THE MEDICAL CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10046, 5 February 1896, Page 5

THE MEDICAL CONGRESS.

[by telegraph.— press association.] Ddnedin, Tuesday. At the Medical Congress to-day, Dr. O'Hara, Melbourne, preaidenb o! the seotion of surgery, read the opening address in that seotion, 110 referred to the death of Pasteur, who first established the germ theory of putrefaction, and Sir J. Lister, who put it into practical use, and introduced antiseptic treatment of wounds. He (Dr. O'Hara) had come to the conclusion that where sepsis occurs in a wound, it was in most cases introduced by the operators' hands, or instruments he was using. The most prominent feature in the treatment of diseases of late years has boon the introduction of sero-therapy, and the rao9b successful results up to date have been achieved. With diphtheria ib may nob be a specific in all ciisos, but it has given tho most marvellous results in tho most hopeless cases, and reduced the mortality to less than one-half of that recorded bofore its introduction. Dr. O'Hara mentioned thatduringan opidemioof diphtheria, ho performed tracheotomy 62 times, and every case succumbed. Ho then turned to tho aubjocb of cancor, and quoted a number of cases he had treated. Experience, lie said, helped to strengthen tho theory that cancer was infectious, but ib could not be regarded as established without further proofs. He dealt with other branches, and conoluded by referring to the increase in gynecology cases operated on. Dr. Grace said he had never seen a successful case of tracheotomy in diphtheria, but Dr. Garde, South Australia, differed, and said that in thirty cases ho had been successful in sevon or eight. A vote of thanks having been passed, tho general papers were taken. Dr. ao Lautour leading off. I Dr. Haywood read the presidential addross in the section of medicine in place of Dr. London, of Melbourne, who was not present. Ho invited attention to the question as to the share which the general practitioner had in tho advancement of medicine as contrasted with those who devoted themselves to a special branch. Referring to Jenner's discovery of inoculation, he said this generation did not really know what small-pox meanbacontury ago, and henoe parents moved by their infants' tears wore easily pursuaded that " they did nob hold with" vaccination, and that ib engendered all sorts of diseases in after life, as though skin eruptions and delicate health wore unknown before the days of Jenner. What work was there for tho general practitioner to do in tho twentieth century to adranoo the science of medicine ? The achievements of the past must be tho augury, for the work that it is possible for him to do is boundless. It may nob liko Jenner's mean the samo of countless lives, bub id will add to our common stock of knowledgo. Lot him question all authority and doubt all dogmatism, and having shaken off the trammels of tradition and authority general practitioners would be more likoly to do tlioir sharo in tho advancement of medicine. A voto of thanks was passed for tho address. In the public health section four papers wore read, including one by Dr. Chappie, Wellington, on the public health aspect ef alcohol. Dr. Spring Thorpe, the president, said they ought not to be satisfied with the reading and discussion of papers, but should submit resolutions embodying conclusions, and submib those to tho Congross, and if adopted they should bo sent) on to the various Governments. Dr. Chappie will therefore bring forward a resolution in lavour of establishing inebriates' homos. Papers wore also read and discussed in anatomy and midwifery sections, and also in subsection eye, ear, and throat. In the afternoon members attended a garden party givon by Mrs. W. H. Reynolds. Among the papers read in the Medicine Section was one by Dr. Mope Lewis, of Auckland, on " The Now Zealand Thermal Springs." In the Eye, Ear, and Throat Sub-section, Dr. Jackman, of Melbourne, presiding, a committee was appointed to draw up a report on tests for vision in sailors and railway men. which was dia cussod. Dr. Worrall, of Sydney, presided over the Midwifery Section, and" two scientific papers were read by Dr. Love, and Dr. Townsond, of Christchurch. Professor Watson, of Adelaide, delivered the presidential address in the Anatomy Section. In the evoning the mombers of the Con gress were entertained by the Savage Club. The Premier and the Colonial Treasurer wore also present. His Excellency and suite, as well as tho Ministers, attended Mrs. Reynolds' garden party.