OUT-PATIENTS’ DEPARTMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 22379, 1 July 1936, Page 16

OUT-PATIENTS’ DEPARTMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I was Very pleased to see the letter by “ Disgusted ” in last night’s ‘ Star.’ This is a matter that requires urgent attention, and I hope others will express their opinions so that the hospital authorities will do soniething to remedy this very objectionable practice. My wife has been subjected to the same ordeal as “ Disgusted,” and, although in urgent need of medical attention, simply cannot face a repetition, and prefers to suffer. There are probably many other ladies silnilarly affected, who, because they cannot ■ afford private medical attention, must either suffer -indefinitely or go to the out-patients’ department. I realise, like “ Disgusted,” that medical students must get practical experience, but I have often wondered what their ideas on this subject would be if their own womenfolk were compelled to go through spch ordeals. Money, or lack of it, has no effect on our finer feelings, and it is shameful that women in poor circumstances have to pay such a price for medical or surgical attention. It would be interesting to know if the patient has a right to object to an audience of students. In my opinion, the students should at least require to . obtain the patient’s permission to be present. This would at least help to dispel that feeling of humiliation that must at present exist. I know that I am_ expressing the opinion of that vast majority of those people who during the past few years have been compelled to use the out-patients’ department, and I congratulate “ Disgusted ” on giving publicity to this obnoxious procedure.—l am, etc., ’ Privilege. June 30, TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—A letter signed “ Disgusted ” appearing in your columns this evening might have been reasonably intelligible had it been signed “ Disgusting.” As “Disgusted” considers looking at her the same as examining her, it is quite evident that her objection is based on a false idea of the students’ attitude of mind, which indeed disgusts her and offends her modesty. Since students do not behave in a manner to suggest any other but cold scientific interest (annoyance, disgust, and suchlike are concealed), it must be assumed that her judgment is the offspring of introspection. She is therefore disgusting.—l am, etc., June 29. Pro Speculo.