The sun., 1918-08-17
NEW MEDICAL BODY
TO HAVE INSIGNIA
Doctors Joining Volunteer
Medical Service Corps Will
Wear Emblem.


A broadencd field OF effort and activ-
ity for the Volunteer Medca, Service
Corps Of the United States is indicated
In the recent action Of the Council Of
National Defence in authorizing the en-
rolment OF every qualified physician OF
either sex not already commissioned in
the Government service for duty as a
member of an auxiliary medical corps
for city or military needs.
The object of the corps, the organiza-
ton of which was undertaken by DR.
eral medical board Of the Council OF Ma
tional Defence has the full approval OF
President Wilson.
Because of the unparalleled need for
physicians and surgeons In the military
service. members of the profession have
realized the danger confronting civilians
at home by the great drain upon the
medical resources Of the nation The
widened scope under which the new or
ganization will work, 1t Is pointed out,
will accomplish one primary object. That
will be tho registration OF all medical
men and women In the country for all
kinds OF service and will place them
within reach of those who know the
needs and can arrange for the supply
object. of the Corps.
The Council OF National Defence on
August authorized undertaking and
provided for an amplification of the CEN
trail governing board. composed OF medi-
cal officers already In the United States
service. BY that action the Volunteer
Medical Service Corps became a vehicle
by which the civilian physician may
offer his services to the Government, X
required and asked to do so by the gov
erning board. Briefly set forth, the oh
jects OF the corps are:
I. Placing on record all medical men
and women in the United States.
=. Aiding the army, navy and public
health services In supplying war needs.
3. Providing the best civilian service
possible.
4. Giving recognition to all who record
themselves either in army, navy. public
health services or civilian service.
Members OF the Volunteer Medical
Service Corps will be required to wear
insignia that will have definite rec
| ognition and will be proof OF the
wearer's standing as related to the war.
President Wilson'S approval of the
! organization and objects of the corps
is set forth in the subjoned letter to DR.,
! Martin. dated August ~. and which is
made public to-day in the Ncc York
| Medical Journal. .
President Wilson'S Letter.
My dear Dr. Martin: I have re-
celved your letter Of August 8. laying
before me the matured plan for the
! reorganized Volunteer Medical Service
Corps, of which you ask my approval
! This work was undertaken by you
under the authority of the Council of
National Defence; it has had great
| success in enrolling members of the
medical profession throughout the
country into volunteer corps avail
able to supply the needs OF the army,
navy and public health0service.
In cooperation with the General
Medical Board OF the Council Of Ma
! tional Defence. the strong governing
| board Of the recognized corps will b.
/ able to be of increasing service and
! through it the finely trained medical
profession of the United states is not
| only made ready for service in con-
| nectiOn with the activities already
mentioned. but the important work OF
! the Provost Marshal Generals Office
ana the fteu lTOSS VIII DC dlueu anu
| the problems of the health OF the
| civilian communities of the United
States assured consideration. .
| am very happy to give my APP
prevail to the plans which you have
submitted, both because of the use
fulness OF the Volunteer Medical Ser
| vice Corps and also because 1t gives
me an opportunity to express to you,
| and through you to the medical pro-
fession. my deep appreciation OF the
splendid service which the whole pro-
! fcsslon Sas rendered to the nation
| with great enthusiasm from the be-
! ginning of the present emergency.
The health of the army and the
| navy, the health Of the country at
| large. Is due TO the cooperation which
the public authorities have had from
the medical profession the spirit of
sacrifice and service has been every
where present and the record OF the
| mobilization of the many forces OF
this great republic will contain no
| case of reader response or better SER
vice than that which the physicians
| have rendered
Applications for membership in the
Volunteer Medical Service Corps shall
be made upon blanks for the purpose
furnished by the Central Governing
Board the personnel OF which is deter
mined by the Council of National De-
fence In Washington,