of animal chemistry, it has done something in the way of synthesis, but it has done a thousand-fold more in the way of analysis. Let it be particularly noted that there is a wide difference between an organic compound and an organized body; the one may be formed in the laboratory of the chemist, whilst the other is essentially the product of vital action. And even these simple organic compounds are formed by the chemist at the expense of a great waste of material; whilst the smallest seed, which still retains its vitality, will subordinate these physical forces to its own purposes; and without any apparent machinery, will silently, and with a wonderful economy of material, build up an organized body, which the chemist, with all his boasted appliances, cannot make the most faint attempt to imitate. Chemistry is an enormous distance from "the desired goal;" it will have to travel onward, more than the allotted "fifty years hence," before it will have attained to any scientific proofs, that spontaneous generation of animal life is within the range of probability. Spontaneous generation, or rather physical generation of life, is the goal towards which many physicists of the present day are striving. It is, indeed, the only consistent commencement of the development theory. It is true that Darwin, and some of his followers, postulate the existence of a low form of animal life, as the starting point. But Lamarck, Bastian, and others rush in where these "angels fear to tread;" and attempt to carry out fully the logical inference from the doctrine of evolution, that all life is the result of the spontaneous and necessary operations of the forces inherent in matter. H. Charlton Bastian says: "The time is doubtless not far distant when it will be a source of much wonder, that those who had already heartily adopted the evolution philosophy could, even in the face of facts long ago known, stop short of a belief in the present and continual occurrence of archibiosis and heterogenesis. It ought to have been known to Dr. Bastian, that two thousand years ago they who originated the evolution theory did not stop short of this belief, but had it proved to their satisfaction, by evidences about as valid as any we have at the present day. Lucretius assured the people of his day that "the earth was the mother of all living creatures in the beginning; and even now,' " he says, 66 many animals spring forth from the earth, which are generated by means of moisture and the quickening heat of the sun.” But, gentlemen, we as physiologists are not prepared, as yet, to give up our belief in vital force, as some power separate and apart from the so-called physical forces. We cannot, very easily, get rid of the belief in that which formed such an important factor in all physiological calculations in past times, as it necessarily does at the present; this highly-prized "Nisus formativus of Blumenbach, the vital principle of John Hunter, the organic agent of Wm. Prout, the transforming cell-power of Bischoff;" this vital power, so highly prized in those days of restorative therapeutics. TREASURER'S REPORT. Benjamin Lee, Treasurer, in account with the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania. 66 2. cash received from Bradford Co. Med. Soc., for dues of 1875 $1072 68 10 40 5 20 15 60 13 00 24.00 10 50 1876, on account 16 00 Mifflin Co. Med. Soc., for dues of 1876. 6 00 : 66 19 66 66 Armstrong Co. Med. Soc., for dues of 1876 12 00 45.00 12 00 1876, on account Allegheny Co. Med. Soc., for dues of 1876 66 46 150 00 275 00 22 50 1 10 1 10 Apr. 11. To cash received from Centre Co. Med. Soc., for dues of 1876, 66 5. " 66 June 1. By cash paid Dr. R. L. Sibbet, Chairman "Committee on Medical Legislation," for printing, etc. Salary of Permanent Secretary $25 00 300 00 AN APPEAL FOR THE INSANE POOR. IN accordance with the most reasonable computations and the most careful estimates, it has been concluded by those who have given most diligent attention to the subject, that more than four thousand insane persons will be found in the State of Pennsylvania. (Population of the State at this time estimated at four millions, and one insane person to every nine hundred and four of the population.) The great majority of these are gathered into institutions specially provided for their care and treatment, or into such receptacles in different counties as are designed to keep them from doing harm to others; but there are hundreds of families scattered over the length and breadth of the State, whose houses are darkened and their happiness, to a greater or less degree, blighted by the heavy shadow of mental disorder which is constantly hanging over and around them. Putting aside at this time the consideration of those who are under care and treatment in hospitals specially constructed and organized for the purpose, seven hundred insane, of both sexes, will be found in the different poor-houses of the counties east of the Allegheny mountains; and should the inquiry be extended to those counties west of the Alleghenies, it will be found that at least one thousand are now in such institutions in this State, not taking into the account those who are in the department for the insane in the Philadelphia almshouse, numbering about eleven hundred and fifty. There is a singular apathy and indifference in the community at large in reference to the condition of this terribly afflicted portion of our fellow-beings. Great indignation is expressed when any instance of special neglect and harsh and improper treatment of any poor unfortunate is brought to the public attention, but it scarce amounts to a nine days' wonder, and nothing is really done which will effectually prevent a repetition of such things. But in a large number of poorhouses is constantly before the eyes of every portion of the community a considerable class who are actually denied and deprived of rights and privileges to which they are justly and legally entitled, |