662 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
Dr. Brown’s paper on the “ Uses of Electricity in Veterinary Medicine,” was 
postponed one year by special request. 
Dr. G. A. Johnson read a paper on the cornstalk disease.* 
Dr. S. B. Nelson presented a few notes of cases on the use of eserine.* 
Dr. Edwards presented a paper on a disease known by some as scrofulous 
ostitis*. 
These papers were discussed at considerable length by all the members. 
The following officers were selected : President, L. A. Thomas; First Vice- 
President, A. B. Morse; Second Vice-President, G. A. Johnson; Secretary and 
Treasurer, S. Stewart. 
Moved by A. B. Morse, seconded by M. E. Johnson, that Dr. W. L. Williams 
be tendered a vote of thanks for his valuable paper and be elected an honorary 
member of this Association. Carried by unanimous vote. 
On motion a vote of thanks was tendered the proprietors of the Savory 
House for the use of its parlors. 
On motion a vote of thanks was tendered Drs. Thomas Morse and Howell 
for the clinical demonstrations given the Society. 
Adjourned to meet in Des Moines during the autumn of 1891, the time to be 
fixed by the President. S. Stewakt, Secretary. 
' # 
MASSACHUSETTS VETERINARY ASSOCIATION. 
The regular meeting of the Massachusetts Veterinary Association was held 
at 19 Boylston Place, Boston, Wednesday evening, November 26th, 1890, 
President Thomas Blackwood in the chair. The members present were Drs. 
Blackwood, Emerson, Ferguson, Hadcock, Howard, Marshall, Winchester, 
Billings and the Secretary. Honor ary member—Dr. Stickney. Essayist—Dr. 
E. C. Becket. 
Minutes of last meeting read and accepted. 
There was no new business; the next in order was the reading of a paper by 
Dr. Becket upon “ Surgical Treatment of Recto-vaginal Fistula.” 
The paper consisted chiefly of the notes of two cases of recto-vagina fistula 
treated at the Harvard Veterinary Hospital, on Village Street. The essayist said 
that the cause was generally parturition, and was often complicated with rupture 
of the perineum, inclnding a portion of the sphincter ani. He then described the 
two cases referred to above; both were complicated with tear of the perineum, 
although one was much worse than the other. They were much benefited by 
treatment, the fistula being closed, but it was impossible to bring about repair of 
the sphincter ani in either case ; consequently in going down hill the gut would 
fill with air until they had a bloated appearance, and this would pass off on level 
ground, together with more wind, rendering them disagreeable to drive. The 
treatment consisted in freshening the edges of the opening between the rectum 
and vagina and bringing them together with sutures, silver wire being mostly 
used. It was found best to operate by throwing the mare and then etherizing ; 
the animal when under the influence of ether relaxed the parts and thus rendered 
them more accessible. The intestines should be as empty as possible before 
operating, and kept quiet as long as possible afterward to avoid disturbance of 
* Will be published in the February Review, having reached our office too 
late to be placed in this issue. 
