used and in 5.14 per cent. where it was used. Dr. F. Gordon Morrill of the Children's Hospital, Boston, reports that in 438 immunizing injections given between January 13th and May 13th, 1895, "he failed to observe any dangerous symptoms arise from immunization excepting in one case, a boy, aged two, with leucocytosis and a large spleen, temperature of 105.4 and considerable dema about the point of injection, cold baths and brandy soon made him better." He also speaks of the occasional appearance of erythema and urticaria. Virchow says, that “Even when disagreeable by effects have proved to occur here and there, they were not sufficient to dissuade him from continuing the treatment." And last, but by no means least, it gives me pleasure to present to you the very recently expressed opinions of Dr. S. H. Durgin, a former president of the American Public Health Association and at present president of the Boston Board of Health. Health DEPARTMENT, Dr. Edward R. Campbell, Bellows Falls, Vt. DEAR SIR :-Your letter asking for my opinion in regard to the "Serum Treatment of Diphtheria,” is at hand. In reply I beg to say that the effect of the use of antitoxin in the treatment of diphtheria in the Boston City Hospital has been to reduce the mortality about one-half. The last 113 completed cases treated at the City Hospital, and of which we happen to have a report within a few days, resulted as follows. There were 23 deaths and 90 recoveries. Of these deaths at least 15 of the 23 entered the hospital with severe sepsis, which would leave eight deaths out of 98 cases that could reasonably have been expected to be cured, which gives a mortality, taking the whole 113 cases, of 25 per cent., whereas the mortality at the City Hospital in ordinary times was over 50 per cent. If we exclude the 15 cases of severe sepsis, we should have a mortality of only 10 per cent. With the vast accumulation of data showing the remarkable success of this treatment, it seems to me there can be but one verdict on the part of the medical profession. I am a strong believer in the power of antitoxin in diphtheria and also in its immunizing influence on the human subject. I will enclose an article written by F. Gordon Morrill, M. D., on the "Immunizing Effects of Antitoxin," which may also interest you. Believe me, Yours very truly, S. H. DURGIN, M. D. Also the opinion of Dr. Biggs, Bacteriologist to N. Y. City Board of Health : HEALTH DEPARTMENT, No. 301 MOTT ST., NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 1895. Dr. Edward R. Campbell, Bellows Falls, Vt. : MY DEAR DOCTOR :-In reply to your inquiry as to my opinion of antitoxin, I would say that my opinion has never changed since my first full knowledge of this remedy was obtained, about one year ago. I believe that it is a specific for the treatment of diphtheria when administered early in the course of the disease, that its use has given far better results than any other method of treatment, that it is attended with no serious after effects, and that by its use the mortality from this disease may be diminished to at least a third of the average mortality before its discovery. Protection may also be conferred for short periods of time against diphtheria, by the administration of small quantities of serum. I am, very sincerely yours, HERMANN M. BIGGS. From my own limited experience with the antitoxin treatment of diphtheria and the extensive experience tabulated by others during the past year, it seems to me that the "preponderance of evidence," as our legal friends would term it, is very much in favor of the serum, and I have faith to believe that what we now see in serum therapy is the glimmer of the rising sun of progress and not "simply a 'will-o'-the-wisp,' shining to lure the traveler from the true paths into unknown depths." Diabetes Mellitus. By F. C. Morgan, M. D., Felchville. MR. PRESIDENT : Gentlemen: On account of the complexity of this subject, it is in a very submissive temperament that I consider it before you, but as we all should be working to stimulate the progress of modern research, each member of the fraternity has his ideas and theories and should make them known, in order that in some way by combination of thought difficult problems may in time be solved. Entertaining these principles, I have constructed a theory which may be nothing novel, but somewhat different from what I have chanced to observe. First, the term Diabetes Mellitus is derived from the Greek which signifies a sweet substance flowing through. We all appreciate the gravity of diagnosis; and certainly in order to arrive at a reasonable decision of the locations of various lesions, it is obvious that the primitive elements, characterizing any bodily or mental derangement, must be thoroughly understood. With great reverence for our medical forefathers and also modern writers, for their labors to clearly understand this subject and cause us to, in a great measure their efforts have been futile and it is not at all wonderful that they should be. Perhaps as much time has been taken in the study of this disease as almost any other unless it be tuberculosis. Experiments have been made on lower animals and it is barely possible, on some occasions on some of the higher order; and although the laymen, as we have often heard, are decidedly opposed to vivisection, I feel that in this particular direction, by this means, the shadow of misunderstanding has been partially removed. One of the great prime factors in the ultimate success of the physician and surgeon is the etiology of disease. Many mistakes in diagnosis, which from the Greek means to know throughout," have probably been made by all of us, in being in a hurry and slighting the circumstances surrounding the commencement of disease. In consideration that all effects have their causes let us proceed to examine the early portion of this subject. There is no doubt that there are many times hereditary influences governing diabetes, illustrated by its frequent occurrences among the Hebrews; its appearance in connection with gout and obesity. Climate, also, seems to have a great influence on the disease according to investigations by Purdy, the rate of mortality being greater in cold and moist than in mild and dry regions, and a greater death rate with increase of altitude. There is no doubt that meutal activity is an important etiological factor, as improvement in cases largely depends upon restraint from brain-work. Von Mering and Minkowski have recently demonstrated the close relationship of glycosuria and abnormalities of the pancreas. With entire removal of this organ or disease enough to |