til 



of exercise, the developments are more rare than in denser popula 

 tions. I ascribe to these causes, and not to the prevalence of miasmatic 

 diseases, our greater exemption from this desolating form of disease. 

 Conjunctivitis, as well granular as mild, is very common. This is the 

 result of strong winds impinging on the conjunctiva, freighted with dust 

 and sand, and other impurities. This disease is, I think, most com- 

 mon in summer and autumn. 



Before I conclude, I feel called upon to allude to a remarkable se- 

 ries of local affections. In Dr. Horr's interesting communication he 

 alludes to the greater prevalence of felons or whitloes, than in Ohio, 

 where he formerly practiced. How this, a local disease, can be more 

 prevalent in one country than another, I am at a loss to conjecture, but 

 certainly in the practice of my own office, I have never seen as ma- 

 ny cases as in the last six or eight months, and I would mention as 

 occurring at the same time, an unusual amount of phlegmonous tu- 

 mors and carbuncles. I have seen a gentleman from Indiana or Ohio, 

 who tells me that the same thing has been observed there during the 

 past winter. Can this be a local affection marking the advance of 

 some epidemic influence? The subject is worthy of notice and re- 

 mark. 



I have thus, Mr. President, discharged my duty in a very imper- 

 fect manner, as none can feel more sensibly than myself. I have been 

 confined for almost six weeks with inflammatory rheumatism, from 

 which my hands are yet great swollen, so much so, that I have been 

 compelled to avail myself of the kind aid of my friend Dr. Matthews, 

 to copy this communication, my own hand being almost illegible. I 

 was not well enough to commence preparing my report until nearh 

 dark on Saturday evening, and every word I have written has been 

 with pain. Some subjects, as for instance, the hygrometric condition 

 of the atmosphere, I entirely forgot in my great suffering, until it was 

 too late to do more than allude to it. I may mention also, that I sent 

 circulars to some fifteen or twenty of the most distinguished physi- 

 cians in the State, but have received only five communications, which 

 have already been honorably no + iced. The paucity of communica- 

 tions which I have received, while it shows less interest than I expect- 

 ed among our medical men, will account for large sections of our 

 State being entirely unnoticed. 



I hope our Society will accept this report as the best evidence un 

 der all the circumstances, that I could possibly gi*t of my devotion 

 to the great objects of medical improvement. 



Dr. McGugin then offered the following preamble and resolu- 

 tion 



