THE MEDICAL CONGRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8654, 12 February 1914, Page 4

THE MEDICAL CONGRESS

Though much of its work is necessarily of a somewhat technical nature, there is nevertheless a deep human interest attaching to the proceedings of idle important Medical Congress now sitting in Auckland. Many men eminent in medical science, in surgery, bacteriology, and the like, are assembled from various parts of the world. These men are engaged in comparing notes, exchanging views and opinions, recording the degrees of progress—-or of failures which lead to progress in the fight against physical disorders, constitutional diseases, even against death itself. The studies of such men are of the greatest value and benefit to humanity. There is, perhaps, no higher calling than that of the physician, unless it be that of the humbler nurse, for these good people devote their lives, energies, skill, and brains to keep life in the human body. The battle against such grim diseases as consumption and cancer may appear to be disappointingly slow in its results, the struggle against mental maladies may seem to I>© baffling, the experiments in the laboratory may seem at times to produce but small results' — yet all the time knowledge is most certainly being acquired, surgical skill is advanced, , scientific discovery is being practically applied, and as a tangible proof of the real effectiveness of these exhaustive labours we have the definite knowledge that the average span of life is being lengthened. New Zealand is proud to be selected as the place of meeting of the distinguished men now in Auckland, and is glad to be for the occasion the host of those who are so faithfully and practically serving roankind.