Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-03

Provost Marshal General.
The fears of doctors and others with mill
tary training summoned to the colors under
the recent draft that they would not have
an opportunity of giving the country the
benefit Of their medical training today were
oet at rest by a telegram received from
Provost Marshal General Crowder in reply
to an inquiry from the EVENING LEDGER
In this telegram he stated that all medical
men would be turned over to the medical
corps up. to Its maximum authorized
strength.
There has been great CONSERVATION in
medical circles here and throughout the
country following a memorandum issued by
General Crowder on June 20. In this he
refused to turn over to surgeon General
Gorgas the medical men called In the draft.
This statement WAS backed up by Secretary
Baker in a memorandum dated Iune 30, in
which lie said: II am constrained to be-
lieve his advice in the matter to be correct"
The matter appeared of such serious
nature to those In a position to appreciate
the medical needs of the country that plans
were considered for carrying the matter be-
fore Congress.
study Of the subject, having consulted the
deans Of all leading medical colleges in this
country and having conferred with sur.
geons from abroad, notably Colonel Good
win, of the English Royal Medical Corps,
now attached to General Gorgass staff
Many blunders were made in England at
the beginning of the war. and it has been
General Gorgass aim to prevent the waste
OF medical training in this country. The
drafting Of trained medical men into other
branches OF the service would soon result in
m entire lack of available material for the
medical corps according to General Gorgas
The plan developed by the surgeon gen.
erals office was TO have all medical men
turned over to it by General Crowder In
this way students could continue their med
ical studies on furlough until such time as
they were fitted to be enrolled in the med
ical corps, and doctors and others with
medical training could be placed in the
most advantageous positions. Such n plan
would prevent the waste of trained men.
such took place In England. and would
make for the greatest efficiency. 1t would
also provide a continuous supply Of doctors
Tor the army and navy.
GENERAL CRowDER's VIEWS
However. General Crowder did not take
kindly to these plans. He refused to turn
over the doctors to the Surgeon General and
he also insisted that all students should
be treated In the same manner as unframed
men. He asserted that in his opinion med
zeal students could better complete their
training in the army ranks than by con-
tinuing at college. 81 have never heard any
of medical students" he said. but added:
Il am open-minded on the subject"
1t was pointed out by medical educators
that the colleges would be greatly handi-
capped by such plan, and that II was pre-
posterous to say that medical training
could be satisfactorily completed by pri-
Yates in the army. there being no means of
giving medical education on the field
such action would repeat the blunder made
IN England of placing trained men in posi-
ions requiring no such training as they
mad had, and would be contrary TO the
course advocated by President Wilson of
having every man carry his profession TO
the trenches In so far as possible
DEFENSE COUNCILS IDEA
This statement follows:
The following notice to medical and
pre-medical students is posted at the
request OF the medical board of the Coun-
Gil OF National Defense by the advisory
commission. and the CHIEF of the medical
section OF the same body 1t Is posted
with the full approval of the executive
0mcers OF this institution.
In the present national crisis a con
unuous supply of adequately trained |
omcers is absolutely essential for the |
maintenance of armed forces in the field. |
1t would be folly for the country to pre-
pare for the immediate emergency alone
We must face the possibility of the war
lasting for years. 1t is therefore the
patriotic duty Of all college students in
tending to study medicine to remain under
instruction until the country can avail
itself Of their trained services
Medical schools, are. in a sense, 'mu-
milton works" necessary to produce
trained medical officers for the army and
navy, All medical students must there
fore, In the interest OF national safety,
continue their work until graduation. |
With the exception of such men as the !
navy can utilize, all graduates are urged
to obtain hospital training. which the
surgeons general Of the army and the
navy consider essential for their arms |
of the service.
The telegram received today by the |
EVENING LEDGER In answer to an inquiry |
IN this point has caused great satisfaction |
% the medical profession of this city. Su- |
perintendent Test. of the Pennsylvania Hos |
,ital. said:
This is certainly the only proper course. |
L would seem like a crime to stop the
supply Of doctors by taking medical stu
Tents away from their work to do service |
hat could be equally we'll performed by |
men without medical training. Before we
ire through with the war 1t is certain that |
III available doctors will be required In
their capacity as doctors. To handicap
this supply in any way would be great
mistake"