1878] WRITmGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. 537 



in a paralytic condition. This was at first referred by the 

 medical adviser to an affection of the brain, but as the 

 paralysis subsided in a considerable degree in the course of 

 two days, this conclusion was doubted, and on a thorough 

 examination through the eye and by means of auscultation 

 and chemical analysis Dr. S. Weir Mitchell and Dr. J. J. 

 Woodward pronounced the disease an affection of the kid- 

 neys. The paralysis of the hand was accompanied with 

 paroxysms of pain through the region of the heart and with 

 oppression of breathing. 



Under the judicious and generous direction of Drs. Mitchell 

 and Woodward and the constant supervision of my family 

 physicians, Drs. N. S. Lincoln and G. Tyler, the paroxysms 

 have subsided and I am slowly improving, and now enjoy 

 the prospect of being restored in a measure to my former 

 condition of health. 



But I am warned that I must devote my energies with 

 caution, and expend no more power, physical or mental, than 

 is commensurate with my present condition; and in consid- 

 eration of this I think it advisable to curtail as much as pos- 

 sible the responsibilities which devolve upon me in connec- 

 tion with the various offices which have been pressed upon 

 me in consideration of my residence in the city of Washing- 

 ton and my connection with the Smithsonian Institution. 



It will be recollected that five or six years ago I asked 

 leave to resign the presidency of the National Academy, be- 

 lieving that there were other members who had more leisure, 

 and were better qualified to discharge the duties than myself. 

 I received however a circular letter, signed by a number of 

 the principal members of the Academy, requesting me to 

 continue to hold the office. 



I must think that the idea of my special fitness for the 

 position was founded on the supposition that it was necessary 

 for the president of the Academy to be a citizen of Wash- 

 ington; but this idea has been found incorrect by experi- 

 ence, and it is proved to be sufficient for carrying on the 

 business of the Academy with the departments of Govern- 

 ment, that the home secretary should reside in this city. 



