M. H. Fletcher 107 



As was to have been expected, he rose rapidly to the front 

 ranks and long enjoyed the distinction of being one of the first 

 men in his profession. His research work was never abandoned. 

 In 1887 he was invited to read a paper before the Oral Surgery 

 Section of the Ninth International Medical Congress held at Wash- 

 ington, D. C, on the results of his investigations during the pre- 

 vious seven years. During the last twenty-five years of his life the 

 results of his research work were embodied in many papers which 

 he read before the American Medical Association, Section of 

 Stomatology, and the leading dental associations of the country. 



At these gatherings he was recognized as an authority, and his 

 papers received profound attention. 



Of the broadest culture, there was no department of human 

 activity that failed to enlist his interest. While his professional 

 work engrossed him, he found time for play, but only such play 

 as brought him mental or physical recreation. Nothing gave him 

 greater enjoyment than an early spring day afield with his daughter, 

 renewing his acquaintance with the birds that had just returned 

 from the South, or later in the season with congenial spirits breast- 

 ing the current of the Ohio, and living over again the joys of 

 boyhood in the ''Old Swimmin' Hole." 



In 1891 he took a course in Embryology at Earlham College, 

 and at the same time delivered a course of lecturer on Photomi- 

 crography. At the close of the course, the college, in consideration 

 of the work which he had done along lines of scientific research, 

 conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Science. 



In 1886 he became a member of the Cincinnati Society of 

 Natural History. He at once took an active part in the proceed- 

 ings of the Society. In 1896 he was elected to the Executive 

 Board, and was never after that out of the councils of the Society. 

 He filled every executive office with great credit and had all but 

 completed a fifth term as president when deatn uvertook him. 



He was intensely interested in securing funds for a new fire 

 proof building in which to house the Society's collection. 



