course than a properly selected mercurial treatment. Usually, the bichloride of mercury is given in doses of the one-eighth of a grain, three times a day, combined with a tonic or otherwise, as the case may be. If the induration be very great, and particularly if the patient has not taken mercurials before, it is sometimes advisable to use calomel or blu pill, keeping the gums slightly affected by it, for a few weeks, to be afterwards followed up by small doses of bichloride or the prot. iodide of mercury; every care being taken to preserve the patient's constitutional powers in as good a state as possible, by not pushing the remedies too fast, by giving tonics, by allowing fresh air, exercise, and appropriate good nourishment. The local treatment seems to me of secondary importance. You may, however, gain sometimes by mercurial ointment, the ointment of the iodid. potass., the tinct. of iodine applied to the scrotum, and the compression by adhesive plaster. Both of these cases have been ordered simply to wear the testicles in a suspensory bag, - keep the scrotum enveloped in an oil-silk covering, and apply twice a day some mercurial ointment. Some advise to tap the tunica vaginalis, and let out the collection of water. This is proper when the collection is large; but when small, it will take care of itself, and disappear as the testicle returns to its natural state. The success of this treatment, as I have before said, is very satisfactory; much the greater number of cases yielding to it entirely, with perfect restoration of the functions of the organ; but you must not be disappointed if the cure proceeds slowly. It is usually several weeks before any improvement can be discerned, and generally it requires some months to effect a perfect cure. As to the integrity of the organs after the cure, there is always some doubt. In a large majority, I think they remain perfect; but if the disease has been very severe, and very protracted, there is some risk that, after the enlargement is subdued, atrophy may take place. I cannot give you any data from which you may prognosticate such a result; I would only caution you in bad cases not to promise too much.

I cannot here go into detail with reference to the treatment of ordinary chronic orchitis; but in order to contrast the general plans of treatment in the two affections, let me remind you that in the latter disease you have a local inflammation modified by, but not dependent entirely on, a constitutional vitiation. Local treatment in the early stages of this disease, promises, therefore, much more advantage than in the insidious syphilitic form. The general remedies most suitable are rather those which invigorate the whole system, and particularly after the first or inflammatory stage has passed by. Attention to regimen, in respect to clothing, exercise, diet, change of air, sea-bathing, are of first importance. Scrofula, in some degree, is so apt to be mixed up with these cases, that I think iodine is, of all remedies, the most generally useful. It is best employed in the form of Lugol's Solution, or the iodid. ferri. Sir Astley Cooper recommends, in the chronic stage, very small doses of bichlor. hydrarg., which must be continued during a very long period. But the strongest point of contrast between the two diseases is found in the certainty with which the syphilitic affection yields to a well-directed

course of mercury, and the obstinacy with which a large number of the non-specific cases resist the best considered and the most faithfully applied plan of treatment.

One word as to the treatment of that large class of cases, of which qur third patient is an example, and which depend upon urethral irritation as their cause. The principle of treatment here is perfectly simple. I do not say that its application is as easy. Cure the urethral disease, and the testicle will take care of itself. Öf this fact, our patient is an illustration. He has been cured of his long standing gonorrhoea for two months, and although he has had nothing done for the testicles, they are far advanced on the road to restoration. Do not understand me to say that it is never necessary to do any thing for the testicles directly, in this sympathetic affection; but merely, that ordinary and mild remedies will soon bring about a cure, if the urethral disease upon which they depend, be thoroughly removed.

Surgical Statistics of the New York Hospital for 1854. By E. W. DERBY, M. D., Resident Surgeon.

The total number of admissions into this institution, during the past year, was 3,400, of which 1,606 were surgical.

The average deaths of the whole number (3,400) was ten per cent., including Coroner's cases; excluding them, 6 per cent.

The following is an enumeration of the surgical cases treated: Fractures.-Fractures of the skull (mostly compound), 34; of the vertebra, 8; of the pelvis, 10; clavicle, 23; patella, 4; ribs, 15; scapula, 3; jaw, 15; arm, 30; forearm, 46; hand, 18; thigh, 77; leg, 98. Total, 381.

Of amputations of the arm, 16 (deaths, 4); forearm, 8 (death, 1); thigh, 11 (deaths, 5); leg, 14 (deaths, 5); at shoulder-joint, 3 (death, 1). Partial amputations of foot, 5 (deaths, 2). Total amputations, 57 (deaths, 18).

To those unacquainted with the gravity of the cases requiring surgical interference, this may appear a large number of deaths; but it is not, considering the almost hopeless condition of the patients when admitted. Amputations not the result of an injury, rarely prove fatal.

Stabs of the chest and abdomen, 38; in two instances, the knife penetrated the left ventricle of the heart; one of these lived two days, the other six. In another case, there was protrusion of omentum, with hemorrhage, requiring the ligature of two vessels before it could be replaced. The man recovered. Gunshot wounds, 31; Contusions and injuries (exclusive of fractures), 403; burns, 69; syphilis, 267; gonorrhea, 93; strictures, 18 (four of which were operated upon, and successfully). Of Hospital-gangrene there were, during the summer, some 8 or 12 cases, but now the wards are unusually healthy. Tetanus, 6 cases, all of them fatal; treatment, by opiates and assafoetida. Operations upon tumors, 5; hydrocele of the cord, 1; removal of testicle, 1; hernia, 1; tracheotomy, 1; ligature of femoral artery, 1; brachial, 1; radial and

ulnar, 12; posterior-tibial, 1; common carotid, 1; and a number of minor operations, all successful.

Operations for urinary calculi, 3; two successful. For vesico-vaginal fistula (by Dr. Sims' sutures), 2; one successful. For ununited fractures (by Dr. Brainard's method), 3; two successful; the third did not succeed, and the arm was finally amputated. Fractures of the thigh admitted (united with deformity) and re-fractured, 2; in one, the limb was re-fractured sixteen weeks after the injury, and the shortening reduced from four inches to less than one.

Dislocations at shoulder, 12; at hip (reduced by manipulation), 3.
Skulls trephined, 13; tibia trephined for necrosis, 3.

E. W. DERBY, M. D., Resident Surgeon.

NEW YORK HOSPITAL, Feb. 17th, 1855.

Proceedings of Societies.

NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.
By one of the Editors.

Stated Meeting, February 7, 1855. Owing to the severity of the storm, there was a very small attendance of Fellows. In the absence of President Smith, Dr. Beadle, Vice President, took the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

A communication from Dr. J. W. Francis (President elect) was received and read, resigning his office, in consequence of severe domestic bereavement. After some discussion, the letter was laid on the table for consideration at a future meeting.

On motion of Dr. Pond the officers elect were requested, without further ceremony to take the places assigned them.

Reports of Committees.

Committee on Admissions reported through Dr. Vandervoort its organization. The Committee recommend as candidates for Corresponding Fellowship,

Dr. J. Guggenbuhl, of Abendberg, Interlachan, Switzerland.

Dr. F. Rilliet, of Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. E. Barthez, of Paris, France.

Dr. Jacob Bigelow, of Boston, Mass.

Owing to the small attendance, the balloting for these candidates was deferred until the next meeting.

Committee on Finance reported several bills, which were, on motion, ordered to be paid.

Committee on Sections. On motion of Dr. R. S. Kissam, the Academy confirmed the division of the Fellows into sections, as in the printed

notices, subject, however, to such changes as may be made at the request of the Fellows. On motion of the Secretary, duly seconded, the following Fellows were appointed Chairmen of the different sections, for the purpose of calling them together for organization.

Section on Anatomy and Physiology,

Robert Watts, M. D.
Wm. Detmold, M. D.
Isaac Wood, M. D.
Joel Foster, M. D.

J. E. Taylor, M. D.
C. Herschel, M. D.
J. G. Adams, M. D.

Vectis and Tractor.-Dr. Gardner exhibited an improved vectis and tractor, of his own invention, and explained its advantages over the old instrument. Referred to Section on Obstetrics.

Special Report of Treasurer.-In accordance with a resolution of the Academy, the Treasurer presented a report of the names of those Fellows who had refused to pay their dues when called on, up to January, 1854, and commenced the reading of it. Objections were offered to its further reading. A motion to suspend the reading was lost. The chair finally decided that the report was out of order, since the names of Fellows had been read who had not refused to pay their dues, but had, thus far, only neglected to pay them. An appeal being taken, the chair was sustained.

Dr. Bolton moved to strike from the list the names of all Fellows who have been in arrears for three years, or more. Dr. Stewart moved, as a substitute, that the Assistant Secretary be directed to insert in the printed notices, from this time until the 1st May next, that Fellows whose dues remain unpaid for three years or more, after said date, will be considered to have forfeited their Fellowship. Carried unanimously.

Prize Fund.-On motion of Dr. Corson, the following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to furnish the Treasurer with the list of contributors to the Prize Fund, in order that the amount may be collected,—and further, that the Prize Committee be authorized to publish the condition of said Prize in such Medical Journals as they may deem necessary and proper, at the expense of the Academy.

Election of Orator for 1855.-The Academy then went into an election for Orator, when John Watson, M. D., was declared duly elected by a very large majority (17 out of 24) of votes.

Nomination of Delegates to National Medical Association.-On motion of Dr. Pond, a committee of five was appointed by the chair to nominate delegates to the National Medical Association, and that they report at the next meeting. Drs. Pond, Van Pelt, Adams, Kissam, and Blakeman constitute the committee.

Notices. Complaints were made by a number of Fellows, that they did not receive the monthly notices. The Secretary was authorized to employ Swartz's post-office, as the government agent had not given satisfaction. Adjourned.

STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Medical Society of the State of New York was held at Albany, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of February. The weather was severely inclement, but this did not prevent an attendance of about sixty permanent members and delegates.

The Society was called to order by the President, Dr. Charles B. Coventry, of Utica, who read his inaugural address. During the first day of the session communications were received from several County Medical Societies.

Drs. Saunders and Goodrich were appointed a committee to invite the medical gentlemen of the Legislature to take seats as honorary members during the present session.

Drs. Monell, S. O. Vanderpoel, Carhart, Hoff, Bailey, Quackenbush, Chapin, Douglas, and Lansing, were invited to seats as honorary members.

Dr. Armsby presented the specimen of extra-uterine conception, which was presented by Dr. Parkhurst at the last annual meeting. The specimen had been dissected, and beautifully prepared for demonstration. Dr. Armsby read a paper on extra-uterine conceptions, which was referred to the Committee of Publication.

Dr. Phelps read a paper on dislocation of femur, and the reduction of the same without the application of force. Dr. Phelps concedes this operation first to have been performed by Dr. Philip Sing Physic, in the Pennsylvania Hospital, during the session of lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, in 1810-'11. This date is earlier, by five years, than the operation was performed by Dr. Nathan Smith, of Yale College, to whom Dr. Shumway gave the honor last year. He would only quote Dr. Shumway's motto, "Honor to whom honor is due."

Dr. Monell, of Newburgh, presented two specimens of dissecting aneurism of the aorta, one of which he deposited with Albany Medical College for use of Society.

Dr. Monell also read a paper concerning a remarkable case of insanity.

A committee was appointed to solicit the use of the Assembly Chamber, for the use of the Society on Wednesday evening.

Adjourned till 3 o'clock P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.-The Society met at 3 o'clock. The minutes of the morning session were approved.

The Treasurer, Dr. Van O'Linda, submitted his annual report. Dr. Monell read a paper on Epidemics, as they prevailed in Orange county during the last year. The paper was referred to the Committee of Publication.