South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-19
ALL DOCTORS MAY
Be ORAF TED
Those Unsuitable for Military
Service Would Be Assigned
Elsewhere.

WASHINGTON. July 19.-The
government is about to assume con-
troll of the entire medical profession
in the United states to obtain suf-
hc.eut doctors for the fast growing
army. and at the same time to dis
tribute those remaining i'm the To-
caHtes where they are most needed
for civilian work.
This mobilization is 10 be accom-
plished either by enrolling all doc
tors i'm a volunteer service corps un-
der pledge 10 accept whatever ser
vice. military or civilian. is assigned
them by the governing body OF the
corps or If the voluntary plan is not
successful, by legislation providing
fCi drafting them into government
service. Medical officers Of the gov
eminent believe compulsory con-
scription will not be necessary.
Organization plans for the volun-
teer medical service corps already
have been made and enrolment
started in few states under author
it, Of the council of national de-
Tense.
Civilian Duty.
Instead of enrolling in this corps
only those physicians not suitable
for military service. either because
OF age physical infrmity. depend
eucy. or institutional or public need,
as planned ut present. the govern
ment is expected shortly 10 throw
open the membership TO all doctors.
and TO bind them with "a pledge
during the present emergency 10
accept service military or civilian,
wherever whenever and for what
ever duty he may be called by the
central governing board"
Under this projected plan, the
army and navy would take those
physicians and surgeons best fitted
for active duty and who can be
spared from civilian requirements
A. the same time the government
would maintain "a continuous survey
of the country and assign doctors to
those communities IN which there
are TOO few practitioners.
The practical operation. officials
'.' itN &c NRNAA NttAt~t lAAAAN VI ItAONd-
uon. however. since physicians who
are needed i'm certain communities.
hospital schools or other essential
civilian services would not be COM
missioned i'm the army.
Discuss Volunteer Plan.
Conferences OF doctors were held
Thursday in Washington and
number Of other cities 10 discuss
the operation of the voluntary en-
rollment plan. 4 committee OF
army and navy surgeons also COM
pleted Thursday recommendation
for inclusion i'm the volunteer med
zeal service corps all doctors. i'm
stead OF only those disqualified for
military service OF The $4,000
doctors inn the United States il is es-
minated between $4,000 and $4,000
are iu active practice. and $4,000.
or shout oue-foWth are ~ the army
D- Navy. Nearly 10000 viii be re-
uU.red eventually for the army. The
active practitioners. remaining to-
-c,utr with those who have re-
Tired bar who can be persuaded TO
enter active work must carry on
the health maintenance IN this
country
Ii became known Thursday that
Surgeon Generals Gorgas of the
army BraiSted OF the navy. and
Blue of the public health service.
are considering "a plan for commits
sionine an teachers i'm medical
schools and assigning them 10 their
present duties. This would consti-
tute a means OF preventing further
disruption of medical teaching
~an> and at The sam, time reco--
ul1lug the pualic service 90 these
men