The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-14

aJ.-Gen. Paul R. HaWley. ArHly Medical Corps, formerly chief sur geon in the European theater of war, and presently medical advisor of the U. s. Veterans Administra- tion was the principal speaker yes- terday at conference held at the U. s. Veterans Facility in Newing- ton. The session arranged jointly by the Connecticut Medical Society and the state veterans administra- ton marked the first coordination of civil medicine with the veter- ans administration in the United States. It was an significant event and was largely attended by prom inent physicians from all parts of the state.
 Open house was observed at the Veterans Facility for the occasion. Dr. Joseph H. Howard, president of the Connecticut Medical society, presided. Myer Schwolsky man. ager of the facility, gave the ad- dress of welcome.
 Outstanding Speakers
 Speakers who discussed various aspects of medicine for veterans from both technical and popular points of view included: Capt. How ard H. Montgomery, Navy Medical Corps, who outlined the Navy's pro- grain for treatment of patients as a whole rather than for physical disabilities alone: Capt. Maurice Dressler, Army Medical Corps, who reported on diagnosis and treat ment of cardiovscular syphilis; Dr. 0. Charles Burlingame, chief psychi- atrist of the Institute of Living, who talked on psychiatric aspects of veteran unemployment; Dr. Paul S. Phelps, director of the department of tuberculosis control of the State Tuberculosis Commission, who in- dicated that the postwar period will bring increased treatment of tuber- cular patients through improved X-ray equipment and cooperation of Selective Service with civil medi- cal authorities in checking on tu- bercular rejectees.
 Also, Captain Arthur Grishman, Army Medical Corps, who spoke on the significance and recognition Of coronary insufficiency: pr, Morris Tager of Yale University School of Medicine, who expressed his view that widespread dissemination Of malaria in the United States as a result of its incidence in service men Is unlikely, and declared that atabrine has won its place as drug fully as potent as quinine in thera- peutic treatment of the disease; and Captain c. Jay Robbins, Army Den- tai Corps, whose discussion of relation of fluorine to dental carries pointed to the success of fluorina- ton of drinking water supplies and topical application of fluorine solu- tions to children's teeth in the pre- vention of tooth decay.
 Shortage of Space
 Acute shortage of personnel and of bed space in the majority of vet- erans' hospitals were designated as the two chief medical problems con- fronting the U. s. Veterans admin dstration, Major Hawley declared in bklS COuIoC VI Llln lGLIldL hs'
 The tremendous needs of veterans hospitals were Illustrated by Gen. eral Hawley who cited the fact that there are currently 10000 more pa- tients than there are beds in veter- ans hospitals and this figure will @sach 10000 by June. l947 There is 6 shortage of 1900 doctors and 600 @ntiStS which represent 25 to 40 ger cent deficits on every veterans Hospital staff, he said.
 General hospitals and neuro- psychiatric hospitals were described as the most congested hospital units, and General Hawley pointed to the use of sun porches and rec reation rooms for bed space in many of them as harmful to the complete veterans rehabilitation programs.
 Added to the problem of space is that of location of hospitals &C., cording to a policy which has placed veterans hospitals nearest CenteTs of veteran population rather than close to medical centers, thereby increasing the problems of medical personnel he said. Trained specialists are particularly needed in care of veterans. but doctors fur 1iished to veterans hospitals by the Army are generally appointed with little regard for the speclalities re- uuired, 1t was pointed out.
 To Take Time
 "1ts going to take an awful lot of doing to correct the serious situa- ton which has been built up over the years" the general declared. His primary suggestions were provision for professional opportunities in veterans administration medical service and education of the general public to the necessity of moving veterans to hospital locations where they can receive specialized care rather than keeping them near home where only general medical care may be available. He urged 9hysicians to assist the administra- ton in this latter effort. remarking fhat nobody can educate veter- An's family like the family physi- eians.r
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