Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 1.djvu/34

 to my applications in behalf of the association, would be vain. I will only, therefore, declare that the impression made on my mind is such as time will not efface, and that my gratitude is too great for words to express. A committee has for some time been engaged, whose endeavour has been to take advantage of the suggestions made by our numerous correspondents, and the results of their labours have been for some time widely circulated amongst the members of the profession, in a prospectus, which recites the following as the principal objects to which the attention of the association will be directed.

1st.—Collection of useful information, whether speculative or practical, through original essays, or reports of provincial hospitals, infirmaries, or dispensaries, or of private practice.

2nd.—Increase of knowledge of the medical topography of England, through statistical, meteorological, geological, and botanical enquiries.

3rd.—Investigation of the modifications of endemic and epidemic diseases, in different situations, and at various periods, so as to trace, so far as the present imperfect state of the art will permit, their connexions with peculiarities of soil or climate, or with the localities, habits, and occupations of the people.

4th.—Advancement of medico-legal science, through succinct reports, of whatever cases may occur in provincial courts of judicature.

5th.—Maintenance of the honour and respectability of the profession, generally, in the provinces, by promoting friendly intercourse and free communication of its members; and by establishing among