THE MEDICAL CONGRESS.

Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 64, 17 March 1898, Page 6

THE MEDICAL CON GRESS.

«. . YESTERDAY'S AFTEttXOON SITTTNft. Dr. Ewarl read a paper on " The Radical Cure o[ Hernia." Ai'ler dealing with liis method, the doctor said he thought) that generally patients were allowed to get up much earlier than was right for .1 cure. The discussion which followed was taken part in by Drs. Barnett, Collins, Martin, Cahill, Purdy, Porter, Cleghorn, and Pabst. Dr. Fyffe read (for Dr. Mason, of Otaki) ji paper on "The Pathology of Purpura Htvniorrbiigica," a little -known bacillus. Dr. Pyffe, as a bacteriologist, said the paper was an important one, and showed an original research which is very rare in the colonies. Mr. Clilruth spoke of the appearance of the microbe purpura in horses, and mentioned some data gathered during his recent visit to Paris. Drs. Moncktou, Mackie, aud Syme also took Dart in the discussion. Dr. Mason replied to the various points raised during the discussion. The Congress, at 5 o'clock, adjourned till 11 0 «'ock this morning. To-day's Pboceedings. A DISCUSSION ON INFLUENZA. When the Congress met this morning, ihe President, Dr. Fell, stated that owing to some misunderstanding with the Auckland branch, through which a nomination for President-elect had not come to hand, the Congress was unable at its meetings to proceed with the election. On the motion of Drs. Campbell and Mackie; it was resolved that the nliing-up of the office be left with the Council to deal with. THE INFLUENZA SCOURGE. Dr. Pollen read a paper on influenza, with special reference to the late epidemic in Wellington. The doctor opened his review with reference to the European outbreak iv 1889-90, and said that descriptions written and published of the ravages of those days could have been faithfully applied to Wellington's experience. Brain-workers felt the attacks most severely, and it was found that the worries of our energetic and nervous age lent themselves especially to the ravages of the microbe. "Another example of the modern degenerate man," suggested Dr. Polleu. High temperature in fever and severe illness did not go together in influenza— a peculiarity of the disease. He had known cases where a patient with a very high temperature had had a slight attack of influenza. On the other hand, in some very severe cases the temperature had not risen above the normal. Pneumonia was prevalent in the late epidemic in this u\ty. There was no known specific for influenza, although there were scores of remedies. Early to bed and early 1o rise was a good maxim* for its treatment. "Whisky and quinine was a popular summer antidote in Wellington, and as it was generally served in the hotels, the dangers of an overdose could well be understood. (Laughter.) The main portion of the paper •was purely technical. Dr. Fyffe followed with a paper on " The Pathology of the Influenza Disease," with notes gathered at post-mortem examinations, and during experience in the London epidemics of IS9I and 1892. Dr. Fyffe also gave some notes on the microbe of the disease, and gave a diagnosis showing the difference between the true and the influenza pneumonia. In the discussion which followed the reading of the papers Dr. Martin related his experiences with what he considered the first influenza ease in the colony, the microbe of which he thought had been imported in a bale of soft goods. Dr. James spoke from a recollection of three epidemics (one of which was in a malarial district iv Queensland, and said that in the recent epidemic in Wellington the nervous feature predominated. He had noticed a tolerance by patients for quinine which by no means generally held. Dr. Mackie related observations made in the Nelson district, and held the theory that "this wretched bacillus" was windborne. Dr. Monckton said that he had specially guarded against fata I effects in the circulatory aud respiratory systems. Dr. Grace Mas satisfied that there was a marsh fever in the colony, and hinted at its relation to influenza. Dr. Cahill said that in 1890 the nervous system mainly was attacked, and insanity had resulted in some cases. Absolute rest was required in the treatment of influenza. Drs. Pabst, Collins, and Syme also took part in the discussion. Dr. Polleu in his reply declared the discussion to have been, like the subject, deeply interesting. In his reply to the bacteriological side of the discussion, he combated the theory that the bacillus had been imported in a bale of silk, as it was a very weak microbe and could .not possibly live in such material. He considered that malaria in New Zealand was due to the importation of mosquitos. He believed in the use of quinine as a preventive. He had used it himself aud had never yet had an attack. THE SOCIAL EVIL. Dr. Symes again brought up the question of the CD. Act, reading late correspondence from Canterbury women's societies favourable to the bringing-out of a reformed Act. He argued that the new legislation should be as much considered by the women of the colony as the men, and no Act would ever be submitted to by the women which did not apply equally to both sexes. His proposed Bill had been accepted by the Canterbury Women's Society, which had strongly recommended its adoption by the Government. The Congress then adjourned till 3 o'clock. "The dinner given by the Prasident last night to the delegates attending the Confess was in every way successful, an enjoy»ble social evening being spent. This i'ternoon Dr. Martin is entertaining delejates and their friends at a garden party.