was declared duly elected Treasurer of the Society for the

ensuing year.

Dr. Tanner: I move that the Secretary be authorized to cast the ballot of this Society for Dr. L. G. Armstrong, of Boscobel, as Censor.

Dr. Armstrong: I have been Censor six years and I have been almost debarred from the deliberations of this Society for that length of time, and while I thank you, I would like to attend the sessions of this Medical Society for awhile and not be consigned permanently to a hole in the wall.

It was moved that Dr. W. T. Sarles be nominated to fill the vacancy, that the rules be suspended and that the Secretary cast the ballot of the Society for Dr. Sarles to succeed L. G. Armstrong as Censor.

Motion carried. The Secretary so cast the ballot and Dr. Sarles was declared duly elected to fill the vacancy.

Dr. Hitz: I would like to ask whether certain forms of advertising are proper or not. Very recently there appeared in my office, an agent, who solicited, my name to an advertising placard. By paying a dollar I could be made one of the leading members of the Milwaukee medical profession! I thought it was not right and determined to ask the sense of the Society in regard to the matter. On the list was quite a number of well-known members of the Society. I think if it is right for some members to advertise in that way, it is right for others, but I should like to go on record as protesting. against it.

Dr. Seaman: I move that we go into executive session to consider this matter.

Dr. Reineking: Before we do that had we not better finish up the unavoidable business?

Dr. Seaman: I consider that this business is unavoidable." We have got to take cognizance of it here.

Dr. Earles: I would like to say, Mr. President, that it would be a very unusual occurrence for us to drop the regular

This is

order of things to take up matters entirely outside. the hour to hear the reports of committees and the reports of the Secretary and Treasurer, and it is very unwise to take up a discussion at this time that may last for hours before disposing of matters that belong to the present hour.

Dr. Seaman: I would like to know, then, when new business will be taken up. If there is any time appointed, then I will withdraw my motion.

The President: New business will be taken up immediately after the report of the officers.

The Secretary's report was then read as follows:

SECRETARY'S REPORT FOR 1896.

The Secretary begs leave to submit the following report for the past year:

MEMBERSHIP.

The membership as shown in the Transactions of 1894 was 388, that of last year is 408, a net gain of twenty members, accounted for as follows:

Number new members received at last meeting.

From which are to be deducted:

Number died during year

Number resigned.....

Number dropped for non-payment of dues..

Making a total loss of..

42

6

I

15

22

Which deducted from number of new members makes a net gain of...... 20

The number of members in the Transactions of '91, four years previous, was 303, a gain of 105, making an average gain of 26 members yearly. This is encouraging rather than otherwise, but the increase in membership is slower than it should be with 1,700 physicians who are eligible in Wisconsin and Northern Michigan. Since applicants may now join the Society without appearing personally, it is likely our increase will be more rapid hereafter.

The removals since the last meeting have been as follows:

W. A. Gordon, from Oshkosh to Northern Hospital; E. E. Kalmerton, from Milwaukee to Oshkosh; W. C. L. Meisburger, from Milwaukee to New York City; E. J. Orvis, from New Cassel to Campbellsport; J. H. Dawley, from Plymouth to Antigo; B. F. Harris, from Seneca to Antigo; G. A. Heidner, from Fredonia to West Bend; R. G. Sayle, from Hales Corners to Milwaukee.

Seven deaths have been reported: C. S. Beck, of West Superior; Samuel R. Bricker, of Spooner; Richard Cosens, of Dodgeville; D. L. Manchester, of Waupaca; J. G. Meachem, Sen., of Racine, W. D. Moorhouse, of Wauwatosa, and Jacob Mendel, of Milwaukee.

One resignation has been sent to the Secretary, that of R. B. Cunningham, of Cadott.

The Secretary earnestly desires further information from the members as to removals or changes in residence.

PUBLICATION.

The last volume of Transactions contained 588 pages. This is seventy-two pages more than any previous volume.

There are printed fifty-seven papers, and while the size of our annual report has yearly increased rapidly of late, it would seem as though we had reached the limit both on account of the expense involved, and that the volume shall not be too cumbrous.

There are presented in the program of this year some 137 separate papers, a number so great that it seems absolutely necessary for the Committee on Publication to omit many of them, or print only abstracts.

Six hundred and twenty-five copies have been printed and sent to the members and the usual exchanges, including other affiliated State and National Societies.

The whole edition was bound in cloth, since the size of the volume was such that paper was not sufficiently substantial, and the Secretary felt confident the Society would gladly

make good the added expense, only eight cents per volume. The expense of publication was $665.75, an average of $1.06 per book, which compares most favorably with other medical societies, as does also the appearance and general make up of the volume.

OUR SEMI-CENTENNIAL.

The present meeting marks the close of the first half-century of our existence as a Society. Very early in the year our worthy President conceived the happy thought of signalizing the event by a complete change from the usual program of scientific work, in devoting the work of the whole session to Hygiene and Preventive Medicine.

The result of the year's work is in the program before you, and represents no end of devoted and energetic effort on the part of President Epley, Dr. Mackie, Chairman of Program Committee, and the chairmen of the various Sections, especially Dr. Farnham.

Although this new departure seemed, at first, to some of us a hazardous experiment, time has abundantly vindicated its wisdom and feasibility. It will not only inspire the profession with a new interest in these live and all important questions, but will be a most valuable object lesson to the whole community. We hope, also, that great practical and direct good may come from this meeting. A part of the plan is that these papers and discussions be crystalized and condensed into a comparatively brief space, in plain, every day language, and then distributed through the schools to every family in the State. If this meets the approval of the Society, it will be the duty of this meeting to select a Board of Editors for this purpose.

In preparation for this meeting unusual pains have been taken. Early in the year a circular letter prepared by our President was sent to all regular physicians in the State— some 1,400-and during the last three or four months the

meeting has been thoroughly advertised by announcements, preliminary program, etc. An application blank was enclosed with each announcement and preliminary program-some 3,000 in all.

As to the things which we may profitably and properly undertake as a Society, it would seem to your Secretary that we should still persist in further effort to secure effective laws to protect the State from medical quackery and incompetency. While the standard of medical education is constantly improving in the schools, our State still remains the chosen field of quacks and charlatans without number. At the coming session of the legislature we should make yet one more effort in favor of some kind of a Medical Examining Board, and with proper management, it seems as though such a law might be secured.

It would seem, too, as though in some way we might stimulate more generally and uniformly the medical society spirit throughout the State by assisting in the formation of county and district societies where none now exist. Committees for such a purpose might be appointed at this meeting to report at the next meeting of the Society. If such a plan could be successfully carried out, it would help the various communities, as well as the State Society.

On the whole we have cause for sincere thankfulness over the present condition and prospects of the Society. It is thoroughly prosperous and progressive, entirely united and harmonious. There are no factions nor rings, but the organization exists and works solely for the good of all equally. Nothing could be more gratifying or inspiring than the spirit and enthusiasm which have been manifested the past year in so willingly turning aside from the old plans of work, to carry out the project of our President and his helpers.

Such a spirit and such work will certainly effect still greater achievements in our future.

With sincere thanks to the Society for their courtesy and consideration, Respectfully,

C. S. SHELDON, Secretary.