MEDICAL CONGRESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2850, 28 October 1908, Page 25

MEDICAL CONGRESS.

MELBOURNE, Ootobar 20. Professor Allen, ~.n the course of liis presidential, address at the Medical Congress, said that the fall in the birtih rade had been deplorable. Spsaking generally, the fall was not noted so much in tbe highest or in the lowest ranks of society, but wes strongly marked in the middle classes. Australasian statistics reflected only too faithfully this widespread tendency, though since ISO 3 the tide appeared to be- slowly turning. So far as ithis downward movement represented decreased responsibility on the part of parents come extenu&tion migjbt be pleaded,, but so far as it implied unwillingness to accept responsi'biiity it could only be received witli unqualified condemnation. In tiie saving of child life a more cheery tale was to foe told. He rejoiced «b the progress in lejsyislation in Australia on behalf of infants, but much mere required to be done. During late years, the- president added,

tlis&e had been a^reat reduction in the dearth rate fetini tuberculosis. October 22. The Medical Congress carried a resolution that all hoepjtak^ maintained by charitable donations "or by " Government •grants should be free to patients, and that all patients should eign a declaration that they -are unable to pay for medical attendance. A further resolution was adopted that no medical man should pass for admission to a friendly society or association at contract rates for professional attendance any person whose income from all sources exceeds £4 per week ; and that no medical man should attend at contract rates any member 1 whose income exceeds £6 per week. Dr Mason delivered a paper . on " Sidelights on the Work of a Health Officer." At the Medical Congaves Dr Poulton, of South Australia, read a paper on "Surgery in Tuberculosis." In six years out of 1819 cases of tuberculosis in the Adakide hospitals. 42 'per cent.- suffered from lesions other, than lesions of the lungs and throat, and of 4032 deaths in the Ckmpnonwealth over 10 per cent v were caused similarly;. ' ' • N "' - ; October ' 23.. What' is described as the most eloquent paper yet .brought before the Medical Congress was read •by Dr- Pomare (of the North Island), entitled "The Maori." " ' " ' October 26. Dr Pockley (Sydney) was elected president of the next Congress, which will be held at Sydney.