Dr. Benjamin Blackford, by William F. Drewry, M. D. Dr. William M. Edwards, by C. B. Burr, M. D., and Herman Ostrander, M. D. Dr. Charles H. Langdon, by Charles W. Pilgrim, M. D. Dr. D. D. Richardson, by Morris Guth, M. D. The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows: The Committee on Resolutions suggests that the Association recognize by a vote of thanks appreciation of the care taken by the Committee of Arrangements in preparing a most agreeable and pleasant meeting; and that this action include the officers of the McLean Hospital for the entertainment of Thursday afternoon, by which opportunity was given for the inspection of this progressive and beautiful institution. The committee feels particularly that Dr. Tuttle, in his dual capacity of host at the McLean Hospital and the resident member of the Committee of Arrangements has earned the gratitude of the Association. The comfort of the members was much increased by the proprietors of the Hotel Vendome placing a meeting room at their disposal and also in arranging a special dining room for their convenience and our thanks are tendered for these and many other attentions. (Signed) HENRY M. HURD, J. M. MOSHER, On motion, the report of the Committee on Resolutions was accepted and adopted. THE PRESIDENT.-The introduction of the President-elect is the next in order. I would request Dr. Macdonald and Dr. Burgess to escort Dr. Hill, the incoming President, to the Chair. (Applause.) It is a work of supererogation to introduce to this Association one so well known and so popular as my friend at the right. It is, however, one of the requirements of this office and I accept the pleasant duty. It becomes my privilege and pleasure to yield this gavel to one worthy to wield it and to bespeak for him the same courtesy and degree of consideration which I have received. Members of the Association, permit me to present to you our silver-haired and silver-tongued orator and friend, Dr. Charles G. Hill, President-elect. (Applause.) DR. HILL.-My words fail me when I attempt to express my feelings, and my very high appreciation of this great honor conferred upon me. When I count the long list of predecessors, the long list of distinguished men who have occupied this place, some living, many dead, I feel every sense of my responsibility and also very deeply this distinction which you have given me. I am sure you have something to say in regard to our retiring President, so courteous, so affable, so efficient in his administration, and so popular to this entire body. Any motion you have to make will be in order. DR. HUGHES.-I move that the thanks of this Association be given to the retiring President for the very satisfactory manner in which he has conducted the affairs of the Association. Dr. Hughes' motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously by a rising vote. THE PRESIDENT.-Is there no further business before the Association? DR. BURGESS.—I think it also behooves us to give a cordial vote of thanks to our Secretary for the courteous way he has performed his duties and the time he has given to the affairs of the Association. DR. BURR.-And to the Program Committee also. The suggestions of Drs. Burgess and Burr were incorporated in a motion which was carried unanimously. DR. BURR, in response to a call to make a few remarks, said: I fear, Mr. President, the Association has already heard from me too much, but I do appreciate from the bottom of my heart the honor you have paid me in the election for a number of years as Secretary and for the later honors of election to the offices of Vice-President and President. It has been a great privilege to serve the Association in these various capacities. I have enjoyed the work and I feel under no end of obligation for your courtesy to me, your kindness, your forgetfulness of my shortcomings, and your consideration for me, particularly during this late meeting. I thank you, Mr. President and gentlemen. (Applause.) THE SECRETARY.-Gentlemen, I can only say that I thank you very much for the confidence you have imposed in me. If I can only perform the duties assigned to me one-half as well as my lamented predecessor, Dr. Dent, I shall be happy indeed. THE PRESIDENT.-The Program Committee for the coming year will consist of the following members: William L. Russell, M. D., Chairman, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. James V. Anglin, M. D., St. John, N. B., Canada. Arthur F. Kilbourne, M. D., Rochester, Minn. Gentlemen, if there is no further business before the Association, it now stands adjourned to meet in Washington and Norfolk at a time to be announced later by the Secretary. CHARLES W. PILGRIM, Secretary. Correspondence Editors American Journal of Insanity: A few days after writing you the letter published in your April issue I was sent by the State Lunacy Commission to Agnew to render temporary assistance to the wounded and the patients in general. My personal experience in San Francisco during the earthquake had not given me any realization of the horror of the catastrophe such as I had when climbing up to the third story of the wrecked building at Agnew and observing the torn-up state of floors and ceilings, the shattered condition of the walls, which have been in imminent danger of collapsing from the slight earthquake shocks which have followed the catastrophe of April 18th. While at the institution I took a number of pictures of the ruins and of patients about the tents and elsewhere, prints of which I am sending you with this mail.' I was astonished to see how nicely the patients got along under the circumstances. Men and wornen who had been more or less constantly violent and untidy when confined in the building were now getting along peacefully, seldom quarreling, and showing more desire to keep clean than they had done when restricted to the limits of the building and airing courts. They all seemed more comfortable and contented in the tents and on the open grounds, where a nurse on guard here and there was the only restraining influence, and very few made attempts to escape. Only a few escaped during the confusion immediately following the catastrophe, and many worked like Trojans in the effort to rescue those caught in the wreck and in 1 These photographs are very interesting, and eight of them have been reproduced to illustrate Dr. Hoisholt's letter. The cabin, referred to at the close of the letter, is illustrated in Fig. 3, Plate II. The whole series gives a clear illustration of the extent of the catastrophe. caring for the wounded. The excitement had only started recurrent attacks in two or three cases-one of these was an epileptic who was one of the most energetic rescuers, working for hours until exhausted. The maniacal excitement which followed was the only pronounced acute attack present among some 770 patients when I reached there nine days after the earthquake. Immediately after the collapse of the different parts of the building there was of course excitement and fear among the patients, but it subsided in a short time. The record of the patients condition and conduct during the first two or three weeks of this enforced out-door life certainly speaks well for tent-treatment. Even the epileptics have had fewer attacks. One of the pictures I have sent you shows a patient in a cabin which he had himself erected. Some twenty such small houses built with debris from the ruins by a certain class of the patients and scattered all over the lawns gave the grounds a peculiar appearance. Very truly yours, ANDREW W. HOISHOLT. |