The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-01

To the Editor of The Age-Herald: While our government is mobiliz- ing it's men and munitions for the great war its efforts are not by any means confined to methods of de- struction. The most painstakirg pre- cautions are being taken for the say- ing of life and the prevention of suf- fering. The medical department of the United States army with its force of doctors. it's vast stores. its equipment of all kinds. is working steadily to get itself ready against that day when our boys in olive drab will take their places in the trenches.
 Back of these physician soldiers stands the Red Cross, with it's thou sands of nurses. it's millions of dol lars, its vast machinery of mercy. And back of the Red Cross stands the peo- pie of America, especially the women, ready, willing and anxious to do their share in the noblest work of the war the relief of the sick and suffering.
 But toll as they may, neither the government. the Red Cross nor the women of America can help our boys uIlSSo lle uOClOI6 OL AIH0TlCd dWdkG to their responsibilities and do their part, This merciful duty belongs chief ly to the doctors They alone are in- dispensible. Lawyers, business men, farmers, mechanics. can march and fight, but none but the doctor can save our soldiers from needless suf- fering and death. In the prosecution of doctors is essential. The machinery of the surgeon generals office, vast as it is, cannot cope unaided with the task at hand. For this reason the war department long ago began the organi- Zation of the medical reserve corps for the purpose of supplying medical officers in case of emergency. The or ganization is made up of physicians who have been accepted as capable and willing to take up the duties of medical officers whenever called.
 The vast number of doctors re- quired for the war is almost unbe- lievable. It has been estimated that one doctor out of every five will be called for. In other words, 30,000 of the 150,000 medical practitioners of America will be needed If our hoys in the trenches are to be properly cared for. The very first principle of modern warfare is to keep the army well. Sanitation Is the watchword and the care of the wounded the greatest duty. What could be nobler than for one who is learned in medicine, who has assumed the obligations and re- responsibilities of the Hippocratic oath, to give of his knowledge and skill 10 his suffering fellows?
 Let us see how the medical profess sion has risen to its opportunity. Since war was declared every effort has been made to recruit the medical re- serve corps up to the number required. Alabama's quota Is 400 doctors, Jeff ferson county's share of this is 60.
 In all Alabama less than 50 doc- tors have volunteered their services, and in Jefferson county less than 30. In Alabama, among the young men registered on June 5 are 236 physi- clans, every one of whom is subject to draft. Yet less than one-third have volunteered. There are 300 doctors licensed to practice medicine in Jeff ferson county Of these less than one tenth have offered their services
 A few weeks ago the president of the American Medical association called upon every member of that body less than 55 years of age to join the medical reserve corps If the re" sponse of our Alabama doctors Is q sample, his call has gone out in vain
 It seems hard thing that a man cause he is doctor. No other pro