MEDICAL CONGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1920, Page 5

MEDICAL CONGRESS.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. By Ttlegraph.—Press Assn,—Copyrlsht, Brisbane, August 24. ■ Doctor J. T. Wilson, president of the Medical Congress, in giving an address, urged that it was the duty A the medical profession aa it whole to conserve the health of the comtmim.-y. It was, to preventive jnadieine thai people looked to save them from disease. To prevent infantile mortality and to prevent lessening the incidence of 'tuberculosis) and other diseases owing their existence to unhygienic conditions—the united profession would speak with a voice of thunder, which would shake the supinesa of the Government and the carelessness of the people. Strong concerted action, was necessary in the direction of conserving public health. Dealing with the question of the nationalisation of the profession, he said that the time was not far distant, in the opinion of many, when the question would become acute. If newly-qualifiod practitioners began with £SOO per annum, received automatic increases each two or three years, and worked only eight hours daily, the profession would attract men of ability. He considered that a scheme of nationalisation was practicable, which would benefit both the profession and the public. Referring to the prohibition of the manufacture and use of alcoholic beverages, Dr. Wilson maintained that alcohol, taken as wine or ale, had its use. Therefore, while stopping the sale of whisky, brandy, gin and rum, except as a drug, he would permit the sale of light wine containing not more than 7 per cent, of alcohol, and beer and ale of 5 per cent, alcoholic strength.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.