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viz. (1) "On the Chemical Construction of Bile," by Dr. E. R.Taylor, of Sacramento, California; and (2) " The DirectMethod of Artificial Respiration of persons apparently deadfrom Suffocation by Drowning or from other causes," byDr. B. Howard, of New York. The sections on Surgery,Medicine, Obstetrics, and Physiology, were organised, anddiscussed the various papers referred to them. The reportsof committees were few in number, and of little importance.Dr. Gibbons presented a valuable paper "On the MedicalBotany of California," embracing specimens, with descrip-tions of 180 indigenous plants. The Association heartilyadopted the proposition of Dr. Storer, to aid in the formationof a memorial fund in honour of the late Professor Simpson.A resolution in favour of the establishment of professor-ships of hygiene in medical schools was adopted, and alsoone recommending the formation of State Boards of Health.The " apple of discord" was the woman question. Thiswas introduced in the form of a proposed amendment to theconstitution of the Association, as follows :-" Nothing inthis constitution shall be so construed as to preventdelegates from colleges in which women are taught and gra-duated in medicine, and hospitals in which medical women-graduates attend, from being received into this Associa-tion." After a long and most exciting debate, the reso-lution was indefinitely postponed. Subsequently the subjectwas brought up in another form, a resolution being pre-sented " that the American Medical Association acknow-ledges the right of its members to meet in consultationthe graduates and teachers of Women’s Medical Colleges,provided the code of ethics of the Association is observed."This resolution also met violent opposition, and was in-definitely postponed. The scientific discussions of thesession were very meagre, both in the sections and in theAssociation. The members were most hospitably entertainedby the profession and citizens of San Francisco, and thoughthis, like other annual gatherings of the profession in thiscountry, did little to advance the science of medicine, itdid much to promote good feeling and strengthen the tiesof professional fellowship.New York, May, 1871.

VIENNA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

ON the 30th of May, at its annual meeting, the Academyof Sciences of Vienna, with Professor Rokitansky as pre-sident, elected Mr. Darwin one of its Honorary Associates.Professor Bamberger has definitely accepted the Chair ofClinical Medicine here, and will begin his lectures in October.His election seems to give general satisfaction.There is a slight decrease recorded in the number of

deaths from typhus and typhoid fevers, and the new casesappear to come only- from a limited portion of the city,near the Danube Canal. In the week ending June 3rd, 105fresh patients with "typhus" were admitted into the varioushospitals.

Altogether, during the epidemic, 1255 patients have beentreated in the hospitals, of whom 612 have recovered,221 have died, and the remainder are in the physicians’hands.Vienna, June 6th, 1871.

Obituary.DR. JAMES WATSON.

THis able and accomplished physician was born in

Glasgow in 17887; educated at the High School and Univer-sity at first for the Church, but afterwards for Medicine,and admitted a Fellow of the Faculty of Physicians andSurgeons in 1810. From this date to within the last ten

years his professional career was one of steady advance-ment in the esteem of his fellow-citizens and brother

practitioners, At first he acted as surgeon to the RoyalInfirmary, but, preferring to devote his time to Medicine,he became, in 1842, one of the physicians to the same insti-tution. He also held the physiciancy to the Fever Hospitalin Clyde-street. He was three times elected President of

the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of his native city,and bore for a long period the affectionate title of "fatherof the Faculty," in virtue not only of his seniority, but ofhis truly parental solicitude for the interests of the cor-poration. A portrait which hangs in the Faculty Hall,and the foundation of a " James Watson Prize," were

further marks of the esteem in which his colleagues heldhim. In 1858, when the General Medical Council of theUnited Kingdom was instituted, he was chosen to representin it the Faculty of which he was president. This posthe held till failing strength compelled him to resign it, butnot before he had contributed much to the deliberations ofthe Council, and particularly to the improvement of thepreliminary education of medical students. In 1860, whenhis wife died, Dr. Watson retired from the active pursuitof the profession, and found a perfugium et solatium in thoseearly classical studies which, never altogether abandoned,renewed their attraction for him in his declining years.He leaves four daughters and one son, Dr. EbenezerWatson, Professor of Physiology in the Andersonian Uni-versity. His funeral, which was solemnised on the 3rd inst.,was attended by a large number of friends and professionalbrethren.

THE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.

AT the meeting of the Council of the College of Surgeonson Thursday last, the report of the Court of Examiners onthe recent Fellowship Examination gave rise to some dis-cussion, in which Mr. Erichsen and Mr. Quain expressed astrong opinion as to the unsuitableness of the questions set,and the unfairness of limiting the number of questions tofour. Mr. Busk, as chairman of the Court, entered into anexplanation ; but though no motion on the subject was car-ried, we believe the feeling of the majority of the Councilwas in accordance with the view recently expressed in thesecolumns upon the matter.The several nominations prior to the annual election of

the Professors and Lecturers of the College were made;and it was announced that Professor Birkett and Mr.Hulke did not wish to be again put in nomination.The following motion by Mr. Charles Hawkins-" That

all legal opinions taken by the authority of the Presidentor Council be laid before the Council"-was carried, withthe significant addendum, U as early as convenient."

Medical News.ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND. --

The following Members, having passed the required ex-aminations for the Fellowship on May 25th, 26th, and 27th,were, at a meeting of the Council held on the 8th inst.,duly admitted Fellows of the College :-

Ashby, Alfred, L.S.A., Staines, Middlesex.Bartleet, Hiron, M.B. Lond., Birmingham.Bloxam, John Astley, L.S.A., St. B Bartholomew’s Hospital.Churchill, Frederick, M.B. & C M. Edin., Great George-street.Cooke, Thomas, M.D. Paris, Herne-hill.

’ Goodall, Wm. Preston, L.S.A., Newhall-street, Birmingham.’ Lucas, Richard Clement, L.R.C.P. Lond., Hungerford.

II Roberts, Charles, L.R.C.P. Edin., York.Square, William, L.R.C. P. Lond.. Plymouth.Tait, Robt. Lawson, L.R.C.P. & F.R.C.S. Edin., Birmingham.Welch, Francis Henry, L.S.A., Army, London Hospital.

Seven other candidates were examined but failed to

satisfy the Court, and were referred for a period of twelvemonths further professional study.

Mr. Hulke, F.R.S., will commence his course of lectureson the Minute Anatomy of the Eye, on Monday next,at 4 p.m.

APOTHECARIES’ HALL. - The following gentlemenpassed their examination in the Science and Practice of Medi-

cine, and received certificates to practise, on June 1st:-Corrie, Alfred Thomas, Plymouth.Hodges, Frank Henry, Birmingham.Langdale, Henry Marmaduke, East Hoathly, Sussex.Magrath, John, Forest-row, East Grinstead.Maisey, Frederick Thomas, Cheltenham.Passmore, Frederic George, Brighton.

The following gentlemen also on the same day passed theirfirst professional examination:-’ Corneby Austin, University College; George Bland and Francis Edward

Jackson, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.