Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-18
Doctors Using Autos
for Aid and Comfor9
CBy DR.. NJ. D. McNab, in Chico
Evening Post.)

lBy Dr. NJ. u. McNao, III Chicago
Evening Post)
Wherever an attempt is made to
classify automobile users according to
their vacations it will be found that
the medical profession not only ap-
pears at the head of the list but
leaves a comfortable marking between
its own figures and those OF the near
est competitor. No other calling has ,
availed itself OF the advantages of the |
automobile with greater alacrity.
How strong hold the automobile !
has taken on the doctors appreciation
may be seen from a statement of the
I Maxwell-Briscoe Motor company that
/ Of 81 600 Maxwells in use at the pres
ent time, 16,527 are in the hands OF
physicians. This gives the medical
profession lead that is not likely L
. be overcome for some time.
/ In calling the motor car into his
important service the doctor does not
pay tribute TO fashion, but adopts this
modern method of individual trans
porIaJion in the same spirit in which
he uuliZes the valuable discoveries of
science and the advantages of improv-
ed apparatus.
II IS essential, especially to the
country practitioner, that he possess
facilities for independent transporta-
ton, hence the once-familiar picture
or the doctors horse and buggy. But
with the increased use OF the automo-
bile, the hitching post has lost its
S gnihcanCe, the service of animal
flesh and blood its former apprecia-
ton, and in its stead We see the mo-
tor car in form admirably adapted
to the professional mans needs, since
it does the work for many horses, be-
sides doiPg it better, cheaper and
quicker than its four-legged predeces-
sor.
In recOUnting the many allurements
Of the motor car for use by the doc
tor the greater speed obtained natur-
ally is an important consideration,
though it is well to bear in mind that
the main factor is less the capabiIity
Of the automobile to travel a certain
number Of miles per hour than that of
maintaining a given speed for an in
definite time.
First OF all, the automobile has
greater speed, and thus it saves time.
It possesses greater endurance, since
II is not subject to fatigue and may
be driven 30 or 100 miles without det-
rimeut to its life or TO its readiness
to perform a like service time and
again: in other words, it requires no
rest after coming in from one call, a
simple turn of the starting handle be-
ing suf5 Cient TO send the car on an
other errand.
The automobile is more sanitary
than horses, because, unlike the ami.
nal, it attracts no insects and is not
responsible for doors that are insep-
arabic from places where horses are
kept. II is cheaper than horses, even
when used to the fullest limit. 1t re-
quires feeding only when running
while causing no expense whatever
during periods of nonuse.
II doubles the usefulness of the
physician because he can call upon
his patients in one-third the time, OF
he can call On three times the number
OF patients, increasing in either case
his value 10 the community: and last
but not least, his income-not to for.
. get the increased opportunity for
study and recreation, gains which in
our modern life are Of equal import
ance
The automobile is less troublesome
than the horse, because it requires Nc
grooming, no sh0eing, no veterinary
skin; in fact, il is not in need Of any
sort Of attention that cannot be given
20 il BY the doctors railing in pro
dignity TO the doors calling in pro