The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-19

ing all duly accredited medical or scientific bodies.
 The Walter Reed Memorial Associa- tion at Washington, which has for Its object the raising of fund to secure a permanent memorial to Major Reed, made request that l bring the matter to the notice of the association, and to the intention of any in the profession or laity who might be inclined to con tribute smaller or greater sum for this object. As the profession Is aware, Major Reed had an originating and directing part in the experiments which resulted in the great demon stration' that yellow fever Is transmit ted by mosquitoes, and which knowl- edge gives man d control over this fearful scourge; he was also the head of a commission whose labors estab- lished the fact that typhoid fever is spread in camps by the common house infected articles as well as by contam- mated water. These researches have been pronounced by an eminent author ity as the most valuable contribution to medicine and hygiene ever made ill this country with the exception of the discovery of anaesthesia.'
 And now, gentlemen, I will trespass on your time just a little to refer to cern the welfare Of humanity and which l believe are worthy your con sideration.
 The profession as a rule, has taken the lead in the establishing of sanitary laws. Their enforcement has not al- ways met the favor or cooperation of the general public. as notably evil denced in the difficulty of eradicating smallpox. yet it is a matter of con- graduation that so large d number of contagious diseases, that fifty years ago decimated the ranks of the people in many places, have either been re- stricted within narrow limits or com pletely stamped out and their infiu- ence in the production of sickness and "a fn fng frrY,ff portions.
 We have taken the initiative in the question of higher education and bet ter qualifications for those who enter our ranks.
 We have pointed out the injurious | effects Of alcohol and tobacco on the | human organism and caused the incor- | poration of these facts into the teach | ings of our schools.
 We have helped to secure the more | humane and sanitary treatment of that
 unfortunate class who fill our jails and | public prisons.
 We have caused the most elaborate | provision to be made for the care of the insane, as is demonstrated in the | splendid institution that bears the name and impress of the illustrious | Bryce.
 In every humane and philanthropic | undertaking tEe true physician has | been, and may still be depended upon | to be- in afflicted and intimate rela- | tlons with the same, Is eminentIy qUal- | flied to be there.
 Patent Medicine Craze.
 The first evil will call your atten- | tion to is the patent medicine craze. | Let us consider the cost to the people ] of this habit. The census of 1900 1 placed the value of patent medicines | produced in this country annually at | $51,6l1,S35. As the average profit is
 about one-third. this means that the | sum paid over the retail druggists | counties taking no account of in | creased consumption the past fonr | years. is sometr ing like $S0.000,0o0 | year, about S1 for every man, woman l and child in the country. We'll. that l would not amount to so much if ie | were not for the harm being done.
 The physician is hampeTed iu any
 effort he may make to help correct | this evil. for his motives are construed