THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE

To the Editor: —The fifth congress to be held on the history of medicine since the foundation of the society in 1920 took place at the Athenee in Geneva, July 20 to 25, under the presidency of Dr. Charles Greene Cumston, formerly of Boston, and now instructor in medical history in the University of Geneva. Eleven nations were represented (Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, Morocco, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United States) and although the number of those registered was not as great as at the previous congress (influenced largely by the unfavorable rate of exchange), the percentage attending the various seances was considerably higher. Five national sections (Egypt, Greece, Portugal, Roumania and Sweden) were not represented. Each session was presided over by the representative of one of the countries participating. In opening the congress Monday afternoon, Dr. Cumston gave an interesting talk on several men prominent in