liberal physicians is far in advance of the European
system. One signal proof of this was given at Cincinnati in 1849, when
that city was visited by a terrible epidemic of Asiatic cholera, which
swept off five thousand of its inhabitants. The mortality of cholera
under old school practise had been from twenty-five to sixty per
cent., the latter having been realized in hospitals at Paris. Under
the practice taught in our college at that time, the mortality in
1,500 cases did not exceed six per cent.

The atmosphere of freedom in this country, and the absolute medical
freedom (until within a few years the colleges have procured medical
legislation to help their diplomas, and their graduates) have given a
progressiveness and practicality to American physicians which are
beginning to be recognized abroad.

Dr. Lawson Tait is eminent in the treatment of women in England. In
the _Medical Current_ of April 20th, he is quoted as expressing a
regret that his time and money had not been directed to the Western
instead of the Eastern Hemisphere, when picking up his medical
knowledge. He predicted that 'ere long it will be to the medical
colleges of America rather than to those of Europe that students will
travel.' Then he goes on to say:

"American visitors abroad who have given weeks and months to see
me work, have one and all impressed me with their possession of
that feature of mind which in England I fear we do not possess,
the power of judging any question solely upon its merits, and
entirely apart from any prejudice, tradition, or personal bias.
No matter how we may struggle against it, tradition rules all we
do; we cannot throw off its shackles, and I am bound to plead
guilty to this weakness myself, perhaps as fully as any of my
countrymen may be compelled to do. I may have thrown off the
shackles in some instances, but I know that I am firmly bound in
others, and my hope is that my visit to a freer country and a
better climate may extend my mental vision."

POWER OF MAGNETISM AND SUGGESTION.

The suggestion of Du Prel as to the hypnotic teaching in France, that
an idea impressed on the mind of the hypnotized will be realized in
the body is the basis of a great deal of therapeutic philosophy. It is
true in practice just to the extent of human impressibility. A
cheerful physician or friend, by encouraging words impresses the idea
of recovery and thus sometimes produce