BREAKING THE STRAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1939, Page 5

BREAKING THE STRAIN

HOBBIES FOR DOCTORS. NEW YORK, September 13. A hobby for doctors, believed to be "without parallel, is thriving sturdily in Brooklyn, and has now attained true therapeutic value. The strain involved by routine practice, and the continual struggle to improve one’s income have made physicians, surgeons, and dentists ideal subjects for a care-free syllabus. Last year, some radio talks were dramatised by the Medical and led to the discovery of talent for and love of acting. The Doctors’ Theatre was formed. Then musical members created the Doctors’ Orchestra and the Doctors’ Choir. Separate groups began assembling ,in other fields until there are now 300 men and women interested in a score of subjects. The programme is divided into music, drama, and literature, arts and crafts (including photography), sports and collecting. The last-named category offers the widest range of topics. Stamp collecting heads the list. Less widespread are the array of tablespoons assembled by a well-known surgeon, the Oriental armour of a gynaecologist, or ancient firearms for another surgeon. An eye specialist has a fondness for elephants in any medium. Early American glass, metal ware, and miniature liquor bottles attract the attention of a woman physician. A prominent physician is a recognised authority on plants, flowers, shells., and semi-precious stones. Antique furniture, ivory, Wedgwood china, tropical fish, rare books, butterflies, and coins add to the number Oi things treasured by medical men. Musically-incsiined responded faster than their fellows. Many of them were said to have relinquished active playing in their high school days, ami gladly accepted the chance to revive techniques all but lost. A competent lay director was hired, and two concerts were given in the Spring.

Singing practitioners were reluctant at first to appear, and the conductor experienced difficulty in getting a start. However, the choir gave a concert in June. The proceeds of all public entertainments go to the Physicians' Home.

The Doctors’ Theatre presented plays in May and June. A recent entertainment brought to light one of the natural problems confronting any group of doctors; portion of the programme had to be cancelled tvhen an emergency call robbed the cast of its leading player. La inting, drawing, and photography have made rapid strides. Sculpture will be stressed in coming months Shooting parties, under the guidance of a Gun Club official, are held on Saturday afternoons, also tennis tournaments, under one of the country’s leading amateurjsi Instruction irf given in horseback riding by army

officers. Other pursuits include lawn t howling, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, cruising, i fencing, and archery. 1