Dr. J. Campbell of Galion reported a case of embolism, in which the diagnosis was uncertain, the symptoms grave and the disturbance of the circulation extremely severe, distinguished physicians differing widely as to the pathological conditions, and the autopsy revealed adhesions of the right lung and of the pericardum. Left lung compressed, left heart hypetrophied and stenosis of aortic orifice. On motion the case was referred to the committee on publication, and Drs. Hackendorn, Ridgway and Mitchell, who had seen the patient, were requested to give their views.
Dr. N. B. Ridgway reported a case of laceration of perinæum with operation within an hour, with complete success, on which remarks were made by Drs. Reed, Larimore and Kelley.
Dr. Kelley presented a clinical case of blindness in right eye of a girl, from the concussion of a snow ball striking the arch of the orbit.
The society adjourned to meet in Mansfield March 25, 1886.
J. F. Markel, Secretary.
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION.
ANNUAL MEETING HELD AT WASHINGTON, D. C., DEC. 8-12, 1885.
[By G. C. Ashmun, M. D., Health Officer, Cleveland, O.]
In the summer of 1873 a few gentlemen met at Long Branch, New Jersey, and organized as the “American Public Health Association.” At that time there were but few state boards of health, and local boards were not generally efficient; and it was one of the chief objects of the American Public Health Association to aid in the establishment of health and sanitary organizations throughout the country. Prominent among the original members of the association were gentlemen from the Mississippi valley. For a long time the cities and towns of that valley had suffered from visitations of yellow fever, and men had become somewhat enlightened by the good results obtained from the course pursued by certain officers during the war. Especially was this true in New Orleans, and the question was fairly raised whether local conditions were not responsible for the disastrous outbreaks which had occurred so frequently.
From 1873 to the present time, there have been annual meetings of the association, with a greatly enlarged membership. A large result of the efforts of the association and its members is seen in the national, state and local boards of health, and other sanitary organizations throughout the country. But three of the states are now without state organizations. The recent meeting in Washington was its “thirteenth annual,” and was as well attended and its members as enthusiastic as at any. The members were “welcomed” on behalf the medical fraternity of Washington by the venerable Dr. J. M. Toner, and by the district authorities through the President of the Board of Commissioners, Judge Edmonds. These remarks were followed by the usual address by the president of the association, Dr. Reeves of West Virginia.