342 



As an author, he confined himself chiefly to Monographs, several 

 of which were published in the scientific journals, and in detached 

 pamphlets. To one on the penetration of gases, allusion has already- 

 been made. Others were on the Formation of Solid Carbonic Acid 

 Gas ; on Air, Fire and Water, as illustrating the Wisdom and Good- 

 ness of God ; a new Theory and Treatment of Rheumatism ; on Cur- 

 vatures of the Spine; on the Tests for the Detection of Arsenic; on 

 the Smallpox; on the Means of elevating the Character of the Work- 

 ing Classes; on the Value of the Practical Interrogation of Nature; 

 on the Value of a great Medical Reputation, &c. &c. 



Several of these were originally delivered before the Franklin In- 

 stitute or the Jefierson Medical College. He read, also, before the 

 College of Physicians of Philadelphia, an interesting communication 

 on the phenomena of mesmerism as observed by him, with the infer- 

 ences which he drew therefrom. His most elaborate monograph, 

 however, was on the cryptogamous origin of malarial fever, which 

 was replete with interesting facts and ingenious deductions. He pub- 

 lished, also, an article in the American Cyclopedia of Medicine and 

 Surgery, on the Chemical and Pharmaceutical History and Toxico- 

 logical Efl^ects of Arsenic, and edited the American reprint of Fara- 

 day's Chemical Manipulations. ■ 



Dr. Mitchell was the author of various other scientific and literary 

 productions, which added to his well earned and well merited reputa- 

 tion; and was a member of many scientific, literary, and philan- 

 thropic institutions. 



He was elected into this Society in the year 1827. 



The meeting then proceeded to the consideration of the re- 

 solution offered at the last meeting, proposing to repeal that 

 clause of Sect. 3, Chap. II. of the Laws of the Society, which 

 prohibits the election of any person as President, at more than 

 two out of any three successive elections: — 



And a vote being taken upon the proposed amendment, it 

 was agreed to, the yeas being 23, and the nays 2: so the 

 amendment was adopted, and the clause stricken out as pro- 

 posed. 



