Beginning with a generalization of the importance of the study of comparative physiology and pathology, and the direct benefit accruing to man from a more accurate knowledge of the morbid processes in animals, the writer passed to the consideration of the separate diseast s found among them. Contagious pleuro-pneumonia has as yet produced no specific disease in man, its importance depending upon the production of an inferior quality of meat. It was otherwise, however, with splenic fever and

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... r forms of anthracoid disease, which are directly and virulently contagious. Hog cholera derives its interest, not only from the immense pecuniary loss it entails, hut from the fact that the pork when eaten is capable of causing sickness. In the remarks on trichinosis it was shown that, relative to the vast number of swine produced in this country, the per cent, of those infected falls far below what is found abroad, aud that, though there is a reaction against the stringent legislation regarding American pork, still, until a regular governmental system of examinations is instituted, our exports must necessarily be limited. The paper closed with practical suggestions regarding the inspection of all meats. Dr. Joseph R. Smith, U. S. A., offered the next paper on DISEASE AMONG TEXAS CATTLE. From his observations he concluded that Texas cattle in their prairie pastures are singularly free from disease ; that the weight of the spleen is an element of value iu determining diseased conditions only in comparison with the weight of the whole animal and its age. As the result of experiments upon the temperature of cattle it appeared that the normal range was four to five degrees higher than in man. summer of 1881 followed. Of the fifty-four hundred hogs examined, twenty-two were found infected with trichina?. As a result of study upon these it appeared that corn-fed hogs alone were, affected and that Southern swine were free from the disease. The fourth paper, by Dr. John Patridge, of Indiana, on Trichina Spiralis, commenced with remarks on parasites in general as found in man and in animals, noticing their method of development after ingestion, and the varying larvae produced by the same ova iu different animals. The trichina spiral is as found in man was then considered, a brief pathological sketch being prefaced to a clear clinical history of the disease. The case of a nursing child, infected through its mother's milk, was instanced as showing the wide distribution of the parasite when once in the body. He showed that the rate of mortality was much greater among the colored, especially during the first five years of life; that there was a greater liability to consumption and acute lung disease, while especial immunity was enjoyed from cancerous diseases, delirium tremens, and suicides. Much of the increased mortality was due to inferior medical and hygienic attention. He also proved that there is a steady increase in the colored population, and that the African race is not dying out. An interesting fact was the vital disturbance in the colored gain during the decade 1860-70, being 9.9 per cent, against 22.1 per cent, in 1850-60, and 34.8 in 1870-80. From the almost absolute immunity from competition in their occupations, and the absence of overcrowding, he considered there was destined to be a constant numerical increase, but the same factors will prevent any corresponding intellectual improvement, because of the lack of incentives to other and higher industries. An interesting discussion on the probable future of the colored race in America followed.