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7v *-ss '^T'

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

DEUVBKBD AT THB

ANNUAL MEETING

OF THB

CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

OTTATVA, SEPT. IS, 188S.

GEOEGE ROSS, A.M., M.D., | T

Profkssob of Clinical Medicine, McGJill Bnivkr81tt.

MONTREAL :
GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY.

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RE-PRINTED FROM THE "MONTREAL MEDICAL JOURNAL," OCT.. 1898.

■I

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

Delivered at the Annual Meeting op the Canadian

Medical Association, at Ottawa, on the

12te September, 1888.

By George Ross, A.M., M.D., Montreal.

Gentlemen :—My first duty is to thank the members of the
Canadian Medical Association for the great, and I may add,
entirely unsought, honor .f being called upon to serve as its
President. Having been absent from last year's meeting, my
election to this important position at that time was still more a
source of surpri'^e, but, nevertheless, of much gratification. If
a simple loyalty to this Association as one of the rank and file,
and humble efforts to sustain it by regular attendance and an
occasional contribution, entitle one to any recognition, I may
fairly claim that much. To moi-o than that I lay no claim, and
I know it is only the indulgent goodwill of my friends and fellow-
members which has procured for me this great honor, one which
I can assure them I duly appi-eciate, and I shall always endeavor
to give them no reason to consider their kind confidence mis-
placed.

He whose duty it is to address officially an important meet-
ing of this kind may well claim to be overwhelmed by an em-
harras de richesses. No restriction is placed upon his choice of
a subject, and the field is practically limitless. To select is in-
deed diflScult, and even when that diflSiCulty has been overcome,
there remains the still greater one of so presenting it as to be
deserving of your attention. Following after so many eminent
predecessors, it is, I can assure you, no false modesty, but a
sense of genuine incapacity for the task which has been con-
stantly present with me.

It may not be amiss, on an occasion like the present, to take
a hasty sui-vey of the general standing and prospects of the pro-

feesion in the Dominion, and to consider whether it be pro-
gressing as it should. In a young country like this, progress is
exceedingly rapid in almost every department of life — in trade
and commerce and agriculture — in the building of cities and
the opening of great lines of railway, extensive syp terns of
telegraphy, and other public works on a commensurate scale —
in the establishment of public schools and the foundation of
universities — in the consolidation of the professions and giving
them their proper status — and a comparatively few years
work changes which are rapid indeed in comparison with the
more steady ways of older and more settled parts of the world.
When we think that the Confederation, just like this Associa-
tion of ours, is only even now of age, — that, up to that time,
we were but a few weak provinces, with diverse interests, and
without any common bond — and that to-day, only twenty-one
years later, we are a vigorous and lusty young nation, with
territories extending across a whole continent and touching
on either side the two great oceans of the world, territories
with a climate of the most varied and salubrious character,
containing vast riches and unbounded possibilities for the
present and for future generations — temtories which are
rapidly increasing in population by natural increment and by
the yeai'ly addition of many thousands of settlers from other
lands — ^when we consider all this, it well concerns us to ask,
What has been the record of the medical profession during
this time ? It has been a time of wonderful activity in all the
centres of learning. A time during which an almost entire
revolution has been wrought in the science of medicine and in
the methods adopted for the teaching of the same. A time
during which the keenest minds have been directed to the
elucidation of innumerable problems in those sciences which
form the basis of medical doctrine and practice — Anatomy
Physiology, Biology and Chemistry. A time in which the
whole pj-actice of surgery has been changed — been based upon
principles entirely hew, but proved by the severest tests of
experience to be founded upon unalterable laws — a change bo
great that the accomplished student of twenty years ago would
find himself to-day committing the most egregious enormities
and sinning perpetually against the fii-st elements as now

understood. A tirao in which a generous rivalry has been
kept up between the two groat departments of Medicine and
Surgery, and, great and startling as has been the progress in
the latter, it is doubtful if the advances in the former have not
been fully equal, or even greater. For, whilst Lister and his
followers have abundantly shown to the world the enormous
importance of what we now call " surgical cleanliness " (a
ti'uth till now never properly appreciated), Pasteur, Koch
and others have been searching for the true cause and preven-
tion of cholera, hydrophobia, and the other great scourges of
mankind. Animalcular life, and its bearing upon the diseases
of man and animals, has assumed an importance heretofore
undreamt of: and the science of Bacteriology has sprung at
once into the forefront as an absorbing pursuit, already fruit-
ful of wonderful results which have opened up a boundless
field for investigation, thought, and research I A time in
which Preventive Medicine has begun to occupy the place to
which its importance justly entitles it. Before this period,
sanitary science was but in its infancy, sanitary laws were
little understood, and sanitary regulations seldom enforced.
Now, the questions of sanitary legislation attract the attention
and occupy the minds of the highest statesmanship. The more
civilized the country, the more widely is knowledge of public
health matters disseminated, the more carefully are statistics
collected, the greater the skill and talent exhibited to cope
with the difficulties surrounding the sanitary legislator. In
fact, there is now no better test of the intelligence and real
civilization of a community than estimation of the attention
given to the enforcement of sanitary laws and the degree of
diffusion of sound sanitary knowledge. A time in which the
public have begun to appreciate the importance to themselves
of having a constant supply of thoroughly educated young
medical men— men learned in all the learning of the day--
who, scattered throughout the land, may be ready to apply to
them in their need all the resources of modern medicine.
Wealthy laymen, acting upon this belief, have endowed hos-
pitals and schools of medicine with funds sufficient to enable
them to teach them medicine as medicine should be taught.
Bright examples of this are found in the great gifts to the

Johns-Hopkins Hospital ivnd Univorwity in Baltimore and tho
munificont donations to the College ofPhyHicianH tmd Sur/^eons
of New York. The name sentiment douhtless animated tho
generous donoi-8 of the endowment fund to McCJill UidverHity,
and tho gentleman who has so mueh enhanced the teaching
capability of tho University of Toronto. Lot us hope that
these instances of far-seeing, public-spirited, and open-handod
men giving of their abundance for an object denigned to be of
service to the whole country, will notfail to direct many others
towards one way of doing much good in their generation.

It has been ii time when the system of medical education has
been undergoing a gradual change. Tho period opens with
the old-fashioned medical school — a few professors, a largo
number of didactic lectures upon a few subjects — practical
anatomy being the only branch taught in a truly demonstrative
manner— "walking the hospitals " beginning to be supplanted
by some clinical teaching. The transition stage is now — the
professors are numei-ous, the didactic lectures arc fewer, the
subjects taught have multiplied many times, practical anatomy
is thoroughly worked up, and the student is obliged to pass
through several other laboratories, and acquire a practical and
personal acquaintance with the other branches of the curricu-
lum. Old-fashioned "walking the hospitals " is a thing of the
past, and, instead, the greatest attention is paid to organizing
systematic attendance upon the wards, systematic case-taking,
and systematic lecturing upon the cases by a special staff. A
time during which we have witnessed the development within
the profession of a number of specialties. Specialism is an
accomplished fact, and on the whole, the profession has been
the gainer by its establishment. The advantages of division
of work and devotion to one branch of practice are great and
obvious, and, I believe, counterbalance to a great extent the
objections that are urged against specialism. Like many other
systems good in themselves, it is open to abuse, may readily
be overdone, or may be cultivated by uuAvorthy members.

Such are a few of the more striking changes which have
been accomplished during the time that this Association has
been slowly coming of age. At the time of its inauguration,
there was much enthusiasm, and all minds were full of

■ I

tho groat poseibilltioH for the future from tho confederation of
the provinces. No narrow or provincial ideas were to bo
entertained, and all regulations concerning medical education
and tho practice of UK^dicine, it was expected, would be assim-
ilated for tlie wliole Dominion. This Association started bravely
forward on this basis, imbued with the idea tliat it had a groat
missii)!! to fulfil. Committees were appointed, and elaborate
reports prepared upon "The best moans for General Education,"
upon "A Unif(u-m System of Licenses," upcm "Eegistration
and Vital Statistics for tho entire Dominion," and upon "A
Code of Ethics for the whole Profession." During several
years much labor was bestowed upon these subjects, and tho
greater share of time at the meetings was given to their dis-
cussion. It then, however, became apparent to tho members
that, in devoting their energies to working out schemes for
medical legislation, much valuable time was being absorbed,
and the results pi-oduced were by no means commensurate
thoi-owith. The Act of Confederation, by taking away from
the Federal authorities the governance of educational matters,
loft each province free to look after tlieso in its own way!
Thus, at the present time, we find a curious complexity of
medical legislation in Canada — there being no uniformity
amongst the provinces in regard to matriculation, to curricu-
lum, or to qualification for practice.

It is to be hoped that, bofoi-e long, some ari-angomont may
be come to by which, at least, a Dominion Medical Eogistor
may be established at Ottawa, so that, on entry therein, it will
be possible to practice medicine throughout the Dominion.
It is, pei-haps, possible that this can bo eifected without preju-
dice to the functions of the separate official bodies Avhich now
govern tho medical affairs of the different provinces. In some
such way alone can tho existing anomalies be remedied, and
the present undesirable confusion bo removed.

Compare tho general condition of the medical profession in
Canada with that prior to the time wo are speaking of, and,
in so doing, look just for a moment at the condition then and
now of the leading medical schools of this country. The num-
ber of students in attendance was often sufficiently large, per-
haps sometimes nearly as large as even in some recent^years.

The curriculum was by no moans short, for it covered four
full years, but it wtis compoHcd almost entirely of didactic lec-
tures and some clinics upon genorul medicine and surgery.
The courHc was not distinctly graded, but divided only into a
primary and a tinal department. Now, the staff of teachers
presents a long array— the subjects are divided up bo as to
allow each one to devote his attention exclusively to a parti-
cular department. Many special departments have been added,
and skilled teachers placed in charge. Above all, the impor-
tance of laboratory work is lully recognized, and in every year
a full share of time and attention is exacted for practical work
on the part of every student. Hospitals have been enlarged and
extended and the work divided and specialized. Carefully-con-
ducted cliniques are the ordei- of the day, and the material, both
interne and externe, is fully utilized for teaching purposes.
Summer sessions — some voluntaiy, some compulsory — have
been established at nearly all the schools, and several months
of the best kind of teaching is thus placed at the disposal of
the student of to-day. The standard of examinations is high,
as shown by the percentage of rejections and by the excellent
standing so generally attained by Canadian students both at
the examinations of our local provincial boards and also
abroad. Is it not certain that, with such marked advance in
the facilities for sound medical education, the graduates of
recent years must bo correspondingly more competent and
more thoroughly fitted for their important duties than those
who preceded them ?

In the general profession there have been many evidences of
a better condition of things than formerly prevailed — of a
greater interest in the scientific side of medicine and a desire
not to practice our Art fi-om a purely perfunctory or purely
financial point of view. The best evidence of this is the for-
mation of medical societies. These have sprung up on every
side — provincial, county and local societies, — and it is most
encouraging to observe how actively and energetically many
of these are maintained, — good papers read, good discussions
held, and a spirit of emulation evinced in correct observation
the thoughtful care of cases, and their systematic and accui'ate
recording. The difficulties encountered in keeping up such

societies are often groat. Our population is still a mostly
scattered one, and mombers have often to go long dintances
and saci-itico mu(!h time in order to attend : — but the gain is
worth it all. The best men of every town and every country
side will always be found the keenest supporters of their own
medical society. Our Canadian physician.s, too, are beginning
to write more than formerly— not, perhaps, even yet as much
or as often as they should— but they maintain medical journals
which are alive and active and are a credit to their country
and to their contributors. There are now in Canada nc less
than four English and two French monthly journals, all appa-
rently prosperous. Nor are the contributions of Canadian
writers confined to this country. Many of our prominent men
are frequent and valued contributors to, and correspondents of,
the best of the American journals.

It may be said that, in drawing this comparison between the
condition of the profession now and that when this Association
began, I have presented an optimistic view and one not alto-
gether warranted by the facts, but I think not so. I believe
that, great as has been the progress of science in these years,
great as has been the progress of the country in material pros-
perity, the medical profession may fairly claim that it has not
lagged behind :— that it has always had such leaders to frame
its policy and Huch earnest and devoted and able men in its
schools as have kept it fully abreast of the busy and stirring
times in which we live. Has this Association done its share in
secui'ing such a state of things ? The programme it laid out
for itself at the outset, as I have already shown, was very ex-
tensive ; it was too extensive for any society to carry out. This
was soon perceived, and from the time that the Association got
away from the business of framing bills which were never to
be enacted, and discussing schemes which came to naught, and
settled down to its legitimate work of fostering a scientific
spirit in its members, encouraging them to produce good liter-
ary work, urginjs them to original observation, helping them
to good understanding amongst themselves, assisting in the
maintenance of a high standard of ethics, promoting sociability
and good-fellowship— then it succeeded, its meetings were in-
structive, useful in many ways, and thoroughly enjoyable. It

has no feeling of rivalry towardH any other society, and I trust
none is felt by them towards it. Each has its own sphere of
usefulness, and can accomplish its own good ends, without de-
tractmg in any way from the necessity for a general re-union
of this kind. This Province of Ontario has successfully organ-
^ed an active and thcrougLlj admiraole society; other of the
Provinces Iiave done the same, and it is only a source of regret
to many of us from the old Province of Quebec, that circum-
stances have not favored our following their excellent example.
This Association, I am convinced, has done much good, and
will, I nope, continue to do much more in the years to come
For instance, though failing to carry through such compre-
hensive measures as were at first contemplated both in educa-
tional matters and in matters of State medicine, yet this Asso-
ciation has been again and again occupied in considering the
important subject of general hygiene ; and, at many of its
meetir . discussions which have taken place and the reso-

ution, i have aided very materially in promoting such

legislat.- ..s has been secured bearing upon the public health.
Indeed, it must needs be that expressions of opinion from a
meeting of the profession, representing all sections of the
country, should command the attention of those who control
these matters. The need still existing for further exertions in
this direction is emphasized by the lamentable apathy ex-
hibited in so many cases where the public health is in ques-
tion. The etiology of typhoid fever may be said to be pretty
thoroughly understood ; but, even in the face of violent out-
bi-eaks of that di.^ea.e in some of our Canadian cities, wnat
want of intelligence, and what unwillingness to be governed
by competent medical opinion ! What incapacity to realize
the extent of injury done to the community-, the cruel, unne-
cessary loss of life, with all the suffering attendant thereon !
A town near Montreal was recently thus affected to a most
alarming extent, diarrhoea was almost universal, typhoid fever
was very pi-evalent and deaths were numerous. The visitation
became notorious, and was much commented upon in the press.
The facts were amply sufficient to show two things : 1st, That
the water supply was contaminated with sewage. 2nd, The
manner in which the contamination was effected. Local health

board there was none, and the disease for months continued
Its ravages to such an extent that the locality was shunned by
every intelligent traveller, while the poor inhabitants suffered
and died. It is a reflection upon the intelligence of the age
that such a thing could be, and it is a i-eflection upon some of
our sanitary organizations that no sufficient pressure was ex-
erted to remedy the evil as soon as its cause was fairly deter-
mined. It is the duty of every member of this noble profession
to render all the assistance in his power towards the further-
ance of good and effective legislation bearing upon local and
general sanitation, and to aid in the dissemination of sound
literature upon hygienic subjects. Many examples similar to
the above might be quoted to show that we are yet very far
from the position in which we should be, in accordance with
the advanced teachings of the present day.

One subject which, it will be observed, from the very founda-
tion of the Association, commanded its attention, and upon
which much time and labor has been bestowed by individual
members at different times, is that of a Dominion Registration
Act. It would be futile at the present day to offer arguments to
show the importance of accurate and reliable vital statistics.
A good deal has been accomplished in this direction, here and
there by local efforts, and in some instances by provincial
action, but we are very far indeed from the attainment of that
comprehensive system which this Association decided at its
early meetings to endeavor earnestly to obtain. It is indeed
active members of this Association who have been largely in-
strumental in educating public opinion on the subject, and in
pushing forward such measures of reform as have been reached •
and It IS to hoped that the same members, with many others
to assist them, will continue their laudable efforts until much
better i\;iults are obtained.

The Association adopted a Code of Ethics, and a very good
code It IS. There is only one point to which I would allude in
connection with the attitude of medical men towards each
other, and that is with reference to cases of alleged malprac-
tice. Nothing is more injurious to the best interests of the
profession than the wretched lawsuits of this kind which are
so lamentably common in certain sections of this country— only

in certain sections, for I am happy to say that elsewhere they
are of very rare occurrence, and in some favored localities are
practically unknown. There can be only one explanation of
this striking difference, viz., that such contentions are origin-
ated and fomented by unworthy physicians who adopt this
means of harassing and injuring a competitor. Everyone knows
that, if medical men were true to each other, these unhappy
disputes would hardly over be begun— that, if rancor and ill-
feehng were jealously guarded against, and only fair and rear
sonable opinions expressed, we should not be called upon to
witness those painful exhibitions of a house divided against
itself. This is a sore blot upon the boasted claims of the medi-
cal profession to engender feelings of mutual charity and good-
will. The main remedy for this consists in the cultivation of
the true scientific spirit, in keepinp- up connections with our
medical societies, in indulging our natural social tendencies
and preserving that natural pride which produces the desire
to stand well with our fellows, especially those whose good
opinion is worth having. I am sure it is the earnest wish of
every member here present that the scandal of these malprac-
tice suits may yearly become fewer in this Canada of ours, to
the great advantage of the whole profession.

Again. Has this Association advanced in membership and in
influence as it should during the course of these years ? As
regards the first of these questions, it is not possible to give an
answer in figures, for the reason that the method of recording
our membership has been very loose j but, on looking at the
minutes of the early meetings, it is seen that the attendance
was large, and that the distant provinces were extremely well
represented. As much cannot be said for the later meetings
at which, though the actual number present has been good,
yet the attendance from the maritime provinces is noticed as
having greatly fallen off. It is also matter for regret, that our
French-Canadian confreres, many of whom were amongst the
founders, and who came in large numbers to the early gather-
ings, have gradually ceased attending till, now, a very few
only of the more literary-minded and enthusiastic of them
unite with us in keeping up our national Association. It may
be that the difficulty of using two languages has had some-

f"5

thing to do with this. I should like to see this difficulty over-
come, and the Association strengthened by the hearty support
of oui- brethren from the old Province of Quebec. It should
be remembered that, at the International Congress, three
languages— French, German and English— were recognized,
and a speaker could address the meeting in any of these.

A suggestion made in the presidential address of last year
deserves, I think, to be repeated, as no action was taken upon
it, and it seems feasible and promises to be useful. It was pro-
posed that a committee might be named to take into considera-
tion a scheme arranging for a closer connection of some kind
being brought about between this Association and the various
provincial and local societies already in existence. Any sugges-
tion which will add to our membership and increase the inter-
est taken in our work, is worthy of being carefully considered.
Without having looked into the question, I am not prepared to
say just how this can be accomplished, but, if the meeting
think with me in the matter, it will be competent for it to
take action in that direction.

Another task which it has been thought suitable for this As-
sociation to undertake, and which was fully laid before the
meeting last held in this city, was, to bring before the proper
authorities the questien of medical experts at coroners' inquests,
lam not aware that anything was done, though the importance
of it was strongly dwelt upon by the reader of the address. The
value of such expert evidence would probably be admitted by
any educated layman ; but we medical men apj)reciate much
more fully the difference between the opinion of the average
practitioner and that of a thorough pathologist who is con-
stantly making autopsies and conducting pathological inves-
tigations of various kinds: and when we think of the
enormous interests so often hanging upon such opinions, we
might well consider it a duty te seek some means for skilled
evidence being furnished when the object is to determine the
cause of death in a doubtful case.

My predecessor in this chair offered, in his address, some
timely advice to his confHres upon the necessity for allowing
themselves a due amount of recreation at reasonable intprvals,
and he draws a disheartening, but perfectly true, picture of the

results of neglecting this important matter. In accordance
with such sound doctrine, I last month rested from my labors
and npent twenty days m our Great North- West. There is
something particularly attractive to the Eastern city-man in
seeing sometliing of the open and free life of our great plains,
ranches, mountains and Western coast. Having myself derived
much pleasure, profit, and 'renewed health from this short tour
in the Western Provinces, I would say to any of my medical
friends who feel jaded or overworked, try the tonic eifect of a
combination of fresh lake breezes, balmy prairie winds, keen
mountain air, and soft ozone draughts from the Pacific Ocean.
The variety is charming, and whilst the body is being refreshed
and renovated, the mind is being delighted with some of the
finest scenery in the world. Upon the route, one spot in par-
ticular engages the attention and excites the interest of all
medical visitors. I refer to the hot sulphur springs at Banff,
which are only now becoming known, and are not nearly as
well known as their merits entitle them to be. The springs,
as every one is aware, are situated in the heart of the Rocky
Mountains, and in one of the most picturesque parts of that
wonderful region. The gteaming water, clear as crystal, bursts
forth in unlimited quantities high np on a grand mountain
side, some four thousand feet above the sea-level. It is strongly
sulphurous and its medicinal properties are of a high grade.
Such springs are sufficiently rare, there being but two or three
of any note even in the whole of the United States, and, most
assuredly, none of these possess the additional attractions of
this choice locality— exquisite lofty mountains, affording a sur-
rounding panorama of truly Alpine character, and a lovely
valley containing a broad blue river which has well been com-
pared to the great Ehone of European fame. The natural
attractions of Banff would alone suffice to draw multitudes of
pleasure-seekers there, and, as the value of these natural waters
becomes more appreciated, it is certain that more and more of
our patients will be sent there every year. Apart even from
those who would go to drink the waters, there is another class
of invalids that I believe could be sent to this high region with
the happiest results. The Davos-Platz in Switzerland has been
gaining greatly in favor in England and elsewhere as a winter

resort for cases of phthisis in an early stage, and for those who
may be looked upon as disposed to tubercular disease on ac-
count of family tendencies or defective physique. This resort
is high in the Alps, and the winter is rather severe, with an
abundance of snow, but there is plenty of sunlight. Neces-
sarily, our information concerning the meteorology of Banff is
yet extremely deficient, but, from all I could learn, the condi-
tions are very similar to those which have been found to
operate so beneficially in the case of Davos-Platz and such-like
Alpine sanitaria. As there is now an excellent hotel, with
every comfort, there is no difficulty as regards accommodation.
A proposition has actually been made by some members of this
Association that our meeting next year should take place at
the Eantf Springs, an idea which has much to commend it, but
will need to be carefully considered. The Nominating Com-
mittee will, as usual, take this matter up and report upon it to
the general meeting.

It is often asked. What becomes of all the medical graduates?
Lot any of you pass through that enormous extent of fertile
country traversed by our transcontinental railroad and observe
the villages and towns springing up like magic from one end
of it to the other— let him take note of the solid settlement of
large areas even away from the beaten track of the railway-
let him step off at any station and, more likely than not, he
will meet some young confrere who is quietly located there and
is growing up with the healthy growth of the town or the
country-district. The important mines in various parts, the
advancing railways, the great ranching posts, require the ser-
vices of still more medical men, and in connection with some
of these are to be found positions of trust and value unsurpassed
in the Dominion. In this way can be accounted for a large
number of the graduates from the l^]astorn schools, and it is
pleasant to find good opportunities thus opening out for Cana-
dian doctors in their own country.

It is my melancholy duty to have to refer to some distin-
guished members of our Association who have been called
away from amongst us during the past year. Of these, two
wore from the roll of oui' f -rmer Presidents, viz.. Dr. Marsden
of Quebec, and Dr. Botsloiv of St. John, N. B., both oriirinal

ft rt

founders, regular attendants, and well worthy of the hiffh
honor bestowed upon them. Dr. Marsden was a man of strong
individuality and remarkable tenacity of purpose. Taking a
lively interest in the affairs of this Association, his opinion
and assistance was much valued on account of his long expe-
rience and intimate acquaintance with all matters pertaining
to the medical profession. His outspoken expressions, and his
example of unswerving loyalty to the best interests of the pro-
fession, made him a prominent dgure at many meetings An
old man of keen intellect and without garrulity, full of anec
dotes concerning a now fast-fading generation, Dr. Marsden
will long be missed by those who had the good fortune to be
intimate with him. Everyone will remember the massive form
and fine head of our late friend, Dr. Le Baron Botsfoi-d. One
of our founders, and imbued with a lively faith in the possibil-
ities for good of this Association, he was always one of the
genuine workers, and was eager to assist in all good works
His greatest delight was to participate in discussion destined
to promote correct views about, and legislation upon, public
health and state medicine. A very noble, whole-souled gentle-
man, whose best thoughts and much of whose time were devo-
ted to the good of his fellow-man. Dr. Henry Howard, that
kindly and gentle physician— retiring, thoughtful, and given
to abstruse metaphysical enquiries, the best years of whose
life were given to the study of mental disease and to the care
of the mentally-afflicted. He it was who had the manliness to
condemn flagrant abuses in some of our public institutions and
at the risk of his official position, to call upon a timid govern-
ment to correct them. For this alone, if for nothing else his
country owes his memory a debt of gratitude. Amongst others
I may mention Dr. Eichard Zimmerman, for some time an
official of the Association and one of its warmest friends- Dr
John H. McCollom, Dr. W. N. Woodill. and Dr. Brouse, worthy
gentlemen all, who worthily served their generation, each in
his separate sphere, and reflected credit upon the high calling
of the physician.

You have, gentlemen, many and important subjects to engage
your attention. I trust that this Ottawa meeting, this coming,
of-age meeting, may long be remembered as one at which some

good scientific work was done, and something accomplished to-
wards forwarding the general interests of the profession, pi-o-
moting its dignity, and elevating it in the estimation of the
public.

In closing, I should like to say that it is always a great plea-
sure at these meetings to receive some of our canfrtres from
across the line. As members of a sister Association, we give
them a hearty welcome, and we are glad to have them partici-
pate in all our proceedings. Without prejudice to the political
leanings of any one, I am sure I express the views of all
when I say that in intei-national visiting and in scientific dis-
cussion, all we desire is the most absolute "unrestricted
reciprocity," and I am equally certain, from what I know of
their hospitable character, that our American cousins are
correspondingly pleased when we "retaliate" by joining the
meetings of the American Association.