AMERICAN DERMA TOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION:
in literature do we find Germany, England, and this country, whose contributions have been both numerous and valuable. The forward strides of dermatology within this brief period have been truly re- markable. In support of this assertion one has but to glance over the treatises on diseases of the skin published ten or even five years ago. Our information has indeed of late increased at such a rapid pace as to demand revised editions of such works at the shortest possible intervals. A decade formerly comprised comparatively few important discoveries, while now each year may be said to add ma- terially to our stock of knowledge.
With the year 1870 our dermatological ranks were substantially strengthened by a number of zealous and able workers, the names of most of whom have since become so familiar that it would be ill- timed to allude to them here. Suffice it to say that they were for the most part eminently qualified by long study abroad to enter upon their labors. At this date, especially, the study of skin dis- eases in Europe, more particularly in Vienna, with Hebra, Auspitz, Neumann, and Kaposi ; in Paris, with Bazin, Hardy, Guibout, Hil- lairet, Vidal, and Fournier; and in London, with the late Tilbury Fox, Hutchinson, Naylor, Sims, and Fagge, was made both easy and attractive. The kindly spirit and extreme courtesy shown dur- ing these years to American physicians by our European confreres at the various clinics and hospitals is worthy of more than a pass- ing word, and it affords me hearty pleasure to make formal acknowl- edgment of an appreciation which I am confident was felt by all who enjoyed these opportunities.
The foreign dermatology of this epoch, as seen by American eyes, was briefly sketched in a series of letters,* and in an article, f both by the writer, which were published with the view of communicating information for the benefit of students contemplating study abroad. Somewhat later, an analytical paper, entitled "a review of modern dermatology,"! also appeared in the American Journal of the Med- ical Sciences, from the pen of Dr. James C. White, wherein was presented much of interest concerning foreign dermatology. Dis- eases of the skin now began to attract considerable attention, and the profession at large was not slow in recognizing meritorious com- munications. On the contrary, the really good productions were amply appreciated, as shown by the reprints and full abstracts to be found in the leading journals.
In 1870 an event occurred which marks an era in dermatology at large. I refer to the publication of the first number of the Ameri- can Journal of Syphilography and Dermatology, which was issued in October of this year, under the editorial management of Dr. M. H. Henry, of New York. The journal was well conducted by its edi- tor, who received valuable assistance from our dermatologists in the
- Phila. Med. Times, vol. i. (1870-71).
t " On the Study of Dermatology." Amer. Jour, of Syph. and Derm., April, 1871. X April, 1 87 1. 27
