The Evening Star TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1902.

Evening Star, Issue 11673, 4 February 1902, Page 4

The Evening Star TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1902.

We desire to associate ourselves with Dr

Colquhoun’s expression of Doctor* in lope that the visiting m«mConneil. bers of the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association will “be made to feel that “they are heartily welcome and that all “ citizens look upon them as honored “guests." The meeting of the Association is o* no small public importance, especially

| in view of the lively interest which certain medical and sanitary questions are exciting lat tho present time. The Association are j to discuss a number of vital subjects—for ! instance, the establishment of sanatoria for 1 consumptives—and wo may be sure that I the public will not look in vain for light I and leading from such a body of ■trained j students and observers. By tho way, it i.s j to he hoped that the assembled doctors will I not fail to speak out definitely and insist- ' ently upon the prevalent neglect of vac- ! cination. Contemporary experiences in i London indicate more clearly than ever the ; absolute necessity of this precaution against i a loathsome disease which played such havoc in the days of our forefathers, and I which vaccination, in co-operation with the j march of sanitary science, has been the I chief means of combating. It is hardly too i much to say that the anti-vaccination crank jis an enemy to the State; and there is still less excuse for (he merely neglectful pater j familias who ignores his duty without even | the pica of “ conscientious ” scruples. The Association appear to be in a healthy state upon the whole —though a certain amount of discredit attaches to the fact that a large numlxT of subscriptions are in arrear. 'The report of the Medical Defence Union show* that no less than forty-five members have i failed to pay their subscriptions, and there : is an almost equally unsatisfactory record I in connection with the Medical Benevolent Fund. The Council of the Association (apart from these side branches) have also cause to bespeak more prompt attention to claims foe subscriptions due. Profession".’, men should set a bettor example to less enliglitened sections of the community. The Council are able to note that “the past year has been one of great importance from “ medical standpoint, having seen the in- “ st,-illation of a very complete public'health “ service in tho Colony, which, though stiff “in its infancy, is doing good work, and “ which should, after tho lapse of a show “ time, show by its result# tho necessity of “ such a department.” The president is inclined to think that fear, in the shape of the plague scare, has brought about such progress as has taken place, rather than really enlightened appreciation of sanitary facts and requirements on the part of the Government; but, be this as it may, the fact of progress is tho main consideration. Wo shall doubtless Lave something to say concerning special subjects to be discussed by the Association, but to-day it will be sufficient to wish the members a pleasant ! and useful time, and to congratulate them j upon having such a capable local president. I Apart from bis strictly professional reputaI lion, Dr Colquhoun is well known as a | judicious and unbiased Blinker, a wise pbilthropist, and a persistent student. His acquaintance with the best that has been thought and said in tho world—Matthew Arnold’s test of culture—is also unusually wide, and his utterances often have that subtle literary flavor which only tho inveterate book-lover can impart. Under Dr Colquhoun’s presidential guidance tinmeeting of the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association should not lack a characteristic distinction.