Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
A Diagnostic Clinic.

After long elaboration, a group OF
washington's leading physicians are
proposing a project to make available to
the average man or woman all the re-
sources of medical science at a mod
crate. fixed price.
The plan is described in detail else
where in today's Star. 1t represents a
pioneer step toward the solution of a
troublesome and often tragic economic
problem-that of reducing the high cost
Of sickness without resorting to in
diWdual charity, enormous endowments.
er public appropriations. AS such 1t
deserves the thoughtful consideration
Of the public.
Much of the progress OF medical
science during the past two decades has
been in the field of diagnosis-in pene-
trating beneath symptoms to funda-
mental causes.
Physicians no longer are concerned
primarily with curing headache. They
are interested more profoundly in cur
ing the cause Of the headache.
This has resulted in placing diagnosis
largely In the hands Of specialists. A
heart specialist knows all about the
heart. A lung specialist knows all about
the lungs. Both realize and accept their
limitations. Neither would presume to
intrude upon the province Of the other
in a case requiring specialized knowl-
edge
The system works both to the ad-
vantage and disadvantage of the pa
tient. He has been able to obtain a far
more accurate diagnosis of his ills
but it has necessitated going from one
specialist to another until the cause
finally is located. This has been expen-
sive-so expensive in fact, that persons
Of moderate means often are prevented
from taking full advantage of what
medical specialization has to offer.
This has been available to two classes
Of personS-the very rich and the very
poor. The former can visit as many
specialists as the case calls for without
worrying over the bills. The latter can
obtain even better service from the
sharity of various endowed hospitals and
educational institutions But the burden
has fallen heavily upon the middle class
who refuse to accept charity and who
cannot afford to pay. $780,.
The National Capital has some of the
foremost medical men in the world, to-
eether with some Of the finest libraries
and laboratories. The doctors them
selves propose to organize a clinic. to
which they will give their services at a
very moderate nominal compensation.
1t is planned as cooperative enter
prise, to be conducted entirely without
profit for the benefit of the public
The medical men do not wish to force
something on the public which the pub
lie does not want. They are blazing a
new trail. Something must be done
eventually about the high cost of medi-
cal services-especially diagnosis. Vari-
Gus plans have been offered-but so far
as known this Is the first which has
been proposed by united profession,
seeking to place at the disposal of any
one In need for very moderate price all
the medical facilities of world capital
Those who have formulated the project
want to get the public reaction before
they take any steps which will involve
financing. Criticisms of the plan will be
welcomed.
The physicians of Washington, general
practitioners and specialists alike, recog-
nize their priestly mission. Trey want
the best to be available to every one.
They are willing to contribute their time
and their labor. The problem is one of
working out the practical details. Here
they need the help of the public.