MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 10

MEDICAL PROFESSION.

ITS STATUS IN NEW ZEALAND

The world-famous American surgeons who recently visited New Zealand clearly enjoyed their visit, and were much impressed by many things they saw here. Some of their impressions, which are of unusual interest and value, are now being published in the medical journals of the United States, to which they have returned. The official journal of the American College of Surgeons known as “Surgery, Gynecology, and Obstetrics,” has as its chief of editorial staff Dr William J. Mayo, and as its managing editor Dr Franklin A. Martin. To the June issue of the journal both these gentlemen contribute notes and comments of much importance on their recent visit to this country. 11l an editorial Dr Mayo, after concisely describing the route to New Zealand, says, “The medical profession of Australia and New Zealand is of a high grade, and compares favourably with that of any country of the world. Medical men are highly esteemed by the people, and politically are very influential. Quackery, while not unknown. is not in evidence. At Auckland we had the pleasure of attending a most instructive and interesting meeting of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Asssociation, Carrick Robertson, the president, presiding, with nearly four hundred in attendance. Many excellent scientific papers were read.” Dunedin Dr Mayo refers to as “A Scotch town of 50,000 inhabitants, on the southeastern coast of the South Island. In Dunedin,” he says, “is the spelndid Medical School of New Zealand, of which Sir Lindo Ferguson is the dean, and Professor Barnett surgical chief, where we saw much interesting surgical work. Several fine pieces of research work were shown to us, notably that by Professor Hercus on the relation of the absence of iodine in the soil, especially on the Canterbury Plains, to the incidence of goitre. Another research was on the various tests for echinococcus disease, which is extremely common in this sheep-raising country. At the School of Anatomy we were shown by Professor Gowland some dissections of the tuatara, an animal found only in New Zealand, which throw interesting sidelights on the development of the forebrain. . . . The American visitor to New Zealand and Australia receives the most cordial welcome from these kindly people, who represent the purest strains of the Anglo-Saxon race. Immigration is confined exclusively to the white race.” Touching on entertainments in an article in another part of the same journal, Dr Franklin H. Martin says: “Everywhere we received a warm welcome and every hospitality that we had time to accept was ours to enjoy, whether tendered by the governments, cities, medical societies, universities, hospitals, or individuals. We were fortunate to be guests of honour at a dinner in the Government House at Auckland, given by their _ Excellencies the Governor-General and Viscountess Jellicoe of New Zealand. No one could fail to appreciate being entertained by this brilliant figure of the late war, the hero of the battle of Jutland. He was most cordial in his welcome to our party of United States citizens. His Worship the Mayor, J. 11. Guiison, Esq., and councillors of Auckland entertained the members of the British Medical Association in the Town Hall, where we were the guests of honour, and where Dr Mayo responded to the Mayor’s speech of welcome directed to the United States representatives. The Mayor’s car was at our disposal while we were sojourning in Auckland. In nearly every city we visited we were entertained by the various civic clubs, including the Rotary Club and the various English-speaking societies. One or more, and sometimes all of the men of our delegation, were expected to respond to the toast to the American visitors. In Dunedin, in Christchurch, and in Wellington our spare time was occupied with delightful private and semi-public dinners, luncheons, and teas. A ball at Sir Lindo and Lady Ferguson’s, and afternoon tea at the country place of Dr Frederick Ratcliffe Riley, with a motor ride over the mountains skirting Dunedin, were delightful features of the hospitality extended to us. On the last evening of our stay we were entertained by the surgeons and their wives at a delightful dinner and dance given at the Savoy. “ Before closing my remarks on our entertainment in New Zealand I must not forget to tell of the opportunity the Government furnished us to see the native Maoris in the most advantageous way. A special train took the members of the British Medical Asssociation from Auckland to Rotorua, one of the principal home centres of these interesting aborigines. These people, while many of them are now educated and cultured, retain many of their ancient customs, among others their traditional songs and dances. This was an unusual occasion, as the Maoris were called

from far and near to reproduce for us a series of entertainments and dances similar to those extended to the Prince of Wales on his recent visit. By an impressvie ceremony, which involved long speeches, the members of our group were enrolled in the different tribes and given various implements of warfare and peace. Dr Peter Buck, a leading physician and a Maori, was the host. Dr W. J. Mayo was made chief of a tribe, and given a robe of office and a staff of authority. The presentation was made by one of their beautiful maidens. This required that he enact with her the ancient custom of “rubbing noses,” an impressive ceremony which-caused envy on the part of less fortunate visitors.”