jury, and not for the expert, and he should make no use of it in forming his opinion or giving his testimony. Much has been said and written recently respecting the value of higher powers of the microscope in distinguishing the corpuscles of man and the various mammals, but it is to be observed, however, that the conclusions of these writers and observers who claim superior advantages for the higher power instrument, do not materially differ from their former declarations that, if the corpuscles are more than 1'4000 of an inch they cannot with certainty be distinguished from those of man, no matter what the source may have been. These same results are reached with quite as great accuracy with a 1'12 or even a 1'5 objective in the hands of the other observers. Personally, I have had no exFrom my perience with the higher power instrument. own observation and from a careful perusal of the best and most recent authors, and the conclusions of the foremost hæmatologists such as Bell, Reyburn, Rees, Ewell, Farmand, Masson, Wormley, Wood and White, I am of the opinion that the corpuscles of the blood of man can, in no instance, with certainty, be distinguished from those of certain mammals in the present state of our knowledge. Obituary of Samuel T. Brooks, M.D. By W. J. Aldrich, M. D., St. Johnsbury, Vt. Mr. President and Members of the Vermont Medical Society : It is not often that your society and the Medical fraternity at large are called upon to endure so great a loss as has recently befallen you in the death of Dr. Samuel T. Brooks of St. Johnsbury. Few are there, indeed, who have not a personal knowledge of his strong character and his constant endeavor to strengthen and ennoble our profession in this fair State. For nearly half a century he had practiced medicine with success. What that means the silvered locks before me know far better than I can tell. It means years of hard work in acquiring a knowledge of medicine; it means a period of slow starvation while waiting for a practice; it means thence onward nights broken of rest, days heavy with solicitude and not one hour of the twenty-four to call one's very own. Such a character as Dr. Brooks deserves more than a passing notice, and if I go somewhat into detail it is because I believe it will meet the approval of this distinguished audience. Dr. Samuel T. Brooks was born at Stanstead, P. Q., December 28, 1823, and while a mere lad removed with his parents to Sherbrooke. He was educated in the schools of that place and at Dartmouth College, graduating from the latter institution in 1847. He then began the study of medicine at McGill College, Montreal, and in 1851 received his degree. Locatitng at his home in Sherbrooke, he practiced his profession until 1862, when he removed to St. Johnsbury, where he resided until his death, which occured on March 13th, last, after a period of two years of failing health. He was united in marriage June 6, 1855, to Miss Lucy Mills, of Colebrook, N. H., who survives him. Nine children blessed this union, all of whom are living except two, who died in infancy. Dr. Brooks was one of the oldest physicians in point of service in St. Johnsbury, and his practice was by no means confined to the limits of his home town. His mature judgment and ripe experience were in constant demand throughout northeastern Vermont. He was conservative rather than hasty in his decisions, and he possessed in a large degree that nice discrimination and calm judgment which are so essential to a successful practitioner. He was resolute, truthful, cheerful and sympathetic to his patients. His manner in the sick room was admirable. He knew how to console when consolation was needed, to encourage when encouragement was necessary. He was a tireless worker and a large reader, and he kept familiar with the latest progress in medicine and surgery. He was an active and honored member of the Vermont Medical Society and has held with dignity the offices of councilor, vice-president and president. It had a warm place in his affections and he showed his interest and pleas ure in the Society by attending the meetings when it was possible and by frequent contributions from his pen. Dr. Brooks was a member of the North Congregational Church and one of its deacons for over twenty-five years. He was an ardent disciple of the Great Physician and his professional duties were never allowed to interfere with his church work. No one was more constant in attendance upon all the services than he. Though in no sense a politician and never holding any political office, he was intensely interested in the welfare of his country and equally interested in the proper administration of town and village affairs. I like to recall him as he was a refined, courteous gentleman. Always neat in personal appearance, affable, generous and forgiving, he made a picture that will long linger in the minds of those who knew him. As a most respected, loved and honored husband and father, as a Christian gentleman, as a skillful and sympathetic physician, as a most worthy citizen of St. Johnsbury, his memory will ever be cherished by those nearest him in his life work. |