RESUME OF THE 
TRANSACTIONS 
OF THE 
jnt8raatWMl|8i6al|®npis 
AT 
BRUSSELS, 1875. 
BY 
GEO. W. WELLS, M. D., 
Etc.,,Etc., Etc. 
Reprinted from the St. Louis Medical <fr Surgical Journal. With Compliments of 
/X)y » , 
C 154 W. 49th St., New York. 
The American delegation desire to acknowledge 
special courtesies from (Brs. Edward Seguin of New 
York, Henry Collignon of (Brussels and Alex. Ogston 
Surgeon to the Aberdeen (Royal Infirmary, Scotland. Tue International Medical Congress.* 
Mr. Editor:—From a reliable source I am able to send you a 
few notes in relation to the proceedings of this Body. I have 
not yet seen any extended notice of the action of the associa- 
tion in any of the journals in this country, except here and there 
a few lines, 
The International Medical Congress, or to quote its official 
title “ Le Congris periodique International des Sciences Medicates ” 
held its fourth session in the city’' of Brussels, Belgium, on 
the L9lh, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th, days of September 
last. Its sessions were therefore continued five days, during 
which many great and important questions of public interest 
wore discussed. Although preceding sessions were important, 
yet foreign journals characterize this as the most important in 
the history of the organization and one that will leave a brilliant 
and durable trace in the history of science. 
The association opened on Sunday the 19th of Sept. This ap- 
pears to be the custom of many foreign countries; Sunday is a 
groat fete day and all undertakings of any dignity or importance 
are inaugurated on that day. It was under the presidenev of 
M. Vlemingkx, and with the sanction of the government of 
Belgium. The president of the Congress is also president of the 
Belgium Koyal Academy of Medicine. The members of the 
Committee of Management were M. M. Doroubaix, Bellefroid, 
Crocq, and Warlomont, the latter being secretary-general, Drs- 
Duwez and Verriest, being secretaries to the meetings. Dr. 
Delacosse of Hue de l’Hdpital had the duty of giving infor- 
mation to strangers. 
The Congress, in the conduct of its business, differed very ma- 
terially from the usual method adopted by the British Medical 
Association and associations generally in England and in thi8 
country. The usual method is for individuals to present paper8 
and read them, after which discussions follow, each paper being- 
discussed immediately after being read. At this meeting the di s 
♦The translations were made by M. Julius C. Cretin, of New York 2 
cushions arose on different series of questions decided by a com- 
mittee, on each of which a u Rapporteur” had set forth his con- 
clusions as to the actual state of knowledge on the subject. A 
programme was sent out setting forth the conclusions of the a Rap- 
porteurs ”in the several sections, so that intending speakers were 
enabled to controvert the same. This circular was printed in 
the French language and the same language was by universal 
consent adopted as the medium of inter-communication. 
The questions treated during the session of the Convention 
or, as our transatlantic friends put it, “ Congr&s Periodigue, ,f 
among others were : Prophylaxis of cholera; aleohol in thera- 
peutics; the inoculability of turbercle; surgical anaesthesia ; the 
dressing of wounds after operations; maternities; the vaso motor 
nerves and their modes of action ; the value of experiments 
founded on artificial (schematic) circulatory apparatus; the 
sanitation of work-shops in which phosphorus is used; the or- 
ganization of the service of public hygiene ; the manufacture 
of beer; defects of vision, from a military poini of view; the 
means of registering hearing power and registering it in a 
uniform manner in all countries; defects of hearing, from a mil- 
itary point of view; the moral and legal position, and the dis- 
posal of criminal and dangerous lunatics; should the medical 
use of chemically defined immediate principles be extended 
and the new preparations of them multiplied in pharmacopoeias } 
the establishment of a universal pharmacopoeia; a plan for uni- 
fication of instruments, scales, tables, and records of clinical ob- 
servation, etc,etc. 
Allow me to present you a brief resume of the proceedings. 
First day, Sept. 19. The Congress opened at one o’clock pre- 
cisely. His Majesty was received at the entrance of the Palace b}T 
the members of the Bureau, and was escorted to the scat re- 
served for him. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Gen. 
Soudain de Neidervverth, aide-de-camp, and Captains Brewer and 
Baron Y. d’ Anethan, officers of ordinance. M. Vlemingkx oc- 
cupied the chair. Authority was granted by the king to open 
the session, and the President addressed the assembly. He 
thanked the king for granting encouragement to science by his 
presence, and in the name of the Congress besought him to ac- 
cept this expression of profound gratitude. The address was 
one of congratulation, and exhortation to diligently apply their 3 
energies to the amelioration and alleviation of the condition of 
the people. lie closed by reference to the indebtedness of the 
Congress to M. the Minister of the Interior for facilitating 
its organization ; and in the name of his colleagues as well as bis 
own, he would proclaim him First Hon. President. 
M. Delcour, the Minister of the Interior arose and thanked 
the gentlemen for the high distinction thus conferred upon him, 
and hoped that the sossion might be a success. 
The Congress was then permanently organized by proclaiming 
on the suggestion of M. Tostelin of France, the Provisional 
Bureau a Permanent Bureau. 
Various Honorary Presidents were then proposed. 
For Germany, M. Von. Langenbeck. 
l- Great Britain, M. M. Bowman and Critchett. 
“ Austro-Hungaiy, Profs. Von Sigmund and Von Hcbra 
“ France, M. M. Bouillaud, Larrey, Verneuil and Jaccoud. 
“ Italy, M. M. Profs. Semmola and Palasciano. 
“ Luxemburg M. Dr. Aschman. 
“ Roumania, M. D. Mareowitz. 
“ Turkey, M. Genl. Doctor Ahmed. 
“ Holland, M. Prof. Donders. 
Others were to be proposed in future. 
The Secretary, General M. Warlomont, then delivered a long 
address, reviewing the past sessions of this Congress, the origin 
and growth of internationalism in medical matters etc., etc., and 
the society closed its first session. 
Session of Sept. 2lst(2nd sitting.) After the ordinary routine, 
the President read several notices and offered as new Hon. Presi- 
dents, M. M. Manayra of Naples, Pasquali of Rome, Nicolaieu of 
Constadt. Van Cappelle and Eggeling of the Hague, Schnitzle, 
of Vienna, Gross of Buda Pestb, Gustave Bergmann of Stockholm 
M. Feigneaux of the Committee of Maternities reported sub- 
stantially the followiog conclusions: 
(1.) Urgency of a radical reform in the system of assistance 
to women in confinement. (2.) Complete abandonment of large 
maternities. (3.) Instead of large maternities with school of obstet- 
rics attached, replace them by small houses for the purpose, with 
separate rooms. (4.) Create a house of exchange, situated in the 
vicinity of the maternities, with complete furniture, and com- 
pletely separated from the medical direction. (5.) Extending, as 4 
far as possible, assistance of every description at the domicile to 
pregnant women and to those delivered by nature. 
M. Janssen read the conclusions of the Fifth section. 
Report of M. Crocq, “On the Sanitary Measures in Workshops 
where Phosphorus is Manipulated. ” The following conclusions 
were adopted: The section of public medicine expresses the wish, 
(1.) That the use of red amorphous phosphorous be substituted 
for that of ordinary phosphorus in all match-factories. (2.) TJnti- 
the universal adoption of this radical measure, it recommends, 
in the actual conditions of manufacturing, the following meas- 
ures which are designed to prevent general toxic accidents and 
more especially maxillary necrosis; installations of the manu- 
facturing in sufficiently spacious rooms ; powerful ventilation 
promoted by the aid of tubes, beginning at the ground and ter- 
minating in a drawing chimney; constant attention to clean- 
liness; together with these physical means, use as a chemical 
antidote, the Spirits of Turpentine. (3.) Local accidents may be 
averted by astringent gargarisms, and above all, by the obli- 
gation imposed upon manufacturers to admit none into their 
workshops, who, by oral examination, present dental lesions, 
such as penetrating decay, or any other affection of a nature to 
favor the deleterious action of phosphoric vapors. (4.) Children 
not to be employed in workshops where phosphorous is used. 
(5.) When the authorities allow the establishment of manu- 
factories where that substance is used, they must impose these 
conditions and see that they are observed, for the interests of 
workmen as well as of manufacturers who are criminally res- 
ponsible for accidents resulting from their carelessness or 
neglect. 
M. Ledeganek read the conclusions of the seventh section: “On 
the Means of Measuring the Acuteness of Hearing and of Regis- 
tering its Degree in a Uniform Manner in Every Country;” b}r 
Dr. Delstanche, ptre.— 
Every complete examination of the degree of hearing among 
patients necessitates the use of the three following means : (1.) 
the tone; (2.) the pitch ; (3.) the voice. 
M. de Smeth read the conclusions of the labors of the Eighth 
section, “On the Moral and Legal Status and Placement of the 
Criminal and Dangerously Alienated.”— 
(1.) The section declared that in countries where the number 5 
of the condemned alienated is sufficient to create a complete 
hospital service, it is expedient to completely separate that class 
of patients. (2.) By adopting the conclusion of M. Semal, the 
section expressed the wish that, in all other cases, those patients 
remain mingled promiscuously with the other alienated, and 
submit to the regime of surveillance and isolation necessitated 
by their mental state and the security of their surroundings. 
Conclusions of the ninth section : 
The section, in accordance with the wishes expressed on the 
utility of a universal official pharmacopoeia, proposes to the Con- 
gress to wait for the communication of the project revised in 
St. Petersburg before they discuss the question. 
Sept. 22d. The session opened at 2 p. m. The President 
proposed as Honorary Presidents, Drs. E. C. Harwood, of New 
lork, andj. A, Adrian, of Logansport, Jnd., delegates from 
the American Medical Association, and also M. Madjen, Vice- 
President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Copenhagen. 
M. M. Mahaux and Carpenter read the conclusion of the first 
section on i!ie report of M. Lefebvre,on“Prophylaxy of Cholera. 
(1.) The prophylaxy of Asiatic cholera must be based upon 
an etiological understanding of the disease, as far as possible. 
(2.) Cholera is a specific disease—that is to say, it is produced 
by a morbid principle always the same, and cannot be produced 
by other. (3.) The choleragenic principle in its essence 
is unknown to us, as is also the generating principle of variola, 
scarlatina, small-pox, etc.j but we are in possession of very im- 
portant knowledge as regards its prophylaxy,its origin,attributes? 
and the laws of its propagation and evolution. (4.) Origin. The 
choleragenic miasma developes itself spontaneously in certain 
parts of India, especially the delta of the Ganges, and the low 
countries around Madras and Bombay. Starting from these 
original foci, it has been transported at different times to Euroj)e 
Africa, and America, resulting in those great epidemics still 
fresh in the memories of all. However, limited outbreaks of 
cholera have been witnessed in Europe after the disappearance 
of the great epidemics above mentioned. Are these explosions 
due to spontaneous production, in European soil, of the cholera- 
genic miasma, or are they to be attributed to the tardy devel- 
opment of the miasma left, so to speak, in store by the preced- 
ing Asiatic epidemic ( [lhe reporter adopted the last view] 6 
However that may be, it is none the less true that the Indian 
cholera can acclimatize itself in Europe by either spontaneous 
production on the one hand through its generative principles, 
or by the indefinite preservation and regeneration of the mi- 
asma primarily brought from India. (5.) Attributes of the 
choleragenic miasma, (a.) This miasma regenerates itself in 
the subjects attacked by cholera, and is transported from 
them to others on the bodies of healthy individuals; it pro- 
vokes among them the development of the disease; in other 
words, cholera is essentially contagious, (b.) The cholera- 
genic miasma conducts itself in the same manner as do solu 
ble or volatile bodies; for it is dissolved in water, and is spread 
in the atmosphere where it maintains itself in a state of homo- 
geneous diffusion—that is to say, without accumulating in any 
decisive point, (c.) The morbific power of the choleragenic 
miasma is less energetic, less fatal in its action than that of other 
miasmata and other viruses, (d.) It is not very permanent; it ap- 
pears to be destroyed very promptly, especially when the air 
is strongly ozonized However, in certain conditions of con- 
finement, out of the air, it can preserve itself a long time, (e.) 
This miasma is destroyed by a high temperature (1000 C, and 
abo,re), and by a considerable number of chemical agencie s 
Tms question still claims some study in order to arrive at prac- 
tical precision and clearness, (f.) Individuals exposed to the 
action of the choleragenic miasma, acquire, in a rather short 
time, a sort of habit which places them out of the influence of 
the disease. (6.) Laws of propagation of Asiatic cholera, (a.) 
The contagious principle of cholera resides principally, if not ex. 
clusively, in the dejections of the patient (matters vomited, and 
above all, intestinal evacau tions). (b.) It can be communica- 
ted from a pationt to a healthy individual by different channels 
among which may be noticed, after the dejections themselves 
(a.) the patient; (6.) the cadaver; (c.) the linen and clothes 
worn by him; (d.) the apartments, vessfis and vehicles in 
which choleraica have been ; ([e.) the water closets ; (f.) the water 
which may have been contaminated by choleraic dejections; (g.) 
tbe air, but at a short distance, say a few hundred metres; (A.) 
the animals, the goods which may have been full of choleragen- 
ic miasma, etc , etc., (7.) Choleric impregnation and evolu- 
tion. (a.) Choleragenic miasma penetrates the economy 7 
through the pulmonary mucous membrane and the digestive or- 
gans. (b.) The time of its incubation is from several hours to a 
few days at its maximum, (c.) The moral and unhygienic con- 
ditions of a depressive nature favor the evolution of choleraic 
poisoning. (8.) The prophylaxy of cholera is deduced from 
these etiological conditions. The first indication is to destroy, by 
sanitary measures, the original foci of cholera in India, and its 
secondary foci in Europe. The second indication is to prevent 
the transportation of the morbid principle, to healthy countries 
by all really efficacious means which are compatible with the ex- 
igencies of modern civilization. The third prophylactic 
rule is to neutralize the miasma by disinfectant measures which 
remain to be determined. Finally, we must endeavor to di- 
minish the ravages of cholera by hygienic measures well under- 
stood. 
M. Masoin read the conclusions of the fourth section “on the 
Vasomotor Nerves and their Mode of Action.” 
M. Bouchut read a memoir “On the Cerebroscope and the Re- 
sults which have followed the Application of the Opthalmoscope 
to the Diagnosis of Brain Disease.” He circulated among the 
assemby several pathological specimens as evidences of his ob- 
servations. 
M. Leudet presented the results of his studies on the nature 
and state of the alcoholized in different classes of society. M. 
Palasciano read a memoir “On the Hygiene of the Tomb,” and 
expressed a wish for the return of the custom of cremation. 
THE AMERICAN DELEGATION. 
Add ress ofRr. J. A. Adrian, of Logansport, Ind., delegate from 
the American Medical Association. 
Jfr. President:—For three years the American Medical Asso- 
ciation has sent its delegates to the British Medical Association, 
and other kindred European societies, with the special object 
of asking their concurrence and cooperation in maturing a plan 
of uniformity of instruments, scales, tables, and records of clin- 
ical observation. 
The American Medical Association hailed, with fraternal feel- 
ings, the call for this International Medical Congress, and with 
hopes (your first programme containing a motion to create a 
uniform method of measuring the defects of audition, this be- 
gin part of the programme) of unity of all the means of ob- 8 
servation advocated by the American Medical Association ; wo 
gannot help feeling that if you find that part of the plan right 
you will have stronger reason to support the whole. 
The medical profession would find many advantages accruing 
from the adoption of this uniformity; common measures would 
insure the communication of thoughts between us better than 
a common language. 
Mothers and nurses could be made useful recording assistants 
by giving us the true signs and symptoms previously to and be- 
tween our visits, and they would soon comprehend the true na- 
nure of disease and cure, instead of hilling into the supernatural 
notions which are now forced upon them. 
For these and other reasons, the American Medical Association 
urges upon the International Medical Congress the necessi- 
ty of organizing an International Commission, having, for its 
object, to devise a plan for uniform means, instruments, scales, 
and clinical observation, and to report on the same at the next 
meeting of the International Medical Congress. 
Dr. Adrian was followed by the address of Dr. E. C. Har- 
woodof New York, delegate from the American Medical Asso- 
ciation. 
ADDRESS OF E. C. HARWOOD, M. D. 
Mr. President: The remarks of my friend and colleague Dr. 
Adrian, cover nearly all that is to be said in behalf of a uni- 
formity of measures. I wish, however, to urge, in behalf of 
my constituents, the absolute necessity and great advantage to 
be derived from a uniform system of weights and measures. 
This want has long been felt by the profession in America ; 
and in a country so rapid in its progress, the wonder is that a 
more advanced system has not been adopted. This may be ac- 
counted for, in part, on the ground that America naturally fol- 
lows in the footsteps of the mother country; but the time has 
now come when parent and offspring must no longer remain in 
opposition to the metric system. We might just as well set our- 
self in opposition to gravitation, except that we can, as two 
great nations, delay and retard a matter of human progress 
while we could not retard gravitation. 
When I say that I am heartily in favor of the metric system, 
I think that I represent the sentiment of my countrymen in the 
medical profession. We desire to see it introduced into our 9 
country as rapidly as it can be done wisely. Our colleges and 
high schools all teach it, and should beearnest advocates for its 
more permanent introduction into our public schools, since all 
such reforms must be forwarded by incoming generations, leav- 
ing the old system to die out gradually with the generations as 
they pass away. 
There is no longer any doubt with us in regard to the metric 
system. For there are, at present, many of our best manufac. 
turing chemists, among whom I might instance E. K. Squibb, M. 
D., of Brooklyn, N. Y., who have for many years used the sys- 
tem for all nice work. 
Nearly all of our best men regard the metrical system as well 
assured and secured upon the safe ground, first, of the growing ne 
necessity for something better than the old system, 
that it is very much better, and probably quite good enough for 
the next two thousand years;*and that it has been as'a system, 
so well constructed, and so well matured, that in less than eighty 
years, or two generations, it has had inherent force enough 
quietly to obtain the approval of a large majority of civilized 
nations, and is favored, if not adopted, by the best educated 
classes of all nations. 
Sitting Sept. 23d.—Dr. Vlemingkx in the chair. Dr. Peter- 
sen, Vice President of the Danish Medical Federation, was 
named Honorary President. 
Iieport of 2d section read by M. Bouqud—reporter, Dr. Wil- 
liams, ofMons. “On Surgical Anaesthesia.” This subject, not be- 
ing susceptible of solution, the section proposed to reserve its 
decision. M. Bouillurd claimed for Or6’s method the benefit of 
the welcome reception due to every new idea, supported, how'- 
ever, on conscientious observation and experience. 
Among the subjects of interest presented this day was that 
treated of in the 5th section, “On the Organization of the Ser- 
vice of Public Hygiene.” .Reporter, M. Belval. 
The public service of Hygiene requires a double organization: 
1st,a national organization; 2d, an international organization. 
I. A national organization would comprise: 
(1.) The establishment by law in each country of councils 
of hygiene or salubrity, (a.) A superior council under the 
Governmental authority, (b.) A provincial commission in 
each of the departments, provinces, prefectures, circles or dis- 10 
tricts. (e.) A local committee in each commune where that or- 
ganization would be possible. 
(2.) For communes too small for the institution of a commit- 
tee, sanitary circumscriptions would be established, comprising 
several communes or sections of united communes. 
(3.) The surveillance (and if necessary the execution), of hy- 
gienic measures recognized as of public utility would require: 
(a.) A general secretary to the superior council, (b.) A secretary 
to the provincial commission, over each province, (c.) A secre- 
tary to the local committee, in each commune or group of com- 
munes. 
These could be supplemented in their labors by members of 
the council or of the commissioners. 
(4.) Reports would be published at least annually, by each 
branch of the service. 
(5.) These services could have intercourse with one another, 
independently of their relation with the leading office. 
(6.) The more independence and authority these sanitary ser- 
vices have in their sphere of action, the greater would be the 
popular hygienic advantages. 
(7.) The budget of each of these services would constitute a 
part of the respective administrations to which they are attach- 
ed, in the same manner as the service of instruction and that of 
public benevolence. 
II. The international organization would comprise : 
(1.) The frequent and regular exchange of communications 
between the superior councilsof hygiene of the different coun- 
tries. These commur.nications would bear principally: (A.) 
(a.) On the means employed to ameliorate the sanitary con- 
ditions of localities and populations; (b.) on the hygienic 
measures taken for the purpose of decreasing the effect of en- 
demic disease ; (c.) on the precautions taken to prevent the im- 
portation of epidemic or contagious diseases; (d.) on the appear- 
ance of the foci ; (e.) on the measures adopted to combat epi- 
zootics; (R.) on the results obtained in each case; (C.) on the 
statistical data compiled or to be compiled tor the purpose of 
elucidating the problems of public hygiene. 
(2.) The periodical meeting of sanitary international con. 
fcrGnCGS# 
Mr. Chapman read a memoir on “Prostitution in England, 11 
and the Effects of the Measures decreed for the Extirpation of 
Venereal Diseases in the British Army.” His conclusions look 
toward the rejection of the regulation of prostitution. 
M. Sigmund recognized the happy effects of the regulating 
measures recently taken at Vienna, which have resulted in a 
decrease in the number, gravity, and duration of venereal dis- 
eases. 
Mr. Vlemingkx was astonished to find that the usefulness of 
those means should be doubted, and gave an expose of the “reg- 
ulation visits” and the mode of admission of women in civil 
hospitals, and venereal subjects in military hospitals. 
M. Pini, of Milan, deplored that that anti-regulation propa- 
ganda of English doctors, is not restricted to England, but ex- 
tends to the Continent. He believed the public laws, especially 
as they exist in Italy, unjust and inefficient. 
M. Verity pointed out cases of non-sexual contagion, and in- 
sisted that by the aid of authorized publications the public should 
be warned against this mode of infection. 
M. Vlemingkx believed that liberty of prostitution in England 
would contribute a great danger to the Continent. Hygiene 
must be international; and he invoked the common action of 
all nations. He cannot conceive how a nation which has de- 
creed vaccination obligatory, does not take measures against 
syphilitic infection. 
M. Chapman, supported by his statistical labors, was of the 
opinion that regulations against prostitution develop and pro- 
mote clandestine prostitution, and as such militate against their 
purpose. 
M. Sigmund referred to the regulations in use in the admis- 
sion of venereal subjects in the hospitals of Vienna. 
M. Drysdale did not believe in the efficacy of the measures 
taken by the Brussels administration, and gavo some data in 
support of his views—the exactness of which was questioned by 
the President. 
Sitting of the 24th session. M. Vlemingkx presiding. Min- 
utee read, etc. 
M. Carpenter read the conclusions of the 1st section on 
“Alcohol in Therapeutics,” by Dr. Desguin, of Antwerp. The 
section is of the opinion that the indications for the use of alco- 
hol either in acute or chronic diseases, is infinitely less than the 
too enthusiastic partisans of that therapeutic measure have pre- 
tended. And furthermore, under certain circumstances, where 
the therapeutic value of alcohol is recognized, the indications 
can be better fulfilled by other agents. In these cases he does 
not hesitate to recommend those agents and to proscribe alco- 12 
hoi, fearing that the recommendation by the physician would 
be construed, by the vulgar, as a license for its use, beside de- 
tracting considerably from scientific authority for the use of al- 
cohol. The only circumstance which establishes the necessity 
of administering alcohol, and when that agent cannot be re- 
placed by any other, is the certainty of anterior alcoholic habits. 
In these cases alcohol becomes indispensable. 
The conclusions of the 5th section were read by M. Janssens; 
reporter, M. Depaire, Prof, at the University of Brussels. 
Subject, “ The Manufacture of Beer. ” 
(1.) The grading of beer can only be applied to fermented 
beverages prepared by the aid of cereals and hops. 
(2.) No foreign substances can be introduced in beer for the 
purpose of replacing the articles named wholly or in part. 
(3.) Substitutions of this kind must be considered as falsifi- 
cation constituting a fraud as to the nature of the article sold, 
even when not injurious to the health. 
(4.) However, all substances proper to give to beer either a 
swreet taste, a greater limpidity, a longer preservation, or a sui- 
table color, may be used if they exert no injurious action on the 
health. 
M. Gaetano Pini explained the school for rachitic children, 
which he has established at Milan, and the results obtained by 
his method of treatment. 
Sitting of September 25. The President in the chair. Min- 
utes of the last meeting adopted, etc. 
M. Thiernesse remarked that an establishment similar to that 
described by M. Pini in the last session, had existed and been in 
operation sometime in Ixelles. 
M. Delstanche read the conclusions of the 7th section. Re- 
porter, Dr. Ch. Delstanche. Subject, “ On the Defects of the 
Auditory Organ, as regards the Military Service. 
After several other reports had been read the Congress ad. 
journedto meet in Switzerland in 1877. 
I would add, in conclusion, that a telegram was received from 
Dr. Wm. B. Atkinson, of Philadelphia, inviting this organiza- 
tion to convene in that city in honor of the centennial of 1876. 
The telegram was enthusiastically received; but before its 
reception arrangements had been completed for holding the next 
meeting. The American delegation was informed, however, that 
representatives would be sent to participate in the ceremonies 
on that occasion. 
In this connection, we would notice the fact that arrangements 
have been made to hold an International Medidcal Congress at 
Philadelphia in 1876; but whether it has any direct connection 
with the Congress just held does not appear. If this be true, 
there will be in existence two such organizations. We would 
suggest the 'combination of the apparently rival and opposing 
bodies. Geo. W. Wells, M. D.