The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1944-04-07

could economies be effected, but the
quality of the services could be i'm
proved. A cooperative association of
doctors, each with special qualifica-
lions or skills, sharing equipment and
offices, its number related to the
needs of the community, and the prof
it motive eliminated, could do better
work and save much money that is
ment, window dressing, etc. 1t could
be made into a real health center,
practicing both preventive and cura-
tive medicine. 1t would then also
cover the field now attempted by such
voluntary organizations as anti-tuber-
culosis associations, cancer armies,
ETC., doing the work better because
functioning all the time, and because
each visit to the doctor did not in
volve fee from the patient he would
be better able to make early diagoses
and institute treatment at the most
favorable time. The money annually
raised by these voluntary organiza-
lions could thus be saved. They de-
serve much credit for their efforts,
but should not hesitate to abdicate
when their functions are no longer
needed. The less spectacular dis
eases, as diabetes and rheumatic
hearts, which have been unfortunate
in not finding angels" to look after
them, but which are productive of no
less misery, would also receive their
need.
Doctors will finally see this them
selves. Up to now they have been
too ready to accept the leadership of
those who have most profited by the
present system and so wish for its
Each should be assured
of remuneration adequately rewarding
him for the time and expense involved
in his training and his efforts in prac-
tice, and there should be provision
for leave periods for study and recre-
alton and retirement allowances. |
These secured, he could devote his |
whole time and attention to his real
business, in much the same way that |
men in universities and |
now spend their time, and |
from whose work most of the discov-
cries which have so advanced med
cine have come.
From such men, too, has come the
pest and most constructive criticism
If the present bill. DR.. Peters of Yale
and his committee, upon
which are some of the most eminent
loctors in America, have approached
he subject in sympathetic and a
ruly scientific spirit, without emotion
md flamboyance. Their comments
hould be read by all The defects
n the bill can be corrected That is
Why it is up for discussion. But even
{ now defeated it will have served
he purpose of bringing the whole sub
ect into the open. My own convic-
ion is that something of this kind
S bound to come. Its fundamental
merits are too evident for ultimate
efeat. Practical compromises and
cceptance of less than the ideal may
ave temporarily to be accepted, but
4 the long run / believe that DR..
Ienry E. Sigerist, no wild-eyed So
ialist but professor of the history OF
Medicine in no less place than Johns
hopkins University, will be proved to
e correct in his prediction that med
zine, like education, will intimately
ecome a public service in every civ
lied country. All trends are in that
ERECTION. Under such system med
zine can fully apply all scientific
leans at it's disposal and can reach
ie entire population. Under it, more
YER. the risks are spread among the
.rgest possible number of people and
leir resources are pooled" (Medi-
ne and Human Welfare, Henry e.
igerist, Professor of the History of
Iedicine in the Johns Hopkins Uni
ersity. Yale University Press, 1941,
144.) iii
And to this | would add comment
' DR.. Clagg, deputy editor of the
ritish Medical Journal, the journal
!, the British Medical Association
luoted in the Lancet, January 29,
IA, p. 1870, 1.-The medical profession
ill not lag behind the general public
insisting that what must come first
the health and well-being of every
AN, woman, and child in the country,
nd in pressing upon the government
lat these must be secured whatever