Hello everyone, As a new subscriber to the ATHG list, I would like to take a moment to introduce my work. I am at the University of Kentucky, working on a Ph.D. in Geography. Although my masters work was in the area of disability studies, I now find myself increasingly interested in the international work of alcohol studies. In the course of studying the history of the medical profession in the Ohio Valley, I ran across the striking figure of Daniel Drake (1785-1852), a student of Benjamin Rush and Benjamin Smith Barton in Philadelphia went on teach at medical schools in Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville. For my dissertation, I would like to use Daniel Drake's medical geographic and temperance writings as a window into the changing institutional and cultural environment of Cincinnati, Ohio between 1820 and 1850, and the rising concerns for the health and temperance of Western body politic. We know from W.J. Rorabaugh's work a good deal about the social and economic determinants of alcohol consumption in the "alcoholic republic" generally, but I am at a loss when it comes to discriminating regional differences in consumption of ardent spirits from 1820 to 1850. I would appreciate any advice that the subscribers of this list could provide. Secondly, I noted that ATHG members are active in setting up sessions at professional meetings throughout the year. I would appreciate the opportunity to present my work to such a learned audience. Towards this end, I welcome suggestions for upcoming meetings where ATHG members can present, as well as info on researchers who might be interested in participating in a session concerning temperance activism in the early nineteenth century and its relation to the status and gender politics of the 'market revolution.' As I am a medical geographer, I might not find out about these opportunities through normal channels. Thanks for your help--I am excited to be on this list! Michael L. Dorn Current mailing address and contact information: Department of Behavioral Science College of Medicine Office Building University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0086 e-mail: [log in to unmask] tel: (606) 323-6034