Evening star., 1949-12-23

uS AoSobAAAc WO1uS Will AAtn TOOtS OF pre-
hxes and thereby helps us to identity them.
Through Latin. we find learning French and
Spanish relatively easy, since we have the
grammatical and vocabulary background
From our Latin study We are familiar with
Latin phrases and mottos which otherwise
we would consider meaningless, and, in addi-
ton. we are acquainted with some Of the
greatest masters Of literature, such as Caesar.
Cicero, Ovid. Horace and Virgil, whom we
now are studying. What other language can
do more?
THE ADVANCED LATIN CLASS,
Central High School.
Perhaps the Camel Boy
Was the Wisest Of All
TO the Editor Of The Star:
May share with you my best Christmas
story?
Children were planning 'HThe Three Wise
Men," The Wise Men had been selected very
carefully. by the other children.
Then Paul decided that he was as wise. II
not wiser, than any Of those selected and was
determined to get into the act. When told
IN no uncertain terms. that he positively
colud not be Wise Man he declared that he
was going along to take care Of the camels.
And he did!
All Of US cannot qualify Is Wise Men. but
even the least Of us can 60 along to care for
the camels LAURA K. POLLOCK.
Challenges Mr.. Ewings Views
On National Health Scheme In Britain
TO the Editor Of The Star:
In the December Is issue Of American
Medicine and the Political Scene there il
an account Of what actually happened in
Great Britain prior to Oscar R. Ewing's re-
cent outburst about American doctors
financing the Fellowship for Freedom In
Medicine. His statement was absurd, but
quite in line with his usual inaccurate
utterances.
The idea Of sending consratulatory letters
and memberships to the fellowship on its
drst anniversary, November 10, was entirely
my own. was in London during November
studying the National Health Service, and
was impressed with the large and growing
membership Of the fellowship and with its
high ideals. Many doctors In Great Britain
wish they had organized q group to defend
high standards Of medical practice before
instead Of after the enactment Of the Ma
tional Health Service Act Of 1916.
Early In November wrote long-hand mes
sases to few Of my friends In the United
States telling them Of the splendid work Of
Lord Horder's group. As result. four or
five checks were sent to Lord Horder and
there were about as many letters Of con-
graduation. In your editorial Of December
Is you refer to a $40 gift from the "Ameri-
can College Of Physicians and Surgeons"
The correct name Of the organisation is As
sociation Of American Physicians and Sur
geons, the organization In this country which
most nearly corresponds to Lord Horders
group. The Association sent letter Of con-
graduation but no money.
As usual. Mr.. Ewing went OF half-cocked.
was present throughout the series Of &C.
ttvities Of the fellowship on November 10
and. at Lord Horder's request. presented the
ESQ gift from the Anderson County Medical
Society Of Indiana. Organized medicine in
the United States had nothing to do with
the gifts and letters sent to the fellowship.
But the more important matter Is that Mr..
Ewing. after . weeks stay In London, should
burst into print with q statement that the
British program Of national health insurance
was working remarkably well" He should be
made to explain on what observations he
based the statement. II he cannot offer
some proof Of his sweeping commendation,
then We must conclude that he once again
has acted the part Of an irresponsible
public official. The New York Times re-
ported on December 10 that Mr. Ewing had
said he was shocked by the way In which
the British health program has been mis-
represented by 50 many Americans who
should know better" Mr.. Ewing himself
is away out in front when 1t comes to mis-
representing the British health program.
Does he suppose that the American people
desire the establishment in the United States
OF system Of panel practice such as obtains
In Great Britain?
The British system Of medical care Is not
working well. The medical profession points
out that there is not sufficient time for q
doctor to do . professionally adequate job
II he carries 4 full panel Of 1000 patients.
This type Of practice means to 4 minutes
per patient for diagnosis and treatment.
Serious conditions are not being discovered
early. Acute cases cannot get into hospitals
because these are crowded with chronic
cases or with persons not seriously H.
The remuneration Of general practitioners
Is wretchedly low. They receive $225 .
head year for each patient on their panels.
The maximum allowed by law is 1000
patients. These yield 4 gross income Of
$1,000 which may be increased to possibly
$4,000 by extra pay Of $20.5S for each
maternity case. From this gross the doctor
must pay his ohace expenses which may
run as high as 40 Per cent or more Of his
income. Then the government deducts
per cent for his approximation benefits as
well ss hts weekly social security and income
taxes. II the doctor has q nurse, secretary
and housemaid, he must pay social security
taxes weekly for all Of them tn addition to
their salaries. Thus GP with q maximum
panel may net only 5000 to $4,000 year.
The more conscientious doctor who insists
on giving good medical care will take 1000
patients or less. General practitioners who
hold to high ethical standards are being
ruined financially.
In the light Of these and many similar
facts. how does Oscar Ewing dare to say
that the national health insurance proposal
will be good for American"
MARJORIE SHEARON, Ph.D.
Editor Of American Medicine and the
Political Scene.