TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13717, 26 April 1910, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

A -writer in the "British

Tho Medical Journal" raises Bedside the question, what is the Manner, manner that is most effec-

tive for doctors to assume* at the bedside. Numberless good stories illustrating wkat a doctor should not do are extant, but 'there is little light or leading available as to what the medical man should do consistent with strict truthfulness and a proper regard for the ethics and dignity of the profession to gain his jvatient's entire confidence. The reason for this is simple enough. Everything depends upon the patienl, and the line of bedside conduct must be adaptable to each particular individual in need of medical assistance. Many family physicians of the old school were wont to obscure their lack cf up-to-date skill by c display of fine contempt for modern methods. "With them there was no royal road to health. Old-fashioned remedies had to wcik their tardy course, and if the patient had to die he was supported almost to the lost with the comforting assurance, "It is all right, my dear sir, we will pull you through somehow." Hypocbondriace were evolved largely by the charm of manner and grace of personality of the old-time doctors. With the wealthy they became as much an intimate domestic institution as tho family lawyer, and one not to be iparted with so long as some excuse for calling upon his society in the guiee of professional services could be sustained with an outward display of decency. There is no doubt that uncertainty of diagnosis and imperfect knowledge regarding many complaints tended formerly to prolong the association between doctor and patient, and this of itself led to the cultivation of an e,pproved 'bedside manner as an important part of the medical' man's equipment. But the ueed for this has largely passed away. Except in serious cases, patients nowadays exjtect to be placed on the high road to recovery as the result of one visit, *>r, at most, two or ithree. The healing art is regarded more than ever before as a strictly business proposition. In the hands of a properly qualified practitioner there is less room for doubt as to causes and effects; there is less necessity for groping in the dark, or plucking bor,s at & venture; consequently there is less call for the use - of vague cpmfortings that will at once put the patient at his ease for an indefinite period, and allow the doctor time to decide by the development of unmistakable symptoms what really is the matter. In tho light of all these circumstances one is inclined io entirely agree with the writer in the "Medical Journal ,, that it is due from a doctor that he should tell his patient the truth, and nothing but the truth. Not the wholo truth, however, for that might easily militate against the success of the particular line of treatment being adopted.

From the British Manufacturing point of view the Socialists. Berlin police seem to behave with us-

tonishing lack of common-sense >n dealing with Socialist demonstrations. Their tactics cause both amusement and indignation, and the sympathy of the non-Socialist public is almost entirely with the Socialist*. AH Berlin laughed at their discomfiture on March Gth. The Socialists gave out that they planned a great franchise denionshation at Trfgrtow Park, on the outskirts ■of Berlin, and the Police President took the most elaborate precautions to prevent this being carried out. The country for miles around \ras eeoured for police and gendarmes. At an early hoax *xl March 6th all the approaches

1 { to the park were barred by armed con- - j stables, and tho park itself patrolled. I j The. communications of the city were j disorganised, omnibuses being turned \ j off accustomed routes, and railway eta- ! j tion exits in certain directions bavri- » ! caded. "Whole districts -were turned 5 | into armed camps, and no admittance sj to them allowed. A large crowd tried . to march into the park, but was driven _ back by the .police, several people being j wounded in the collision. This, however, was but a feint, which succeeded 1 admirably. "While the police were con- • centraling all their attention on the 1 park, thousands of Socialists moved by - various routes., on the Tiergarten, in j ! the centre of the city. The organisation of the Socialists was wonderful, ior though no public announcement had been made, all of them seemed to know ' just what to do. In the Tiergarten the 3 demonstrators behaved themselves ndr mii-ably. When a man stepped on the . grass he was recalled by the nearest itcward. A youth who threw a paper bag filled with sand at a policeman, was dragged aside by two stewards and 1 thrashed. But the police, hurriedly i summoned from other parts, must in--7 terfere, though there was not the least j necessity for them to do so. They } drove their horses into the unoffending . crowd, and slashed recklessly with '_ their swords. Among the people in--1 jured in the senseless attack were * women and children, and several ' fashionable promenaders, who had no i connection at all with the Socialists.

The ''Tagcblatt," one of the ablest papers in Berlin, declared that whatever disturbance of the peace there was, wae entirely due to the police. Tactics such as these turn more people to Socialism than a month of Socialist speeches.

Caruso's experience in New

A York the other day, when Guarded he fell under the disTenor. pleasure of the " Black

Hand," was probably unique in the annals of the stage. Tho great tenor received letters demanding money (to wit £3000) or his life, and the police decided that in view of New York's bad record in thie sort of crime, Caruso should be guarded as carefully as tho President. Accordingly every precaution was. taken to convey him safely from his hotel to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where he was to sing. He was smuggled down a subway to an underground train, and during tho train journey ho sat with policemen standing over him. When he left the carriage, mounted policemen reinforced his guards for the short journey to tho Academy. The scene in the theatre must luivo been extraordinary to anyone who knew what the police were doing. Scattered throughout tho immense audience were fifty detectives. Half a dozen sang in Viennese costume in the chorus by Caruso's side. Two detectives were perched in tho flies above tho stage, while more than, a score associated with the "gods" in the gallery. It seemed more than a coincidence that the opera was "La Gioconda," with its tragedy and secret plotting. The audience, who, of course, had been fully informed by the newspapers of Caruso's peril, were greatly excited. Caruso sang the opening words in a vibrating crescendo, "Assassinij assass-ini." Later ou ho had to sins "There is an axe within for mo," and "Rise, cowards, rise, for mercy meets denial." The audience were worked into a frenzy of emotion, but no harm camo to the tenor. It was an oxcossivcly Unpleasant position for him, of course; but what a glorious advertisement! And tho police must have rather enjoyed themselves. It is not every day one can hear Caru&o for nothing-