THE DOCTORS AND THE WAR.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2511, 12 July 1915, Page 7

THE DOCTORS AND THE WAR.

; Sir,—May I, as a member of the medical profession, state that I for one very much resent the attitude adopted by tho Minister of Defence and Minister of Public Health in taking it for granted that the profession, as a wlio(e, is willing to offer its services free of charge to the returned invalided soldiers? The B.M.A. (British Medical Association) does not recognise Dr. Valintine as cne of its officials, empowered to act' on its bohalf; and surely tho.Minister of Defence (whoso Department abounds in formality) at least, should know that "all communications should be sent through the! proper channels." Surely common courtesy demands that the profession should havo been approached, through its representative body, tho 8.M.A., before such statements are made and taken, for granted. • ■ The Minister of Defence, in my opinion, has not set about the matter in tho right manner, and his contemptuous indifference to the association does not augur well for tho future. May I ask..also (this from a purely personal point of view) whether members of Parliament are prepared to forsake their salaries and work for nothing in the interests of the returned invalided soldiers, as it is intended the medical profession should? I notice, as, usual though, that tho medical profession only Is required to Tender its services freo of cliaTge.—l am, etc., FILIUM OANNEI.