PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 175 



retired from active participation in its direction, retaining, however, 

 literary connection with it as corresponding editor. 



Meanwhile, a single year proved sufficient to disgust the Virginia 

 Medical Society with the task of editing a journal. Its manage- 

 ment was found fruitful of unfortunate dissensions, and in May, 

 1855, the society wisely concluded to sell out. Under new auspices 

 The Stethoscope continued to appear monthly until the close of the 

 year, when an arrangement was effected by which it was united 

 with The Virginia Medical and Surgical Journal, under the title of 

 Virginia Medical Journal, with McCaw as editor, and Otis as cor- 

 responding editor. 



Although his residence in Richmond had failed to secure for Otis 

 a lucrative practice, this could not well have been expected at his 

 early age. It had, however, given him some opportunities for ac- 

 quiring experience at the bedside as well as in literature, and if he 

 did not secure the profitable favor of the laity, he at least won 

 for himself the respect and confidence of his professional brethren. 

 He was an active member of the Virginia Medical Society, and 

 represented that body in the American Medical Association at the 

 Richmond meeting of May, 1852. He was also a member of the 

 Richmond Medico-Chirurgical Society, which he represented in the 

 American Medical Association at the New York meeting of May, 

 1853. 



Established at Springfield, Massachusetts, Otis occupied himself 

 more exclusively than heretofore with the duties of private practice, 

 and with better pecuniary success than he had enjoyed at Richmond. 

 He continued for a time to contribute translations, abstracts, and 

 various items to the Virginia Medical Journal ; but as the demands 

 of his business became more urgent these became fewer, although 

 he continued to be nominally corresponding editor of that journal 

 until the close of 1859. As time wore on, he began to obtain con- 

 siderable local reputation as a skillful surgeon, and would probably 

 have acquired both wealth and distinction in civil surgical practice 

 but for the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion. This changed 

 the whole tenor of his life. So soon as it became clear to his mind 

 that the struggle was likely to be a prolonged one, he resolved to 

 devote himself to the service of his country. He received from 

 Governor Andrew the appointment of Surgeon to the 27th Regiment 

 of Massachusetts Volunteers, of which Horace C. Lee was Colonel, 

 and was mustered into the service of the United States, September 

 14, 1861. ' 



