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ALEXANDER LAMBERT, M. D.
President-elect American Medical Association
Red Cross Needs Medical Men Abroad

The American Red Cross needs physicians and surgeons for its work abroad. The Medical Reserve Corps of the Army takes precedence over all other calls but there must be men who, rejected for slight physical disability or for being between 55 and 60 years of age, should be available for the various medical duties of the Red Cross. The teaching staff of the medical schools will not be taken unless with the written permission of the dean. Medical men are wanted for clinical work in medicine and surgery, for administration work, for hospital administration, and for the medical work in the manifold Red Cross activities. All who can go as volunteers, paying all their expenses, should do so to aid the Red Cross; but if this is impossible.

Courtesy Jour. A. M. A.

the Red Cross is prepared to pay their expenses and, when necessary, to add the salary of a first lieutenant-$160 a month. It will be possible to have men go for work in the Red Cross for eight or nine months abroad and six months home, and again eight months abroad, thus having a rotating service as regards personnel, but a continuous medical service. All applications should be made to Dr. Alfred E. Shepley, Medical Personnel Bureau, Red Cross, Washington, D. C.

ALEXANDER LAMBERT. Chief Medical Adviser, Red Cross in France.

4 Place de la Concorde, Paris.

-Jour. A. M. A., June 22, 1918.

Actual Benefit to Surgery Derived
From the Present War

In discussing a paper upon this topic by Dr. R. R. Hollister (Neb. State Med. Jour.) Major Jno. P. Lord, (Ft. Des Moines Base Hospital) said:

"The world has been benefited by having had this cataclysm thrust upon it, and brought world problems, making us keen students of world history; making it necessary for us to make readjustments in our mental attitude, and our duties to one another, and to our patients; and while it has brought these enormous benefits in actual practice in special lines of surgery, I think that the great big advantage arising from recruiting is going to come later in the prevention of the many conditions found only by systematic examinations of millions of men.

"It has brought to our attention the fact that we have in the supposed yeomanry of our country-the young soldiers mustered into the service-a large percentage of potential cripples. Ignorance of their condition led to the belief that it was necessary to suffer these things. We now find it unnecesary, if attention can be brought to the condition before the aggravated condition has developed. In the examination of five thousand troops ordered examined for the purpose of a new shoe tariff, I was called into the presence of the commanding general of the Eighty-ninth division who said that he would like to have me observe also the misfits-the foot deformities and to acquire other information as would be of value. I cannot refer to all of this for lack of time. Suffice it to say that 35 per cent of five thousand soldiers supposedly fit for the army had foot symptoms, and were complaining. Many of these men had claw feet, flat feet, bunions, over-riding toes, hammer toes, callouses, and especially frequent was anterior arch trouble produced by one thing only-wearing shoes too small and too narrow habitually. Ask these men how they got on with their farm work, and they would say, 'we have riding machinery.' They ride their horses to and from the field, and after supper ride the automobile. to town. They could wear the same shoes we wear and we spend half our time sitting in a swivel chair. Thus shod they could not be efficient soldiers.

"It was found that a large percentage of these troops had bad teeth or tonsils. Many had, therefore, neuralgia and rheumatism and other complaints as the result. Heretofore they were ignorant of these conditions. This information that these men have acquired will be carried broadcast throughout our country. It will not be many years, therefore, before we will have legislation that will authorize universal school inspection, and public health laboratories, where it will be possible for any citizen to have a

diagnosis of his case. This will become particularly valuable in the declining years of life, when things are apt to go wrong, that people will have, publicly or privately, examinations which will point out the difficulty, and perhaps add years to their length of life.

"We have been too individualistic in practice. Each fellow had his favorite way of treating a fracture. Now we are standardizing. This will lead to uniform methods of practice, not only in this particular line but in everything.

"A great many semilunar cartilages have been found to be loose and a disturbing factor in the army. A man in civil practice develops a little trouble in his knee. Put him into the infantry and he can't stay there. By way of commenting on improved methods, on the other side. they find that the semilunars can be removed, the wound sewed up and the men put on their feet the next day. A practice too common hitherto has been that knee joints have entered the holy of holies! We must not allow motion to interfere with subsequent function! We put it into a plaster case. The man is disabled from one to several months before he gets full function. The other way it is only two or three weeks We are learning many things by the object lessons of this war.

"When this war first broke out we were

unready. We sent our troops into these camps. They brought their infections from every part of the country. Some had mumps, some measles, some scarlet fever-this, that and the other thing. If they didn't have them they brought the germs with them. They went into close quarters and close contact and developed various infectious maladies, and the whole barracks was infected. How now? A detention camp. They go there for two or three weeks. If they have any of these things to develop, they develop them, and while there get all their inoculations, also. Thus infections are absolutely controlled."

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Now does the medical profession furnish the public all of the assistance and protection possible? Does our organization exert itself in a liberal but progressive tendency to ameliorate and improve deleterious tendencies, and does it constantly do better? We have a war to win, and the medical profession is second to none in its spontaneous offer of service regardless of the kind of sacrifice. Men have freely and willingly given up large practices to enter the Medical Reserve Corps.

Without making any kind of sacrifice demanded of us for the protection of our free and glorious country during a time of war we would be unworthy to enjoy the opportunity of being a citizen and enjoy lavishly the fruits of our work during times of peace. No physician will say to another, "You go and let me reap of the benefit of your absence," in a material sense. If you are a citizen you have duties as well as privileges.

The medical profession enters into a new economic adjustment. As a result of the "high cost of living" we have raised our fees. This is a delicate question, not for a hush-hush meeting and finally to let die. Every physician should appoint himself a committee of one to raise his fees regardless of the actions of some of your colleagues. The lay public is beginning to lay down the prices for which the doctor must work. The noble profession must work for money, strange as it may be. Then we must collect our fees. Our patients have money to try all sorts of quacks, spend money in travel and often when their treasury is empty we do their work without any material recompense. We must teach the public otherwise. Let us ask for our fee, as the quack wants cash down. Make every patient pay or he must turn charity patient.

Our societies have economic committees, and the Illinois Medical Society is inaugurating a grievance committee. With the united medical profession back of such a grievance committee, the possibilities and benefits to be derived from their work are considered enormous.

Physicians for years have stood idly helpless as a new born babe and have seen the unscrupulous fellow gull and defraud the people, and rob them of their money, many times the savings of a lifetime, on the strength of a guarantee to cure the incurable or the relief of some greatly magnified or imaginary ailment, and leave behind them an impression in the minds of the duped that all physicians are fakers. You know of some that are in your society and your colleagues, you meet them and you know them. While often we are holding the empty bag the less scrupulous fellow runs away with the game. The Illinois State Society subdivides the grievances within our profession into two classes.

1-Those against our own members who are not living by the golden rule.

2-Physicians outside of our county societies who have been refused membership or know admission would be impossible.

Someone has said a long time ago that man knows the right, yet pursues the wrong. P. I. L.

Why Should the Surgeon General
Appeal for Medical Officers?

Of the 146,000 doctors in the United States, it is a safe calculation that at least 70,000 of this number are within the age limit, from 21 to 55 years, and are physically and morally qualified to serve as Medical Reserve Corps officers.

Why, in view of this fact, the Surgeon General's Office should be hard put to secure a sufficient number of medical officers to supply immediate demands and to furnish a reserve force of between forty and fifty thousand doctors is not quite comprehensible.

Every qualified physician, knowing how essential his services are to his country at this particular time, should consider it not only his duty, gle for humanity and democracy. but a privilege to take part in this glorious strug

This is the time when individual opinion must be sacrificed for the benefit of the whole and the time is near when every doctor must be in one or two classes: either a member of the Medical Reserve Corps, United States Army, or in the Volunteer Medical Service.

If you are between the age of 21 and 55 years, and there is a doubt in your own mind as to whether you are qualified or not, let the Surgeon General determine this matter by applying at once to your nearest Medical Examining Board for a commission in the Medical Reserve Corps. -American Medical Editors' Association.

Another Hearst Canard

Arthur Brisbane, the erudite and versatile editorial genius of the Hearst syndicate, breaks into print recently on the subject of "Horse Flesh as a Food." He concludes that "the civilized world is opposed to eating horse flesh because the horse is known to be the habitat of the typhoid germ (!) and that man contracts typhoid from the horse only." (!)

It is the "horse-laugh" for Arthur, and a base slander upon "man's best friend!"

Dr. A. W. McAlester, of Columbia, has been appointed a member of the Missouri State Board of Health, vice Dr. W. J. Ferguson, of Sedalia, who resigned on account of going into the medical service of the United States Army.

Food Number of

"American Medicine"

One of the most interesting and valuable pub

lications that have reached the editor's desk for many months, is the June number of American Medicine. It is a special food number. It is most timely, not merely from the subjects treated, but from the men who have contributed the ar

ticles. It is a "scoop" number in medical journalism. "Food stuffs" are considered from all possible standpoints, economical, nutrition, therapeutic, dietetic, source, cost, the palate, age, illness and health. It is one of these numbers we keep for reference, even after reading through. Among the contributors to this number are Hoover, Wiley, Bassler, Major Fitch, Cantley of London, Wright of Canada, Kellogg of Battle Creek, Cammidge, Don Smith, Hewlett and Sherman of New York. Get it. Read it. Keep it. We congratulate the editors of American MediJ. M. B.

cine.

The American Public Health Association will hold its next meeting in Chicago from October 14 to 17. The principal topic during the meeting will be "The Health of the Civil Population in War Time."

Missouri Valley Scores Again. We are proud of the record of the Missouri Valley States in the Thrift Stamp campaign. Nebraska leads all others in total sales to July 1st with Kansas and Missouri a close second and third in the race.

Exhibits at Omaha-Manufacturers and publishers desiring to secure space in the exhibit hall at the meeting of the Medical Sociey of the Missouri Valley, September 19-20, will please wire the secretary, Dr. Chas. Wood Fassett, 713 Lathrop building, Kansas City. Only a few spaces are unsold as the Herald goes to press.

A motion picture benefit for Base Hospital Unit No. 28, a Kansas City organization was given at the Alamo Theater Saturday, July 27. Proceeds will be used for the unit, which is under the command of Maj. John F. Binnie, and now in active service in France. The pictures portrayed members of the unit and the nature of their work.

Grandview Sanitarium Reopened We are pleased to announce to our readers the reopening of the new Grandview Sanitarium, Kansas City, Kan. This institution, after fifteen years successful work, under Dr. S. S. Glasscock's supervision, was destroyed by fire last winter. The new buildings are planned on modern lines, comfort and safety being the prime objects in view. Physicians are cordially invited to call and inspect the "New Grandview."

Wheat on Prescription-Texas having foregone the use of wheat flour, the Food Administration at Dallas, Texas, on the prescription of a physician, issued to him twelve pounds of wheat flour for a patient suffering from pernicious anemia.

Miss Susanna Cocraft, of Chicago, has been of the war department's school for women and called to Washington, where she will have charge girls. She will co-operate with Capt. Peyser and Maj. Ahern, of the Housing and Health division of the government.

Publications by Army Medical Officers-As stated in the circular "Memorandum for Editors of Medical Publications" recently issued by the Surgeon General's Office, all medical manuscripts by medical officers of the army intended for publication should be first submitted to the Board of Publications, Surgeon General's Office, Washington, D. C., for censorship and approval. The authors are requested to send in two (2) typewritten copies of their manuscripts to the Board of Publications, care being taken that the manuscripts are double spaced. Attention to this detail will facilitate handling of the manuscripts, both by censors and publishers. direction of the Surgeon General. (Signed) C. L. Furbush, Colonel, Medical Corps, N. A.

By

Pharmacy in the Army-"So far as the official recognition of it is concerned, the science and art of pharmacy might not exist for the Army. Today, as never before, victory in war goes to the nation that most effectively preserves the health of its fighting men. The physician is now of such military importance that the medical profession will be called on to make no inconsiderable sacrifices. It will materially. lighten the arduous duties and responsibilities of the physician to have in the Army trained pharmacists who will be able to give intelligent cooperation. But it is imposing too greatly on the patriotism of those whose special knowledge is obviously a large asset to the Army, to expect them to enlist as privates without any recognition of their national worth. Pharmacists should be given a rank commensurate with their importance, first because it is but a simple justice to the pharmacists themselves, secondly, because the usefulness of the medical corps will be greatly augmented, and lastly, and most important, because the efficiency of our army demands it." Journal of the American Medical Association.

Chionanthus exerts its best influence in acute congestion with imperfect discharge of bile, or catarrh of the common bile duct.-The Doctor.

The Doctors' Library

"Next to acquiring good friends, the best acquisition is that of good books."-C. C. Colton.

ORAL SEPSIS IN ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SYS

REST, SUGGESTION AND OTHER THERAPEUTIC MEASURES IN NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASES By Francis X. Dercum, A. M., M. D., Ph. D., Professor of Nervous and Mental Diseases, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, second edition, published by P. Blakison's Sons & Co., 1012 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. (Price $3.50).

This is a rewritten edition of Vol. 8 of Cohen's

TEMIC DISEASES-By William W. Duke, M. D., System of Physiologic Therapeutics. Dr. Der

Ph. B., Prof. Experimental Medicine in the Universtiy of Kansas; Professor Medicine in the Western Dental College, published by C. V. Mosby Co., St.

Louis, Mo., 1918.

This is the modern book presenting the "complex relationship" between disease of the gums and alveolar process and systemic disease. This small book of 124 pages teaches its theme with 170 illustrations, well to the point and tersely demonstrated. Not only physicians interested in the hazards of focal infections and systemic disease but the dentist will find here condensed fundamentals not in the general library.

S. G. B.

THE ELEMENTS OF THE SCIENCE OF NUTRITION-By Graham Lusk, Ph. D., Sc. D. F. R. S., Professor of Physiology at the Cornell University Medical College, New York City. Third edition, reset. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company, 1917.

Dietetics, a departure of medicine which is coming into its own, through hospital work and public demand, reaches its present day climax in this work of Lusk. The medical man who underestimates the value of diet to his patients will, in a short time, be considered behind the times. Such a man cannot expect to begin with Lusk to inform himself, he will need something more elementary. The subject as presented herein presupposes a working knowledge at least, in dietetics. Metabolism, respiration, nitrogen output, starvation and nutrition in all its phases are discussed from a scientific standpoint of the calorimeter and its application to all phases of life, age and social conditions. The writer states he has no intention of again revising the book. In another decade the development of scientific knowledge will probably permit the formation of the subject from the standpoint of physical chemistry. This is not a long step for such men as Lusk. The chapter on Food Economics is of vast importance and universal in its practical interpretation in these days of war. The views The views of Lusk-the last word on the subject-must be well digested by medical men who would keep abreast with this all important matter. The first pages of this chapter are a revision of a paper published in Journal of Washington Academy of Science last year. J. M. B.

NOTE-The Medical Herald's Kansas City office will supply any book reviewed in this department at publisher's price, prepaid. If an order for two books be sent at any one time, the purchaser will be entitled to a six months' subscription to the Herald. This plan is arranged for the convenience of our readers, and we trust it will stimulate trade in the direction of good books.-Editor.

cum's aim is to present to the general physician the differences existing between the functional diseases in a simple, understandable way along with simple physiologic methods of treatment. A clear clinical interpretation is presented as a necessary key to successful treatment. The methods outlined for exercising function and overcoming "fatigue states" along with indicated drug therapy makes Dr. Dercum's book desirable to general physicians in need of detail information in treating the neuroses.

S. G. B.

INTERNATIONAL CLINICS-A Quarterly of illustrated clinical lectures and especially prepared original articles on Treatment, Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Pathology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Otology, Rhinology, Laryngology, Hygiene, and other topics of interest to students and practitioners. By leading members of the medical profession throughout the world, edited by H. R. M. Landis, M. D., Philadelphia, U. S. A., with the collaboration of Chas. H. Mayo, M. D., Rochester; Sir Wm. Osler, Bart., M. D., F. R. S., Oxford; Frank Billings, M. D., Chicago; A. McPhedran, M. D., Toronto; Rupert Blue, M. D., D. P. H., Washington, D. C.; John G. Clark, M. D., Philadelphia; James J. Walch, M. D., New York; J. W. Ballantyne, M. D., Chicago; Arthur F. Beifeld, M. D., Chicago; Charles Green Cumston, M. D., Geneva; Richard Kretz, M. D., Vienna, with correspondents to Montreal, London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Leipsic, Brussels, and Geneva. Vol. 111, twenty-sev enth series, 1917. Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott Company.

This publication, now in its 28th year, still holds its own in medical circles. A pioneer in magazine clinics-though bound in book formit has maintained itself in spite of competition by virtue of the diversity of topics treated and the quality of the editorial staff. Osler, Blue, Billings, Mayo are names which will command attention for decades. The first article, Iridocyclitis, by Dr. Schwein, is a most masterly presentation of a difficult problem. Secondary Anemia, by Stuart McGuire, and the Surgical Clinic on G. W., by B. A. Thomas will well repay one. Neurasthenia Before and After the War, by Walsh, brings out some ideas with which we must familiarize ourselves on these items. Food Inspection in Cincinnati, by Landis, gives us some light on a subject of vital interest today, forcing itself to the front in all communities. The volume is made up of articles from leading men of the world in medical and surgical clinics, public health, neurology and treatment. would be impossible for any medical man of any special line to fail to find interest and profit in this number J. M. B.

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