MEDICAL PROGRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21342, 17 November 1932, Page 14

MEDICAL PROGRESS

DEVELOPMENTS ABROAD

DOMINION WELL INFORMED

A DOCTOR'S OBSERVATIONS

Tlic latest developments in the work of tlio medical profession in Britain wore observed by Dr. A. G. Talbot, of Auckland, who returned yesterday after a visit to England. Part of the object of Dr. Talbot's visit was to attend centenary celebrations of the British Medical Association.

Medical science was progressing all tho time, I>r. Talbot said, and he noticed many changes in the technique of operations and in the appliances used. One of the most notablo developments was in the uso of anaesthetics and pro-anaesthetics. It was the custom now to administer narcotics or sedatives prior to giving the anaesthetic, and successful results were being obtained with a number of different substances used in this way. Generally speaking, the effect was to relieve the patient's stress of mind and induce quiet rest before an operation. This development was, of course, well knqwn here, and these pre-anaesthetics had been used in tho Auckland Hospital for some years past. 11 is observations showed that in all branches of tho science New Zealand was quite up to date and was kept well in touch with latest developments through publications and by the travel of doctors.

Discussing hospital organisation, Dr. Talbot said that a great many of the English hospitals now had private wards, and tho system was found very satisfactory both for patients and for medical men, and for the hospitals. Doctors could attend their patients there, and if they did not receive full fees they at any rate received something for their Services. People who could not pay the full fees charged by private hospitals could receive good hospital attention, and pay special rates lor accommodation and nursing according to the rooms occupied and the attention required. A similar system had been recommended to New Zealand by more than one commission, said Dr. Talbot. There was really no reason why the public should have to pay for tho medical treatment of those who wero well off, as was the case here, for even if a patient paid the full tariff, that did not cover all tho cost of treatment. In all these hospitals at Homo there was an almoner whoso duty it was after sufficient inquiry to decide whether a patient should go into the general ward or into a private, ward.

Dr. Talbot met a number of New Zealand doctors and students, and found they bore a very good name among, members of the profession. Surgeons and physicians in various hospitals had spoken to him in high praise of thorn, and it was a fact that certain hospitals had an almost constant succession of New Zealanders on their staffs. Of course, most of them had the advantage of some practical hospital experience before they left New Zealand, following on their very thorough theoretical training.