ard; the demands incident to examination of drafted soldiers, including the reclamation of men rejected because of comparatively slight physical defects; the need of conserving the health of the families and dependents of enlisted men and the preservation of sanitary conditions -all these needs must be fully met in time of war as in time of peace. They must be met in spite of the great and unusual depletion of medical talent due to the demands of field and hospital service. In fact, and in view of the prospective losses in men with which every community is confronted, the General Medical Board believes that the needs at home should be even better met now than ever. The carrying of this double burden will fall heavily upon the physicians, but the medical fraternity is confident that it will acquit itself fully in this regard, its members accepting the tremendous responsibility in the highest spirit of patriotism. It will mean, doubtless, that much service must be gratuitous, but the medical men can be relied upon to do their share of giving freely, and it is certain that inability to pay a fee will never deny needy persons the attention required. It is proposed that the services rendered by the Volunteer Medical Service Corps shall be in response to a request from the Surgeon General of the army, the Surgeon General of the navy, the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, or other duly authorized departments or associations, as general administration of the corps to be vested in a central governing board, which is to be a committee of the General Medical Board of the Council of National Defense. The State Committee of the Medical Section of the Council eral Gorgas, U. S. A.; Surgeon General Braisted, U. S. N.; Surgeon General Rupert Blue, Public Health Service; Dr. Cary T. Grayson; Dr. Charles H. Mayo; Dr. Victor C. Vaughan; Dr. William H. Welch. (Blank forms for application may be obtained of the editor of the Medical Herald.) The Army Surgeon's Path A correspondent writing from Camp Funston, after reporting that the disease condition is now on the decline, concludes: "This is a source of great relief and no one in this camp will ever forget the vigorous campaign carried on to cambat three of the most dangerous disease epidemics in any army command. The path of an army camp surgeon is far from being rosy, from the chief surgeon down to the last assistant unit surgeon; and when we look back on the battle waged against meningitis, measles and pneumonia, when our surgeons worked all day and all night, we doubt if ever a city surgeon or weary country practitioner ever led a more strenuous life." The Physician and His Income Tax For the benefit of our readers who have not yet made a return for their federal income tax. we have compiled the following information regarding the exemptions and conditions relating to the professional man. Every unmarried physician whose net income for last year equalled one thousand dollars must make a return. If married, no return of National Defense constitutes the Governing is required unless his net income equals or ex Board in each state. Conditions of membership are not onerous and are such as any qualified practitioner can readily meet. It is proposed that physicians intending to join shall apply by letter to the Secretary of the Central Governing Board, who will send the applicant a printed form, the filling out of which will permit ready classification according to training and experience. The name and data of applicants will be submitted to an Executive Committee of the State Governing Board,. and the final acceptance to membership will be by the national governing body. An appropriate button or badge is to be adopted as official insignia. The General Medical Board of the Council of National Defense is confident that there will be ready response from the physicians of the country. The Executive Committee of the General Board comprises: Dr. Franklin Martin, chairman; Dr. F. F. Simpson, vice-chairman; Dr. William F. Snow, secretary; Surgeon Gen ceeds two thousand dollars. Net income implies the amount remaining after deducting the proper exemptions, which do not, however, include living expenses. The physician's income must include all money received for professional services, interest, dividends or earnings on all investments (with the exception of liberty bonds to the amount of $5,000), rents, wages, commissions and any other form of income. Exemptions to be deducted from the income include state, county and municipal taxes on all real estate and personal property; office rent, hire of office assistants, all medicines and medical supplies used in the practice of his profession; cost of operating and maintaining automobile used in making calls; dues to medical societies, subscriptions to medical journals, actual expenses attending medical conventions; cost of fuel, light, water, telephones used in the office. Amounts expended for books, medical supplies, surgical instruments or new automobiles, all improvements of a per manent character, are not allowed as deductions. Items of personal expense, or items connected in any way with the support maintenance and wellbeing of the family are not allowed. If a physician uses a portion of his home for an office, he may deduct a reasonable amount for office rent. Returns must be made before the first day of April, to the collector of internal revenue, and blanks may be obtained from him. Failure to file a return will subject the physician to a penalty of not less than $25 or more than $1,000, with an addition of 50 per cent added to the taxes. tax. Advances in changes in the medical profession and one among The great world war has brought about great them is the important part that electricity and mechanical therapy is playing in the reconstruction of the wounded. It is conceded by highest authority that shattered nerves (shell shock) is greatly benefited by the use of various electrical currents. Without the x-ray to aid them, the surgeon would be greatly handicapped in his work, both in time of war or peace. It is almost a necessity that the modern physician of today be equipped with an x-ray in his office. Elec All the above refers to the Federal income trical treatments are actually being demanded The State income tax in Missouri provides an exemption of $2,000, if single, and $4,000 if married. In addition to these income taxes, any physician having a net income of $6,000 or more is required to pay eight per cent on same. Base Hospital No. 28 a Red Cross Unit Kansas City Red Cross Hospital No. 28 is not as familiar a name to Kansas Citians as Base Hospital Unit No. 28, but it is the correct title of the unit that entrained for Ft. McPherson, The Ga., Feb. 23. The unit was recruited, equipped Beds, surgical equipment, x-rays, linen, toweling, ranges, a laundry and everything necessessary to make a portable hospital were bought with funds raised by the people of Kansas City through the Red Cross. Besides No. 28 the Kansas City Red Cross equipped the Red Cross Ambulance Company No. 24, now stationed at Camp Funston. Treatment of Carriers Interesting experiments are being made at the army camps with chlorin gas in the treatment of meningitis carriers. It seems reasonable that a gas which penetrates all the nasal passages should be more efficacious thana spray or swab which can only reach a limited portion of the passages. It is intended to extend these experiments to all pneumonia contacts in the future. by the laity today and the physicians who are not equipped to give them are losing money and prestige thereby. That any reputable physician should fail to avail himself of the offer in this issue made by the Thompson-Plaster Co., to become familiar with their x-ray and combination treatment cabinet is losing a great opportunity. This company manufactures a number of different models and there is one to fit each individual's need. They accupy small space in the office, but give the very latest electrical currents being used by the profession, as well as the mechanical features. It will pay you to investigate their goods and their methods of placing a macash. Their sales and service station located at chane in your office with a small amount of the Physicians' Supply Company is Kansas City, in charge of C. F. Mills. Correspondence solicited. Navy Calls for Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt announces that the navy is still in urgent need of spy glasses and telescopes. Anyone having such articles to donate should forward them to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, care Naval Observatory, Washington, D. C. Daughters of Confederacy Endow a BedThe Missouri Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will be the first branch of this organization to place a bed in American Military Hospital No. 1 in France. This is a Red Cross Hospital, under the supervision of the American army, but is dependent upon subscriptions for support. The bed is endowed for a year at a cost of $600. Hoover's War Slogan-Go back to the simple life, be contented with simple food, simple pleasures, simple clothes. Work hard, pray hard, play hard. Work, eat, recreate and sleep. Do it all courageously. We have a victory to win.Hoover. Dr. C. R. Woodson, who has been at home sick with pneumonia, is convalescing. "Many Thanks" to our subscribers who remitted during February. Please see adv. page 56. Assistant Physician Wanted-State Hospital No. 2 at St. Joseph is in need of an assistant physician. Apply to Dr. G. Wilse Robinson, Rialto building, Kansas City, Mo. Germans in Americal have won our esteem and liking; we accept them in all respects-except as political masters. Unfortunately their masters did not realize the exception. Kansas City to the Front - The Jackson County Medical Society has made provision for taking care of those members who are in the service. Members of this society have agreed to refund one-third of all fees paid to them by patients of those who are absent. There are 152 members in service. Artificial Limbs for Disabled Soldiers-The application of artificial limbs in Australia is described in a pamphlet by Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart, M. D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Sydney. The writer has The writer has found great difficulty in getting disabled men to realize how much can be done to improve their lot. They tend to become discouraged with the irksomeness and discomfort of the unaccustomed burden of an artificial limb. Great temporary weakness and lassitude of the remaining tissues, which are just those to which the artificial limb is attached, follow severe amputations as a matter of course. These become permanent in the case of healthy parts, however, only if left unexercised. The utilization of the stump in doing actual work, through the instrumentality of a light, inconspicuous, and suitably constructed artificial limb, gradually restores both strength and vitality. The temptation which the patient at first finds almost irresistible to unburden himself of the unaccustomed appendage soon gives place to pleasurable interest and pride in finding himself enabled to resume profitable occupations from which he had believed himself forever debarred. The artificial limb, as is pionted out, should be such that the patient likes to wear it. When the limb really fits him, the physical and mental comfort which it brings to the wearer is beyond expression; it converts the desponding into hopeful, active, useful men. The Germans are supplying two limbs, one strong and simple, provided with hook or ring, or other device, for the man's every day work, and a Sunday arm for walking out. To most patients the main thing is that the limb should be of practical use in their work, but the limb and its movements should be natural looking, for that will help the wearer to get employment. War News CAPTAIN P. I. LEONARD, M. R. C., U. S. A. If you are under forty, why are you not in the Medical Officers' Reserve Corps? As a citizen who enjoys all privileges, should he assume no duties? "Let George do it!" Army service is not all sacrifice. The doctors now on active duty are enthusiastic about the inestimable personal, physical and profesional benefits already realized. Gorgas has taken steps for the elimination from the service of all incompetent medical officers. There are physical disability, mental incapacity, temperamental unfitness, laziness, inability to command men, lack of education or proper training. "To many, military service will open the gates of professional opportunity. Not a few medical men, whom finances or other matters have held in cramped environment, will rise through achievement in broad fields of endeavor they would otherwise not have known. Many, whose educational facilities were restricted, will now have chances to perfect their clinical training in the wards of great hospitals and under the tutelage of medical officers who, in civil life, were great teachers and clinicians. The man of ability, dwarfed by environment, will have his chance to come to the front. Many a potential surgeon will have opportunity to learn by operative practice that which would never have been afforded him in his civil practice. Many a shrewd diagnostician will prove his abilities and rise from obscurity to a high place in the respect of his fellows before the war is over. Before military and naval forces are disbanded, many medical men of present average status will have moved up into the expert class. They will seek and utilize to the fullest the tremendous professional opportunities to 'carry on'."-Military Surgeon. On Wednesday evening, Feb. 20, 1918, the Buchanan County Medical Society had a dinner at the St. Francis Hotel, St. Joseph, Mo., in honor of the dedication of their service flag presented by Dr. C. W. Fassett. Addresses were made by Capt. C. E. Morton and Capt. J. F. McGill, from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and by the Rev. E. H. Molony of St. Joseph. Captains McGill and Morton spoke of the Army Medical Reserve Corps, its functions and the duties of the regular medical profession in its relation to the country's need. Both were listened to attentively and both created a wholesome impression upon the members. They spoke of the advantages of the Medical Reserve Corps, especially to the young man. Both had made a sacrifice in entering the corps, from a financial standpoint, and they held that the profession always rose to the demands made upon it during any crisis in the history of our country. Rev. Molony, in a plain, practical sense talk, which at times became dramatic, spoke of the sacrifice of offering his own sons, and if they had not volunteered to do their bit, they would not have been worthy sons. At this remark the entire society rose to its feet and remained standing for a minute during a profound silent concontemplation. A very impressive moment, this patriotic declaration of a man willing to sacrifice all for the protection not only of our own liberty, but for the liberty of all humanity. The roll of honor as read by the secretary is as follows: Maj. O. C. Gebhart, Captain T. J. Lynch, W. L. Kenney, P. I. Leonard, E. F. Cook, and Lieutenants G. W. Boteler, L. I. Long, O. A. Schmid, C. Greenberg, A. S. J. Smith, F. X. Hartigan and H. K. Wallace. In a monarchy everything is ordered from above and all have to obey. In our democracy we must display intelligence as an individual and as a nation, unity of thought must precede unity of action. If our form of government is to live we must atrists and neurologists that probably would become liabilities instead of assets on the firing line. More than 300 mental and nervous experts are on duty at the various camps. Of 2,000 recruits submitted to the Schick test by experts at Camp Funston lately, 85 per cent were found immune to diphtheria, the saving in antitoxin is thus evident. X-ray interpreters are in great demand, as well as orthopedists. After the war re-education will demand the greatest attention. There will be higher ranks for Reserve Medical officers in the national army for ability and efficiency. The quota of 20 per cent for St. Louis is 349, now in service 303, for Kansas City 186, now in service 134, for St. Joseph 36, now in service 19. Almost 40 per cent of the total staff of the medical school of Washington University has been released for national military service. The navy calls for binoculars, spy glasses and telescopes "as eyes for the navy.' Trachoma is generally introduced into posts maintain it, and, prove its superiority. Do your during the present struggle, had an epidemic and camps by soldiers and laborers. France, introduced by African soldiers and sailors. bit. Dr. R. T. Morris, in his new book on War, says: "The Germans, in laying stress on Darwin's doctrine of the struggle for existence, have completely forgotten his other doctrine of mutual interdependence. Instead of cultivating the good will of other nations, the Prussians are now trying to smash them. Prussia is 'protoplasmically senile.' She is done for. In fact, any nation that deliberately wages aggressive war is abnormal. War is always a symptom of deficient brain development. Man is the only mammal that thus kills his own kind. In time wars will cease." In August, 1914, there were approximately 20,000 medical proctitioners in France and of this number some 14,000 have been mobilized, while 1,500 or thereabouts have been killed or rendered unfit for service. Lieut. W. L. Kenney has been promoted to Captain Kenney in January, 1918, at Ontario, N. Y. American medical officers exercise the greatest vigilance with respect to trachoma, particularly in camps in some of the southwestern states. where trachoma is known to be endemic. Lieut. F. X. Hartigan is surgeon at the Dorr Aviation Field, Arcadia, Florida. We read that discharges of officers from the Army Medical Corps are continuing at the rate of fifty a week. In all, 1,050 medical officers have been discharged since the beginning of the war, and there have been about four thousand rejections in the medical reserve corps. Reconstruction hospitals are to be placed in various parts of the country where soldiers will be literally rebuilt. It will not be only physical but they will be made over mentally as well. Kansas City Medicos in the War-Jackson County, Mo., Medical Society recently ordered a service flag for its office and it was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies at the regular meeting of the society, December 11. The flag contains 151 stars, that number of members having joined the colors, out of a total membership of less than 400. The flag will contain one gold star to represent the death of Dr. W. T. Fitzsimmons, killed in the explosion of a bomb dropped from a German aeroplane upon the hospital where he was serving. Society Scintillations Third Session MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CLUB, KANSAS CITY, MO. utes of the two previous meetings were read and approved. Owing to the sickness of Dr. C. R. Woodson, chairman of the library committee, no report was forthcoming from that committee. Through the courtesy of Dr. H. DeLameter. his phone, located in the assembly room, No. Main 486, was placed at the disposition of the Thursday, March 21, 1918, at General Hospital society during their sessions. Demonstration of Methods for Measuring Demonstration of Twilight Sleep. Conservative Treatment of Puerperial Sepsis..........Dr. George C. Mosher 3. Moving Picture and Demonstration of Simple Pelvic Repair....Dr. B. L. Sulzbacher Afternoon Session, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Symposium on Focal Infection 1. Tonsilitis and Arthritis. 2. Operations of Choice for Tonsillectomy. 3. Importance of Focal Infection in Diagnosis of Diseases of Obscure Etiology... .Dr. Ralph H. Major 4. Focal Infection in Relation to Syphilis.... ..Dr. William Duke 5. Focal Infection in Relation to Heart Disease ...Dr. Robert Sloan 6. Focal Infection in Relation to Endocrine Disturbance.........Dr. George H. Hoxie 7. Asthma and Focal Infection. .Dr. A. J. Lorie 8. Teeth and Focal Infection. . Dr. J. A. Sawhill The profession cordially invited to attend. A. Sophian, M. D., secretary; Howard Hill, M. D., president; E. F. Robinson, M. D., vice-presi dent. BUCHANAN COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY Regular meeting held in the assembly room of the Public Library, Wednesday evening, February 6, 1918, at 8 o'clock p. m. Dr. Daniel Morton in the chair. Twenty-three members present. The regular order of business was set aside and the chair appointed Dr. Floyd Spencer to at once telephone a message of sympathy and the well wishes of our society for the speedy recovery of Dr. C. R. Woodson, who was reported seriously ill. This having been done, the min The following bills were presented and a warrant drawn on the treasurer to pay same. Lon. Hardman, four issues of the Bulletin, $10.70. Secretary, for postage on Bulletin and correspondence, two dinners for guests at the St. i Francis, lunches and pay of machine operator, $6.08. The following communication was read and submitted for discussion: Communication from Dr. J. E. Goodwin, requesting a paper from at least one of our members to be read at the annual meeting of the Missouri State Medical Association, to be held at Jefferson City, May 6, 7 and 8. (Those who presented papers at last meeting barred.) Communication from Dr. Chas. Wood Fassett, tendering our society a service flag, and suggesting that we have a flag raising night, at which time the flag is to be unfurled. The proposition of Dr. Fassett was accepted and the program committee instructed to arrange appropriate ceremonies. Communication from the Auxiliary Medical Defense Committee of Buchanan County, re questing the indorsement and support of House Bill No. 8937, providing for proper military rank of medical officers, both in the regular army and in the medical reserve corps when called into service, was read and the indorsement of this bill was adopted. The secretary was instructed to write the officers, mentioned in the letter, a letter to that effect; also to notify our state senators of the resolution. The application of Dr. William Franklin Carthe censors for their investigation and report. rol received its first reading, and referred to Clipping from the Army and Navy Journal, describing extensions which are being made in the scope of the Medical Training Camp by the addition of courses in specialties required of the Medical Sanitary and Veterinary Corps, was read and submitted. Dr. H. DeLamater requested the support of the society in the passing and enforcement of various laws relating to the duties of his office. The Library Committee was authorized to complete arrangements for placing on file in the public library a selected list of Medical Journals, properly indexed and arranged for the convenient use of our members. |
