Page:Science vol. 5.djvu/517

 Jvss 12, 188B.)

��SCIENCE.

��selves as deeply Impreaaed witb its value as a tbera- peuUc agent

Dr. F. C. [I^hattuck followed wltb an exceedingly interesting and scholarly paper upon the home treatment of conaurapUon.

The morning session on the 28th was opened by a paper from Dr. Ch. Dennlson of Denver, Col., upon a rule for the even division of climate. The ground was taken that dryness and elevation are the most Important elements of climate in the treatment of coDBiimptioii.

'The problem of iLCclimatizalion ' was the title of a paper read by Dr. I, H. Piatt of Brooklyn. The questioo of acclimBtlzation, although a long-vexed one, had never been satisfactorily dealt witb, partly, no doubt, because' most of the discuBsion antedated the advances of recent years in the scienees of biology and anthropology, especially as developed by the great principle of evolution. Facts were adduced to show the perfect adaptation of races to climates widely differing from their own. and which are at first injurious to thero. The acclimatization of the Spanish race in Peru, and of the French in Algiers, were cited as examples. The whole subject was but an application of the fundamental taw of biolt^y enunciated by Herbert Spencer, — that of adaptation to environment. In the adaptation of a race to new surroundings, the principle of natural selection would play an Important part. And the author took the ground, that, even in the acclimatization of an indi- vidual, the same law would And application, as the protoplasmic elements of the body would be subject to it in their growth and development. The sathor called attention to the exceedingly complicated nature of the problems presented by the action of the many elements of climate upon the human oi^anism, and themodlQcatlons and reactions effected therein, and the importance of their more thorough and systematic study.

The public session In the afternoon was opened by Dr. J. C. Wilson of Philadelphia, with a paper upon the climate of Florida ; and Dr. Keating, also of Philadelphia, followed with a paper upon the same subject. Both gentlemen took substantially similar views. Dr. Keating dwelling principally upon Uie climate of southern central Florida. This region is characterized by sandy soil, pine woods, and con- tinual sunshine. The climate is more equable than that of the northern portion of the state. The coun- ties of Orange and Orlando are the most favorable spots. There are good hotels, fine drives, and all the facilities for comfortable living. Tlie summer as well as the winter climate Is desirable. The doctor much preferred the central portion of the peninsula to either coast as a health resort.

Dr. E. Darwin Hudson, jun., treated of the results of the home treatment of consumption, contrasted with those of changed residence and climate, and presented cases in his own experience In which he had obtained favorable results where, for some rea- son, change of climate was inadmissible.

' Bay-fever and allied affections ' was the title of the contrllmlion of Dr. F. H. Bosworth of New York,

��A brief sketch was presented of the history of the various theories in regard to the causation of hay- fever, — first, that it is caused by the pollen o( rag- weed and other plants; second. Dr. Beard's theory of a nervous tendency, which he claimed was heredi- Ury; third, the llieory of Dr. Daily of Pittsburgh, that it was caused by hypertrophy of the nasal mu- cous membrane. Neither of these elements alone is capable of producing the disease: it is the effect of all three acting tc^ether; and the removal of anyone is sufficient to cure the disease. The most practical and radical method, however, is by attacking the hypertrophied mucous membrane. The doctor ex- plained the action of the hypertrophied membrane in causing the disease by its tendency to cause partial occlusloa of the anterior nasal passages, in eonse- qnence of which the effort of inspiration produces a rarefaction of the air behind the partially occluded portion of the passage, thus, by a process analogous to dry-cupping, producing turgescence of the local blood-vessels.

Dr. D. M. Cammann closed the proceedings with a history of the stethoscope, and the presentation of a modification of the Cammann stethoscope deviseii by ttimself.

A reception was given in the evening by the New- York members to the non-resident members. The papers read before the association will be published in full at an early dale in the Jfea-YoTk medical journal

The following oCHcers were elected for the coming year. President, Dr. William Pepper of Philadelphia. First vice-president. Dr. Frank Donaldson, Baltimore. Second vice-president, Dr. Beverly Kobinaon, New York, Secretary and treasurer. Dr. J. B. Walker ot Philadelphia. Council, Dr. E. D. Hudson, jun., New York; Dr. E. T. Bruen, Philadelphia; Dr. J. H. Ttndale, New York; Dr. J. C. Wilson, Philadelphia; Dr, F. H. Bosworth, New York.

��CUSVED BACILLI IN AIR AND WATER.

Mr. J. Heeiooubt {Compte" renifus, 1885, p. 1027) gives some interesting results of his investigations on the nature of carved bacilli, and their presence in the atmosphere. The researches were made during the recent cholera epidemic; and the following are his results: —

1°. In all water, no matter what Its source (spring- water, from cialema, running, or stagnant), there are curved bacilli of varying form and site, among which those of the same type as the cholera bacillus ate con- stantly found.

Of the various waters examined, some were taken from localities absolutely free from cholera; others were examined very lately, when the disease no longer existed; and most of them were used for drinking- purposea, and were of perfect quality.

2°. The constant presence of these micro-organisms in all kinds of water can only be explained by sup- posing the existence of their germs in the air; and to tost this, atmospheric dust was collected from dlf-

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