978 placarding infected houses, detailed rules of quaran- tine, epidemics of influenza and infantile paralysis, ar departmental "hearing board" for dealing with nuisance offences before prosecution, a system of pro- motion’in the public health service by an elaborate scale of marks for ability, activity, reliability, &c., must be referred to the report itself, and we think they will not regret making fuller acquaintance with it. The total cost of the Chicago Department of Health in 1918 was$1,151,000, of which$430,000 were for the treatment and prevention of communicable diseases, and$240,000 for conservation of child-life. Great Britain led the Way in public health adminis- tration, but America has followed hard after us, and unless we imitate her courage in dealing with vested interests and in subordinating private privileges to public welfare, we shall soon have to take the second place. _____________ placarding infected houses, detailed rules of quaran- tine, epidemics of influenza and infantile paralysis, ar departmental "hearing board" for dealing with nuisance offences before prosecution, a system of pro- motion’in the public health service by an elaborate scale of marks for ability, activity, reliability, &c., must be referred to the report itself, and we think they will not regret making fuller acquaintance with it. The total cost of the Chicago Department of Health in 1918 was$1,151,000, of which$430,000 were for the treatment and prevention of communicable diseases, and$240,000 for conservation of child-life. Great Britain led the Way in public health adminis- tration, but America has followed hard after us, and unless we imitate her courage in dealing with vested interests and in subordinating private privileges to public welfare, we shall soon have to take the second place. _____________ IRELAND. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) Ireland and the 3ledical Resea1’ch Cmwcil. THE fact that, in the constitution of the new Medical Research Council, Ireland has been ignored is giving rise to comment in medical circles in this country. Ireland differs more in its social and health conditions from Great Britain than does Scotland from England, yet Scotland is, as is quite proper, represented on the Council. As each part of the kingdom contributes proportionately to the expenses of the Council, each should share in the advantages likely to accrue from its work. With the present con- stitution of the Council it is almost inevitable that problems of Irish importance will be overlooked. It is all the more important that there should be some one on the Council with special knowledge of Irish condi- tions in view of the fact that, whereas both England and Scotland have Ministries of Health which can press their interests, Ireland, although nominally possessing a Minister of Health, has as yet no Ministry. How actively the late Minister of Health for Ireland looked after her interests can be judged from his consenting to the constitution of the Research Council, without even, I understand, thinking it necessary to take the advice of the Irish Public Health Council, whose statutory duty it is to advise him in matters concerning the health of the country. Pathology and Research in Belfast. It is to be hoped that an arrangement may be made so as-following the example of Liverpool-to bring closer together the city of Belfast, in its public health aspects, and the University. This can be easily done by the latter supplying the Public Health Committee ’I of the Belfast City Council with separate rooms in i its pathological buildings, leaving the corporation to I appoint its own officials, and making the professor of I pathology and bacteriology the head and superin- tendent of the combined department. A joint meet- ing of the representatives of the Public Health Com- mittee and of the University was held last week, and a deputation was appointed to place the above views before the City Council of Belfast. Cha1’ter Dinner at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. On April 17th the President and Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland held their first Charter Day since 1914, the President, Mr. J. B. Story, in the chair. There was a large attendance of Fellows and guests, the latter including the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, the Provost of Trinity College, and Sir ’’, Archibald Geikie. I ! AT a meeting of the Torquay and District Anti- Vivisection Society, held recently, it was reported that little had been done during the past year owing largely to " lack of funds, interest, and enthusiasm, a kind of apathy having fallen on the branch since the war." (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) Ireland and the 3ledical Resea1’ch Cmwcil. THE fact that, in the constitution of the new Medical Research Council, Ireland has been ignored is giving rise to comment in medical circles in this country. Ireland differs more in its social and health conditions from Great Britain than does Scotland from England, yet Scotland is, as is quite proper, represented on the Council. As each part of the kingdom contributes proportionately to the expenses of the Council, each should share in the advantages likely to accrue from its work. With the present con- stitution of the Council it is almost inevitable that problems of Irish importance will be overlooked. It is all the more important that there should be some one on the Council with special knowledge of Irish condi- tions in view of the fact that, whereas both England and Scotland have Ministries of Health which can press their interests, Ireland, although nominally possessing a Minister of Health, has as yet no Ministry. How actively the late Minister of Health for Ireland looked after her interests can be judged from his consenting to the constitution of the Research Council, without even, I understand, thinking it necessary to take the advice of the Irish Public Health Council, whose statutory duty it is to advise him in matters concerning the health of the country. Pathology and Research in Belfast. It is to be hoped that an arrangement may be made so as-following the example of Liverpool-to bring closer together the city of Belfast, in its public health aspects, and the University. This can be easily done by the latter supplying the Public Health Committee ’I of the Belfast City Council with separate rooms in i its pathological buildings, leaving the corporation to I appoint its own officials, and making the professor of I pathology and bacteriology the head and superin- tendent of the combined department. A joint meet- ing of the representatives of the Public Health Com- mittee and of the University was held last week, and a deputation was appointed to place the above views before the City Council of Belfast. Cha1’ter Dinner at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. On April 17th the President and Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland held their first Charter Day since 1914, the President, Mr. J. B. Story, in the chair. There was a large attendance of Fellows and guests, the latter including the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, the Provost of Trinity College, and Sir ’’, Archibald Geikie. I ! AT a meeting of the Torquay and District Anti- Vivisection Society, held recently, it was reported that little had been done during the past year owing largely to " lack of funds, interest, and enthusiasm, a kind of apathy having fallen on the branch since the war." NOTES FROM INDIA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) l’ellow Fever in India. THE Yellow Fever Committee appointed by the Government of India has arrived at unanimous con- clusions regarding the measures which, in its opinion, should be adopted in order to keep the Peninsula free from infection by the disease. The stegomyia mosquito abounds in India, but it is easier to reduce the number of this species than it is to effect a reduction of the anopheles which transmits malaria, since the stegomyia generally breeds in and about houses, especially in vessels used for the storage of water. Lieutenant- Colonel S. P. James, who was deputed to the Govern- ment of India to report on the whole question of yellow fever prevention, urged that the provision of a constant high-pressure supply of water in the various sea-ports, which would render the storage of water unnecessary, should be the first step taken to reduce the stegomyia. In his opinion, if the policy of reducing stegomyia in the ports proved successful, it would ensure permanent safety against yellow fever. Other ques- tions involved are the establishment of quarantine stations at the ports, and the securing of informa- tion from the countries in which yellow fever is endemic regarding the movement of the infection to the East. Colonel James held that the only satisfactory method of obtaining this information was to station permanently in the endemic area a medical officer who would be constantly in touch with the consular and quarantine officers of the United States and other countries. This officer in practice would be attached to the British Consulate at Panama, and it would be his duty to report promptly any new danger threatening the East. A second officer might be posted at Hong- Kong, and a third at Singapore. The American Govern- ment have for years followed the practice of attaching officers of their public health service to their consulates in the ports of foreign countries, and it has been apparently attended by very satisfactory results. 8mall-pox Preventive DTeasic7es in Calcutta. The health officer, Calcutta, in a note on the pre- ventive measures to be used in the present epidemic in Calcutta, says the epidemics tend to occur every four or five years in the town. The present outbreak is as severe as the outbreak of 1915, if not worse. In 1915 there were 10,000 cases and 2500 deaths. If the present epidemic assumes similar proportions 50 to 100 contacts will have to be registered, for as only a small percentage of cases are treated in hospital, under the circumstances it will be well-nigh impossible to avoid exposure to infection. Accordingly a vigorous vaccination campaign has been’ started on a -well- organised basis. Special arrangements are being made for the vaccination of University students and school children. The health officer refers to the provisions made for extra hospital accommodation and con- valescent homes, and states that a large supply of medicated oil has been prepared and distributed free of charge. Leprosy in Cachin. The Cochin local government has decided to close the leper colony in Venduruthy Island, Malabar, established 300 years ago, and to transfer the inmates to’Calicut Mission Leper Hospital. The All-India Medical ConfNence. The presidential address at the Third All-India Medical Conference was given by Dr. M. N. Ohdedar. who entered the profession from the Lahore Medical College in 1879. The dominant note of the address was struck from the beginning, when, in an allusion to the Committee on Reorganisation of the Medical Services in India, that body was called a " packed committee," on which the views of the provincial medical services and private practitioners were not represented, disappoint- ment being expressed at the prospect of a continued preponderance of Indian Medical Service officers in civil medical appointments. It is well that British readers (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) l’ellow Fever in India. THE Yellow Fever Committee appointed by the Government of India has arrived at unanimous con- clusions regarding the measures which, in its opinion, should be adopted in order to keep the Peninsula free from infection by the disease. The stegomyia mosquito abounds in India, but it is easier to reduce the number of this species than it is to effect a reduction of the anopheles which transmits malaria, since the stegomyia generally breeds in and about houses, especially in vessels used for the storage of water. Lieutenant- Colonel S. P. James, who was deputed to the Govern- ment of India to report on the whole question of yellow fever prevention, urged that the provision of a constant high-pressure supply of water in the various sea-ports, which would render the storage of water unnecessary, should be the first step taken to reduce the stegomyia. In his opinion, if the policy of reducing stegomyia in the ports proved successful, it would ensure permanent safety against yellow fever. Other ques- tions involved are the establishment of quarantine stations at the ports, and the securing of informa- tion from the countries in which yellow fever is endemic regarding the movement of the infection to the East. Colonel James held that the only satisfactory method of obtaining this information was to station permanently in the endemic area a medical officer who would be constantly in touch with the consular and quarantine officers of the United States and other countries. This officer in practice would be attached to the British Consulate at Panama, and it would be his duty to report promptly any new danger threatening the East. A second officer might be posted at Hong- Kong, and a third at Singapore. The American Govern- ment have for years followed the practice of attaching officers of their public health service to their consulates in the ports of foreign countries, and it has been apparently attended by very satisfactory results. 8mall-pox Preventive DTeasic7es in Calcutta. The health officer, Calcutta, in a note on the pre- ventive measures to be used in the present epidemic in Calcutta, says the epidemics tend to occur every four or five years in the town. The present outbreak is as severe as the outbreak of 1915, if not worse. In 1915 there were 10,000 cases and 2500 deaths. If the present epidemic assumes similar proportions 50 to 100 contacts will have to be registered, for as only a small percentage of cases are treated in hospital, under the circumstances it will be well-nigh impossible to avoid exposure to infection. Accordingly a vigorous vaccination campaign has been’ started on a -well- organised basis. Special arrangements are being made for the vaccination of University students and school children. The health officer refers to the provisions made for extra hospital accommodation and con- valescent homes, and states that a large supply of medicated oil has been prepared and distributed free of charge. Leprosy in Cachin. The Cochin local government has decided to close the leper colony in Venduruthy Island, Malabar, established 300 years ago, and to transfer the inmates to’Calicut Mission Leper Hospital. The All-India Medical ConfNence. The presidential address at the Third All-India Medical Conference was given by Dr. M. N. Ohdedar. who entered the profession from the Lahore Medical College in 1879. The dominant note of the address was struck from the beginning, when, in an allusion to the Committee on Reorganisation of the Medical Services in India, that body was called a " packed committee," on which the views of the provincial medical services and private practitioners were not represented, disappoint- ment being expressed at the prospect of a continued preponderance of Indian Medical Service officers in civil medical appointments. It is well that British readers
Transcript
978
placarding infected houses, detailed rules of quaran-tine, epidemics of influenza and infantile paralysis,ar departmental "hearing board" for dealing withnuisance offences before prosecution, a system of pro-motion’in the public health service by an elaboratescale of marks for ability, activity, reliability, &c.,must be referred to the report itself, and we think theywill not regret making fuller acquaintance with it.The total cost of the Chicago Department of Health in1918 was$1,151,000, of which$430,000 were for thetreatment and prevention of communicable diseases,and$240,000 for conservation of child-life.Great Britain led the Way in public health adminis-
tration, but America has followed hard after us, andunless we imitate her courage in dealing with vestedinterests and in subordinating private privileges topublic welfare, we shall soon have to take the secondplace.
_____________
placarding infected houses, detailed rules of quaran-tine, epidemics of influenza and infantile paralysis,ar departmental "hearing board" for dealing withnuisance offences before prosecution, a system of pro-motion’in the public health service by an elaboratescale of marks for ability, activity, reliability, &c.,must be referred to the report itself, and we think theywill not regret making fuller acquaintance with it.The total cost of the Chicago Department of Health in1918 was$1,151,000, of which$430,000 were for thetreatment and prevention of communicable diseases,and$240,000 for conservation of child-life.Great Britain led the Way in public health adminis-
tration, but America has followed hard after us, andunless we imitate her courage in dealing with vestedinterests and in subordinating private privileges topublic welfare, we shall soon have to take the secondplace.
_____________
IRELAND.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)
Ireland and the 3ledical Resea1’ch Cmwcil.
,
THE fact that, in the constitution of the new MedicalResearch Council, Ireland has been ignored is giving riseto comment in medical circles in this country. Irelanddiffers more in its social and health conditions fromGreat Britain than does Scotland from England, yetScotland is, as is quite proper, represented on theCouncil. As each part of the kingdom contributes
proportionately to the expenses of the Council,each should share in the advantages likely toaccrue from its work. With the present con-
stitution of the Council it is almost inevitable that
problems of Irish importance will be overlooked. Itis all the more important that there should be some oneon the Council with special knowledge of Irish condi-tions in view of the fact that, whereas both Englandand Scotland have Ministries of Health which can presstheir interests, Ireland, although nominally possessinga Minister of Health, has as yet no Ministry. How
actively the late Minister of Health for Ireland lookedafter her interests can be judged from his consenting tothe constitution of the Research Council, without even,I understand, thinking it necessary to take the adviceof the Irish Public Health Council, whose statutoryduty it is to advise him in matters concerning thehealth of the country.
Pathology and Research in Belfast.It is to be hoped that an arrangement may be made
so as-following the example of Liverpool-to bringcloser together the city of Belfast, in its public healthaspects, and the University. This can be easily doneby the latter supplying the Public Health Committee ’Iof the Belfast City Council with separate rooms in i
its pathological buildings, leaving the corporation to Iappoint its own officials, and making the professor of I
pathology and bacteriology the head and superin-tendent of the combined department. A joint meet-ing of the representatives of the Public Health Com-mittee and of the University was held last week, and adeputation was appointed to place the above viewsbefore the City Council of Belfast.
Cha1’ter Dinner at the Royal College of Surgeons inIreland.
On April 17th the President and Fellows of the
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland held their firstCharter Day since 1914, the President, Mr. J. B. Story,in the chair. There was a large attendance of Fellowsand guests, the latter including the Lord Chancellor ofIreland, the Provost of Trinity College, and Sir ’’,Archibald Geikie.
I !
AT a meeting of the Torquay and District Anti-Vivisection Society, held recently, it was reported that littlehad been done during the past year owing largely to " lackof funds, interest, and enthusiasm, a kind of apathy havingfallen on the branch since the war."
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)
Ireland and the 3ledical Resea1’ch Cmwcil.
,
THE fact that, in the constitution of the new MedicalResearch Council, Ireland has been ignored is giving riseto comment in medical circles in this country. Irelanddiffers more in its social and health conditions fromGreat Britain than does Scotland from England, yetScotland is, as is quite proper, represented on theCouncil. As each part of the kingdom contributes
proportionately to the expenses of the Council,each should share in the advantages likely toaccrue from its work. With the present con-
stitution of the Council it is almost inevitable that
problems of Irish importance will be overlooked. Itis all the more important that there should be some oneon the Council with special knowledge of Irish condi-tions in view of the fact that, whereas both Englandand Scotland have Ministries of Health which can presstheir interests, Ireland, although nominally possessinga Minister of Health, has as yet no Ministry. How
actively the late Minister of Health for Ireland lookedafter her interests can be judged from his consenting tothe constitution of the Research Council, without even,I understand, thinking it necessary to take the adviceof the Irish Public Health Council, whose statutoryduty it is to advise him in matters concerning thehealth of the country.
Pathology and Research in Belfast.It is to be hoped that an arrangement may be made
so as-following the example of Liverpool-to bringcloser together the city of Belfast, in its public healthaspects, and the University. This can be easily doneby the latter supplying the Public Health Committee ’Iof the Belfast City Council with separate rooms in i
its pathological buildings, leaving the corporation to Iappoint its own officials, and making the professor of I
pathology and bacteriology the head and superin-tendent of the combined department. A joint meet-ing of the representatives of the Public Health Com-mittee and of the University was held last week, and adeputation was appointed to place the above viewsbefore the City Council of Belfast.
Cha1’ter Dinner at the Royal College of Surgeons inIreland.
On April 17th the President and Fellows of the
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland held their firstCharter Day since 1914, the President, Mr. J. B. Story,in the chair. There was a large attendance of Fellowsand guests, the latter including the Lord Chancellor ofIreland, the Provost of Trinity College, and Sir ’’,Archibald Geikie.
I !
AT a meeting of the Torquay and District Anti-Vivisection Society, held recently, it was reported that littlehad been done during the past year owing largely to " lackof funds, interest, and enthusiasm, a kind of apathy havingfallen on the branch since the war."
NOTES FROM INDIA.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)
l’ellow Fever in India.
THE Yellow Fever Committee appointed by theGovernment of India has arrived at unanimous con-clusions regarding the measures which, in its opinion,should be adopted in order to keep the Peninsula freefrom infection by the disease. The stegomyia mosquitoabounds in India, but it is easier to reduce the numberof this species than it is to effect a reduction of theanopheles which transmits malaria, since the stegomyiagenerally breeds in and about houses, especially invessels used for the storage of water. Lieutenant-Colonel S. P. James, who was deputed to the Govern-ment of India to report on the whole question of yellowfever prevention, urged that the provision of a constanthigh-pressure supply of water in the various sea-ports,which would render the storage of water unnecessary,should be the first step taken to reduce the stegomyia.In his opinion, if the policy of reducing stegomyiain the ports proved successful, it would ensure
permanent safety against yellow fever. Other ques-tions involved are the establishment of quarantinestations at the ports, and the securing of informa-tion from the countries in which yellow fever isendemic regarding the movement of the infection to theEast. Colonel James held that the only satisfactorymethod of obtaining this information was to stationpermanently in the endemic area a medical officer whowould be constantly in touch with the consular andquarantine officers of the United States and othercountries. This officer in practice would be attachedto the British Consulate at Panama, and it would be hisduty to report promptly any new danger threateningthe East. A second officer might be posted at Hong-Kong, and a third at Singapore. The American Govern-ment have for years followed the practice of attachingofficers of their public health service to their consulatesin the ports of foreign countries, and it has beenapparently attended by very satisfactory results.
8mall-pox Preventive DTeasic7es in Calcutta.The health officer, Calcutta, in a note on the pre-
ventive measures to be used in the present epidemicin Calcutta, says the epidemics tend to occur everyfour or five years in the town. The present outbreakis as severe as the outbreak of 1915, if not worse.In 1915 there were 10,000 cases and 2500 deaths. Ifthe present epidemic assumes similar proportions 50 to100 contacts will have to be registered, for as only asmall percentage of cases are treated in hospital, underthe circumstances it will be well-nigh impossible toavoid exposure to infection. Accordingly a vigorousvaccination campaign has been’ started on a -well-organised basis. Special arrangements are being madefor the vaccination of University students and schoolchildren. The health officer refers to the provisionsmade for extra hospital accommodation and con-
valescent homes, and states that a large supply ofmedicated oil has been prepared and distributed free ofcharge.
Leprosy in Cachin.The Cochin local government has decided to close the
leper colony in Venduruthy Island, Malabar, established300 years ago, and to transfer the inmates to’CalicutMission Leper Hospital.
The All-India Medical ConfNence.The presidential address at the Third All-India
Medical Conference was given by Dr. M. N. Ohdedar.who entered the profession from the Lahore MedicalCollege in 1879. The dominant note of the address wasstruck from the beginning, when, in an allusion to theCommittee on Reorganisation of the Medical Services inIndia, that body was called a " packed committee," onwhich the views of the provincial medical services andprivate practitioners were not represented, disappoint-ment being expressed at the prospect of a continuedpreponderance of Indian Medical Service officers in civilmedical appointments. It is well that British readers
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)
l’ellow Fever in India.
THE Yellow Fever Committee appointed by theGovernment of India has arrived at unanimous con-clusions regarding the measures which, in its opinion,should be adopted in order to keep the Peninsula freefrom infection by the disease. The stegomyia mosquitoabounds in India, but it is easier to reduce the numberof this species than it is to effect a reduction of theanopheles which transmits malaria, since the stegomyiagenerally breeds in and about houses, especially invessels used for the storage of water. Lieutenant-Colonel S. P. James, who was deputed to the Govern-ment of India to report on the whole question of yellowfever prevention, urged that the provision of a constanthigh-pressure supply of water in the various sea-ports,which would render the storage of water unnecessary,should be the first step taken to reduce the stegomyia.In his opinion, if the policy of reducing stegomyiain the ports proved successful, it would ensure
permanent safety against yellow fever. Other ques-tions involved are the establishment of quarantinestations at the ports, and the securing of informa-tion from the countries in which yellow fever isendemic regarding the movement of the infection to theEast. Colonel James held that the only satisfactorymethod of obtaining this information was to stationpermanently in the endemic area a medical officer whowould be constantly in touch with the consular andquarantine officers of the United States and othercountries. This officer in practice would be attachedto the British Consulate at Panama, and it would be hisduty to report promptly any new danger threateningthe East. A second officer might be posted at Hong-Kong, and a third at Singapore. The American Govern-ment have for years followed the practice of attachingofficers of their public health service to their consulatesin the ports of foreign countries, and it has beenapparently attended by very satisfactory results.
8mall-pox Preventive DTeasic7es in Calcutta.The health officer, Calcutta, in a note on the pre-
ventive measures to be used in the present epidemicin Calcutta, says the epidemics tend to occur everyfour or five years in the town. The present outbreakis as severe as the outbreak of 1915, if not worse.In 1915 there were 10,000 cases and 2500 deaths. Ifthe present epidemic assumes similar proportions 50 to100 contacts will have to be registered, for as only asmall percentage of cases are treated in hospital, underthe circumstances it will be well-nigh impossible toavoid exposure to infection. Accordingly a vigorousvaccination campaign has been’ started on a -well-organised basis. Special arrangements are being madefor the vaccination of University students and schoolchildren. The health officer refers to the provisionsmade for extra hospital accommodation and con-
valescent homes, and states that a large supply ofmedicated oil has been prepared and distributed free ofcharge.
Leprosy in Cachin.The Cochin local government has decided to close the
leper colony in Venduruthy Island, Malabar, established300 years ago, and to transfer the inmates to’CalicutMission Leper Hospital.
The All-India Medical ConfNence.The presidential address at the Third All-India
Medical Conference was given by Dr. M. N. Ohdedar.who entered the profession from the Lahore MedicalCollege in 1879. The dominant note of the address wasstruck from the beginning, when, in an allusion to theCommittee on Reorganisation of the Medical Services inIndia, that body was called a " packed committee," onwhich the views of the provincial medical services andprivate practitioners were not represented, disappoint-ment being expressed at the prospect of a continuedpreponderance of Indian Medical Service officers in civilmedical appointments. It is well that British readers
979
should understand the native views on a very difficultpoint, and they were stated fully in the address. While
special credit is allowed to the I.M.S. officers for theability with which they have conducted the MedicalColleges in the country, it is claimed that " a largenumber of Indians have so well profited by the trainingimparted by these professors, and by their natural
aptitude and desire to rise high in the profession, thatthey are in no way inferior to the average generalpractitioners in any country, while some will comparefavourably with the best general practitioners any-where." Exception is taken to the suggestion thatmedical degrees and qualifications in India do not in allcases represent the result of a complete medical education,such statements being logically regarded as " a strangecommentary on the capabilities of the Indian MedicalService professors, by whom the Colleges in India havebeen wholly manned in the past, and are, to a verylarge extent, in the present." ,
With regard to the large number of Indian medicalmen engaged as temporary commissioned officersduring the war, the President considered it matter forregret that only a small percentage are likely to bemade permanent in the department; so long as
officers of the R.A.M.C. are drafted into civil employhe urges that " the Association should make a
vigorous representation, remembering that the childthat does not cry gets very little attention." Thisremark is very apposite, but it can be read in a waywhich its author did not intend. Dr. Ohdedar wenton to say: "It cannot be denied that the MedicalDepartment in India is the only department in whichthe interests of the officers clash with those oftheir assistants and of the alumni of the medicalcolleges generally in this country ; and it is owing to thisstumbling block that the claims of Indian medical menfor responsible posts have not yet been freely recognised."
"
The thing that is of greatest importance is the efficiencyof the Medical Service-that is, the care of the sick andthe preservation of the health of the whole population,civil and military. To ensure this a contented body ofofficers of all grades is necessary, and, of course, everyeffort should be made to bring this about. Dr. Ohdedar
frankly recognises " that the very high appointments inthe Medical Department should for years to come bereserved for the officers of the Indian Medical Service,be they European or Indian," and his opinion is that46a great number of the civil surgeoncies and a goodnumber of appointments in the sanitary and chemicaldepartments might be well given to qualified natural-born Indian subjects of His Majesty with advantageboth to the country and the finances of the Governmentof India." But when he goes on to say that " it is onlywhen a man is not able to earn even as much as a paneldoctor earns in his own country that he, nolens volens,accepts service in a foreign country," and to com-ment unfavourably on the scientific ability of theLM.S. officers, he is talking nonsense, and nonsensewhich spoils some of his own best arguments.With regard to the selection to professorial appoint-ments, everyone will agree that the very best menavailable should be appointed, whether European orIndian; also that they should not be liable to frequenttransfers, and that they should be well paid. Dr.Ohdedar considers that at least half the professorialappointments should go to qualified Indians, paidadequately, and debarred from general private practice.He refers to the important researches that have beencarried out by many members of the Indian medicalprofession in various parts of the country, and to thelaborious " spade-work " of the " licensed medical prac-titioners" and "sub-assistant surgeons," which desig-nations, he considers, should be abolished. But he iscritical now and again of his own countrymen, as whenhe regrets that "many men in Government serviceshould not have the ambition to distinguish themselvesin surgical work; and that through fear of losing theinsufficient pay they get, they should allow the I.M.S.officers without any protest to monopolise the whole ofthe important surgical work."In conclusion, Dr. Ohdedar advocates the formation
of an association in India, on the same lines as the
should understand the native views on a very difficultpoint, and they were stated fully in the address. While
special credit is allowed to the I.M.S. officers for theability with which they have conducted the MedicalColleges in the country, it is claimed that " a largenumber of Indians have so well profited by the trainingimparted by these professors, and by their natural
aptitude and desire to rise high in the profession, thatthey are in no way inferior to the average generalpractitioners in any country, while some will comparefavourably with the best general practitioners any-where." Exception is taken to the suggestion thatmedical degrees and qualifications in India do not in allcases represent the result of a complete medical education,such statements being logically regarded as " a strangecommentary on the capabilities of the Indian MedicalService professors, by whom the Colleges in India havebeen wholly manned in the past, and are, to a verylarge extent, in the present." ,
With regard to the large number of Indian medicalmen engaged as temporary commissioned officersduring the war, the President considered it matter forregret that only a small percentage are likely to bemade permanent in the department; so long as
officers of the R.A.M.C. are drafted into civil employhe urges that " the Association should make a
vigorous representation, remembering that the childthat does not cry gets very little attention." Thisremark is very apposite, but it can be read in a waywhich its author did not intend. Dr. Ohdedar wenton to say: "It cannot be denied that the MedicalDepartment in India is the only department in whichthe interests of the officers clash with those oftheir assistants and of the alumni of the medicalcolleges generally in this country ; and it is owing to thisstumbling block that the claims of Indian medical menfor responsible posts have not yet been freely recognised."
"
The thing that is of greatest importance is the efficiencyof the Medical Service-that is, the care of the sick andthe preservation of the health of the whole population,civil and military. To ensure this a contented body ofofficers of all grades is necessary, and, of course, everyeffort should be made to bring this about. Dr. Ohdedar
frankly recognises " that the very high appointments inthe Medical Department should for years to come bereserved for the officers of the Indian Medical Service,be they European or Indian," and his opinion is that46a great number of the civil surgeoncies and a goodnumber of appointments in the sanitary and chemicaldepartments might be well given to qualified natural-born Indian subjects of His Majesty with advantageboth to the country and the finances of the Governmentof India." But when he goes on to say that " it is onlywhen a man is not able to earn even as much as a paneldoctor earns in his own country that he, nolens volens,accepts service in a foreign country," and to com-ment unfavourably on the scientific ability of theLM.S. officers, he is talking nonsense, and nonsensewhich spoils some of his own best arguments.With regard to the selection to professorial appoint-ments, everyone will agree that the very best menavailable should be appointed, whether European orIndian; also that they should not be liable to frequenttransfers, and that they should be well paid. Dr.Ohdedar considers that at least half the professorialappointments should go to qualified Indians, paidadequately, and debarred from general private practice.He refers to the important researches that have beencarried out by many members of the Indian medicalprofession in various parts of the country, and to thelaborious " spade-work " of the " licensed medical prac-titioners" and "sub-assistant surgeons," which desig-nations, he considers, should be abolished. But he iscritical now and again of his own countrymen, as whenhe regrets that "many men in Government serviceshould not have the ambition to distinguish themselvesin surgical work; and that through fear of losing theinsufficient pay they get, they should allow the I.M.S.officers without any protest to monopolise the whole ofthe important surgical work."In conclusion, Dr. Ohdedar advocates the formation
of an association in India, on the same lines as the
British Medical Association, including medical men ofall classes, that would carry on continuous propagandawork in a constitutional manner, " move the authoritiesto listen to the grievances of the locally trained men,whether in the service or out of it, and minimise thebaneful influence that the British Medical Associationhas in the shaping of the medical policy of the Govern-ment of India."
Home fo1’ Indian Children.Recently the foundation-stone was laid of the home
for children at Matunga, near Bombay, to be built bythe Society for the Protection of Children in WesternIndia at a cost of Rs. 2,72,000. The Bombay corporationrecently voted an annual recurring grant of Rs. 2500’and a building grant of Rs. 15,000 towards thisinstitution.
Retention of Rank in the I.JYI.S.An Army Instruction announces that it has been
decided that the rules regarding the retention of rankcontained in Army Order No. 376 of 1918 shall apply inthe case of officers of the Indian Medical Service(whether holding temporary or permanent commissions)who have served satisfactorily during the war. Thisretention of rank will take the place of honorary rankgranted hitherto.
British Medical Association, including medical men ofall classes, that would carry on continuous propagandawork in a constitutional manner, " move the authoritiesto listen to the grievances of the locally trained men,whether in the service or out of it, and minimise thebaneful influence that the British Medical Associationhas in the shaping of the medical policy of the Govern-ment of India."
Home fo1’ Indian Children.Recently the foundation-stone was laid of the home
for children at Matunga, near Bombay, to be built bythe Society for the Protection of Children in WesternIndia at a cost of Rs. 2,72,000. The Bombay corporationrecently voted an annual recurring grant of Rs. 2500’and a building grant of Rs. 15,000 towards thisinstitution.
Retention of Rank in the I.JYI.S.An Army Instruction announces that it has been
decided that the rules regarding the retention of rankcontained in Army Order No. 376 of 1918 shall apply inthe case of officers of the Indian Medical Service(whether holding temporary or permanent commissions)who have served satisfactorily during the war. Thisretention of rank will take the place of honorary rankgranted hitherto.
ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE MEDICAL PRESS.
AT a meeting of the Worcestershire County Council onApril 24th the Chairman (Mr. Willis Bund) said that theCouncil would recollect that in connexion with the medicalservice scheme for the county they authorised advertise-ments for ten doctors at salaries of .6450 each. Theyobtained two officers, and they then proposed to repeat theadvertisement, but when they sent it to the British JJledicalJournal and The Lancet they received letters stating thatadvertisements could not be accepted which offered a lesssalary than JE500 per annum for such posts. The chairmansaid that he also had a letter from the Ministry of Healthstating that tuberculosis officers should have special quali-fications and experience, and they doubted whether thesalary offered (JE450) would be sufficient. He said that heobjected to this sort of pressure being put upon local autho-rities. (Hear, hear.) A matter like this was nearly morethan they could bear. When they had got two gentlemenfor JE450, who, he thought, were very suitable for the posts,then they got these letters trying to prevent them gettingany more. He did not quite know what to do in thematter. He felt very averse to allowing the medical pressto dictate to them as to what salaries they should give.(Hear, hear.)Dr. Dixey said that not only the Ministry of Health
suggested that they would be unlikely to get officers of thecalibre they desired at the salary they offered, but Dr.Fosbroke (the medical officer of health), in his report on thescheme, said that he was by no means certain that theywould get thoroughly competent officers at -JE450. He hardlythought that the members of the Council would think that asalary of S500 was an extravagant sum,’ having regard to thecost of living, to be paid for a medical officer to do theamount of work that he had to do under the scheme. Hewould have to do the ordinary work of medical inspection ofschool children, and if they were going to get good resultsfor the large amount of money they were going to spend onthe scheme the officer must have some good knowledge andbe a man who would be likely to do good work. The onlyalternative was to tell the Ministry of Health that theywould not carry out the scheme. He proposed that thecommittee be authorised to advertise for eight assistantmedical officers at a commencing salary of JE500, rising toJE600 per annum by annual instalments of E25; that thetwo medical officers appointed be placed on the samefooting; and that the two senior assistants shall havespecial advisory functions, and shall receive a salary of S600per annum, rising to JE700 by annual instalments of JE25.Dr. Dixey said that they had advertised for a dentist at asalary of £400. They had four applications. Three of them werenot eligible, and one the committee thought would do andthey agreed to appoint him, but he had sent a telegram thatday stating that he declined the post. The speaker suggestedthat they should advertise for a dentist at a salary of £450.He hoped that the Council, who passed the full scheme andknew the necessity for it, would agree to the proposals. Thenet increase would be R650 a year, and half of that sumwould be paid by the Board of Education, so that the totalcost to the county would be £330.-Dr. F. W. J. Coakerseconded.
AT a meeting of the Worcestershire County Council onApril 24th the Chairman (Mr. Willis Bund) said that theCouncil would recollect that in connexion with the medicalservice scheme for the county they authorised advertise-ments for ten doctors at salaries of .6450 each. Theyobtained two officers, and they then proposed to repeat theadvertisement, but when they sent it to the British JJledicalJournal and The Lancet they received letters stating thatadvertisements could not be accepted which offered a lesssalary than JE500 per annum for such posts. The chairmansaid that he also had a letter from the Ministry of Healthstating that tuberculosis officers should have special quali-fications and experience, and they doubted whether thesalary offered (JE450) would be sufficient. He said that heobjected to this sort of pressure being put upon local autho-rities. (Hear, hear.) A matter like this was nearly morethan they could bear. When they had got two gentlemenfor JE450, who, he thought, were very suitable for the posts,then they got these letters trying to prevent them gettingany more. He did not quite know what to do in thematter. He felt very averse to allowing the medical pressto dictate to them as to what salaries they should give.(Hear, hear.)Dr. Dixey said that not only the Ministry of Health
suggested that they would be unlikely to get officers of thecalibre they desired at the salary they offered, but Dr.Fosbroke (the medical officer of health), in his report on thescheme, said that he was by no means certain that theywould get thoroughly competent officers at -JE450. He hardlythought that the members of the Council would think that asalary of S500 was an extravagant sum,’ having regard to thecost of living, to be paid for a medical officer to do theamount of work that he had to do under the scheme. Hewould have to do the ordinary work of medical inspection ofschool children, and if they were going to get good resultsfor the large amount of money they were going to spend onthe scheme the officer must have some good knowledge andbe a man who would be likely to do good work. The onlyalternative was to tell the Ministry of Health that theywould not carry out the scheme. He proposed that thecommittee be authorised to advertise for eight assistantmedical officers at a commencing salary of JE500, rising toJE600 per annum by annual instalments of E25; that thetwo medical officers appointed be placed on the samefooting; and that the two senior assistants shall havespecial advisory functions, and shall receive a salary of S600per annum, rising to JE700 by annual instalments of JE25.Dr. Dixey said that they had advertised for a dentist at asalary of £400. They had four applications. Three of them werenot eligible, and one the committee thought would do andthey agreed to appoint him, but he had sent a telegram thatday stating that he declined the post. The speaker suggestedthat they should advertise for a dentist at a salary of £450.He hoped that the Council, who passed the full scheme andknew the necessity for it, would agree to the proposals. Thenet increase would be R650 a year, and half of that sumwould be paid by the Board of Education, so that the totalcost to the county would be £330.-Dr. F. W. J. Coakerseconded.
