ART OF HEALING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 57, 8 March 1932, Page 8

ART OF HEALING.

PROGRESS OF A CENTURY. B.M.A. CONFERENCE OPENS. MR. C. G. AICKIX AS PRESIDENT. "For the public good and for the health of the community," was the way the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. G. W. Hutchison) summed up the objects of the annual conference of the Xew Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, opened by him at the University College buildings, Princes Street, last evening in the presence of a large gathering of doctors and their wives, all parts of the Dominion being represented. He said it was the most important conference of the many that were held, and while the object of many conferences was the improvement of the economic position of the people concerned, the objects of the present conference were not profit or personal interests, but the public good and the health of the community.

Those attending the conference, said the Mayor, were welcomed to Auckland not only for their prs-eminence in their own profession, but for the interest many of them had taken in social welfare and public service. There was no doubt the doctors did a great deal fpr the public, much of which, he understood, went unremunerated. The honorary work they did at the various hospitals, for instance, could not be too highly praised, and he could assure them, on behalf of the rest of the community, that the work was not without due recognition. The Mayor went 011 to point out that the conference synchronised with the centenary of the 8.M.A., and he spokii of the remarkable progress that had been made in medical science. He felt sure that the utilisation to-day of moving pictures in teaching surgery would be regarded with amazement by the founders of the association. Incidentally, if the doctors thought of using the "talkies" they should include some of the remarks of their patients. (Laughter.) The Mayor congratulated Mr. Casement G. Aiekin, the eminent surgeon, upon his election to the office of president. The selection had been well made, and it was to be hoped the new president's year of office would be both successful and pleasurable. Lord Bledisloe's Interest. The retiring president (Dr. J. W. Williams, of Gisborne) read letters wishing the conference success from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health. His Excellency the Governor-General, ing expressing regret at not being able to open the conference, suggested there might be scope for research work in connection with the possible interrelation of some of the morbid condidtions in New Zealand affecting human beings on the one hand and farm animals on the other, with special reference to what were known as food deficiency diseases, traceable to lack of iron, calcium, iodine, phosphates, vitamins, or other essential food. "Had I been present at your conference," wrote his Excellency, ""I should have ventured, albeit a layman, to suggest this is a topic worthy among others of serious consideration on the part of our medical profession and of those who conduct so efficiently medical research at Otago University and elsewhere. You have my best wishes for the success of the conference." A Wise Selection. Dr. Williams said he was the only president who had not presided over a conference, as the conference of 1931. which should have been held in Gisborne. had been abandoned owing to the earthquake. He was still living in hopes of seeing a conference held in Gisborne, however, and could assure the members of a most cordial welcome. In handing over the badge of office to Mr. Aiekin he said their new president was held in high esteem by his professional brethren. He was a surgeon of great repute, and had a fine record during the war. It was said that he had other activities besido surgery, and some said it was a question whether he would rather perform an abdominal operation or milk a Jersev cow. (Laughter.) As a surgeon, a man and a friend, there was no one more worthy to carry on the duties of president of the association than his friend Mr. Aiekin, who could be certain that he had the good wishes of every member.