Evening star., 1954-09-01
Sixty five Isn't Old Any More

Before the turn Of the last century
he reached the age Of about 65. He. had
had about 40 years Of strenuous life. in
cluding many sleepless nights following
days full Of action. He battled with
pneumonia, diphtheria, malaria. yene-
real disease. typhoid. arthritis. tubercu-
losis, gout, grippe and child birth.
without the proper weapons, and each
disease required many daily calls. His
ministrations and much Of his value
consisted In dispensing hope and con-
ISOLATION to his patients. many Of whom
lived or died according to the virulence
of their infection and to their indi-
vidual resistance. Nevertheless the
doctors presence was required and he
made his rounds In rain and snow. and
during day and night. He was tired
and worn out when he reached IS. but
in spite Of his poor business methods
and his substantial free list. he could
usually accumulate enough cash and
property to sustain him for the rest Of
his days. These were the days before
living costs had skyrocketed, and be-
fore high taxes absorbed most Of his
profits.
The practice OF medicine has changed
greatly during the past so years. The
X-ray, the pathological laboratory, the
sphygmomanometer, the metabolism
machine, the electrocardiograph, the
encephalograph, have all contributed to
make diagnosis more exact and modern
surgery, hormones, vaccines, inSulin,
tail "a
antibiotics, cortisone. modern hypnotics
and Sedatives have all contributed to
shorten the treatment Of disease and
to minimize the number OF calls to
each patient. The doctor has much
easier life than had his predecessors.
Most patients call at the Office, the
doctor has nurses and other tech
nical assistants who lessen his phyical
work. The public has learned to be
more conSiderate about night calls,
and the use Of hospitals has reduced
the travel time which used to waste
his energy every day.
With all these improvements and
advantages the doctor has more time
to rest and to read. and to live like
other people. It is small wonder then
that the 65-year-old doctor today is
young, and fresh and active. His con-
fidence has grown with his day by day
study and experience and his advice
is more valuable than it ever has been
up to this time. Ten years from now
he viii begin to consider retiring. When
that time comes he will have little
choice, because his patients will gradu-
ally leave him and patronize young
doctors. He will relax in his activities
and enjoy, If he can. the evening of life.
Unless he Is fortunate enough to have
an independent income his enjoyment
will be limited. because he may have
no savings and no social security He
has paid to the government in taxes
the excess which his predecessors were
able to save. Many antiquated formerly
successful doctors must Subsist finally
on the old-age pension which barely
covers necessities.
This situation is all too common but
not as sad, think. as that of the faith
full employe in industry who Is retired
ordinarily at 65. because his usefulness
is considered to be at an end. Many
persons are old at 40. while others do
not manifest the inflrmities Of age until
they are past 80. Employees who reach
SIS should be examined. and II their
mental and physical faculties are not
impaired, they should be allowed to
continue in their work. To retire such
an employe is waste Of good talent
and a loss to industry. The effect on
the employe may be catastrophe. He
soon tires of the hobby he has been
advised to adopt. and the futility Of
his life. the fact that he Is unimportant
to any one pals on him and he soon
dies because he is no longer interested
in living.
Retirement from any profession or
business should depend upon the in
dividuaIs mental and physical health.
# he is normal the world can benefit
by his knowledge and experience. and
he should be allowed the satisfaction
and dignity Of accomplishment If he is
able to properly discharge his duties.
James A. Cannon, MD, F.A.C.S.