THE MEDICAL CONFERENCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7587, 5 February 1896, Page 2

THE MEDICAL CONFERENCE.

[FBB __KB3 ASSOCIATION.]

Dtjnbdin, Last night. Tho Medical Congres?, on meeting today, divided into sections. Dr O'Hara, Melbourne, president of the surgery seotion, read his presidential address, in whioh he dealt with various branohes of surgery. He referred to the introduction of serumopathy, and the successful results up to date. It might not be a specifia, but it had given marvellous results He mentioned that in an epidemic of diphthetia he had performed tracheotomy in fifty-two oases, each of which had proved fatal. Kxperience strengthened the theory that canoer was contagious, but more proof was wanted.

Dr Graoe said he had never seen a successful oase of traoheotomy in true diphtheria, but said he had succeeded in seven or eight osses out of thirty.

Papers were then read and disouesed. Dr. Hayward read Dr London's address in the section of medicine.

In the publio health section four papers were read, one by Dr Ghappel on publio health, the aspect of alcohol being disuussed at come length.

Dr Springthorpe, the president, Baid he thought they shou'd not be satisfied with the mere reading of papers, and he would have the resolutions passed bsought before the congress and if passed sent to the Government. In this connection Dr Ghappel will bring forward a resolution in favor of Inebriates' Homes.

The members of the congress were entertained by Mrs W. K. JJeynolds _t a garden party in the afternoon.

Among the papers read in the medicine section was one by Dr Hope Lewis, of Auokland, on the New Zealand thermal springs.

In the eye, ear, and throat Bub-seotion Dr Jackson Melbourne, presiding, a committee was appointed to draw up a report on the tests for vision iv sailors and railway men, which was disoussed

Dr Worrall, of Sydney, presided over the midwifery section, and two scientific papers were read by Dr Love, of Brisbane, and Dr Townsend, of Ohristchurch.

Professor Watson, of Adelaide, delivered a presidential address in the anatomy section.

In the evening the members of tbe congress were enterrained by the Savage Club, the Premier and Colonial Treasurer being also present. His Excellency and suite, as well aa Ministers, attended Mrs Reynolds' garden paity. The Women's Franchise League passed a resolution regretting the dirrt speotful manner in which some members of the Medical Congress had received the memorial from the W.O.T.U. in Victoria referring to the CD. Act and thanking those who protested against the disrespect. The executive had intended waiting on the congress but had decided to trust to their own efforts at the general election, and to a promise of the Government for its repeal.

The Presbytery also discussed the matter, and the advisability of approaching the congress was disoussed, but eventually all that whs done was to paßs a resolution expressing sympathy with the circular, and it was further determined to take such aotion as may be necessary to remove the obnoxious laws from the Statute Book.