We observe that Dr. Piffard has retired from his editorial connection with the Journal of Cutaneous and Venereal Diseases. The Journal will be continued under the sole editorial charge of Dr. P. A. Morrow. We may remind our readers that this is the only publication in the English language devoted to Skin and Venereal Diseases, and during the three years of its existence it has won for itself a high reputation for scientific excellence as well as practical utility. In addition to presenting all that is new and valuable in these special departments, the colored lithographs and wood engravings with which the original articles are illustrated are worth more than the price of subscriptions. Judging from the handsome appearance of the January number, which is enriched by an admirable chromo-lithograph and a number of well-executed woodcuts, and the eminently practical character of its contents, this high standard will be maintained in the future. SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CHICAGO MEDICAL SOCIETY. OFFICIAL REPORT. _Stated Meeting, January 18th, 1886._ President pro. tem., D. W. Graham, M. D., in the chair. Dr. E. J. Doering read a paper entitled MUTUAL PROTECTION AGAINST BLACKMAIL. The author stated that among the many trials which physicians have to encounter in the practice of their profession is the ever-existing liability of being blackmailed. This may either assume the more frequent form of a so-called malpractice suit, or the relatively less frequent charge of a criminal assault, according to the viciousness of the complainant. Such suits against physicians are increasing. One reason quoted was the fact that every city is overrun with petty lawyers, who have little or nothing to do, and are always willing to encourage any suit whatever, if there be the least prospect of getting something out of the defendant. The author stated that since investigating the matter he became convinced that many of these blackmail schemes were settled before being made public. Many a physician preferred being robbed of one or two hundred dollars, rather than incur the publicity, the loss of time and the endless expense of a lawsuit. Again, the average jury, composed of the ignorant and illiterate, will always have a strong leaning toward the complainant and against the defendant in a malpractice suit, as physicians are popularly supposed to be capitalists. The author stated that personally he had never been sued or even threatened with a suit, and it was therefore from no motive of selfish interest, but from a sincere regard for the welfare of the profession, that he advocated the formation of an association for the mutual protection of physicians against blackmailing suits of all kinds. His plan is to organize a society