JuNE 14, 1901.] 
attention which has not been possible under 
the existing scheme of organization during 
the last forty years. It recognizes the 
paramount importance of the scientific 
feature of our work by relieving the gen- 
eral meetings and the sections alike of the 
troublesome details that now consume the 
limited and valuable time of the sessions. 
It remedies the glaring and serious defects 
in the present constitution. It prepares 
the Association, by perfecting the organiza- 
tion, to meet important and pressing ques- 
tions. These considerations, together with 
the fact that the existing constitutional 
provision, relative to delay of action on 
pending amendments, has been met by the 
appointment, a year ago, of a committee 
for the avowed and published purpose of 
reorganization, and by the action of the 
committee in laying the results of its work 
before every member of the Association—I 
say these considerations and these facts 
prompt me to advise the adoption of the 
proposed Constitution and By-Laws in their 
entirety at the present annual session of 
the Association. 
The Committee on Reorganization, under 
the restrictions of the resolution creating 
it, has, very properly, left undisturbed the 
existing rules of conduct. These, if con- 
strued to have a fundamental importance, 
and if vigorously enforced as they now 
stand, would disintegrate the Association 
in a single day. This reason, and others 
already given, confirm me in the conviction 
that such rules should be either amended 
or abrogated, or, if reaffirmed, it should be 
by general resolution endorsing their un- 
derlying principles, but disclaiming the 
present applicability of their details. There 
are, however, various views entertained 
upon this subject, and that the matter may 
be approached in a spirit of tolerance, that 
it may be discussed coolly and impartially, 
that a consensus may be reached, and that 
harmony may be attained, I recommend 
SCIENCE. 
937 
that the general questions of the revision 
of the rules of conduct be referred to a 
special committee on ethics, consisting of 
three:members, with instructions to report 
to the legislative body at the next annual 
session of the Association. 
THE NEW SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. 
The changes which I have advocated are 
essential for the attainment of the purposes 
of the Association and for the fulfillment 
of the high destiny of our national profes- 
sion. They are demanded by the changes 
that have taken place during the last fifty 
years. The legislative functions have 
passed from voluntary organizations to the 
Congress and the Legislatures where they 
belong ; but it still devolves upon the pro- 
fession in the organized capacity to stimu- 
late, to restrain, or otherwise to control the 
law-making power. The responsibility of 
the profession is increased, rather than 
diminished. Science has come to have a 
clearer meaning. He who now proclaims 
a dogma cries alone in the night, while the 
world sleeps. They who demand a creed 
may read its varying terms only in the 
progressive revelation of natural laws. 
Practice has changed. The depletions, the 
gross medications, the absurd attenuations, 
the ridiculous anti-mineralism have given 
away toa refined pharmacy and to a more 
rational therapy. Sacrificial surgery has 
yielded tothe spirit of conservatism. Pre- 
vention is given precedence over cure. 
Education implies research and discovery, 
and all may delve. I proclaim, events 
proclaim, the existence of a new school of 
medicine. Itis as distinct from the schools 
of fifty years ago as is the Christian dispen- 
sation from its pagan antecedents. It is the 
product of convergent influences, of diverse 
antecedent origin. It acknowledges no‘dis- 
tinctive title, it heralds no shibboleth. It 
is a school of human tolerance, of personal 
independence, of scientific honesty. It is 
