Evening star., 1947-10-09
ANA President
Urges World
Health Group
Closer Ties Sought
Among Doctors
Of All Nations

Promotion Of . world medical
organization ITO assist people every
where to attain the highest possible
level Of health" was urged here
last night by DR.. Edward L. Bortz
president Of the American Medical
Association.
Speaking at the District Medical
Soctety's annual dinner IN the Ho-
tel Statler, which brought to q close
this years scientific assembly, he
said such an organization would
work with the World Health Organ
ization and other international
bodies to bring about closer ties
among the doctors Of all lands.
He said, however, that under
present world conditions organized
medicine In this country should
work with the armed forces to sup
port an augmented medical pro-
gram" to prepare the Nation for
possible future wars.
The American Medical Association
president departed from his pre-
pared text several times to denounce
Soviet Diplomat Vishinsky and the
role Of world communism, which he
described as a threat to peace.
Medical Statesmanship Urged.
DR.. Boftz called for more medical
craftsmanship" which would bring
doctors increasingly into a leading
part in directing the social destinies
Of the American people.
Such leadership, he declared,
should take the form of extending
more adequate medical care" to all
sections Of the people. But he quail
fed the statement with the condition
that extension of medical care
should come through local expert
mentation," In an indirect refer
ence to the national health insur-
arce proposals which his organiza-
ton has bitterly opposed.
II don't believe it is possible to
set up such an experiment on a
Nationwide plan," the doctor said,
"and expect it to work"
He also called for greater atten-
ton to matters of health in the
country's school system, 50 that ex-
listing medical knowledge may be
made fully available to all young
people. and through them, to their
families.
Hear ANA Aims.
Earlier yesterday, at a luncheon
meeting Of the George Washington
University Medical Society, also
held in the Statler, doctors attend
ing the assembly heard another
summary of the American Medical
Associations aims by DR.. George F..
Lull, secretary and general man
ager.
He said 1t was surprising to find
in a recent survey that IA per cent
of the country's doctors are still
ignorant Of the existence Of pre-
paid medical plans sponsored s4y
local medical societies. i. sFs:s,
The biggest obstacle to more
widespread public sdoption ct these
plans, he said, has been the difa-
Guilty Of getting farm families cov-
cred. He reported, however, the
California Grange has recently
signed an agreement to extend farm
coverage in that State, and pre-
dicted similar moves elsewhere.
During yesterdays scientific ses-
sion the District Society took up
the problem of the chronic drunk.
Seen as Medical Disability.
E. M. Jellinek, director of Yale
University's famed alcoholic study
center, said alcoholism can no
longer be regarded solely as a moral
issue. 1t is medical disability
and should be treated as such, he
pointed out.
A doctor must treat the physical
disorders caused by alcoholism, he
said, before any type of cure can be
effective.
He estimated the country's chronic
drunks at nearly 100000 and said
20 to rs per cent of them need
hospital care. But he urged the
establishment of clinics where alco-
holics could come for treatment
without stopping work or leaving
their homes, rather than monster
hospitals" for habitual drunks.
William M. Escavaille, jr., OF
Washington drew a round of spon-
taneous applause from the sedate
medical audience after his exposi-
ton Of the approach Alcoholics
Anonymous uses to encourage former
alcoholics to remain sober.
He stressed the fact that the
organization is only interested in
people who are willing to help
themselves.
I'VE are not running around try
ing to reform the world" he declared