DRIVERLESS SURGEONS

Evening Star, Issue 16197, 19 August 1916, Page 12

DRIVERLESS SURGEONS

OPERATING HAND SHAKEN AT THE WHEEL. The calling up of doctors' chauffeurs is concern to many distinguished members of the profession, who at all hours of the day and night are called on to rush from one hospital to another to attend wounded soldiers (save tho London 'Dailv Mail'). J If they drive themselves the surgeons leave the ttcering wheel with their hands in a condition of tremor, which unfits them for a critical operation. Tho Government were warned of this danger, but at least one life has since been lest through the hand of a brilliant surgeer. shaking at the critical moment, the result of driving his own car. The profession have petitioned the tribunals to regard their chauffeurs as indispensable, but without effect. The military authorities tell them to find women. But the women have proved unable to work ai! day and drive again, perhaps, between 2 and 4 o'clock in the morning. Moreover, they cannot manage the mechanical work of a bieakdown on a country road. Failing women, the surgeons have been gravely told that the "tube" will often br found convenient, if a taxicob is not within hail. But life hangs more often than not in the balance in the early houw of the morning, when tubes and taxicabs axe not available.

The medical men have made two suggestions—that their chauffeurs should be placed in the R.A.M.C. and left in their employment, , or that the doctors should have the services of motor transport drivers. They dare not operate, these distinguished medical men declare, if they mii3t jo to the work with their hands unfit..