MAYORAL RECEPTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 8

MAYORAL RECEPTION

B.M.A. CONFERENCE

MINISTER'S SPEECH

NEW PRESIDENT INDUCTED

A distinguished1 and representative gathering assembled in the National Art Gallery last night for the Mayoral reception to 'the delegates to the biennial conference of the New Zealand branch of the British' Medical Association. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. C. 'A. Hislop) presided, and extended a civic welcome to. the delegates, after wheh the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser) addressed the assembly. During the evening Dr. T. D. M. Stciut, the new president1, of the association, was inducted, the badge of office being handed, to him by the retiring president (Dr R H. Hogg). Advantage was also taken of the occasion to present the Hunterian Medal to Dr. F. O. Bennett, of Christchurch, Sir Edmund Spriggs, representing the 8.M.A., and Royal College of Physicians, London, making the presentation.

Mr. Hislop said he appreciated very muchithe privilege of occupying the chair. He desired,first, on behalf of the -people of Wellington, to extend a very cordial welcome to all those ladies and gentlemen who had gathered from various parts of New Zealand and from overseas to take part in the conference. "I should like especially to welcome your outgoing president, Dr. Hogg, and your incoming president, Dr. T. D. M. Stout, who tonight will be inducted into' the chair... It is a peculiar pleasure to welcome, Dr. Stout when one thinks of him as carrying on with distinction the distinguished name which he hasviriherited from his great father, the late Sir Robert Stout, and -his mother; ■Lady Stout. . I think'in-the' history; qf New Zealand there: are. few flgUres.. Who': have been, more outstanding"'lrxl their influence' upon/public affairs; than- the late Sir. Robert .Stout,::an%? in'her own'sphere, Lady Stout., I-def sire also" particularly to- welcome 'two. very, distinguished members of your professions from the Old -. Country, :'Sir; Edmund Spriggs and Sir Robert Muir.'

i"lt is now .some eight years ■ since yj>ur conference was'last; held in Wel- ? lipgton. During that period there has been much development,- and one'out-'; standing: evidence of that-is this build-" ing in which you meet tonight and in which your conference is being held. This building was opened a year ago after much effart and much work had been done to bring about this realisation of a national ideal, the establishment of a permanent home in the capital city for the national treasures of art and science now and in the years to come. The building was erected with moneys subscribed as to £100,000 by the people of the Wellington district and as to £ 100,000 from the Government of the country, but though we here played- so. large a part in its erection we look upop it not in a parochial'spirit but as in the. truest sense the; possession of .the. nation, and I hope, that youIwho come from other parts, will so regard, it;- and .perhaps from time .to :time,help towards placing within: it the national' treasures. HIGH PRESTIGE; s Continuing,.. Mr,1 Hisiop said. that today, despite.:. those who: in . the past viewed1, wit.h scepticism .the work of the profession, jtg prestige: stood high and unchallenged . for. its beneficent work* in the-. J commun.ity,ybut he was convinced- that. the.-'i■ high; .regard in which the profession was held was due not go :. much: to the knowledge and skill of its members—because knowledge and-skill,was common in marfy activities—but because of; the high ethical standard that had characterised the work of the profession,' ,'■, "You have not allowed your profesision to be commercialised. Your'first consideration is the patient and not the fee,, but. should ever the1 day come— Which If eel sure under your careful influence it; will not—that the fee becomes more important than the patient, and you'allow commercialism to submerge the high ethical principles which have obtained in the past, then that day:your;prestige will fall,'and deserv* edly fall.. "You meet to discuss the many prob. lems that today confront you. The advance in scientific discovery goes on'with ever-increasing rapidity, but new problems ever arise still to be solved, You in your activities work for the health and the wellbeing of mankind, It is sad to reflect that today we see so many of the resources of science devoted to the purposes of destruction, So much is this so in late years that even our own British nation, the most peace loving in the world, is compelled to devote the genius of its men of science and'the vast" resources of the country for the production of the weapons Of destruction. ■ ' ■ "Whpn we look upon, all this form of activity in this, the twentieth century, one might well be disturbed for the future^ of humanity. But these courses are not new, though now they be on a greater scale. \ From them in the pa^t humanity has ever moved forward in the march of progress. We must have faith in the future, and a capacity to regard current phases of history without letting ' our sensations blind and bewilder, us." GREAT SOCIAL SERVICE. 'Mr. Fraser conveyed to the delegates the best wishes of the Prime Minister (the Rt. -Hon. M. J. Savage) and the Government for a most successful, enjoyable, and profitable conference— a conference profitable to the community generally as well as to members of the association. More and more) the medical profession was recognised as a great social service, although it had always been that in reality. j "I would like to take this opportunity/ said Mr. Fraser, "of thanking the doctors of the Dominion for the many services they rendered to the people, often gratuitously, because many people could not afford to pay for their services, during the years of, the

(depression. 'I am. sure that the spirit that has'always" dominated the ranks of the-jmedical; men of New Zealand during times- of trial will be at the service: of : the country continuously and that any, projects, Government or otherwise, which may be brought forward in'the; interests of the community generally, such as a national health scheme, will receive their support. On the other hand their interests, and those /■of the other" professions and organisations- concerned, must receive fair consideration. Attack on disease. "I propose to- glance briefly at the health services/of the Dominion —to review as. it. were': the forces marshalled for the .protection -of health and for attack" on disease.- The present generation is inclined to take much for granted so far as public health is concerned, and possibly does not appreciate the marked advances which have been made in past years. While we hear of epidemics of plague and cholera in -Eastern countries, and of outbreaks of typhus under war conditions, and take such news items as a matter of course) we fail to appreciate that these diseases once struck much nearer home. It now. seems almost incredible, for instance, that plague more than once has ravaged England;' that cholera should become epidemic in London as recently as 1854; that typhus was an ever-present foe in crowded communities and -earned such names as hospital fever, gaol fever, and camp fever; and that smallpox was a universal disease killing its millions. We are also apt to'forget that mosquito-borne diseases, malaria and yellow fever, held back the building of the Panama Canal and set back for generations the colonisation of parts of Africa. - The control of typhus has been due to improved social conditions; in yellow fever and malaria it has been due to the application of scientific knowledge by medical men with the assistance of sanitary engineers; and in smallpox to the use of some form of vaccine therapy. In New Zealand the diseases which I have jU5t • mentioned have never figured prominently. Indeed, except for a few sporadic cases of plague in Auckland, Jtjijsi'last of which occurred over a quarter of a' century ago, and two epidemics, of smallpox, the most, recent of which was in 1920, these diseases are^unknown- ih this.'country. ..ADVANCES IN NEW ZEALAND. "We can, however, point to triumphs pf preventive medicine in this Dominion. Typhoid fever, which in 1875 v/as responsible' for 9.00 deaths per 10,000 pf-population, in 1935 accounted for only 0.07 deaths per 10,000. The sanitary engineer and local authorities, with improved water supplies and more efficient systems for sewage disposal, must receive the major part of the credit for what has been achieved in this. respect. In saying this I do not overlook the praise which is due to the medical .profession for improved methods .of treatment..

"Tuberculosis, which in 1875 was responsible/for ;~15.64 deaths per. 10,000 population, in: 1935 accounted for only; 3.88 .deaths- per 10,000.'; . In,..this case the ; factors would' appear, to be improvement of social conditions, better .-medical .treatment of the patients,, and more intelligent isolation: from contact with the susceptible members of the community. : . .;

"Any (diseases such. as cancer, unfortunately' remain as formidable as ever; while others such as poliomyelitis have acquired even • greater ;notoriety, ; The most 'critical: observer, however, will probably: admit that the world today is a much, healthier-; place than, ever before; that its people live longer, and enjoy a fuller and more active life. Nevertheless, since I took office as Minister of Health I have had forcibly impressed upon me the fact that there is still too much preventible disease in our midst. School medical officers report that in this land of plentiful food and sunshine many children suffer ;' ; .f rain malnutrition. Disturbing reports have reached me in regard to the higher:. incidence of tuberculosis among Maoris, while the prevalence of goitre and dental caries still constitute local public health problems. NEED FOR RESEARCH WORK. Mr. Fraser said there was a great necessity for medical research work. That wpiild be undertaken as far as the resources at their disposal would permit. He appealed, although he was sure sucla; an ■■ appeal was not neces^ sary, .fop an open mind in all questions affecting health and methods of treatment for the scientific attitude towards methods which-might now seem new and even startling. Unorthodox treatment could no longer be dismissed with a shrug-:of the shoulders or even by disciplinary methods, Often the distinction between a prophet and'a charlatan was very small, but they must 'takecare' that" the prophets, even in medicine and mech'cfll matters, were not stoned.' It'seemed to him that the' future ;.lay. to. a!;y.<?ry great extent wittf: preventive medicine. Medical service had given them much in that direction. It would giye much more in the future. It had been proved .that g°°d houses, good 'arid ample food, adequate clothing, sunshine, and fresh air could accomplish miracles. Research work stilliiiirther along these lines must be continued- Dietetics must occupy a prominent place, Physical education mustibe: organiseu and encouraged. Arrangements must be made for healthful utilising of additional leisure! In the future campaign for health, as well as in the fight against disease, the medical profession, supported by nurses,' chemists, dentists, and the organised health services, would continue to lead the race. DR. STOUT INDUCTED. The induction of Dr. Stout then took place. Dr. Hogg said he was pleased to hand over to Dr. Stput the badge of office as president of the B.M.A. "I feel sure," said Dr. Hogg, "that'-the association is getting a leader who: \vi.ir give" the .best of his -ability and-energy to further the aims of the association. A man of those qualities is particularly desirable at the present time." Dr. Hogg also handed to Mrs. Stout the customary lady's badge, and referred to .Mrs, Stout's work, in the field ambulance during the war. She did great work in taking the sick and

wounded to their destinations, and he was sure she would help her husband now in the same spirit as she had shown during the war.

Dr. Stout was given an ovation, and proceeded to read his presidential address. ■"•'■.-•'