lacks 
mandatory power—while others believe that the opposing power 
behind the throne is the American Medical Association, whose 
influence is made to bear upon the medical faculty of our Univer- 
sity, and who, in turn, never lose an opportunity of wielding all 
the influence they can bring to bear upon tlie Regents, in opposi- 
tion to the law of 1855, which our legislature enacted in good 
faith, believing it to be of binding force and virtue. Gentlemen, 
how came we to secure the passage of this law, even so long as 
sixteen years ago, and at a period of time when Homeopathy was 
but in its infancy in this State ? It was from a willingness and a 
determination of the people, as expressed through their represen- 
tatives in the legislature, to secure for our system of practice equal 
rights with old school, and the absence of active opposition on the 
p irt of the members of our profession in the State. No member 
of our school of practice ottered any opposition to the passage of 
this law, that I am aware of, or had the boldness to ask for 
another and a different measure while this one was pending. 
Then, I ask again, what is the difficulty, what the real obstacle 
to the attainment of our rights? The time has fully arrived when 
this difficult and vexatious problem should lie solved, and this 
question settled in five mind of every member of our profession in 
this State? My reply to the above enquiry may be unpalatable 
and unwholesome to some; nevertheless, it is, in my humble judg- 8 
ment, but the simple, unvarnished truth. The cause of our failure 
to attain the rights which justice and our tens of thousands of 
Homeopathic patrons demand is the divisions in our men coun- 
cils—the refusal of a minority to submit to the plans and arrange- 
ments of the majority. Had we been of one heart and of one 
mind in the matter, or if that be an impossibility, had we resolved 
to forego all personal aspirations, and restrain all personal ambi- 
tions for the purpose of carrying our point, we might, before 
this, have vanquished our foes, and made our position sure in the 
chief seat of learning in the State. But, alas, w hat one class of 
physicians in one school has succeeded in building up, another 
lias as industriously pulled down, and when by concerted action 
wo have made two or three steps in advance, others have drawn 
us three or four steps to the rear, thus leaving us in doubt if our 
position and prospects are as favorable as they were three or four 
years ago. The Medical Faculty at Ann Arbor laugh in their 
sleeves, and feel their monopoly to be perfectly sure so long as 
there are divisions and strife in our ranks, and at the same time 
our friends in and out of the legislature find their hands tied as to 
the aid to our cause which they would gladly secure. Gentlemen, 
never can we make one single step permanently in advance, never 
can our prospects of gaining our rightful position be improved, 
until we cun have harmony in our midst, until we can agree upon 
some one plan of action, and having agreed upon it, act fully up to 
it. This may—yes, it most assuredly will—require a spirit of self- 
abnegation on the part of some, perhaps a very considerable 
minority. It is not possible that, with minds and temperaments so 
diverse, we can see, eye to eye; that we can all have the same 
preferences. Neither our judgments, our modes of reasoning, nor 
our stand points of observation are alike; and it would be strange 
indeed if our schemes for carrying out a great purpose should bo 
identical. Since then harmony of opinion, similarity of judgment, 
and perfect agreement is altogether out of the question, let us do 
the next best thing—“ agree to differ.” Let us ventilate thor- 
oughly every scheme, every argument, every plan and policy that 
any reasonable man may wish to bring before our attention, weigh 
them all impartially, and having thus obtained the opinion of the 
majority, let us, then, one and all, sink personal differences, selfish 
considerations, and burying purely selfish ambitions, as one man, 
consecrate time, talent, money, and all we have and are, to the 
accomplishment of our great purpose. Then, and not till then, 
will our foes begin to waver, the Regents of our University wake 
up to the conviction that they must carry out the people's will, or 
give place to better men ; the members of the legislature f ivorable 
to our cause be encouraged to form new and forcible law's thut 
will secure our long withheld rights. But if we are to plan and to 
resolve in our society meetings, arrange for labor in the lobbies of 9 
our legislative halls, and then two, three, or half a dozen private 
schemes are to be thrust upon the attention of its duly appointed 
committees, each claiming and demanding exclusive recognition 
and legislative sanction, we may as well at once, and forever, give 
up the the hope of being anyth ng more than what we are now 
—the laughing stock of the Allopathic community. When I 
think of the possibilities for our school of medicine, untrammeled 
by legal disability, put on an equal footing as to classical, scien- 
tific and professional education with any other school of medicine, 
and with a large band of intelligent, educated, scientific, and en- 
thusiastic homeopathic practitioners, with the prestige of our State 
University upon them; when I think of the amount of good it 
would accomplish, the professional laurels it would win, I cannot 
but feel grieved that all these fair prospects should be blasted by 
war in our own household. Brethren, let the bitter experiences 
and disappointments of the past teach us wisdom, and cause us, 
from this hour, to present to the enemy an unbroken front. As 
your President, it would perhaps be out of place for me to suggest 
any scheme of action, or indicate any preferences of my own. But 
with your kind indulgence I should like to say this much ; our Uni- 
versity is already provided with apparatus and ample means for 
instruction in chemistry, botany, physiology, anatomy, surgery, 
and all those branches of education common to all schools o 
medicine. It would require a great many thousand dollars to put 
any new college or institution upon an equally favorable footing, 
to say nothing of the prestige of the old institution. All we really 
need at present, in my opinion, is an annual course of lectures at 
Ann Arbor on the homoeopathic materia medica, and one on the- 
ory and practice. This is the most reasonable, most fair, most 
economical, and in every way the most desirable arrangement that 
could be made—the cheapest for the State, and the best for our- 
selves and for all concerned. 
Gentlemen, I leave the subject with you for your serious atten- 
tion and careful consideration, believing that you are in every way 
competent for its final disposal. 
Doctor Wm. J. Calvert, of Jackson, was then granted a cer- 
tificate of withdrawal from membership upon his request, stating 
at the same time, that it was not in consequence of any dissatisfac- 
tion with the transactions of the society, or with any of its mem- 
bers, but wholly on personal grounds. 
The President then appointed the following standing commit- 
tees : 
Publication Committee—A. Bngley and H. B. Bagley, Mar- 
shall. 10 
Auditing Committee—J. D. Kergan, of Common, and B. F. 
Bailey, Lansing. 
Nominating Committee—T. F. Pomeroy, Detroit, and F. 
Woodruff, Ann Arbor. 
University Committee—S. B. Thayer, Battle Creek; A. I. 
Sawyer, Monroe. When, on motion, the President, Dr. I. N. 
Eldridge, of Flint, was added to the committee. 
Executive Committee—S. B. Thayer and J. II. Wattles, of 
Battle Creek, and F. Woodruff, of Ann Arbor. 
On motion of Dr. 8. B. Thayer, the By-Laws were ordered to 
be so amended as to require the holding of semi-annual meetings 
of the society on the third Tuesday of November in each year, a1 
such place as shall be from time to time designated ; and upon a 
motion of Dr. A. I. Sawyer, at Lansing; also, a special meeting 
during the sessions of the legislature of the State. 
On motion, the Secretary was instructed to have printed 200 
copies of the Constitution and By-Laws of the society. 
On motion, the President appointed Drs. Pomeroy and Gor- 
ton, of Detroit, and A. I. Sawyer, of Monroe, to procure a form 
of a diploma and of a certificate of membership, and a seal for 
the use of the society. 
The Nominating Committee then reported the following named 
gentlemen to constitute the medical committees for the ensuing 
year, which was adopted : 
On the Law of Cure and Principles—A. Bagley and F. Wood- 
ruff. 
Symptomatology and Pathology—J. A. Wattles and S. N. 
Coons. 
Materia Medica—J. A. Robertson and A. A. Bancroft. 
Dose arul High Dilutions—M. Rorabacher and E. F. Olds. 
Medical Ethics—H. B. Bugley and E. C. Wilbur. 
Medicid Colleges—T. F. Pomeroy and B. F. Bailey. 
Obstetrics—F. B. Smith and E. Ii. Graham. 
Diseases of Women and Children—S. A. Peterman and J. E. 
Smith. 
Leuchoraea—I. N. Eldridge and J. D. Kergan. 
Inlermittents—J. J. Meacham and Miles Rorabacher. 
Syphilis—A. B. Spinney. 
Army Surgery—S. B. Thayer and C. S. Eldridge. 11 
Surgery—A. I. Sawyer and D. A. Davis. 
The society then proceeded to the election of officers for the 
ensuing year, with the following result: 
President, T. F. Pomeroy, of Detroit. 
1st Vice President, . . . S. B. Thayer, Battle Creek. 
2d Vice President, . . . E. B. Graham, Three Rivers. 
Corresponding Secretary, . F. Woodruff, Ann Arbor. 
Recording Sec’y and Trea. I. N. Eldridge, of Flint. 
On motion, the tirst semi-annual meeting was ordered to be 
held at Ann Arbor on the third Tuesday of November next, and 
the annual meeting at Battle Creek on the third Tuesday of May, 
1872, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. 
The following preamble and resolutions were then presented 
and read by Dr. S. B. Thayer, and unanimously adopted, and 
ordered printed with the transactions ot the society : 
Whereas, The University of Michigan was established for the 
purpose of affording facilities for the education of all the citizens 
of the State, being in its very nature an educational institution of, 
and for the people ; and, 
Whereas, The people of the State, through the Legislature, 
accepted a grant of 72 sections of land, to aid in founding said 
University, conditionary, on a provision made in such grant by the 
U. S., to wit. : that the University should forever remain under the 
control of the Legislature; and, 
W hereas, The people of the State have asked, and obtained 
an Act of the Legislature, requiring the Regents to appoint “ at 
least one professor” in the medical department, who shall teach a 
system of practice and of materia medica more in accordance with 
modern science; and. 
Whereas, The Kegents of the University, who have a general 
supervision over the affairs of the Institution, as the paid agents of 
the State, by virtue of whose laws they hold power, have, when 
applied to, steadily refused to execute the will of the people as ex- 
pressed in the Act of 1855, but have conspired, and are now 
conspiring with the medical faculty of the University and certain 
persons in our own ranks, to prevent the execution, not only of the 
law already on our Statute books, but to defeat, in the future, all 
measures looking to the introduction of Homoeopathy into the med- 
ical department of the University, where it of right belongs and 
should be taught; and, 
WTiereas, The lower branch of our legislature, whose acts are 
an index to the popular will, at its late session, reiterated the pop- 
ular desire, by passing the measure of relief asked for, notwith- 12 
standing the efforts of the above named heterogenous combination, 
by the handsome majority of 62 to 20; therefore, 
Resolved, That it is the sense of this medical body, that the 
University of Michigan ought to remain as it is, a unit, prepared 
in conformity with its original design, to give instruction in all that 
pertains to science and art, demanded by the people. 
Resolved, That we will unite our efforts to secure the introduc- 
tion ol' IIouuBOpathy into the medical department of the Universi- 
ty, which is our right by virtue of law and citizenship, and will re- 
lax no effort just and honorable in itso'f, until our object is accom- 
plished, and the teaching of Hormeopathy in the medical depart- 
ment of the University becomes an accomplished fact. 
Resolved, That the course pursued by Kegont Walker, and 
those who have conspired with him to defeat justice by means the 
most dishonorable and known only to the pot house politician, has 
proved himself entirely unworthy to have in his keeping the des- 
tinies of a great public institution. 
On motion of Dr. Pomeroy, the By-Laws were so amended as 
to require a two days session of this Society at oaeh and every 
meeting hereafter, in order to properly and deliberatly transact its 
regular and special business. 
On motion the University Committee was authorized to insti- 
tute legal proceedings against the Board of Begents of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, if it should be deemed advisable to do so, to 
enforce the carrying out of the provisions of the law of 1855, rela- 
tive to the introduction of Ilomreopathy into the medical depart- 
ment of the University, and to assess the members of this Society 
for that purpose, and was instructed to report progress at each 
meeting of the Society. 
The Publication Committee was instructed to procure blank 
receipts for moneys paid by the members to the Secretary or Treas- 
urer, for the use of the Society. 
Drs. T. F. Pomeroy and F. Woodruff were elected delegates to 
the next annual meeting of the American Institute of Homoeopa- 
thy to be held at Philadelphia. 
The old Board of Censors were, by the President, ordered to 
hold over for another year; whereupon, on motion of Dr. Baglcy, 
the Society adjourned to meet at Ann Arbor on the 21st day of 
November, 1871. 
B. F. BAILEY, 
Secretary pro tern. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST SEMI-ANNUAL MEET- 
ING; HELD AT ANN ARBOR NOV. 21, 22, 1871. 
The First Semi-Annual Meeting of the Homoeopathic Medical 
Society of the State of Michigan convened at Ann Arbor, in the 
parlors of the Gregory House, Nov. 21, 1871. 
The meeting was called to order as previously announced, at 2 
o’clock by the President, Dr. T. F. Pomeroy, and a motion was 
made, which prevailed, that the Society adjourn until 7:80 o’clock 
p. k. 
At 7:30 r. m., the meeting convened and was called to order by 
the President. 
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. 
The President read a brief address, calling the attention of the 
Society to such subjects as would be most likely to occupy its at- 
tention during the session, and in connection therewith offered some 
practical suggestions. 
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. 
Gentlemen of the State Society—Although not expected 
to deliver a formal address at a semi-annual meeting, I may, as 
your presiding officer, be permitted to offer a few remarks as in- 
troductory to, and suggestive of some of those snbjects most likely 
to occupy your attention during this session of our State Society. 
In the formation of this Society, we have but recognized the 
well established fact that such associations are necessary for the 
advancement of medical science, and that concerted and systematic 
effort will accomplish what individual enterprise or desultory action 
can never do. Recent developments, as indeed nearly all of the 
antecedent history of Homoeopathy in this State, have also demon- 
strated this fact, and our cause is now suffering the legitimate con- 
sequences of a want of united and harmonious effort in its behalf. 
We are thus admonished to see to it that all faithful represen- 
tatives of our school throughout the State have the opportunity 14 
not only, but, if needful, that they bo urged to associate themselves 
with us. In this way only may we expect a solution of those great 
problems with which, from our relations to this State, and to its 
educational institutions, wo find ourselves confronted, as well as in 
a general way, to participate with our brethren in other States and 
other Countries, in the work of developing and of perfecting our 
most worthy and prosperous system of therapeutics. 
The great question that at the present time is attracting the at- 
tention of the adherents of our School, especially within the limits 
of the profession, is that of medical education, and how those meth- 
ods peculiar to our system of practice may be placed on an equal 
footing and upon a just basis in relation to others more highly 
favored than they. 
Hitherto a just and righteous solution of this question hus been 
prevented by the determined and persistent opposition of a portion 
of the Hoard of Regents of our State University, whereby the en- 
tire board has been forced to disobey the popular will as expressed 
now and again through the representative branch of our State 
Legislature, in not placing our teachers within its walls and under 
its fostering care. 
It is not necessary at this time to go into the history of this op- 
position, nor of the avowed and concealed reasons that have lead 
to it, and which continue to direct it. With these we are already 
sufficiently familiar, as we are also only too well acquainted with 
the designs and motives of those who have presumed to prevent 
the fulfillment of the plain requirements of the law, and to defer the 
consideration and the adjustment of our claims under it; prefering 
rather to promote disagreement and opposition within our ranks, 
by diverting the attention, and by flattering the vanity of a few of 
the more ambitious amongst us with schemes and projects that are 
impracticable and impossible of fulfillment, whose only effect is to 
distract and to divide. A glorious mission, indeed, for men oc- 
cupying a high and honorable position as the guardians of a great 
public trust, the universality of which they have as yet failed to 
comprehend. 
My purpose at this time is rather to consider those agencies 
within our own ranks which tend to the detriment of our cause and 
the defeat of our plans. Such opportunities for advancement as 
are within the reach of the Homoeopathic fraternity of this State, 
are not accorded to any other, advantages that should, and indeed 
might have been secured long since but for our own divisions and su- 
icidal disagreements, the nature of which is well understood and only 
too plainly manifested. While some of us favor the exact and 
prompt fulfillment of the law; others are ready, on a basis of equal- 
ity, to compromise for an outside seat in the University; while still 
others are willing to sacrifice all that we claim, and all that is just- 
ly our due, to their own selfish and ambitious purposes, if not to 15 
the nefarious plans {and projects of those whose tools they are. 
Such is the lamentable and such the helpless position we have as- 
sumed, and thus, and thus only do we present ourselves before the 
profession and before the public, inviting the derision if not the 
contempt of both. It is my belief that one only cause it at the 
bottom of our troubles, and it is as controlling as it is fundamental, 
and as legitimate as cause and effect in its results. It lies in the 
fact that a large proportion of those who display the Homoepathlc 
colors, who assume the Homoeopathic name, have never yet appre- 
hended, much less comprehended those principles upon which our 
system rests. I shall not now stop to prove this assertion, nor to 
fortify my position. A tree is known by its fruits, and thus also 
may we judge ourselves. Any one who is competent to do so, who 
will discriminately scan the modes and the methods ot practice that 
are pursued under the Homoeopathic name, and who will compare 
them with those of other and opposing schools,can not fail to discern 
how nearly they correspond with them,and how far they are removed 
from those which are the outgrowth of Homoeopathic principles, 
and from the requirements of our law of cure. 
A defective medical education, from a Homoeopathic stand- 
point, is the only cause that will satisfactorily explain the fact of 
our differences and our divisions. I claim that an intelligent con- 
viction of the value, and a correspondingly just appreciation of the 
importance of those principles that underlie our system, and the 
practical adoption of its therapeutic law, would elevate us far above 
all cliques and partisan projects. The claims of a truly scientific 
system of therepeutics, and its importance and value to mankind, 
would rise paramount to those of personal advancement and pri- 
vate ambition. Whoever heard of those persons working at cross 
purposes, who are united in sentiment or in doctrine, and were we 
as a whole inspired by our principles and controlled by our ther- 
epeutic law, we would also be animated by one purpose only, as by 
the assurance of success and of ultimate triumph. 
Self education is then our first duty; and, it is not commendable 
in us that we should seek to hide from ourselves, as we can not 
hope to conceal from a discerning public, this palpable fact, so that 
the sooner we set about this work, the earlier we raise the standard 
of reform, and rally our forces under it, the sooner will unity of ac- 
tion and harmony of sentiment be our reward, and ultimate success 
our reasonable expectation. ‘ Just as the twig is bent, the tree’s 
inclined,” and education alone will enable us to till the measure of 
our usefulness, and to exemplify the great practical value of those 
principles we have espoused in the adoption of our law of cure, 
“ simi/ici similibus curanturP 
The Homoeopathic Medical Society of this State, from the out- 
set, as also did the Michigan Homoeopathic Institute during the 
last four years of its existence, has advocated and insisted upon 16 
the exact and rigid fullHImont of the law of lH‘».r), giving us equal 
privileges and opportunities in our State University with those of 
a more favored school. The history of the past few months, which 
is prolific in the matter of medical colleges, as also in that of an 
unusual exhibition of the aspirations and antics of a few discon- 
tented and over ambitious members of our profession, has not in 
the least diminished its obligations to that end. I would therefore 
recommend that the University committee of this Society be in- 
structed to take a review of our situation. With the new light that 
has been shed upon the subject of medical education, through 
various circulars and newspaper communications, it will surely be 
able to make a report worthy of our cons:deration, and one that 
must attract the attention of the profession and of the public, 
whereby both may bo informed as t-o the true position of Homce- 
opathy in this State, in the matter of medical education. If, how- 
ever, the vast interests involved in this question are indeed to be 
entrusted to irresponsible parties, if the medical instruction of our 
youth is to bo managed and conducted by those who are confess- 
edly incompetent, if we are to be disgraced by such medical 
schools as have been foreshadowed through various circulars and 
announcements of medical faculties, it is high time that we should 
recognize the situation, that we may, wth the utmost vigor, enter 
upon the work of repudiation and of separation from all such in- 
versions of the great objects contemplated in the propogation and 
development of our system of medical science. It is to bo hoped, 
therefore, that our University committee will enter boldly upon the 
defence of those interests entrusted to its keeping, and that it will 
make such exposures to the public and to the profession as the 
facts in the case will fully warrant, and the welfare of our cause 
imperatively demands; and inasmuch as it has been claimed that 
the majority of the profession favors those measures that are op- 
posed to the re|>eatodly out-spoken policy of this socioty, and o f 
the Michigan Iloinceopatic Institute, and as before stated, I 
would recommend, also, that this committee l»e instructed to report 
as to what the phrase “ the profession” relates in its application to 
the professed adherents of Homoeopathic principles and education ; 
and also as to who are, and who are not entitled to a voice in the 
settlement of this question. It is high time that it bo settled 
whether the mere assumption of the name of Homoeopathy, without 
the remotest regard for the observance of its principles and of its 
requirements in practice, nor the slightest Recognition of its code of 
ethics, is a sufficient passport to a jjosition among those who are 
recognized as intelligent and consistent practitioners of the Homoe- 
opathic system, and if also, it is a sufficient warrant for the right 
to assist in the management and control of its affairs. A State 
Medical Society is surely competent, both to discuss and to settle 
this question, and until this is done, there can be no final or 17 
satisfactory adjustment of our differences. 
In this connection I would respectfully suggest that the Uni- 
versity committee be also requested to defer for the present all 
legal proceedings, excepting those of a preliminary character, in 
the matter of enforcing our rights in the University, until such 
times as we can present ourselves before the courts in a better 
shape and condition, as the exponents of a principle, and the repre- 
sentatives of a distinctive system of medical practice, than we are 
able to do at the present time, and until our success is well assured. 
I would also recommend, if the nature of the adjournment of 
our last annual meeting was such as to make this session a con- 
tinuance of it, that our Constitution and By-Laws be placed in the 
hands of a competent committee for revision and remodeling, be- 
fore the already authorized w'ork of printing them is entered upon. 
As our present Constitution is constructed it contemplates and 
regards our society as a representative body, which it is not, 
and which it is not likely to become for many years; its provi- 
sions are therefore cumbersome and impracticable, and should 
be so altered and simplified as to meet our current requirements. 
In order that our delegates and others who may desire to 
attend the next annual session of the American Institute of 
Homoeopathy, which will open at Washington on the 20th day of 
May next, the same day of our annual meeting, shall be able to 
do so, it will be necessary that the time of the next annual meet- 
ing of this society shall be either anticipated or deferred for a few 
days. I would therefore suggest that the 21st day of June, 1872, 
be substituted for the one named in the Constitution. 
With this suggestion, none others occurring to me at the pres- 
ent time, I will commit to your keeping, and to your attention, 
those subjects which I have thus imperfectly laid before you, and 
to your management all further business that may be presented 
fur our consideration and action; in conclusion, most sincerely 
thanking you for the honor you have conferred upon me in select- 
ing me for your presiding officer for the current year. 
After the reading of the address, and on motion of Dr. B. F. 
Bailey, it was referred to the Publication Committee. 
The Auditing Committee then submitted its report on the 
financial account of Ex-Treasurer Smith; which, on motion, was 
accepted and adopted. 
On motion of Dr. Thayer, Dr. Malcom was permitted to read 
a paper on “ Selection of the Remedy ” (Dr. Malcom not being a 
member of the Society) and after being read it was referred to the 
Publication Committee. 
The Society then adjourned to meet on the morning of the 22d, 
at 9 o’clock. 18 
The Society was called to order by the President at 9 o’clock 
of the second day of the session. 
Dr. B. F. Bailey informed the Society that there were a num- 
ber of gentlemen present who desired to become members of the 
Society. The President announced that there was not a quorum 
of the Board of Censoi*s present to act upon their applications. 
Dr. Bailey then moved that the President appoint a sufficient 
number to form a quorum. The Chair decided there was no pro- 
vision in the By-Laws for such an emergency. 
Under the order of reports from medical committees, Dr. Bai- 
ley, being called upon for his report on the subject of medical col- 
leges, presented and read the following report, which was accepted 
and, on motion, referred to the Committee on Publication. 
To the Officers and Manners of the Michigan Horrutopalhic Medical 
SocicXy : 
As one of your Committee on the question of Homoeopathic 
Medical Colleges, I respectfully submit the following result of 
careful and earnest deliberations : 
For several years pist the educated and respectable physicians 
of the State have been unanimous in the conviction that the honor 
and future prosperity of the profession absolutely required that our 
pupils and others ambitious of entering upon the high and respon- 
sible duties of practitioners of medicine should receive a first class 
medical education; that the members of the profession of our 
school and their patrons had an equal right to obtain such an edu- 
cation with the patrons of the old school practice as citizens, and 
especially as tax payers. For a long series of years we have en- 
deavored to obtain a portion of our r.ghts in the State University, 
but thus far our efforts have proved unavailing; our pupils have 
been denied the privileges of a proper medicul education, and our 
State has been disgraced by the annual infiux into a noble calling 
pf unprincipled quacks. The hope for any change for the better 
whilst waiting for the the co-operation of the Regents, seemed 
totally vain unless something more practical could be inaugurated. 
It is an old maxim that God helps those who help themselves. 
Acting upon which, the members of the Central Michigan Homoe- 
opathic Medical Institute organized a College, which commenced 
its session on the 1st inst., and is now in successful ojjeration— 
thirty-eight earnest, intelligent, working students being in attend- 
ance. The recognition of this institution as a branch of the Uni- 
versity, or the teaching of the science of homoeopathy in the 19 
University being deemed of paramount importance, it was decided 
to locate the same at Lansing, where its influence might be brought 
to bear directly upon the Legislature when in session, until such 
recognition should be had, especially as the citizens of Lansing 
offered generous contributions to aid in the work. 
The remarkable success of the opening session of this school, 
demonstrates its necessity; and in my opinion it should 
receive the [fostering care and undivided support of every 
homoeopathic physician and friend of the cause in the State, until 
such time as the co-operation of the Legislature shall be secured, 
by which homeopathy shall be taught in the University, or this 
College made a branch thereof, with equal powers and privileges 
of the present medical department; its permanent location and 
other minor questions then to be settled by the voice of the pro- 
fession at large. 
Dr. J. E. Smith, of Jackson, was was called for his report on 
“ Diseases of Women and Children.” He not having his report 
ready, was by his request excused from reporting on that subject, 
and, was requested to report instead on venereal diseases at the 
annual meeting in May next. 
Dr. I. N. Eldridge, of Flint, being called, read a paper on 
Leucorrhoea ; its pathology, causes and treatment; which, on mo- 
tion, wras accepted and referred to the Publication Committee. 
To the Ilomcepatliic Medical Society of Michigan : 
Leucorrhoea, the disease assigned as the subject of the remarks 
I am about to make, is one of the most common, and yet one of the 
most perplexing and difficult of cure. Many reasons might be ad- 
duced to show why this disease is so prevalent at the present day, 
and why it is so persistently unyielding to medical appliances. 
One hint, however, I will throw out just here, why we are not more 
successful in the treatment and cure of this malady, and that is, the 
lack of our materia mediea to furnish us with the true homoeopa- 
thic remedial agents, coupled with the numerous causes that con- 
tribute to its propogation and development, and which are con- 
stantly at work, and, we might say, stereotyping this wide-spread 
disease, which may justly be styled as the constant companion and 
plague of woman. Before we shall be able to cope with this dis- 
ease as successfully as we do with the great majority of others even 
more cr tical and dangerous, and seemingly requiring more skill, 
new remedies must be discovered, brought out and proved, which 
will give us more of the characteristics or similarities of this com- 
plex and intractable morbid condition. Until that time arrives, we 
must be content to make use of the next best means at our com- 
mand. Leucorrhoea is, strictly speaking a catarrh of the mucous 20 
membrane of the vagina and cervix uteri, or, of the utero vngi- 
al structure, and is characterized by a muco purulent, white, yel- 
low, or greenish colored, creamy, milky, and in many cases, bloody 
or watery discharge from the vagina. It is claimed by medical 
authors that at the catamenial period, the mucous membranes of 
the uterus are found to be in such a hyperernic state, that its over- 
tilled blood-vessels burst, occasioning the menstrual How. This 
normal hyperernic state, they say, might be called the physiologi- 
cal catarrh of the uterus. It becomes morbid, or pathological, 
when it occnrs at any other time, who no ripe ovula are cast oft'. 
It is therefore clear, they say, that the predisposition to uterine 
catarrh lies between the time when menstruation begins until it 
ceases.—Raue. Hut what physician of experience has not met 
with occasional cases of this catarrh in young subjects oven before 
the catamenia had made its appearance, or something so similar 
that the difference could not be noticed. I have met cases of this 
kind where the discharge was yellow, sufficiently so to stain the 
linen, which at tirst was clear, white and transparent, then milky, 
or creamy, showing the progressive stages of the complaint. Cases 
of this disease occur after the cliinactne period, nnd my experience 
teaches me that at this late period in life they aro more serious in 
their nature than when occurring at earlier periods of life. 
Pathology.—Raue says, “ the pathological features of this dis- 
ease are like any other catarrh, hyperernic. Swelling and dryness 
at first; afterwards, increased secretion of mucous. When becom- 
ing chronic, the mucous membrane thickens and becomes hyper- 
trophied, and is sometimes studded with polypous exoressem.es; 
its color turns brownish or slate colored; the secretion becomes 
more or less purulent. If the disease is allowed to goon unchecked, 
catarrhal erosions will appear on the posterior lip of the mouth of 
the womb; and follicular ulcers make their appearance, leaving 
to the granulating ulcer, which bleeds so easily and freely, to finish 
up the work of distruction.” 
Exciting causes.—Different authors and writers assign different 
causes for the excitation and development of this malady. While 
some declare the exciting causes to be all such disorders as cause 
a stagnation in the proper circulation of the blood, as heart and 
lung diseases, chronic constipation, etc., others assign a lymphatic 
temperament, a scrotulous tendency, general debility and relaxa- 
tion of the tnuscuiar and membranous structures, whether from 
natural organization or from previous disease. 
Direct causes.—While some writers claim that direct irritations 
are sexual excesses, masturbation, pessaries, etc., general weakness 
of the system and general morbid conditions, such as typhus, chol- 
era, small pox, ana other infectious diseases, chlorosis, scrofulosis, 
etc.; others claim that amongst the more immediate causes may be 
mentioned an inactive and luxurious mode of living, immoderate 21 
sexual indulgence, abortions, congestions and inflammations of the 
uterus and vagina, menstrual derangements, want of cleanliness, a 
humid atmosphere, abnormal growths in the uterus, the uterine de- 
bility and relaxation consequent on parturition, too early exercise 
after confinement, neglect of mothers to exercise the office of nurs- 
ing, and Marshall Hall adds, “undue lactation ” If I were to name 
some of the most prominent causes according to my own observa- 
tion, I should mention an inactive and luxurious mode of living, 
immoderate sexual congress, unsatisfied sexual desire, abortions, 
congestions and inflammations of the uterus and vagina, menstrual 
derangements in particular, uterine debility and relaxation conse- 
quent upon parturition, reading the exciting works of fiction of 
which the literature of our day is largely made up, exciting the 
mind and passions to an undue degree, and all other agents that 
abnormally stimulate the nervous system or the animal nature. I 
am satisfied from close observation that the injudicions and fre- 
quent practice of injecting cold water into the vagina after sexual 
indulgence for the purpose of preventing conception, has much to 
do with laying the foundation for this disease; so also the thousand 
and one devices that have taxed the inventive genius of a 
horde of unprincipled quacks to fill their pockets with dishonest 
gains, but to the physical injury of their credulous victims, who, 
when it is too late, regret that they had thus interrupted the pro- 
cesses of natural laws. With Raue and others, I am of the opinion 
that “a general weakness of the system, and general morbid condi- 
tions are favorable to the propagation and development of this dis- 
ease.” Is not leucorrhoea more prevalent in this and all other ma- 
larious districts than in anti-malarious districts—in Michigan than 
in New England ? Does not the subtle poison of this and other 
malarial districts, so affect a certain class of females whose vital 
powers are not sufficiently strong to resist its influence as to qual- 
ify and fit them as subjects of general weakness of the system and 
general morbid conditions ? This debilitated condition, the result 
of malarial poisoning, renders its victims very liable to be morbidly 
impressed by any of the immediate or exciting causes before enu- 
merated, and thus to develope this leucorrhoeal catarrh. Confinement 
in doors, in hot and ill ventilated apartments; the habit of wear- 
ing heavy skirts without the support of shoulder straps, has also a 
tendency to produce local weakness and congestion, and hastens 
the outbreak of the disease. The true pathology of a morbid con- 
dition is much easier to determine than are the predisposing, excit- 
ing and immediate causes of disease. That being determined, it 
becomes as it were a fixed fact, and physicians of all schools of prac- 
tice may agree, and new discoverers in the pathological field of 
science are rare. But we have no such sure guide in relation to 
the predisposing, exciting or immediate causes of disease. To day 
we may name a long list for certain maladies, and to-morrow some 22 
new seeker after scientific truth may make new discoveries in this 
field. 
Remedies.—Still more difficult is it on the whole, after settling 
tho questions of pathology and of procuring causes, to select from 
among the long list of drugs of our materia medica, the one that by 
its similarity is called for in order to insure the cure of our patient. 
It is not enough that she leaves off all practices that have a ten- 
dency to develop and prolong the disease, nor that she religiously 
carries out the instructions of her physician in regard to bathing, 
diet, exercise, etc., the pathogenesis of the selected drug must cov- 
er the entire morbid condition for which it is selected, otherwise 
all our efforts in the way of medication will prove futile and abor- 
tive. To this end the materia medica will have to be closely stud- 
ied. The honest and successful practioner is never done studying 
the materia medica; but routinists and drones get through early. 
A young practitioner of not more than five years practice, said to 
me not long since, “ I have got through studying the materia med- 
ica—I know all there is of it.” lie must have a more retentive 
memory than Hahnemann, for he was in the practice of consulting 
his own materia medica even at the bedside of his patients 
Treatment.—We now come to the most important part of this 
subject—its treatment and its cure. First of all, the physician 
must see that all such habits or influences as have a tendency to 
perpetuate this malady are given up at once. He must meet this 
difficulty at once and square in tho face, and explaining to his pa- 
tient the evils arising from their continuance, and not allow the 
delicate nature of the case to deter h m from the discharge of his 
conscientious and professional duty; for unless the immediate and 
exciting causes are removed, all medical treatment is useless. If 
confinement in doors, indolence, and the habit of reading exciting 
works of fiction, have had aught to do in bringing on the complaint, 
a reform must be demanded and enforced, and daily exercise in the 
open air, with water bathing, and gentle rubbing of the body with 
a towel, substituted. Good, wholesome and nutritions food should 
be allowed, but condiments should be prohibited, us well as green 
tea and coftee. The use of the female syringe, with pure warm 
water, or castile soap water should bo used two or three times 
daily, if for no other purpose than cleanliness. These reformations 
having been demanded and instituted, the following named reme- 
dies having reference to the nature of the discharges and to tho 
menstrual conditions, may be consulted and a selection made from 
them so as to cover not only the nature and conditions of the dis- 
charges and of menstruation, but also all other symptoms in each 
case, in their totality, including age and temperament, aggravations 
and ameliorations. A medical writer in one of our journals, a 
few months since remarks, upon the subject of leucorrhu-a, that 
“ the trouble consists in giving the mere discharges too much prom- 
inence in studying the remedy. It presents itself first, and unless 23 
we use special care it obscures all the other conditions, which after 
all will prove to be the real key to the remedy.” To a routinist 
this word of caution will very aptly apply, but not I trust to a 
studious and zealous practitioner. My opinion is that he who does 
not regard the nature as well as the fact of the discharge, and the 
menstrual anomilies and abnormal irregularities in making his pre- 
scriptions, will often if not very generally fail of a cure. 
Ammonium Carbonicum. — Leucorrhoea, burning, acrid and 
watery; menses too early, too scanty, or too profuse. 
Ammonium Mur.—Leucorrhoea like white of egg; menses too 
early, too profuse ; constipation, stools hard, crumbling. 
Borax.—Leucorrhoea like white of egg; menses too early and 
too profuse; diarrhoea in the morning after breakfast; soft, light 
yellow, or slimy stools ; stitches through the right shoulder blade. 
Bovista.—After the menses, leucorrhoea of thick, slimy, tena- 
cious acrid, or corrosive mucous; before the menses, diarrhoea; 
during menses, headache ; menses too early and profuse, also too 
late, and too scanty, flowing only at night. 
Cal. Curb.—Leucorrhoea like milk, burning, and by spells, be- 
fore menses ; sexual desire, with relaxed parts. 
Creosote.—Leucorrhoea of bad odor, debilitating, mild or cor- 
rosive; menses too early and too profuse; deafness during and 
before menses. 
Graphrtes.—Leucorrhoea like water, with weakness in the 
back ; menses too late and too scanty, too pale, often with colic. 
Kali-Bich.—Leucorrhoea yellow, ropy, can be drawn out in 
strings; menses too early, with vertigo and nausea. 
Mezerium.—Leucorrhoea like white of egg, malignant, corrod- 
ing ; constipation, fesces in very hard balls; prolapsus ani; menses 
too early and protracted. 
Murex Purp.—Leucorrhoea bloody during stool, or watery, 
greenish, thick, bloody ; menses too early, too profuse; hsemmor- 
rhages; pain from uterus to chest, soreness of uterus, as if cut by 
an instrument. 
Nat. Curb.—Leucorrheal discharge thick, heavy; induration 
of the os-uteri; menses too early. 
Nat. Mur.—Leucorrhea acrid, green ; sterility ; colic during 
the menses ; menses too early and too profuse, too late, too scan- 
ty, or suppressed ; headache before, during, or after the menses. 
Nit. Acid.—Leucorrhea like brown water, acrid, offensive ; 
during the menses, colic and bearing down pain. 
Palladium.—Leucorrhea transparent like jelly, worse before 
and after the menses; heaviness as from a weight in the pelvis. 
Puls.—Leucorrhea acrid, burning, or like cream, and painless; 
menses too late and scanty, with cramps in the abdomen; bloody, 
thick, black, or thin and watery, flows by fits and starts. 24 
Sepia.—Leucorrhea yellow', green, purulent, fetid; menses too 
early, too profuse, too scanty, too late or suppressed; during men- 
ses toothache, headache, nose bleed ; falling of uterus or vagina ; 
indurated neck of uterus; stiehes in the vagina. 
Stannum.—Leucorrhea transparent, yellow mucous, with de- 
debility ; menses too early and too profuse. 
Su/ph.—Leucorrhea, of yellow mucous, corroding, preceded 
by colic; menses too late, too scanty, or suppressed, bloody, acrid, 
corroding pule; headache before menses; during the menses nose 
bleed; congestive spasms in the abdomen. 
Su/ph. Acid.—Leucorrhea like milk, acrid, burning; menses too 
early, and too profuse. 
It is a fact that needs no proof from me, that in nearly all cases 
of Leucorrhea, the menses are too* profuse, and appear too early. 
This is very probably owing to functional or structural changes in 
the womb; or, as some suppose, to the “ congestion or stagnation 
of blood in the uterine veins ; or too fluxions to the womb, brought 
on, perhaps, by some of the remote or exciting causes before 
alluded to. In order to treat, understandingly and successfully, a 
bad, or chronic case of Leucorrhea, the menstrual anomalies, and 
the character of the discharge must be carefully considered, if wo 
are to expect success to crown our efforts. 
I claim, as the results of my own practice and observation, 
that I have met with far better success in the treatment and cure 
of Leucorrhea, with the 80th attenuations than with those lower. 
Dr. A. I. Sawyer, of Monroe being unavoidably absent, sent 
in the following report on Surgery, which was presented by Dr. 
Thayer, accepted und referred to the Committee on Publication. 
To the Humieopathic Medical Society of the State of Michigan : 
Your Committee to whom was referred the subject of Surgery 
for report thereon, have had the same under consideration, and beg 
leave to submit the following, viz: 
From among the thousand and one abnormal conditions of the 
human system, for the relief of which the skill of the surgeon may 
be called into requisition, I have selected as a subject lor consid- 
eration, at this time, that of Hydrocele. 
And although one of the most simple of the whole catalogue 
of surgical operations, still it requires a certain amount of skill, 
and some care, as well as a reasonable amount of anatomical 
knowledge (on the part of the operator), in order to insure safety 
to the patient, and a fair chance of curing the malady, 
The inconveniences under which a patient thus afficted suffers, 
far exceed the difficulties, however, attending the operation, jmd it 
should not be neglected, on account of simplicity, for there are 25 
but few abnormalities of a chronic character, which, when re- 
moved, afford greater relief to the sufferer, or elicit warmer ex- 
pressions of gratitude than the one under consideration, simple as 
the operation may be. Besides, this disease if left to the resources 
of nature alone, will seldom if ever disappear of itself after having 
become chronic, but will continue indefinitely, and by its weight 
and volume harrass the patient throughout his natural life. 
Hydrocele in man may be defined as a collection of a watery or 
serous fluid within the cavity of the tunica vaginalis testis, notwith- 
standing we may have what are called cystic hydrocele of the sper- 
matic cord injman, and infused or infiltrated hydrocele of the round 
ligaments, pubes, and labia majora in woman; yet these aberra- 
tions are so infrequent, and generally of so little inconvenience to 
the patient, that it is hardly worth while to give them more than 
a passing notice in an article of this character.* 
Various substances, both liquid and solid, may be and often are 
infused or deposited within the tunica vaginalis testis, or developed 
upon the testicle or its appendages, or upon both, or even upon 
the surfaceYf the tunic itself, and claiming the attention of the sur- 
geon ; consequently it becomes necessary to be able to make a dif- 
ferential diagnosis between them, in order to act nnderstandingly 
as each variety of the disease may require an en- 
entirely,,differenFcourse of treatment, both instrumental and topi- 
cal. [ For instance, a case of hematocele consisting of an infused 
substance of such consistence that it can not be drawn off through 
the canula f of an ordinary trochar, requires treatment in all re- 
spects similar to that for cold or for other abscesses, where there is 
attenuation of the skin ; or for chronic purulent cysts in general. 
Yet its volume, progress, and general appearance may so nearly 
resembles one of hydrocele, that only close observation will enable 
one to detect and point out the difference, 
q Again, there may be a collection of pus within the scrotum, 
resulting from orchitis or inflammation of the tunica vaginalis, and 
is order to cure which, it requires free incisions, so as to evacu- 
ate the contained semi-fluid deposit. Or we may have a case of 
acute orchitis, with infiltration of serum within the parenchyma of 
the testicle itself, also an infusion of the same within the cavity of 
the tunica vaginalis, and like the former requiriug incisions through 
the scrotal envelope merely, or perhaps into the substance of the 
virile organ itself, to be followed by fomentations and other anti- 
phlogistic appliances. These conditions may also pertain in con- 
nection with the epididymis, but this appendage rarely if ever re- 
quires incisions under such circumstances. 
If epididymitis or other diseased conditions of the epididymis 
exist in connection with simple hydrocele, the treatment is in all 
respects similar for uncomplicated hydrocele, except that 
more caution perhaps may be required in order not unnecessarily to 26 
wound these parts, and thereby run the risk of producing fur- 
ther complications in the case. Sarcocelo forms no exception to 
the above, whether as to danger or mode of treatment, for the dan- 
ger formerly claimed to attend the cure of hydrocele thus compli- 
cated, by the ordinary way, does not in reality exist, since numer- 
ous instances of hydrocele complicated with sarcocele cured by in- 
jections of tincture of Iodine and other irritating fluids, without 
any serious consequences, can be adduced or without anything 
arising during treatment tending to mark a contrast between it 
and that of simple uncomplicated hydrocele. 
The worst complication, however, or that which requires the 
closest attention, in consequences of the very serious results that 
might follow if a mistake were made, is that of scrotal hernia com- 
plicated with hydrocele. Under these circumstances should a false 
diagnosis be made, we would not only hazard wounding the pro- 
truded intestine with the point of the trochar but perhaps still 
more by throwing upon or into this membranous canal an irritat- 
ing substance, that would be likely to cure a case of uncomplica- 
ted hydrocele, or one less seriously complicated, which might in 
this instance create a destructive and perhaps fatal inflammation of 
the parts thus invaded. 
The first and all iinportaut question then is, how shall we diag 
nose between these different conditions with a sufficient degree of 
certainty to warrant a resort to surgical interference. 
We have acute and also chronic hydrocele. The former usu- 
ally accompanies some acute inflammation or other of the testicle, 
epididymis, or their enveloping tissues from some exciting cause or 
other, usually from a bruise, syphilitic complications, or from some 
other predisposing cause affecting the sexual organism, but as it 
is usually of short duration, generally disappearing with the dis- 
ease that ushered it in, we are but seldom called upon to use any 
other local treatment than that required to combat the original 
disease, such as fomentations, incisions, and acupunctured; and 
since the history of the case being sufficient of itself, generally, to 
guide the practitioner, both as to diagnosis and surgical treatment, 
it is not necessary in this plaeo to enter upon an elaborate explan- 
ation as to how in may be known, as there can be but little fear 
for mistakes in such cases. Whereas chronic hrydrocele, though 
also generally following some local irritation or inflammation of the 
sexual organs, still unlike the former it is usually of slow progress, 
and insiduous in its inception, often evading the observations of the 
patient for weeks and perhaps months, and even when discovered, 
on account of the absence of pain or soreness, it generally fails to 
attract much attention until by its volume and weight it interferes 
with locomotion or the natural functions of the sexual organism. 
And since, as before observed, it is not self resolvent, but persist- 
ent in spite of all, general or local, except what may be culled 27 
radical treatment, it is evident that nothing short of that should 
engage the attention of the surgeon to any great extent. To de- 
termine between a case of scrotal hernia and one of hydrocele, 
otherwise than by the pathognomonic sign (the transparency of the 
tumor) we should inquire into the history of the case, its inception, 
progress, and what may be called peculiarities or characteristics of 
the two diseases. For instance, in hernia, the tumor increases in 
volume from above downwards, while in hydrocele the reverse is 
the case. Again, hernia usually follows immediately upon some 
violent exertion or strain, such as lifting, jumping, running, or 
coughing, and, in women, violent labor pains may produce it; 
while hydrocele arises in consequence of some local irritation or 
inflammation of the sexual organs, such as orchitis, epididymitis, 
from urethral haemorrhages, riding on horseback, bruises, blows, 
etc. The former is usually observed at once, generally while the 
protruded intestine occupies some portion of the inguinal canal 
and previous to its exit into the scrotal cavity; whereas the latter 
is first discovered by the patient in consequence of the enlarged 
scrotum. The reason of this earlier discovery of the hernial en- 
largment is, that the hernia is abrupt in its appearance, and ac- 
companied with more or less pain from the dissolution of the con- 
tinuity of the abdominal parietis, or from an unusual pressure upon 
sensative organs, even should there not be any strangulation of the 
alimentory canal or epiplw***; while hydrocele is insidious in its 
appearance, entirely free from pain as a general thing, and begin- 
ning at the bottom of the scrotum where the patient is least likely 
to have his attention drawn to it; consequently the tumor is usu- 
ally of considerable dimensions when first observed by him. The 
shape of the tumor, however, does not present any particular indi- 
cations of one or the other, although in the earliest stages of hy- 
drocele the tumor, in a great majority of cases, presents nothing as 
to shape materially differing from that of hypertophied testicles, 
but finally becomes elongated and pyriform as the tunica vaginalis 
becomes distended with the dropsical effusions; whereas in hernia 
it assumes no uniform shape whatever, but may take on almost any 
conceivable form. But since it rarely happens that intestinal her- 
nia and hydrocele both exist at the same time in the same sack 
without more or less strangulation of the former, there is but little 
danger of falling into an error of any great moment as to diagno- 
sis. The symptoms of strangulation would naturally call the at- 
tention of the surgeon to the incarcerated intestine, and as the 
effused fluid under such circumstances is the result of the strangu- 
lation, when that is removed the cure of the hydrocele would most 
likely follow without further treatment. If, however, the hydro- 
cele should remain after the reduction of the hernia, it may be 
treated in all respects similar to that for congenital hydrocele. 
But, after all, that which is the most reliable to the diagnosti- 
cian and most usually depended upon at this day, is to bring the 28 
enlarged scrotum between yonr vision and some strong light either 
natural or artificial. The transparency or opacity of the tumor 
will then generally indicate the true nature of the disease, or ut 
least in connection with the other diagnostic signs already referred 
to, will afford such a degree of certainty that one need not hesitate 
to be governed thereby, both as to diagnosis and treatment. It is 
true that the contained fluids in a given case may be of such a 
color or consistence as not to transmit the light; yet as this would 
properly come under the head of hemotocele instead of hydrocele, 
it need not weaken the above indication as a diagnostic sign, for 
hydrocele, rightly speaking, consists of a collection of pure serum 
within the scrotal sack, and as that (serum), if pure, cannot of itself 
be impervious to the light, tumors of the scrotum, though contain- 
ing fluid, that are not thus transparent should not be classified with 
hydrocele but in exceptional cases. These exceptional cases arise 
in consequence of opacity of the tunica vaginalis or of one or more of 
the other cystic membranes, from lardaceous or cartilaginous de- 
generesces, or from thickening of these walls from fibrinous or 
other deposits upon or within them. In such cases as these, the 
surgeon has to rely upon the general characteristics of the disease; 
the history, inception and progress of the case in question, for his 
guide. In like manner is he to be governed when called to hydro- 
cele in women, since the form, volume and position of the tumor in 
them are such as necessarily to preclude the application of this 
otherwise highly valuable test, lint, in this latter case, should ho 
make a mistake, as to the contents of the tumor, fie would not run 
the same risk of wounding important organs, as he would in the 
former case, for the simple reason that there would lie no testicle 
or its appendages, the epididymis and spermatic cord and their 
vessels, to encounter, ana, therefore, it is not as important that lie 
should make as careful and correct a diagnosis in the latter us in 
the former class of cases. 
The treatment for hydrocele may be paliative, or both paliutive 
ard curative. The paliative treatment, so called, consists merely in 
evacuating the tumor of its fluids, either by means of the trochar 
and canula, or simply by incising the parts with a scalpel or histo- 
ry, or by puncturing the scrotum with a lancet. 
In all acute cases of hydrocele, as in collections of pus or 
sanies in that and other parts of the body, the above treatment is 
all that the surgeon will be called upon to do, as a sj>eedy and per- 
manent cure is almost certain to follow the removal of the dropsi- 
cal effusion. But in chronic hydrocele it is quite otherwise, for 
that which would in all probability prove curative as well as palia- 
tive in the former, would in most, if not all cases of the latter, be 
followed, sooner or later, by a return of the same abnormal condi- 
tions as when the patient first sought the advice of the surgeon; 
and as a general thing, the' oftener thus relieved the sooner a re- 29 
lapse or filling up will take place to harrass and annoy the victim 
of this hitherto troublesome and obstinate disease. 
As to a radical cure, numerous methods have from time to time 
been proposed, and have for a longer or shorter period received 
more or less attention from the profession, at least they have, each 
in its turn been put forth by its particular author, and advocated 
by its adherents and followers, as the ultimatum or acme of perfec- 
tion in the healing art, as applied to this malady. 
While most if not all of these difierent modes of treatment have 
some meritorious features which, under certain circumstances, may 
be of essential service to the craft, yet that which is generally re- 
lied upon at this time, and has been for many years past, is to 
evacuate the tumor with the trochar and canula, and afterward in- 
ject iodine in the tincture, or more or less diluted, into the emptied 
sack; and after allowing it to remain a few minutes, and without 
removing the canula, permit it to escape through that instrument. 
This will be followed by more or le?s inflammation and swelling, 
and perhaps attended with a certain amount of fever; but it need 
cause no alarm unless carried to too great an extent. In fact with- 
out some inflammation and swelling of the scrotal envelope, the 
disease will not be cured by the operation, and the dropsical effu- 
sions within the cavity of the tunica vaginalis will soon commence 
again, and continue until your patient is as bad as before he con- 
sulted you, unless sooner relieved. This inflammatory process does 
not always appear at the same time after operating, but may com- 
mence during the first twenty-four hours, or not for several days. 
In the majority of cases it will make itself manifest somewhere 
from the fourth to the sixth day. Still it may not appear under 
two weeks, and perhaps longer. In one case that I operated upon 
some three years since, it must have been three weeks before any 
great amount of inflammation took place. At any rate, the patient was 
about town as much as a week, then left for Iowa, from whence he 
wrote me that he had had no soreness yet, although the sack ap- 
peared to be filling up again, which caused him to complain some- 
what, supposing, as he stated, “ that he had had all his trouble and 
expense for nothing.” But in a few days I received another letter 
from him informing me that he was sick, had a high fever, and that 
the tumor was as large if not larger as when I operated, and very 
sore and painful; and wanted to know what he should do. I re- 
plied that it was all right, and that I believed the tumor would dis- 
appear with the fever, or soon thereafter, and that he should do 
nothing more than apply a lotion of arnica and water to the in- 
flamed scrotum, and take a few doses of aconite internally. The 
result was, that in about three weeks I received another letter in- 
forming me that he was well, and asking my pardon for what he 
had said in former letters. I am at a loss for an explanation to 
this long incubation ; nevertheless it took place, and may again. 30 
I usually employ the tincture of iodine aw we find it in our drug 
stores, diluted from one half to two-thirds with soft wuter, und let 
it remain in the scrotum about five minutes. I inject what the tunica 
vaginalis will conveniently hold without distressing the patient too 
much. I do not heat the injection, but uwe it at the ordinary tem- 
perature. When introducing the trochar and canula, I direct the 
point of the former upwards and inwards, against the outer, ante- 
rior and near the most dependant part of the tumor, unless the 
position of the testicle and its dependencies, previously ascertained, 
should contra indicate it, and continue forcing the instrument 
through the tunica into the cyst, and in the above direction until 
the point of it seems to be entirely free, or until the center of the 
fluids shall appear to have been reached, when the trochar is to be 
carefully withdrawn, without withdrawing the canula in the least, 
when the contained fluids escape through the canula into a vessel 
for that purpose in the hands of an assistant. After the cyst has 
been thoroughly emptied, the irritating preparation is thrown into 
the cavity of the tunica vaginalis, through the canula, and suffered 
to remain there, as before stated, for the space of five minutes or 
thereabouts, when it is to bo withdrawn or permitted to escape 
through the canula in the same manner that the original fluids con- 
tained therein, passed oft*. After the operation I make no applica- 
tion until the scrotum becomes inflamed; then I apply a lotion of 
arnica and water externally, and give uconite 6th, a dose every 
three or four hours internally, until the fever begins to abate, or 
symptoms call for another remedy, which, however, does not or- 
dinarily happen. 
Great care should be observed lest the canula be so far w ith- 
drawn while evacuating the tumor, that the injected fluid finds its 
way between the tunics of the scrotum instead of into the cavity of 
the tuniea vaginalis, in which case the most serious consequences 
are likely to follow. 
Right here I will relate a case in point that came under my ob- 
servation not long since: 
On the ‘27th day of April, 1871, I received a telegram from Dr. 
S. 8. Lungren, of Toledo, O., requesting my presence, and that I 
should be prepared to operate. Accordingly I took the 4 P. M. 
train for that city, arriving there about 5 P. M. of the same day, 
and meeting the doctor at the depot, we proceeded immediately to 
the house of the patient, where we were joined by Dr. Gaylord of 
that city. 
The history of the case before us is briefly this, viz : about eight 
days previous to the day above mentioned, the doctor undertook 
to operate upon an ordinary case of hydrocele, except that the 
testicle upon one side (left) was considerably enlarged. 
While doing so, and after the trochar had been removed, the 
patient, who was in a sitting posture, fainted, and while in the act 31 
of falling over, in order to seize him and prevent his falling too 
heavily upon the door, the doctor let go his hold upon the canula. 
The consequence was that the instrument became partially with- 
drawn, and the fluids must have found their way to a greater or 
less extent between the tunics of the scrotum. Let that be as it 
may, when I first saw the case it presented the following condi- 
tions, viz: The whole of the skin of the scrotum, perineum, ante- 
rior part of the penis and portions of that on the upper and inner 
regions of the thigh, as well as that along the track of the inguinal 
canal, as far as to opposite the external abdominal ring on the right 
side, together with the dartos muscle and fascia and its adjoining 
subcutaneous cellular tissue in the above regions ; the infumlifali- 
form, intercolumnar and cremasteric muscle and fascia on the right, 
and much of the same tissues, except the cremasteric on the left 
side, was one complete mass of sphacelus or gangrene. The con- 
stitutional symptoms were also unpropitious in the extreme, being 
those usually observed in iow typhoid conditions, and those attend- 
ing low traumatic fevers. In a word, the case was a desperate 
one, and the chances of recovery decidly against the patient. 
I at once proceeded to remove the disorganized mass, by care- 
fully dissecting from the more healthy tissues, thus leaving the 
right testicle suspended by the spermatic cord, within the tunica 
vaginalis, entirely denuded of every other envelope, also complete- 
ly separated from the opposite side, which, however, had fared 
somewhat less severely, having the cremasteric muscle and fascia 
still intact, and besides, the other envelopes were not removed so 
high up on the left as upon the right side. The whole, when re- 
moved and placed upon a common dinner plate, filled it completely. 
That which gave the greatest amount of trouble, however, both in 
removing and during the after treatment, was the perineum. In 
that region the gangrene had made such fearful havoc among the 
cellular tissues, that when removed, a great excavation appeared 
between the bulbous portion of the urethra and the rectum, and it 
was with great difficulty that those canals were rescued from the 
disintegrating process. The parts were then thoroughly cleansed 
with castile soap suds, washed withcarbo'ic acid, as a disinfectant, 
and carefully dressed with sweet oil. The patient received arsen- 
icum 3d, the dose to be repeated every three hours, and left in the 
hands of Dr. S. S. Lungren, with the understanding that the 
wound should be dressed as above, three times daily, or oftener if 
the condition of the parts should seem to require it. 
I visited the patient again on the 29th, and found him very low, 
almost moribund, but the condition of the local tronbles somewhat 
improved. Hydrastas canadensis was now substituted for carbolic 
acid, and moschus for arsenicum, together with alcoholic stimulants, 
freely admisintered. 
On the 5th of May following, I visited the patient a third and 
last time, and found him much better. Treatment continued to be 32 
modified, according to the discretion of the attending physician, 
from time to time, as the symptoms might seem to indicate. 
The doctor was indefatigable in his efforts to relieve the pa- 
tient, both as physician and nurse; else I hardly think it would 
have been possible to have saved him. Not knowing the exuct 
condition of the man now, I will not attempt to define it; suffice it 
to say, however, that I am informed that nature has done a great 
deal for him by way effacing and covering up the inroads made 
by the terrible sloughing that followed the operation for the cure 
of this hydrocele, and that it is safe to assume that the cure is rad- 
icle, and that the hydrocele will never more return. Were it pos- 
sible, however, for the man to have a return of the disease. I hard- 
think he wonld ever be willing to subject himself to a duplication of 
what he then passed through, even for the suke of u radical cure, 
nor do I believe the doctor would be willing to operate upon him 
again, or upon any one else without sufficient assistants to enable 
him to pay proper attention to the instruments. 
I am now treating a case of hydrocele complicated with sarco- 
cele, on which I operated on the 9th of this month. 
The case was of a young man, aged about 25 ; florid complex- 
ion. somewhat fleshy, and, uside from the above difficulty, usually 
enjoying good health. The disease had been troubling him about 
two years, and is supposed to have originated from a bruise in con- 
sequence of mounting a horse bare backed, some time previous to his 
first discovering this enlargment. I operated upon him, as above 
stated, on the 9th of this month, taking from him very nearly two 
quarts of serum, of a pale lemon color; and immediately injected 
into the emptied sack, four ounces of a mixture consisting of equal 
parts of tincture of iodine and tepid water. I suffered this to re- 
main five minutes by my watch, then allowed it to escape through 
the canula, which had not yet been removed, into a small tin pun 
held by my assistant Dr. W. D. Clark. I would have thrown up 
a larger quantity of the injection, but that process seemed 
to cause him such violent pain, that I thought it best not to push 
this part of the operation any further, but instead kneaded the 
scrotum thoroughly, so as to bring the injected substance in con- 
tact with all parts of the emptied cyst. 1 made no application to 
the scrotum whatever, neither did I give him any medicine, but 
simply assisted him into bed, and Heft the house. 
On the 11th I called; found the scrotum considerably swollen 
and quite sensitive to the touch, and that he had some general fever. 
I left aconite Oth, wito directions to give him a dose every three 
hours, unless the fever should subside. I did not make any appli- 
cation to the scrotum, for the reason that I did not think there 
were any indications of an excess of inflammation. 
November 13th, I found the patient almost entirely free from 
pain; so much so that I discontinued the aconite. The scrotum 
was still considerably swollen and sore, but not so much so us 33 
yesterday, nor was it as sensitive to the touch, according to his 
statements. I left no medicine and ordered no applications. 
November 15th, inflammation and swelling of scrotum subsid- 
ing, and with a suspensory bandage he experienced but little incon- 
vience from it. No medicine or local applications ordered. 
November 18th, swelling and sensitiveness of scrotum subsid- 
ing still more rapidly. Patient discharged. His was one of the 
largest I ever saw, and yet one of the most rapid in recovering after 
the operation. He scarcely suflered any pain after the first twenty- 
four hours, except from motion or contact. Neither had he fever 
except about three days during convalescence. 
Congenital hydrocele differs very essentially from that of ordi- 
nary hydrocele of the tunica vaginalis, both as to character and the 
class of individuals it affects. In character, from the fact that the 
serum is contained within a prolongation of the peritoneum down 
into the cavity of the scrotum, and not within the the tunica vagin- 
alis, which though originally also a prolongation or continuation of 
the peritoneum, has become separated therefrom, as to constitute 
in reality a separate and independent membrane or sack. And 
while the dropsical deposit may occupy the same relative position 
to the testicle as in hydrocele in some cases, it may also in others 
be found alone in the scrotum and the testicle, hidden somewhere 
in the inguinal canal, or wdthin the abdominal cavity. 
Again, since there is an unbroken connection between the hy- 
drocele and the cavity of the peritoneum, the tumor may be re- 
moved, for the time being, by pressure, so as to force the fluid- 
into the abdomen, or perhaps by having the patient lie down so as 
to have the hips higher than the upper part of the body. In con- 
sequence of this fact too, the tumor never becomes as tense or as 
large in congenital as in ordinary hydrocele, where the fluid is con- 
fined within a closed sack. This form of the disease, moreover, 
generally occurs in very young children ; never, I think, in adults, 
and, of course, never in females. And while it may arise from some 
irritation of the scrotum, either in antenatal or infantile life, yet 
the fluid is often secreted or deposited within the peritoneal cavity, 
from whence it falls down into this prolongation of that membrane 
according to the law's, of gravitation merely. It may also arise 
during the same periods and from similar exciting causes acting 
upon the testicle and its dependencies. 
The treatment for this form of hydrocele is generally very 
simple, as the disease will usually disappear of itself after remain- 
ing a short time. If, however, the case seems obstinate and be- 
comes chronic, and you conclude to operate for the purpose of 
effecting a radical cure, you will proceed in the same general man- 
ner as for an ordinary case of hydrocele, with this exception, viz: 
that you close the abdominal ring before injecting the irritating 
fluid into the cyst, else you may have the misfortune to introduce 34 
this substance into the peritonal cavity, when you would bo alto- 
gether likely to have a violent and perhaps fatal case of peritonitis 
on your hands, instead of merely one of mild adhesive inflamma- 
tion of the hydrocele sack. To effectually close this abdominal 
ring, it is only neccessary for an assistant to place his thumb over 
it, and to press firmly upon the pubic bone in that region. Of 
course in a child of tender years it would not bo proper to use ap- 
plications as strong as in one older, or the inflammation might pro- 
ceed too far, and result in the death of the parts, as in the case of 
my Toledo friend already mentioned, or even more perhaps, and 
kill the patient. 
Although I have not entered upon an elaborate exposition of 
this disease and its treatment, yet 1 have, perhaps, gone as far in 
that direction as would bo either profitable or prudent in merely a 
report to such an association as that to which it is addressed. 
The University Committee, consisting of Drs. Thayer, Sawyer, 
and Eldridge, then submitted its report upon the subject of the 
claims of Homceopathy to a just and fair representation in the 
medical department of our State University. After the reading of 
which by Dr. Thayer, Chairman of the committee, it was accepted 
and referred to the Publication Committee, with instructions to 
have the same printed with the transactions of the Society. 
To the llorrueopathic Medical Society of Michigan : 
The University Committee appointed by the State Medical 
Society at its annual meeting in May last, beg leave to state, that 
since assuming the duties imposed upon them, they have endeavored 
to carry out the instructions given by the Society, in a 
faithful manner. The Committee, at an early day, consulted emi- 
nent legal gentlemen, to wit: our former attorney, Hon. D. D. 
Hughes, in reference to the feasibility of a suit in one of the Circuit 
Courts of the State, to compel the Regents of the University to 
execute the Act of 1855. In consequence of Mr. Hughes being 
engaged as counsel-in-chief in the celebrated Vanderpool case, he 
was not at liberty to give attention to the case until that and some 
important suits in the U. H. Court were disposed of. The Com- 
mittee, in company with Hon. P. II. Emerson, assistant counsel, 
visited Mr. Hughes, at Grand Rapids, in September last, and after 
a careful investigation of authorities by these gentlemen, we were 
informed that it was competent under the constitution and laws of 
the State, to proceed in a Circuit Court, in such cases. We were 
at the same time informed, however, that there were collateral 
questions involved in such proceedure, which would make it advis- 
able for us to feel our way with caution, until the solution of these 
questions made it safe to proceed. 35 
The settlement of these collateral questions, making the com- 
mencement of a suit reasonably safe, has necessarily consumed 
much time, and while our friends have expressed some impatience 
at the “ law's delay,” the Committee have worked faithfully and 
untiringly to bring the legal phase of the University question into 
such shape as to be clearly comprehended by the friends of our 
cause. 
While this department of the University question has thus been 
in progress under the direction of the State Medical Society, cer- 
tain members of this Society, who, at our annual meeting in May 
last, were loud in their condemnation of any and all attempts to 
disturb the unity of the University, and especially the medical de- 
partment thereof, have associated themselves with persons outside 
the profession, and organized a college of their own. This new- 
fledged offspring of a disorderly parentage, we understand, has 
been baptized and christened “ Lansing Homoeopathic College, 
and Branch of the Medical Department of Michigan University.” 
The Committee have regarded this movement as unworthy of 
serious consideration, and have therefore taken no public notice of 
it. In our opinion, it requires no prophetic vision to see that this 
futile scheme will in a brief period of time dissolve into thin air, leav- 
ing only an inheritance of disgrace for those who have cast their 
fortunes with it. These outside persons and their coadjutors inside 
the profession, have an undoubted right to organize a college at 
Lansing, or tSaugatuck, and christen it Homoeopathic, or call it by 
whatever name they choose, provided they represent it to be what 
it really is, an indivual enterprise. But when they publish to the 
world an unblushing falsehood, that it is, or can by any possibility 
become, a branch of the medical department of the University of 
Michigan, they manifestly aim at the perpetration of fraud upon 
those who are ignorant of its true status, and it therefore becomes 
the duty of the Committee to expose and denounce it. 
In relation to members of this Society who have stultified them- 
selves by,their Janus-faced action in this matter, we have but a 
word to say, and that is, we leave them to the tribunal of their 
own consciences, if they have any, and to the future action of the 
Society, whose dignity they have trified with and insulted. 
The Committee beg leave to call your serious attention to still 
another scheme, almost as formidable in its aspect and proportions 
as the one just alluded to. This latter is no plebian affair. It has 
burst upon our astonished vision in all its rounded and perfect 
proportions, full fledged, like “Minerva from the head of Jove.” 
Its halls, unlike those of Tara’s, are destined in the near future, to 
become the arena where intellectual and scientific giants shall con- 
tend for the mastery. Like Jonah’s gourd, this massive and im 
posing structure, the pride of Detroit, and envy of the whole world 
beside, has arisen and been perfected in a single night. Governors 36 
and honorable Regents are its foster parents, while millionaires sub- 
scribe munificently to its endowment fund. We have it upon author- 
ity we dare not dispute, that a foreign gentleman, of grave aspect 
and imposing stature, “stuck o'er with titles and hung round with 
strings,” has, with the aid of a competent assistant, by “ wave that 
are dark, and tricks that are vain,” delivered from the very bowels 
of the University, this, which I have the honor t > present for your 
inspection, Branch numJter two, of the Michigan l Diversity.* 
What other branches, if any, have sprouted out, or been other- 
wise made objective, the Committee are not prepared to say. 
In passing from this to the more grave discussion before us, 
permit us to remark, that these branches, unlike those seen in “pro- 
phetic vision,” appear to us, who have well adjusted spectacles, 
bare of leaves which are for the “ healing of the nations.” 
Mr. President, and brethren of the profession, we confess to 
have found it exceedingly difficult to treat these men, whose am- 
bition has so far outrun their wisdom as to disgust all thinking men, 
with that consideration which some of our friends may perhaps 
think the gravity of the subject as well as the gravity of the occa- 
sion demands. If there is anything within the range of burlesque 
or mental inanity which more than another brings ridicule and con- 
tempt on the profession of the State, it is these recent attempts to 
organize a whole dock of colleges; filling the Htate with circulars 
and announcements, each claiming to be the especial protege of the 
Board of Regents, who, according to these circulars and announce- 
ments, are each to be made a branch of the medical department of 
the University, and richly endowed by State appropriations. 
What are the facts in the case? Permit us to state them 
briefly, and we hope so clearly as to convince those who are un- 
prejudiced that these futile schemes are impossible of realization, 
at least as far as any connection with the l niversity of Michigan 
* That the foregoing language of the report of the University Committee, as also that 
of the Presidents' addresses, with reference u> the and Itetrolt projects Is neither 
unwarranted nor nnjust, so far as the qualification* of the projectors of one of them Is 
concerned, is apparent from the following extract from a circular Issued by and cotempo- 
raneously with the announcement of the faculty of the tirst named,—the “ Ilomieopathlc 
College of Michigan”—vix : "In relation to the Faculty, of which this commutes consti- 
tutes a portion, we have this to say : we are free from occupying that position In your 
rallies, which entitles us to the chairs under our charge through superior culture, Intelli- 
gence, and experience. Perhaps never was a body of men placed In responsible positions 
where their own Ideas of individual fitness were less flattering.” This language is both 
comprehensive and explicit, and was no douht at the time sincerely and feelingly uttered, 
ft will be observed that it is not couched In the ordinary self-disparaging phraseology of 
those who are about to receive honors, or to assume responsibilities, and that these are 
hot merely Idle words, but those of candor, and the expressions of a gen-ral sense of In- 
competencv worthy of a better cause. And true to this conviction. It is well known and 
admitted that several of the members of the above named faculty have applied to those 
filling the same chairs with themselves In other medical colleges, f»r Instruction, both as 
to how to study and how to teach their respective branches. However laudable and 
meritorious this moat proper and necessary course under such 11 rim ms tances may lie, the 
fact that it was pursued upon the heels of the ad missions contained In the circular, is a 
full justification for the strictures and comments of the addresses and of the report of the 
University Committee, as It furnishes also a full absolution from any charge of malice or of 
enmity on the part of their authors, either as to Individuals or of organization, excepting of 
course, an implied rebuke of those individuals who are members of the Htate Society, and 
therefore committed to its well understood policy, with reference to this question of Ho 
mcBopathy In the University as opposed to any and to all outside projects.—Pcs. Com. 37 
is concerned. In the early organization of the State University, 
branches were provided for by law, some of which were organized 
and went into operation in different parts of the State. Statesmen 
and educators soon learned that this plan of conducting a great 
University was a failure. These branches after a brief and sickly 
existence were abolished, and in the opinion of those whose expe- 
rience entitles them to be heard, will never again be adopted. The 
University is a unit, and must remain a unit, or thenceforward lose 
its inherent vitality. This irrefragable proposition lies at the very 
foundation of our university controversy, and in the opinion ol your 
committee should be thoroughly understood by every physician as 
well as layman in the State. The University is in its very nature 
and attributes what the term implies, a great school of and for the 
people. It possesses within itself every facility for supplying the 
educational demands of the people, for whose benefit it was foun- 
ded and endowded. Should the authorities of the University long 
refuse to permit the teachings of anything embraced within the 
range of the arts and sciences, when demanded by the people, they 
would speedily secure its destruction. We have the authority of 
one of the most distinguished professors of the University, for say- 
ing that the institution has already been greatly injured, especially 
the literally department, by the refusal of the Regents to obey the 
mandates of the people, as expressed through their representatives 
in 1855, and repeatedly since. The University is sustained by an 
interest fund, growing out of the sale of lands granted by the 
United States, and by a direct tax on the property of the people of 
the State. The terms of the grant made by the General Govern- 
ment, prescribed that the University should forever remain under 
the control of the Legislature of the State. The State accepted 
the grant, with the conditions attached, and has ever since legisla- 
ted in compliance therewith. The pioneers of Homoeopathy took 
this view of the University and its functions, and as early as 1847, 
commenced petitioning the Legislature and Board of Regents, to 
secure representation in the medical faculty of the University. We 
were few in numbers at that early day, and so strong and wide- 
spread was the prejudice against us, that little attention was at first 
paid to our petitions. We had an abiding sense, however, in the 
justice of our cause, and continued our petitions from year to year 
until at last we wrung an unwilling report from the Legislature 
upon the subject of our rights. To the Homoeopaths of to-day the 
report of Hon. T. B. Church, Chairman of the Committee on Edu- 
cation in the House, would hardly be cause for rejoicing, inasmuch 
as the report was adverse to granting what the petitioners asked 
for. To us in 1849, even this report was a source of sincere con- 
gratulation. It marked the beginning of an era in the agitation of 
the subject, which was accepted by us as an indication of final suc- 
cess. In our prognosis of coming events, we were not mistaken, 
So rapid was the growth of libe r sentiments throughout the 38 
State, that a few years subsequently the Legislature acknowledged 
the justice of our cause, in the passage of the celebrated “Act’’ 
of 1855.- This legislative recognition of our right to share in the 
medical faculty of the University remains unimpaired to this hour, 
and, to the disgrace of the Regents, stands a dead letter on the 
statute books of the State. The representatives of the people have 
from year to year refused to repeal the Act recognizing our l ights, 
while the Board of Regents constantly refuses to execute the man- 
dates of the law. Thus the contest goes on, in the courts and be- 
fore the tribunal of the people, and must continue to be waged 
until the Regents yield to the just claims of the people. Public 
policy and the highest interests of the University recognize the ac- 
ceptance and immediate execution of the act legalizing our rights, 
yet the Regents are groping in the very noonday of intelligent 
progress, with their faces turned rearward, peering into murky at- 
mosphere of the past in search of light to guide them in the man- 
agement of the Michigan University. It is true, “yet pity 'tis, ’tis 
true,” that the effete class prejudices of the American Medical Asso- 
ciation has hud more to do in shaping the past destiny of the med- 
ical department of our University, than the dictates of a sound, 
enlightened policy, or the imperative mandates of the law. The 
assumption that the two systems of medicine can not be taught 
harmoniously in the same department, we emphatically deny. Mere 
assumption is not the evidence which forces conviction upon our 
minds; we therefore demand the trial. This reasonable demand 
should no longer be resisted, It is in compliance with a mandatory 
law of the State, and, as we believe, most sincerely with the sound 
dictates of the age. 
The proposition to build up a branch of the medical depart- 
ment, advocated by some of the Regents, is open to vital objec- 
tions. Any attempt to disturb the unity of the University, is a 
blow aimed at its very life. There is no necessity for it. The 
medical department is fully competent to supply every demand 
upon it, at the least possible expense. The museum, laboratory, 
library, and all that is valuable and desirable, are permanent fix- 
tures in the home department, and can not be divided or removed. 
The State will never take upon itself the expense of endowing a 
branch to gratify the prejudices of one class, or the ambition of 
another, The introduction of Homoeopathy into the medical de- 
partment, would be a compliance with the statutes of the State. 
It would be in harmony with the spirit of the age. It Mould ele- 
vate our branch of the profession by conferring the prestige of the 
University upon it. It would round out the department; add vi 
tality, harmony, and popularity thereto. 
There is no other solution of the question, and the sooner the 
authorities of the University accept the situation, the sooner will 
the general confidence be restored in their w ise, liberal, and just 
management of the affairs of the University. 39 
Hitherto we have contended for the rights guaranteed to us by 
statute law. But our rights to representation in the medical fac- 
ulty does not depend solely on statute law. They exist above and 
independent of all written law. They are not merely relative, but 
absolute rights, growing out of our citizenship and relationship 
with our patrons. We represent, in our practical relations and 
patronage, not only the higher intelligence, but the tax-paying in- 
terests of the wealthy portions of the population of Michigan. 
The Regents, whose duty it is to expend the money raised by tax- 
ing the people, have no moral right to appropriate such money for 
the purpose of fostering one class at the expense of another equally 
worthy, and equally interested. Whether our system of therepeu- 
tics is superior to that now taught in the University, is not a ques- 
tion now under discussion. It is enough that it is a system recog- 
nized and adopted by a very large, highly respectable, and rapidly 
increasing class of intelligent and wealthy citizens, whose rights 
have been disregarded by the Regents. While we will not admit 
that we are one whit behind any others in our love and veneration 
for all the institutions of learning in our State, we can not deny 
that we are human, and human nature will not always quietly sub- 
mit to have its dearest rights infringed upon or ignored. 
Brethren of the medical profession, this has been a long and 
wearisome struggle; it has already lasted the lifetime allotted to a 
generation. It remains with you to say when and how it shall end. 
It is the old story over again, the contest of the advance guards of 
a higher medical civilization with organized, entrenched, and crystal- 
ized prejudice. The pages of medical history teem with parallel 
conflicts, and he who seriously doubts who will triumph in this en- 
counter between the people on the one hand, and the American 
Medical Association on the other, has studied the history of his 
profession to little purpose. The great battle in this contest has 
already been fought, and the victory substantially won. The van- 
quished are seeking the most favorable terms of capitulation. By 
a cunning stroke of diplomacy, they are trying to wheedle us into 
the acceptance of a beggarly substitute, to which they have no title, 
for the grand old citadel, which we have bravely and honorably 
conquered. Look to it, friends and brethren ; let those whose 
prerogative it is to dictate terms to the vanquished, make them 
such than no future conflict can arise. “ Unconditional surrender.” 
“ Then let us have peace.” 
The consideration of the recommendation of the University 
Committee, advising the re-affirmation of the vote of the last annual 
meeting unanimously adopting the preamble and resolutions offered 
by Dr. S. B. Thayer, on the subject of Homoeopathy in the medi- 
cal department of the University of Michigan (see page 11 of these 
proceedings) was, on motion of Dr. B. 1\ Bailey, deferred, and 40 
laid upon the table temporarily, to be called up at any time for 
final action by any member present. 
Dr. Bailey now renewed his motion for the appointment of t*vo 
members to the Board of Censors to make up a quorum. The 
President decided the motion to be out of order on the ground of 
unconstitutionality. Dr. Bailey appealed from the decision of the 
Chair, and, on a vote being taken, the decision of the Chair was 
sustained, and thereby the motion of Dr. Bailey was lost. (The 
wording in the call for this meeting was that “ those not members 
will be privileged to make application for membership,” but as the 
Constitution and By-Laws do not admit of the election of members 
at any other than the regular annual meeting, applicants could 
not be elected to membership now, although they might make their 
applications and have them acted upon at the next annual meet- 
ing.—Sec’y.) 
Dr. Thayer offered the following resolution, which was 
adopted : 
Resolved, That a committee of two be appointed by the Presi- 
dent to revise the Constitution, By-Laws, and Code of Ethics. 
The President announced as such committee, Drs. I. N. El- 
dridge and B. F. Bailey. 
The report of the University Committee recommending the re- 
affirmation of the preamble and resolutions of Dr. Thayer, passed 
at the last annual meeting, and temporarily laid upon the tuble, 
were, on motion of Dr. Bailey, taken from the table, and, upon 
being put to vote, were adopted. 
A motion was made and adopted, adding two more members 
to the Publication Committee, of whom the President shall be one. 
The Chair announced Dr. Eldridge as the other member of the 
committee. 
Dr. J. D. Kergan offered the following motion, which was 
adopted: that Dr. J. E. Smith, physician to the State Prison at 
Jackson be respectfully requested to report at our next annual 
meeting, relative to the success of homoeopathic practice in the 
Michigan State Prison. 
The hour for dinner having arrived, the Society, on motion, 
adjourned to meet again at 2 o’clock P. M. 
The meeting again convened at 2 o’clock P. M., pursuant to 
adjournment. The President in the Chair. 41 
A motion was offered by Dr. Eldridge, and adopted, that the- 
President of the Society be added to the committee on revision of 
the Constitution, By-Laws, and Code of Ethics. 
Dr. F. Woodruff, of Ann Arbor, now submitted his report on 
“ the law of cure and principles,” which was read and referred to 
the Publication Committee. 
To the Homoeopathic Medical Society of Michigan : 
As one of your committee on the law of cure and principles, I 
beg leave to make the following report, viz : 
It would be a work of supererogation should I do much more 
than to refer you to the works of the never to be forgotten founder 
of homoeopathy, in dealing with the subject allotted to me : “ The 
Jaw of cure and principles.” Much less I can not do without in- 
justice to you and myself also. I am compelled the more to this 
from the fact that so many at this time are, from various motives, 
vainly attempting to come into our fold by some other way : 
The Organon of Hahnemann, his Materia Medica Pura, and his 
Chronic Diseases, constitute the bible of the true homceopathio 
student and physician. To properly appreciate and understand 
the results attained by him and recorded in those works, requires 
a careful and repeated study of their contents. What he has thus 
produced as the result of hard study and of laborious observation, 
has become a code of laws, and a system of therapeutics through 
all coming time. A system, developing other laws and principles, 
which harmonize with all known science, and through the neces- 
sary proving of drugs, a far greater knowledge of physiological 
and of pathological states and conditions than had been hitherto 
developed in the entire history of medical science. 
Hahnemann’s first discovered truth, “like cures like,” or the 
law of similia, exhibited the necessity for a greatly reduced dose 
in the administration of drugs to the sick. His method of reduc- 
tion revealed in turn his third discovery, the dynamic power of 
drugs when thus potentized or developed. Prom these three dis- 
coveries, and from the observation and experience resulting from 
them, come his final and triumphant enunciation of “ the single 
remedy and the minimum dose.” With these all inscribed upon 
our banner, we have entered the field, defying opposition ; and, as 
his true disciples, and as defenders of the homoeopathic faith we 
throw down the gauntlet, challenging both criticism and rivalry. 
The earnest and honest student of medicine demands, first of 
all, that he shall be able to meet and to successfully combat the 
ailments and the diseases incident to our common humanity, with- 
out the necessity for undermining the very foundations of life and 
health. We have already intimated that one of the proofs of the 
superior value of our system of therapeutics, lies in the fact that 
its principles and its law of cure harmonize and correspond with 42 
all known science; thus revealing to tho .. nking mind the rela- 
tions of he ilth and disease to all the requirements and conditions 
of life. 
13y the painful process of proving our remedies on the healthy 
orgmism, wo giin a knowledge of their disease creating power; and 
not only when thus administered, but also when they are accident- 
ally taken, or when ignorantly prescribed by those who are called 
physicians. How often has the intelligent homoeopatnic physician 
been called to tre it those who have been thus poisoned or drugged ; 
hopelessly saturated with medicinal disease, a condition far more 
terrible and intractable than diseases resulting from natural causes. 
nature, in her convulsive and recuperative efforts, has 
nearly destroyed herself, and, at tho best, remains but a wreck 
upon tho shores of time. And this is not all; the sins of tho fathers 
and tho ignorance of the physicians, are visited upon tho children, 
even unto tho third and fourth generation. Who may measure tho 
untold sutfcring; who cun comprehend the cumulating miseries that 
have resulted through succeeding generations us the legitimate and 
the recognized consequences of centuries of licensed poisoning ! 
In the light of those facts, and of the evidence of their truthfulness 
in the daily practice of every intelligent and observing physician, 
it whould seem that one and all we should with avidity grasp the 
great truths embraced in the in ixiin of “ the single remedy and tho 
minimum dose,” as taught by the master, and so commonly recog- 
nized and exemplified in the practice and experience of tho ad- 
vanced guard of our profession. 
By the Same method of observation, and through a similar ex- 
perience, we can not but learn that tho converse of this is also true ; 
showing that tho observance of natural laws in all tho relations of 
life—ind no where more m inifostly than in those of a true system 
6f therapeutics— lovelopes a higher standard of health, as well as 
the higher m inifostations of the faculties and susceptibilities of 
humanity; thus again exhibiting the harmonious action of all nat- 
ural laws, and the necessity for their strict and comprehensive ob- 
servance. It is only through this pathway that man can exhibit 
tho highest attributes of his nature, and most truly glorify his 
Creator. 
» On motion, Drs. F. 13. Smith and J. D. Kergun were permitted 
to withdraw from the Society. 
1 The following resolutions were then offered and adopted 
T- Resolved, That the Publication Committee be and are hereby 
instructed to publish, in pamphlet form, the transactions of our 
Inst nnnu il meeting, together with the annual address of the Pres- 
ident, with these of our present semi annual meeting, including the 
ad lress of the President, and distribute the same to the profession 
throughout the State without delay. 43 
jResolved, That the Committee have discretionary power to add 
any matter to the transactions they may deem desirable. 
In accordance with the last resolution, the following article 
is contributed by Dr. T. F. Pomeroy, as a voluntaiy report on 
PATHOLOGY AND SYMPTOMATOLOGY. 
There has been much of controversy in our ranks as to the rel- 
ative merits and claims of pathology and symptomatology. By a 
sort of tacit consent, it has come to be an almost admitted fact that 
those who adhere to the low dilutions are the champions of the for- 
mer, while those who are called high dilutionists, are supposed to 
hold a similar relation to the latter. A moment’s reflection would, 
I think, show the fallacy of any such arrangement and demonstrate 
the necessity for a better comprehension of the meaning of these 
terms, pathology and symptomatology, and especially ol their rela- 
tions, from a homoeopathic point of view. A definition of them is, 
of itsell, an explanation of their intimate relations, as it is a refuta- 
tion of tm antagonism between them, showing that such a condition 
is impossible, and that, as a consequence, this conflict of words and 
contrariety of opinions is correspondingly absurd. 
The cause for the differences of opinion and the controversies to 
which I have referred, has its origin in the old plan of treating the 
name of a disease, instead of treating a patient—a general patho- 
logical state, instead of a particular pathological condition—a plan 
which is utterly at variance with ihe correct application of Ik mce- 
opathic principles, and w hich is necessarily subversive of them, as 
it is fatal to that individualization which is requisite both for diag- 
nosis, and for the application of law of cure in the treatment of 
disease. 
A pathological condition is simply and obviously, the disturbance 
of a previously existing physiological one,—nothing more and 
nothing less. It makes itself known through external signs or 
symptoms; or, in other words, symptoms are the jihevomeva of 
path ological conditions ; therefore symptoms of disease are impos- 
sible without a corresponding pathological condition, and a patho- 
logical condition is impossible without the presence, more or less, 
of symptoms. They are mutually existent, and reciprocally depen- 
dent, like cause and effect. 
An attempt to treat a disease from only a pathological point 
of view would be as preposterous as to do so from only a sympto- 
matological point of view, and far more so; both, must necessarily 
be taken into the account in order to iorm a correct diagnosis; 
short of this there can be no proper cognition of disease at all 
with a view to its treatment; hence, there can be no antagonism 
between them. 
, It seems almost as useless thus to attempt a demonstration of 
what is here affirmed, as it would be to prove an axiom, especially 
so in view of the fact that symptoms not only disclose pathologies 44 
conditions, but they evince as well, the recuperative energies of na- 
ture, as they also indicate the direction and manner in which the 
aid of art is needed,Ui Xiiat and. We tind also a complete corres- 
pondence, in the relations which drugs and other agents sustain to 
physiological, as well as pathological conditions, in the disturbance 
of the one, and, when properly applied, the removal of the other; 
an i thus is it that we have a perfect system of therapeutics which 
Would otherwise be impossible, as no natural curative law could 
apply to any mode or method of treating disease, based upon the 
hypothesis of an antagonism between pathology and symptoma- 
tology. 
In this light how frivolous, how unjust, is the charge that 
“symptom hunters,” as they are sometimes called, have discarded 
pathologoy; of all others, they have regarded it most comprehen- 
sively, because they h ive studied it analytically and most discnmi- 
nately ; let these, then, most of all, be acquitted and forever ab- 
solve I from a charge of attempting a divorce between pathology 
and symptomatology. 
In this connection, we sometimes hear that good prescribes are 
oftentimes poor diagnosticians. This proposition is a legitimate 
ooroll iry of the one we have been considering, and falls to the 
ground with it. As a rule in medical science and its practice, a 
physician must have been a thorough student, and must bo an in- 
telligent observer, in order to bo a good, that is, a successful pro- 
scribcr; and medical science comprehends all that relates to path- 
ological conditions—which constitute disease—whether they are 
induced spontaneously, so to speak, or through the agency of 
drugs, or from whatsoever cause, and thus, of course, including the 
power of drugs to produce disease—establish pathological condi- 
tions—as well as to cure it in restoringto physiological ones. Hhort 
of this, and without the possession of a therapeutic law, there is no 
such thing as medical science in its broadest sense. Learned twad- 
dle, and mere technical phraseology, however dexterously used, no 
more evince a knowledge of principles, or of their practical appli- 
cation, in medical science than in any other. These should, there- 
fore, form but a srn ill part of hornmopathic literature, for homoeopathy 
deals in facts, and in the individualization of disease rather than in 
“ glittering generalities.” It is far more easy to concede that a 
physician m ly be a good diagnostician and a poor prescribcr, but 
this can only be in case of his total unfitness for the practical du- 
ties of his profession. The possession of certain intuitive faculties 
m iy largely conduce to unusual accuracy in diagnosis; so also the 
almost exclusive cultivation of this branch of medical science nec- 
essarily shuts out the cognition of disease in any other than it* 
diagnostic aspect. Quite too frequently do we find this class of 
physici ins relying almost wholly npon their intuitions and upon 
the deductions drawn from theoretical generalizations, when they 
eoinc to the therapeutical or practical aspect of disease; such, if 45 
homoeopathic physicians, are found to be but poor prescribes, and 
poorer representatives of our system, almost invariably bringing 
it into discredit, although as allopathists they would thus, truth- 
fnlly illustrate whatever of therapeutic law may be justly con- 
ceded to that mode of medical practice, or rather, its entire absence, 
as well as the fallacy of their own claims as scientific physicians. 
As well might we expect excellence in the higher branches of 
mathematical science, where its intermediate branches, and even its 
elementary principles, had been neglected or overlooked, or the 
greatest skill and proficiency in the science of music, without a 
preliminary knowledge of its rudiments and a thorough study and 
practice of its principles, as to expect excellence in the therapeutic 
relations of medical science, without a constant recognition and a 
diligent study of the symptoms, or phenomena of disease. For, 
the groupings and infinite combinations of symptoms furnish the 
themes both for diagnostic and for therapeutic observation and 
culture, as those of the eight musical notes, or of the nine digits, 
furnish exercise for ultimate mathematical or musical excellence 
and skill. We might, then, as well make a virtue of necessity, and 
become, one and all, “symptom hunters,” if thereby me may excel 
as physicians, and thus best illustrate the sublime princi- 
ples which underlie our system of medical practice, and which 
constitute the science of homoeopathic therapeutics. The intuitive 
faculties will furnish but little aid in the selection of proper reme- 
dies for the successful treatment of disease, without an antecedent 
as well as a concurrent study of those symptoms which represent 
it; and, although pathology and symptomatology in the abstract, 
may be studied separately, they must, in their practica. application, 
go hand in hand ; in other words, upon a correct diagnosisor anal- 
ysis, both as to disease and as to the agents to be curatively em-y, 
ployed against it, and upon the ability to determine their corres- 
pondencies, a successful result depends; and these requisites come 
not by intuition, but rather as the reward of systematic and diligent 
study and observation. 
Just so far as the foregoing positions are apprehended and ap- 
preciated, can there be an understanding of the relations of pathol- 
ogy to symptomatology and of their mutual dependence and 
inseparability. So also must the degree of this knowledge, be the 
measure of advancement in the comprehension of homoeopathic 
principles. Any claims, or any aquirements that do not embrace 
it, will fall short of those which constitute the true homoepathc phy- 
sician. There can not be a more complete or comprehensive test 
th m this furnishes of a physicians capabilities to practice his art, 
nor a surer foundation upon which to build a truly successful 
practice. No better method whereby the claims of medical science 
to a position beside those sciences that are already recognized and 
confirmed, may be established. 46 
• On motion the Society then adjourned to meet at Hattie Creek, 
on the third Tuesday in May next. 
I. N. ELDRIDQE, 
) 
Recording Secretary.