THE Medical Bulletin. JOHN V. SHOEMAKER, A.M., M.D., Editor. A. L. HUMMEL, M.D., Business Manager. Philadelphia, April, 1886. DR. AUSTIN FLINT, SR. turned to Buffalo and, in 1846, founded the Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal. In 1847, in conjunction with Drs. James P. White and Frank H. Hamilton, he founded the Buffalo Medical College, and filled the Chair of Medicine in it until 1852, when he was appointed to the Chair of Theory and Practice of Medicine in the University of Louisville. In 1856 he returned to Buffalo and accepted the Chair of Pathology and Clinical Medicine in the Buffalo school. During the winters of 185861 Dr. Flint lectured on Clinical Medicine in Medicine. DRgreatest and FLUINT, SR., one of our the New Orleans School of Minical Me most universally esteemed physicians, died at his residence, in New Dr. Dr. Flint was born in Petersham, Mass., on October 12, 1812, and was, consequently, in his seventy-fourth year at the time of his death. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were eminent physicians. Following in their footsteps he began his medical studies at an early age, and graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1833. After practising for a time in Boston and Northampton he removed to Buffalo, where he soon established a lucrative practice, and by his numerous contributions to medical literature laid the foundation for the professional eminence which he afterwards attained. In 1844 he was appointed Professor of the Institutes and Practice of Medicine in Rush Medical College, Chicago; but he retained the position for only one year. He then re In 1859 Dr. Flint removed to New York, and was appointed to the Chair of Pathology and Practice of Medicine in the Long Island College Hospital, which position he held until 1868. In 1861 he was appointed to the Chair of Medicine in Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and Visiting Physician to Bellevue Hospital. In 1872 he was elected President of the New York Academy of Medicine, in 1883-84 President of the American Medical Association, and in 1885 President of the Ninth International Medical Congress. Dr. Flint's contributions to medical literature were numerous and valuable. Among the more noteworthy are: "Clinical Reports on Continued Fever," "Variations of Pitch in Percussion and Respiratory Sounds, and their Application to Physical Diagnosis," "Physical Exploration of the Chest and the Diagnosis of Diseases Affecting the Respiratory Organs," "Practical Treatise on the Diagnosis, Pathology, and Treatment of Diseases of the Heart," "Clinical Medicine," "Phthisis," "Conservative Medicine and Kindred Topics," and a "Manual of Auscultation and Percussion." His most important work, however, was his "Treatise on the Principles and Practice of Medicine," which has passed through five editions, and has been translated into several foreign languages. The funeral services, which were held in Christ Church, on Tuesday, March 16th, were attended by hundreds of physicians from New York, Brooklyn, Jersey City, Philadelphia, and Boston, who came to pay their last tribute of respect and veneration to this eminent American physician. THE TREATMENT OF SPRAINS. THE HE proper treatment of sprains varies with the severity of the injury. In mild cases a cure can frequently be obtained in a day or two, by immersing the affected limb in cold water for a few minutes, and then applying an ordinary roller bandage, and keeping the limb elevated and at rest until the pain and swelling subside. In some cases better results can be obtained by placing the injured part in hot water instead of cold, and then applying the bandage. In other cases, more benefit will result from the alternate applications of hot and cold water. Lotions of lead-water and laudanum, or vinegar and water will also be found serviceable at times. willing to accept Dr. Yandell's protestations of anxiety for the future of the Association as being sincere, but they are based upon a delusion. It was not the Association, but it was Dr. Yandell that was led astray. When and by whom he was led astray may be ascertained by reference to the entertaining communication which we publish this month, under the title of "An Episode of the Revolt against the Association." There are others, however, who do not agree with us, and who regard Dr. Yandell's protestations with suspicion. The following letter, from the Journal of the American Medical Associa tion, is written by one who has a personal knowledge of the facts of which he writes, and who evidently entertains a deep distrust of Dr. Yandell, even when his voice is lifted up in lamen tation: To the Editor of the Journal: In severe cases the bowels should be freely opened by saline cathartics, and the pain and constitutional excitement controlled by the administration of morphia and aconite, or mor- Dear Sir: My attention has been called to an phia and gelsemium. Locally, the greatest editorial in the American Practitioner of Febbenefit can be obtained in these cases from the ruary 20th, reproduced in the Medical News of the 20th ult. I take it for granted it was written by use of cold applications during the first twenty-the senior editor, Dr. D. W. Yandell. To all those four hours. The limb should be elevated, and icebags or cold compresses placed on the affected surface. Evaporating lotions also may be employed with advantage. familiar with the doings of the American Medical Association this editorial will sound strangely. To quote: "It (the American Medical Association) was led astray at New Orleans (Why was ciation, there to keep it from being led astray?). not Dr. D. W. Yandell, ex-president of the assoIt will doubtless be led astray again, and yet again, for designing, ambitious, selfish, and in At the expiration of twenty-four hours light massage should be resorted to, in order to hasten the removal of the effused fluids. The manipulations should be conducted with ex-dustrious plotters will gather at every meeting, treme gentleness, and should not extend over a period of more than five minutes at first. After massage has been employed for two or three days the limb should be placed in a plaster bandage and the patient permitted to walk with the aid of a cane. In some cases the plaster bandage may be applied on the second day with the certainty of a speedy cure. and opportunities for their securing power (italics ours) will occasionally occur." Dr. D. W. Yandell made his first appearance as a delegate from Kentucky in 1856, then in 1857 and 1859. His name does not appear again (nor his State) till 1871, when in San Francisco he was elected president. Neither his State, nor he, had any claims to the honor. It was, so report said, due to designing, ambitious, selfish, and industrious plotting that the presidency was awarded him. Since that time the senior editor of the American Practitioner, and ex-president of the American Medical Association, has attended only four meetings, and since 1874 none at all. With the exception of his address as president, no other contributions appear from his pen to the association. In Dr. Yandell's Address (see page 103, vol. xxiii., Transactions American Medical Association) he says: "The association is making our profession one in heart throughout our borders." How does this comport with his ideas of 1886? He who runs can read. Does such a career entitle the ex-president to read a lecture to the association as to how it shall conduct itself? The least modicum of modesty should have taught him to keep his say to himself. Moses did very well when he was among the people; but when he climbed the mountain to "see the promised land" his influence was gone. We fear the senior editor of the American Practitioner was elevated too early for his years. An ex-president of the Association should have some influence, and it should be in the body which has made him distinguished. With many others who have known him for years we sincerely regret the position he has taken. In the welfare and interest of the association we hope to see Dr. Yandell at St. Louis in May next, and if his Kentucky eloquence can convince the American Medical Association that they have gone astray, we will cordially admit it. We are sorry Dr. Yandell has taken the course he has we can only pity him. TRUTH. in which we will be held, as sensible men or the reverse, by our European brethren. All the talk that has been indulged in by those who are opposed to the association in reference to the idea that it has not the right to control the Congress, which was at first their stock in trade, has been impliedly abandoned. It is now evident that their method of future warfare, their spring campaign, contemplates the passage by the association of a resolution accepting the report of the present Committee of Arrangements, discharging them from all further service, and commencing the organization of the Congress de novo. Let us look into this question for a minute, and see just what the true position of affairs is. The association has, we maintain, the right to do just exactly that which it chooses, and when it has announced its decision, it then becomes the plain duty of all right-meaning medical men to uncomplainingly abide by this decision. The claim that the association has not the right of arbitration, has been, we say, clearly abandoned A WORD TO THE DELEGATES TO by those who at first made this claim, as is eviTHE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSO-denced by their determination to refer the matter CIATION. in dispute to the association for arbitration. That they so intend was made plainly evident by the opposition in the recent meeting of the Philadelphia County Society, when a successful effort was made to substitute for the regularly nominated delegates to the association a ticket made up of those who were known to be opposed to the present attitude of the association and its committee. Therefore, since the opposition have seen fit to refer their battle-ground to St. Louis, we most emphatically say that they will stultify themselves, so to speak, if, when the association has spoken, they do not, at once, cheerfully acquiesce and work manfully for the success of the Con following editorial from the Medical THE and Surgical Reporter, contains such a dispassionate review of the questions that may be presented to the American Medical Association for adjudication, that we take pleasure in placing it before our readers : It is clearly apparent to all physicians who read medical journals-and we would ask what intelligent one does not ?—that the coming meeting of the American Medical Association in St. Louis is destined, beyond doubt, to be the most important one that has ever been held. The meetings of this, as of all other medical societies, usually consist in the reading of a lot of papers, an interchange of friendly hospitality, and an adjournment. But in May next there will be a meeting at St. Louis that is destined to go down into history as the most momentous gathering of medical men that has ever assembled in this country, for at this meeting the future policy of the International Medical Congress will be definitely settled. The controversy between the present committee, which is now making arrangements for the Congress under the direction of the association, and those who object to the formation and work of this committee, will be brought to an issue. gress. But we fear that such is not their intention; we very much fear that their programme contemplates the effort to capture the association, and if they fail in this, then to organize a new association, from which it is possible that an invitation to hold an opposition Congress might go forth. That there is a movement on foot to organize a new national association, there can be no reasonable doubt, though this fact has been denied in our hearing by one of the organizers; at least, he denied that the purpose was to organize in opposition to the American Medical Association; but we ask how it would be possible to start a new national society that would not be in opposition to the present association. Well, then, we say that the association has the right to do what it pleases, and when it has so done, that we must give it our adherence. Without animosity and prejudice on either side, we feel that we are imperatively called upon to say a few words on this very important question. It is of exceeding great importance, for upon the The words that we wish to say to the delegates spirit in which the profession receives the final are to let them know that an effort will be made verdict of the association, will rest the estimation | at the meeting in St. Louis to capture the associa tion by those who are not in accord with its present attitude. We wish to say that the warcry of this army of conquest will be "Harmony;" "The good of the profession;" "The success of the Congress;" "The reconciliation of all differences in the profession;" and the like. We doubt not that the same measures will be resorted to that were adopted to capture the Philadelphia County Society, which we can only characterize as undignified, ungentlemanly, unconstitutional, and rebellious, because the manipulators succeeded, by means of a packed meeting (we use the word advisedly), in electing their list of delegates irregularly and in direct opposition to the provisions of the constitution and bylaws. We were present at this meeting, and know whereof we speak, when we say that the majority of those men vho voted for the irregularly substituted ticket were men who are rarely seen at the meetings of the society, were young men, and in very many instances, men who hold positions as clinical assistants to our professors, and whose heads, therefore, would have paid the penalty of that independence which they were too weak to exhibit. It was a very significant fact that all the older men, that is those among them who evidence their interest in the society by attending the meetings, voted for the regularly nominated list of delegates. Now then, we have cautioned the delegates that a deliberate effort will be made to capture the association by the methods usually employed to carry a ward convention; and we advise them strongly, that as they value the good name of the American profession, they should not tolerate any such proceedings, which they can prevent if they will attend the meeting. To the Judicial Council of the association, we have a word of the greatest importance to say: If the question comes before you, as it may, as to which set of delegates from the Philadelphia County Society are really the accredited delegates to the association, your decision, if fairly rendered, must be in favor of the list that was nominated in the regular course that is laid down by the constitution, and not in favor of the list that was elected in direct violation of all law and precedent. If, perchance, the question arises, that although this ticket was nominated in due form, yet it was not elected, and therefore is not entitled to representation, it would seem that your duty was to deny representation entirely to the Philadelphia Society, a contingency that we would very much dislike to see; but nevertheless, you cannot conscientiously grant admission to this irregular delegation on any ground. Again we would say to the delegates from all over the United States, be prepared to do your duty manfully at the next meeting. You will re quire all the courage you can summon to your aid that you may resist the great pressure that will be brought to bear upon you from both parties, and it will sorely try you to do that which your conscience tells you is the right thing. But be firm; go to St. Louis determined to carry out the instructions of your society, if they have directed you, at all hazards. If you are not instructed, then do the best you can; and above all, firmly make up your minds that whatever may be the decision of the society, you will cheer. fully abide by it, and, with your whole heart and soul, do all to support and aid the American Medical Association. Whatever may be the decision of this tribunal, this journal will support it to the utmost extent of its ability. COMMUNICATED. AN EPISODE OF THE REVOLT AGAINST THE ASSOCIATION. BY W. H. WATHEN, M.D. S a member of the New Committee, appointed by the American Medical As-. sociation, it may not be amiss to invite the attention of my professional brethren-who stood shoulder to shoulder and endured with me the hypercritical criticisms of our laborsto some of the devices of those "scientific medical men" whose great learning and virtue have made them despots. We have been repeatedly informed during the last few months, by a few professional gentlemen of the medical press, that all of the "eminently scientific " have resigned the chairmanships of sections, etc. Well, let us see what constitutes one of these "great scientific medical men," defenders of professional honor, etc., and we will then be better able to judge of the truth of those assertions. men As the chairmanship of the Section on Surgery is one of the most important scientific places in the Congress, let us direct our attention to David W. Yandell, M.D., of Louisville, Kentucky, who recently resigned its chairmanship and was one of the first to "cast a stone' at the work of the New Committee. On my return home from the meeting of the committee in Chicago, it was publicly mentioned that I had been active in securing Dr. Yandell's reappointment to the chairmanship of the Section on Surgery. About this time Dr. Yandell attended a meeting of professional [We will now take a peep at it, and pass on without comment.] Philadelphia Club, Philadelphia, June 29, 1885. My Dear Wathen: I see in the report you gave to the Courier-Journal of what you did at Chicago, that you say you remembered me among your Kentucky friends. [The following appeared in the Courier-Journal a few days after my return from the Chicago meeting of the Committee: " Dr. Wathen has returned from Chicago where he attended a meeting of the Committee of Arrangements of the International Medical Congress. The Doctor remembered his Kentucky friends, and had several of them elected to the most important offices in the Congress, viz: Drs. D. W. Yandell, Henry M. Skillman, W. W. Cleaver, J. N. McCormack, D. A. Reynolds, M. F. Coomes, C. W. Kelly, J. A. Hodge, and Jno. A. Octerlony."] Naturally, I am obliged. Will you kindly write me, at your early leisure, in what way you remembered me? What did you do for me at Chicago? Hoping you are well and with kind regards to your family, I remain very truly, etc. [Personal.] D. W. YANDELL. Louisville, Ky., July 1, 1885. My Dear Doctor: I did what I could while in Chicago to have you reappointed President of the Surgical Section, and while there was opposition to you, I am pleased to say that no one in committee voted against your reappointment. This is as much as it would be proper for me to say to you now, but I may explain the details more fully when I see you. Sincerely, your friend, W. H. WATHEN. To D. W. Yandell, M.D. Philadelphia Club, July 4, 1885. Dear Doctor: I am obliged to you for answering me so promptly. Having seen much of my friend, Dr. Cole, and of Dr. Shoemaker (whom I have only recently come to know and whom I like very much), and had several unreserved conversations with them on their proposed action at Chicago before they left, and having had a full account of the doings of the committee both from Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Hays, after their return, I was taken somewhat aback when I found you saying, in the Courier-Journal, that you had had me appointed to my place. Hence my letter to you. Neither of the gentlemen, whose names I have given, have any recollection of any opposition made at Chicago to my appointment, or rather to my appointment remaining undisturbed; and the two first, Cole and Shoemaker, had volunteered the statement, before they started to Chicago, that neither I nor certain other chairmen of Sections, whom they named, would be changed. I am none the less obliged to you, however, for your very kind intentions toward me. Hoping you are all well, I am very truly, etc., yours, D. W. YANDell. Philadelphia Club, July 4, 1885. *My Dear Doctor: When I saw that Dr. Wathen had taken to himself the credit of having made me president of the Surgical Section of the International Medical Congress, I felt so keenly the injustice of the thing that I wrote him, of course, in my friendly way, to know just what he had done. I inclose you his reply. Now, I am going to give you the true inwardness of the thing, that you may know what I know : I was appointed by the Original Committee to the place. When talking to Cole and Shoemaker here, before they went as members of the New Committee, they volunteered the statement that I, along with a number of other chairmen, would not be disturbed. I was not disturbed. Dr. Wathen takes, in the public prints, the credit of this to himself. Now, when I saw he had done so, I had a friend to see several members of the committee to which Wathen belonged, and made inquiries concerning his action at Chicago, with the result of being assured that he was the only member of the committee who showed himself to be my enemy. How is that for high? Assured at W.'s end of the line in the newspapers that HE had me appointed. Assured at this end that he was the one man who strove to defeat my REappointment! How, I say, is that for high? I have, as you will see, resigned the place. To-day, Dr. Shoemaker called to express his very great regrets at the step, to hear my reasons for taking it, and to learn if there was no way by which things could be adjusted, I could be satisfied and induced to remain. He asked me to write out my objections to the action of the committee, suggest a remedy for what I regarded as its mistakes, and unite with him in the effort to placate the enemies it had made, and in some way adjust the differences which had sprung up, and which threatened to jeopardize the success of the Congress. I told him that any further action on my part would depend largely on my health. That I expected to open on the subject either in my own His son-in-law, Dr. W. O. Roberts, |
