SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
535 
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try, giving a detailed account of its presence and extent in the 
District of Columbia. He also took occasion to reply to recent 
articles appearing in the Journal discrediting the existence of 
such a disease, or at least minimizing its prevalence, and was 
replied to by Dr. Hoskins, the editor, who maintained his con¬ 
tention, saying that the numerous deaths recorded are from ner¬ 
vous collapse from fear. It was apparent that the latter stood 
almost alone in this opinion. 
Dr. J. F. Winchester, of Massachusetts, then read the prin¬ 
cipal sections of an exhaustive paper on u Antiseptic Thera* 
peutiqs,” based upon a large amount of experimentation, and 
resulting in some important original deductions. 
“ Practical Antiseptics ” was the subject of an able paper 
by Dr. G. A. Johnson, of Sioux City, Iowa. 
“ Veterinary Progress in Michigan,” by Dr. Wm. Jopling, 
was a lucid portrayal of the situation in the Wolverine State, 
giving the details of the struggles for recognition by the Legis¬ 
lature and the obstacles thrown in our pathway by private 
individuals with axes to grind. 
u Spavin, its Etiology and Treatment,” brought the subject 
up to the hour, and when one has read this thorough presenta¬ 
tion of the subject by Dr. W. J. Martin, of Kankakee, Ill., he 
will have a full idea of all that is best upon this practical and 
persistent lameness of the horse. 
“ Snakes, Venoms, and Antidotes,” was read only by title and 
referred to the Publication Committee for insertion in the 
“ Proceedings,” as its author, Dr. E. M. Ranck, of Philadelphia, 
thought that as many practical and more important subjects 
were awaiting discussion, his contribution would be just as 
valuable as a part of the archives, and could be read at the 
leisure of the members. He, however, gave a demonstration of 
his method of removing the venom from deadly reptiles. He 
brought forth a box with a glass cover, containing a three-foot 
rattlesnake, which gave signs of his animate nature by keeping 
up a vigorous rattling wdienever disturbed. By means of a 
wooden rod to the end of which was attached a leather loop, 
which could be tightened or loosened at will, the head of the 
snake was lassooed and he was brought forth amidst strenuous 
efforts on the part of his snakeship to drive his forked tongue 
into his captor’s hand. Being held firmly in the noose, an 
ordinary glass was pressed against the palate back of the fangs 
through which the venom is ejected when the bite is made. 
Then by pressing against the glands which secrete this 
