Evening star., 1939-05-15
Privacy Urged
For the Military
Hospital Patient
Doctors Get Plan
For International
Medical School

The 10th International Congress
Of Military Medicine and Pharmacy
today heard recommendation for
more privacy for patients in mill
tary hospitals and in later ses-
session received for future study q
proposed program for the creation
Of an international school of higher
military medical education.
No Action on School Plan.
The proposal for an international
school was referred to the perma-
ment committee of the congress,
which will meet in Europe next year,
probably in London. No action was
taken on the proposed international
school at this time by either the
congress or the committee beyond
receiving the report for future study.
The congress decided to meet for
Its 18th session in 1941 in SWitzer-
land. The invitation was extended
by Col. Jules Thomann and was
accepted on behalf of the congress
by Maj. Gen. c. r. Reynolds,
surgeon general of the United States
Army, who is president of the con-
gress.
Improved sectional and national
health may be by-product of mill
tary medicine, promoted through
emergency public health activities
and sustained by reserve corps of
qualified workers." according to DR..
Robert Olesen, Assistant Surgeon
Coparo1 of tho JI,,itod Cto+nc D,,b1io
Health Service
New Needle Shown.
Addressing the delegates on the
subject "Extracantonment Santa
tion," DR.. Olesen recommended
practical training of this reserve
corps of workers so that their knowl-
edge may be steadily enhanced in
normal times"
A new surgical needle was eX-
planned by DR.. Enrique Penedo of
Guatemala as he displayed tech
nique of this new device through a
paper and motion pictures. He ex-
planned that it would operate with
more efficiency and enable surgeons
to speed up operative technique.
SopVs WING AoCQl1loi4, odl1l-
bridge of the United States Medical
Reserve was honored at the morn
ing session when presented with a
medal on behalf of the congress for
his activity as one of the founders
OF the congress. The medal was
presented by Gen. G. P. Iliescu of
Rumania, former president of the
congress.
More privacy for patients In mill
tary hospitals was recommended
by Brig. Gen. Wallace DE Witt
commandant of the Army Medical
Center, which includes Walter Reed
General Hospital.
Apparently in the past it has
been assumed that since soldier in
barracks has no privacy" he told the
congress at the Willard Hotel today,
cit is an unimportant factor in his
care when confined to hospital, with
the result that this very essential
element of treatment has been disre-
garded. Such an assumption is en-
tirely erroneous and it's acceptance
detrimental to the welfare of the
individual.
THE day of the large 30, 40 and so
bed ward room has passed" declared
Gen. De Witt. "As a general princi-
pie the capacity of no ward room
should exceed 20 beds; a maximum
Of 10 beds would be preferable Every
ward should have an ample number
Of one-bed rooms for the seriously
Ill, in addition to a sufficient number
of curtain or other type of semi-par-
titions to afford privacy and protec-
ton for those in larger rooms"
Sessions Here End Tonight.
Gen. De Witt was one of several
speakers at today's sessions here,
which will conclude tonight with the
formal banquet at the Willard Ho-
tel.
Tomorrow the congress will pro-
ceed to New York for continuation
of its sessions at the Waldorf AS
toria Hotel, where a farewell ban
quet and ball will be rendered Thurs
day night. The congress will par
ticipate in special exercises Friday
at the New York Worlds Fair,
which has designated that day to
the congress. Ceremonies there will
conclude the sessions of the con-
gress Friday night, but many dele
gates plan to remain longer to &C
cept invitations for special social
functions in NoU Vork