New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-25
N. Y. Men Urge
Selective Draft
For Army Doctors
Defence Council Asked to
Provide for National
Census
Iron TIE Tnsun. Bureau


Washington, June 2i.-Selective
draft 70 provide army surgeons is
urged by Major Karl Connell, Major
Richard Derby and Captain Frederick
Van Beurer. Of the New York Commit
tee FOR National Defence. in report
% the Council Of National Defence.
The report urges the drafting Of
,hvsicians selectivcly. on o basis Of
Federal classification. by special med
zeal census similar to that obtained by
New York State.
AZ meeting Of the General Medical
BOARD Of the Council of National De-
fence here to-day. Dr. Connell demon
Grated that out of the 10000 doctors
in the United states fewer than one
half were available for military pur.-
noses. He stated that the policy OF
allowing or urging doctors 10 volunteer
unfortunately in the enormous num-
bers that are needed would result IN
confusion, waste and failure.
Volunteer System a Failure
His ANALYSIS of the Medical Reserve
Corps in New York State clearly indl-
Gated that the volunteer system failed
10 preserve the integrity OF the pup
lie health service, or 10 protect the
local community medical needs. and
that Il neglected 70 consider the indl-
yidual physicians family and profess
sional connections.
DR.. Cornell urged that selective
medical draft, based on special classi-
fcation by census, would accomplish
the desired result by bringing into the
army those best fitted for its uses and
bv leaving al home those most needed
by their communities. The constitu-
tionality of legislation required TO le-
galize the draft of doctors has been
established satisfactorily by an opinion
from the Judge Advocate Generals Of
fee.
The Committee on State Activities of
the Medical Section of the Council OF
National Defence reported to-day TO
the General Medical Board that strong
efforts were being made through the,
state organizations to obtain medical
officers for the army. As yet, however
there is a decided shortage in physi-
clans who are ready 70 volunteer foI
war work.
Output of Surgical Supplies
Tho Committee on Standardization
Of Medical and Surgical Supplies and
EQUIPMENTS, which has been at work
on the problem of overcoming the
shortage in surgical supplies and in
s.runents. due TO the large percentage
Of this material, which has heretofore
been imported from Germany, an
nouneed to-day that through coopera-
ion among American manufacturers
Substantial progress has been made on
Increasing the output for war pur-
poses. The committee has held sew
enl con .erences with manufacturers
on the subject.
The committee is rapidly perfecting
complete Standardization of all medi-
csl instruments and apparatus, through
which the simplest type and the small
est number Of styles of instruments
consistent with scientific performance
will be turned out by all manufactur-
ers. All innovations which do not add
materially TO the effectiveness of surgi-
cal work, especially in the simpler
forms Of instruments, will be dis
couraged, and preference will be given
20 styles which can be manufactured
most rapidly. In this way the COM
nittee hopes 70 aid in producing in
sirumeuts In greater quantities.