^9 THK AMKKI(\\N ^f()^'TIILV | I'Vl.rnaiy, 



C^iEKKT Cli H, London, Encilanm. 



/■■y/i/av, Dec. i6y iSgz. — The president. Dr. Dallin^ei , held 

 the 307th ie«;iihir meetinjj at jo Hatiover Squaie. 



The secretary annoiinceil that the Journal will liereattcr be 

 publishe(i in March ami October — price raised to S7 cents per 

 number. Otticers for the year will be electeil January Joth. 



Prof. W. C. Williamson. LL.I)., read the paper of the e\enin<j, 

 on '* Mineralization of the Minute Tissues of Animals and 

 Plants." lie tliscussed the chief features of the process of fossili- 

 zation takin*; jjlace in various orders of animals and plants, and 

 the manner in which their skeletal or protoplasmic tissues are 

 replace*! bv calcium carbonate, silica or iron suli)hide. and <^ave 

 many illustrative instances occurring; in several geological forma 

 tions. A large series oJ microscopical sections and specimens 

 wi'if fxiiibitcd. 



>K>V PI KLK ATKINS. 



Hicnttial Report of the Alahatna Insane Hospital for tzco 

 years, ending- Sept. JO, l8g2. Montgomerv. Ala. 1S92, 

 'pp. 104. 



From this report, which Dr. l^ondurant. the pathologist, has 

 kindly sent to us, it appears that during the past iS months 

 some 92 autopsies have been held. Organs and tissues showing 

 disease have been subjected to subsequent microscopic study, or 

 in many instances preserved entire. Microscopic slides to the 

 number of about 2,000, chiefly animal tissue, normal and diseased, 

 have been accumulated. 



In a series of autopsies the pathologist has made micro- 

 scopical examinations of the kidneys, and has reported the 

 results obtained in each of the 44 cases. There was always 

 somethinjf abnormal found about the kidneys. The astonishing 

 statement is made that some form of Bright's disease has been 

 found in at least one-half the insane persons brought to this 

 hospital for treatment. 



The kidneys were prejjared for microscopic study by hardening 

 in Mueller's or Fleming's fluid or in dilute alcohol. .Sections 

 were cut by the ordinary imbedding methods and examined un- 

 stained. They were also colored by the usual nuclear stains as 

 well as by the aniline dyes. Ff)r the demonstration of amyloid 

 degeneration, both iodine in solution and the acetic acid — gentian 

 violet method was employed. .Sections were in every instance 

 made from both kidneys. Postmortem changes in the cells of the 

 kidne\ s were always considered and avoided as much as possible 

 bv making early autopsies. 



